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Saturday, December 19, 2020

Fan-tailed Widowbird

 Good morning Blogger friends. In between a very busy week in the farm office (I'm licensing 11 farm vehicles online, among other tasks); delivering my last beauty products of the year and signing on new members to my Virtual Weigh-Less groups, and cleaning after guests, prepping for incoming guests, (these fortunately all long stays of four days),  Skabby and I make time to walk on the farm. 

As always, Skabby runs ahead and explores the interesting smells in the grass and then dives into the dam.

So many exciting smells for a dog to experience 
Then a dip in the dam 
Clambering up the bank
A good shake  ! 

I'm always fascinated how thoroughly a dog shakes itself. Feet anchored firmly on the ground, Skabby shakes himself from the tip of his nose, through his body,  to the end of his tail.

On the walk, I'm always on the lookout for something interesting to photograph. This day I wasn't disappointed. A Fan-tailed Widowbird sat swaying on a tall silver frond of grass; frequently nipping off a grass  seed and eating it. 

Fan-tailed Widowbird in breeding plumage 
They are primarily seed eaters but eat insects as well 
The Fan-tailed Widowbird's habitat is tall moist grassland; marshes and agricultural land 
It's call is a series of sizzling high-pitched twittering and chirping 
As always I love to photograph the wildflowers; here the statice also known as sea lavender 
Close-up this flower hs dainty purple flowers interspersed with light lilac flowers 

On the way home, Skabby and I stopped at the paddock above the milking shed where tiny calves often lie in the grass until Mum returns. Yesterday there were two calves. 
Skabby looks intently at the calf in the grass; fortunately there was a fence between us 

I'm linking to Saturday Critters with Eileen here

Thanks to Anni of I'd rather be birding here as well

HAPPY SATURDAY TO YOU ALL

11 comments:

  1. You are SUPER busy. I am glad you find/make time for walks with Skabby - and thank you for sharing the feathered enchantment.

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  2. I'm glad you found time to get out for a walk. That bird is really pretty. It reminds me of the red winged blackbird that we have here.

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  3. The fantailed bird is beautiful. You sure do have lots of jobs to do.

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  4. Skabenga is looking wonderful and happy. I know you must be exhausted all the time and can't believe you find time to post. that is a gorgeous bird...

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  5. Hello Jo,
    I am glad you took some time off, you do sound busy! Skabby looks beautiful, as always! A Fan-tailed Widowbird, that is some name for a bird. It is a lovely bird, great sighting and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend! PS, thank you for leaving me a comment. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  6. I just added your link to I'd Rather B Birdin linking tool. What a glorious beautiful bird! And sweet, sweet dog.

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  7. Hi Jo. That Sea Lavender looks nothing like the lavender we know. You really captured the colour there. As for Slabby, she does seem full of life!

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  8. Hi Jo, that Widowbird is superb! What a great looking bird that is, and you captured it brilliantly. Hope you have a great Christmas and New Year!

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  9. The bird is a beauty, nice capture Jo.
    Have a wonderful weekend.

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  10. Pretty dog and bird both. And I enjoyed seeing all the green and the lavender in your photos as well. Hope you have a great holiday week!

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  11. Glad you took some time off to enjoy a walk. Lovely photos.

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Thank you for visiting my blog and taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your feedback. Jo