Continuing on from yesterday, I thought we might have a look at some Australian birds that are in a giant aviary at The Melbourne Zoo.  Again, it isn’t a place I normally go when I visit the zoo.  I suppose it is something about native animals that we just think, ahh, we’ve seen them all before.  True or not, I was very glad to go and look at them.  I do want to say that todays post is for George, she wanted to see more Australian birds and asked if I could photograph some, so George, I hope this is what you were looking for.

I have to admit 2 things here.  One, some of these are not very good. and are a bit out of focus.  Photographing the birds was harder than I thought it would be.  Using the camera zoomed out all the way to 300mm introduces camera shake.  Perhaps what I should’ve done was increase the ISO, which would have enabled me to get a faster shutter speed.

The other thing is that I really don’t know what these birds are.  I know they are Australian, but I don’t really know much else about them.  So if anyone does know what some or all are, then please let me know and I will put the names in underneath each one.  I suspect the first one is some sort of Rosella, but that is about it.

I believe this one is also a Rosella, though not really sure.  It was a funny bird, it was a bit further away and when I started photographing the first one, it flew to a closer branch, obviously wanted me to take its photo.  It was very funny.

This one just sat there very quietly.  I don’t think it was trying to get anyone’s attention, but it caught mine. It looked so lovely just sitting there.

This is one of the ones that isn’t quite in focus.  The bird was moving around so much.  It would be so nice to get a lend of a 500mm lens to try some photos like this.  It would be good to do them at the zoo.

I had to show you this photo, this bird looks part platypus, I would love to know what it is.  Of course, there were signs up at the zoo about all the different birds, but I didn’t really take any notice.  If I ever go back, I will for sure.  I loved the hair style, how beautiful does it look?

I have no idea what these are and the photo is not great of them.  I think they are some sort of Cockatoo, but I don’t really know.  They were so lovely and they just sat here, looking pretty.  I was disappointed with these, I might have been too close, which is a big problem with the large zoom lenses.

I liked the way this one just stood there.  Again, no idea what it is.

The zoo can be a great place, unfortunately yesterday was packed with people, which also meant lots of people with small kids and prams.  I don’t have a problem sharing space with them, but little kids these days seem to lack manners, or their parents just let them run wild.  People stop in doorways with their prams so you can’t get past them.  I brought my girls up to be aware of people around them and to respect them.  They were never allowed to push in front of people, or get in other peoples way.  It just seems that those sort of manners are not taught anymore.  Klara got very annoyed when kids would push her out of where she was standing.  She hates prams and how slow they go, and won’t get out of the way.  It is interesting visiting public places with Klara.

Going to the zoo is always a good experience, next time we will go mid week.  I do love the Melbourne Zoo and would recommend a visit.

Photographing at the zoo, it is hard because what lens do you use?  I wanted wide angles and I wanted close ups.  I think if I was to go again, I would make a decision, either one or the other.  In the end yesterday I pretty much stuck with the telephoto lens.  I was enjoying the close ups.  Maybe next time, I will use the wide angle more.

The New Blog

It is taking me longer to set it up than I thought. I haven’t had a whole lot of time to work on it, but I have decided to give you the link, then you can see how it changes.  I will post my blog posts in full on both blogs until I am happy with the new one.  I think you can subscribe to it now, though many things aren’t working on it yet.

blog.leannecole.com.au/

So take a look, and if you know how to do some of the stuff, like how to get a “like” button that isn’t part of facebook, please, feel free to let me know.

I am not sure about the theme and I think that will change when I find one I like.  So patience please.    I need to follow my own advice there.