More birds from Down Under

This is an Australasian Grebe chick. I imagine it is one of the two I posted on the previous thread, a few weeks ago. It's not much smaller than the parent birds. The patterning is the distinguishing factor now. Cute little birds.

Good grief, Resin. I did go on rather a bit. You probably only wanted as yes or no answer.

This Pink Eared Duck was busily preening and I focused on the bill to see if I could get a decent shot of that amazing apparatus. I've cropped heavily to show the underside of the bill.

After this shot, I had to hurry home to download the shots to see if I'd had a good time. And I had! Hope you've enjoyed them.

Quite interesting, actually margaret!

Those swans are so adorable. they look nice and fuzzy.

Great pics...I like the one of the Pink eared Ducks!

I had no idea about the water situation there. Very interesting...

You definitely had a good day out! The Nankeen Night Heron certainly didn't look happy, lol.

It must be mating time again with the Swans putting on such a dispay, how many broods do they have in a year? Now I wonder why they disappeared behing the foliage, lol.

Those Pink Eared Ducks are spectacular birds! The under part of the beak looks almost flexible. Very interesting Black Fronted Dotterel, a pretty bird, sounds like you were lucky to see it.

Wow, Margaret, I knew there was a drought but did not realize it was that bad. Thanks for the info.

The pictures are so wonderful. At this moment, we are planning a trip to Las Vegas, Nevada, in February. Then, I am going to start saving for a Perth trip!! ;o) I so want to hug those Pink Eared ducks!

These are wonderful pictures Margaret...and we are all learning a lot about your country. Thanks again for sharing with all of us...this is just delightful!

Oh love the Black Swans and the Dotterel. Feel very spoiled here, with all our water.

Thanks for your comments everyone. 

Wallaby, I actually believe the displaying swans were two males.  I've seen it before, where the male breaks away from the female and goes and puts on one of these choreographed performances which ends with him chasing the other away from the area.  Then the male will return to the female with both of them doing lots of honking and neck stretching.  As swans mate for life, there's no way an interloper would be able to impress the female so quickly. 

Yes, the water situation is permanently critical.  Our dams have been at about 25% capacity for many years and are supplemented by groundwater and now by a desalination plant just south of Fremantle.  More are proposed along the coast.  Most householders do their bit, but it's frustrating when you see Government departments and local councils pouring vast amounts of water onto parks and playing fields.  Additionally, builders are subject to the same restrictions and it's common to see hoses on building sites running 24 hours a day. 

I went to the swamp yesterday and wasn't expecting to get any decent shots as it was really overcast.  However, when the cloud cover thinned momentarily, I was able to get some shots of Straw Necked Ibis standing or walking around on the flattened bull rushes.

At home, to make every drop of water count, DH and I have had a two litre icecream container in the kitchen sink to catch all water that would otherwise go down the sink, say for rinsing hands or vegetables, etc. Also we use it to catch the water for washing up under the hot water tap until the water goes from cold to hot, usually about 3 litres. We have a 10 litre plastic water container with a funnel in it just outside the kitchen door to empty the icecream container into and when it's full the water is used on plants around the yard. We generally need to empty it about half a dozen times a day, saving about 60 litres that would otherwise have gone down the drain.

Another shot of an Ibis.

I love that pattern on the bill. You should be able to see its ear.

Pink Eared Ducks in a heavily shaded spot. Had to lighten this shot up.

Grey Teal duckling. So tiny.

Pacific Black ducklings. They and the Grey Teal family were only feet apart. The poor little bub in my last pic inadvertently crossed the body space comfort zone and mother Black Duck gave it a good shake before releasing it (unharmed - not even perturbed).

Details of the Ibis feathers.

Wow those look metallic!

Excellent photos, Margaret. I particularly liked the Ibis photo at post #5799049.

Out of curiosity, do local residents, hotels, etc. have in-ground swimming pools ? I didn't realize the critical nature of your water shortage. We too often take for granted all of the natural resources that surround us.

Cool!

I just adore baby ducks....my favorites babies of all

Thanks Nanny. They are just so sweet.

Yes, Mrs Ed. I thought the feathers looked like oil poured on water (not that anyone should do that).

Thanks Linth. I just had a Google and in 2006 20% of Perth's households had a swimming pool. Authorities certainly encourage the use of pool blankets to reduce the amount of evaporation. I would think that all major hotels and motels would have pools.

In 1996 the Western Australian government passed legislation that all new homes must have dual flush toilet cisterns. I don't know how familiar people are with these, but there's a half flush and a full flush button, with the half flush using about 2 litres of H2O instead of the usual 9 or 12 litres. Full flush is used for more "significant" flushes.

There are also water saving shower heads, which reduce the amount of water from a shower without reducing the apparent flow. I don't know exactly what happens but I think that somehow air mixes with the water and it cleans as well and feels the same. (I could be talking through my hat on this).

People are encouraged to install rainwater tanks and there are many easy to install designs. New houses have strict energy and water saving requirements that have to be met before approval is gained and more and more developments have a low energy (and water) impact built in.

Fantastic pics Marg.

Fabulous parrots, Hel.

The eastern states have been in the grip of drought for ages. Hel, what's your perspective on the water crisis? Has it affected you, being on the coast, or is it farther inland?

Margaret, love the parrots. I can only imgine how it would be to have them just flying about. Keep 'em coming. Lee

Thank you very much, Lee, but you should be complimenting Hel, as they're parrots she has at her place. Hel, am I right in thinking the parrot closest is a King Parrot and the one behind is a Crimson Rosella?

On my way to the Osprey's nest today a few New Holland Honeyeaters were feasting on the nectar in this vine that covered a fence.

I just love the bright, contrasting colours

Sitting atop a finial

Sorry hel, I got you and Margaret mixed up. So now let me tell you that the pics of the parrots are lovely. Lee

love those honeyeaters

Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful!

Such gorgeous shots they make my mouth water! Thanks again Margaret!

Hi all, Marg they are male and female King Parrots. Since I have been putting the wild parrot mix out I have had so many Kings and surprising how close I can get to them. We are not in a drought here, we are on rain water only and have never run out. It has been raining here since Sunday and still doesn't look like clearing. Once again your pics are great.
This pic is an Eastern Rosella

Love the duckling Margaret!

The parrots and rosella are beautiful hel!

Love the contrasting colors in your honey eater pic., Nice vine too.
Hel, the Eastern Rosella is so colorful, very beautiful bird.

This thread is getting a bit long. Thank you all for you wonderful comments and encouragement (as if I needed it).

Please join me here http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/925268/

WOW, I have 2 eastern rosella I raised from eggs. One talks, they are the loves of my life. I sold the parents to someone who takes better care of them. They fly around when I let them (because they will eat my house) and they love my cooking. I wish I could take them all back to Australia and let them go. Thank you so much for the pics !

G'Day Guy's, this a pic of my beautiful male King Parrot, I can get so close to him now aren't his colours magnificent?

Wormwood, maybe look at your local shelters to see if they know of anywhere to rehouse them where you are. Nice thought to have them repatriated to Australia, but the practicalities would be hugely problematic, notwithstanding that they have been hand reared and would be unlikely to cope in the wild. Yes, they are pretty destructive, aren't they?

Hel, you lucky thing, having a King Parrot that trusts you to the extent that you can approach him. Yes, he is absolutely magnificent. I've seen them at my sister's place in Canberra.

Please join us at Volume 2. Click on the link in my last post and it'll take you there.

Beautiful parrot Hel!

HERE IS THE NEW THREAD

http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/925268/