Last summer's heat wave. Part 1

[Phoenix]

As the title says. last summer was a scorcher. We have a bird friendly yard and make sure our bird bath is full for the visitors. I feel a bit like a cheat when I take shots in the back yard. We set up a natural perch above the bird bath which proved to be great for the birds and both a blessing and a curse for photos..
This young honey eater was quite comical to watch as it clumsily tried to feed off the honeysuckle.
honey eater by Joanne, on Flickr

A rare visitor - regent parrot. Found it very difficult to get clean shots of this shy parrot.
regent parrot by Joanne, on Flickr

And a crested pigeon
Crested pigeon by Joanne, on Flickr

[seaslug]

Lovely shots Jo. My yard used to be bird friendly but the Wattle Birds don't want to be friends with anything else now!

[Phoenix]

Thank you Greg, this time of year it's the same here too, but we do get to see the wattle bird chicks which is lovely.

[Isac]

These are beautiful photos Phoenix. You should be pleased to have these in your back yard.I'm not getting you comment "blessing and a curse for photos". Maybe it's girl thing

[Phoenix]

Sorry Isac... I was as clear as mud. I put the perch a bit above and behind the birdbath.. so it often intrudes in the images when the birds are bathing.

[Isac]

Thanks for the clarification Phoenix. Maybe put the perch to the side and at 45 degrees? Just thinking out loud.

[Sully]

If we didn't have the furry 'psycho one' I would definitely set up a bird 'station' in our back yard.

Lovely captures Jo

[Phoenix]

Maybe one hanging high up in a tree Sully?
Appreciate the comment. Thank you.

[eaglem]

A very good series here.

[Phoenix]

Thank you eaglem, I am glad you think they are good

[Ironwood]

A delightful set Jo.

[Phoenix]

Appreciate your delightful comment.

[avkomp]

good selection for the backyard for sure.

guessing the curse was the other stuff lower left of frame. there is a whole genre of setup stuff and you wouldnt believe the stuff they go thru to make it right.
not a big fan of setup stuff but the biggie would be to ensure that the background not have distractions.

as presented I think the crested pigeon is the best.
perhaps a big of a vignette darkening the background a bit would bring the bird up a bit too

[Phoenix]

We have a pool fence. it was cream now it's dark green, but when the light shines on the fence it still creates bright background lines.
The regent parrot is on the perch we put in place.
Appreciate the suggestion for improvement too. Thank you.

[avkomp]

Just for fun we hung some scrim to cover my gal garden shed the other week, worked well, shade cloth etc may tame the b/g also