Old Sinner Man…
Jul 4th, 2008 by Duncan
With the third anniversary approaching, Pastor Mike of I and the Bird has exhorted the members of his congregation to examine their consciences and answer the question “Why are you still bird blogging?” Well brothers and sisters, I stand here before you with bowed head to confess that I have sinned, yes, weak mortal that I am, I have strayed far from the paths of righteousness. Even though I have taken part in every one of the seventy eight services, my thoughts have often been far away, to my shame, lusting after other earthly delights. In springtime I am too easily seduced by the beauty of wildflowers blooming, and in summer the brilliant flashes of dragonflies draw me to the pools to gaze Narcissus-like at the water. And then at night, those hot sultry summer nights, the moth light lures me to wait expectantly for some mysterious beauty to appear and beguile me with its charms. Then, in autumn and winter, fascinating fungi draw my eyes away from the tree tops, and as the faithful will have noticed, my posts have reflected my wayward transgressions. But have I really been so wicked? Before ye of unwavering faith condemn me and turn your backs on me, please let me offer some words and pictures to justify my backsliding.
Wildflowers, a delight for the eye, but also a delight for insects and birds, Pollen and nectar, rich foods for all, and in return the plants are pollinated, ensuring that life goes on. My camera lens is usually focused on the flowers, but occasionally the opportunity presents itself and a bird demands attention.
Dragonflies, aerialists supreme, outdoing even the birds with their astounding mastery of the air. Beautiful too, as are their kin the damselflies, challenging to identify and photograph, and their mysterious larvae are food for the fishes. Food too, the adults, for one of our most spectacular birds, and if you are fortunate enough you’ll see a Rainbow Bee-eater fly from its perch high on a dead tree to take a dragonfly in flight.
Moths, creatures of the night, bewildering in their number and forms, drawn to the light to flutter until their wings are frayed. With over twenty five thousand species in Australia, a lifetime’s study to the exclusion of all else, but does the Tawny Frogmouth care about that when it feeds on their plump bodies? No, and neither does another bird that has learned that the lights of humans are good places to frequent for a meal, the Southern Boobook.
Fungi, rivaling the moths in their number and species yet to be described, some beautiful, some bizarre, some with an odour attractive only to flies, eminently photographical. But, food too, for humans, for small mammals, and even for birds. One of my birding memories is of an Eastern Yellow Robin pecking at a large meaty fungus on the dim forest floor below the tree ferns. If it was eating the fungus, or insects that were there I do not know, but that is immaterial to this, my supplication that is now drawing to a close.
So, Pastor Mike, brothers and sisters, I now throw myself upon your mercy. Even though I have strayed far in the past three years in my dalliances with other beauties of nature, I’ll always repent and blog about birds. How could I not when they are such an outstanding part of the great world of nature which has been my lifelong interest, and will continue to be until I can no longer take a photograph or tap a keyboard. May your blogs be avian, and pax vobiscum.
All pictures are clickable for larger versions, from the top,
Showy Podolepis, Podolepis jaceoides with native bees.
Red Wattlebird on Tonghi Bottlebrush, Callistemon subulatus.
Yellow-striped Hunter, Austrogomphus guerini.
Rainbow Bee-eater.
Trictena atripalpis, The Rain Moth.
Southern Boobook.
Unidentified Agaric, possible Amanita species.
Eastern Yellow Robin.
