Mallee Fowl

[Ralph]

I have got them working the mound and then watched as the female laid the eggs and filled the hole in.
But this was on a private property where the birds are so use to people being about.
The one I got here is a bird which I will call a totally wild bird.
We found the mound and none were there but just over the road we seen one and these are a few shots
I got of it before it took off into the bush and was gone.
1 as it was walking away and still watching.

2 still moving away.

[kevinj]

Nice catch. They would not be easy to spot, their colouring looks like it blends in well with the background.

[Ralph]

You can watch them moving and they will take a turn and like the Phantom they are gone and you have no idea where to.
This has happened to me a couple of times now with them.

[David_MC]

Nice shot. Quite a beautiful bird.

[Ralph]

When I 1st seen them with my own eye I got a new appreciation for them.
And as you said, is what I noticed even more seeing them the 1st time.

[wigz]

Well done Ralph. Shows off the feather pattern very well and also shows head and eye. I like the first better as the head is clear of the background sticks.

[Ralph]

Thanks Alan, the pattern works well when you follow them through the bush and then they take a turn and you just lose them.
Their feathers helps them just disappear right before your eyes.

[Isac]

Well captured Ralph. They seem to camouflage well with their surroundings. Good Aussie bush colours!

[Ralph]

So right, as I followed this one and it then went a little quicker and turned. I was left with my camera ready to go but no bird about.
And I was shocked to see their size as well.
This as I call it my 2nd wild Mallee Fowl as the 1st ones I seen were on this fella's farm land and he takes tours there. So the birds are use to people.
Yes, still wild, but seeing people is nothing new. Very much unlike the one on these shots. It is totally wild.

[avkomp]

good work on these, captured in the environment too.

[Ralph]

The fella who runs the local Bird group here in Mildura rand and asked if I would like to go out with these high on the list of a possible get. So it was a yes right away and the 2nd mound we got to was where this one was close to. Making me get a smile on the dial.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

G'day Ralph

Beaut images and I specially enjoy your descriptions of the place and your efforts to get the birds into the camera

Phil

[Ralph]

Thank you so much for what you have said as I honestly appreciate it.