New visitors: Honeyeater Nest

[Giphsub]

We noticed this little nest just outside the window about 2 weeks ago. The parent would sit dead still when we came close. The nest is about head high, in the vine on our garden shed. The eggs were about 3cm in length. I have been taking photos daily since they hatched but not processed them yet. I'll keep this updated as I process them and then take more. The New Holland Honeyeaters are beautiful little birds. All comments welcome. Keep checking in to see the progress of the babies.

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/454739262_ZFkSq-XL.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/454739573_DB2se-XL.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/454742394_AvPEs-XL.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/454742690_cEq4t-XL.jpg

[Jack'll do]

WOW what a wonderful opportunity to chronicle the development of these newborns. Looking forward to seeing more of them. (And you don't even have to venture outdoors to capture them :D )

[Giphsub]

Thanks Jack. I am pretty stoked to have the nest there. Although these are all taken by going outside. The nest isn't up against the window, but about 2 meters away. We have a predicted 40 degree celcius day coming up on Friday so I hope they have enough shade to keep cool.

[Maestro]

40 degrees C. That is hot! Congrats on being able to watch these grow. Looking forward to the pics as they develop.

[bfjr]

Great find :super

Look forward to updates :D

[Ric Grupe]

:D Keep 'em coming, Mike.

[dlplumer]

Great series. :thumb :thumb

[Giphsub]

Thanks guys. Yep, 40 deg is very hot! It got to 39 today :huh They seemed ok though. The next few are coming up...

[Giphsub]

OK, so this was a couple of days after those first few shots. They are getting bigger, but still not making any noise. Any movement near the nest makes them pop up for food though. It is quite comical. They almost look like muppets.

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/455252148_UwLYp-XL.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/455252533_45gje-XL.jpg

Mama and papa are never too far away. They come and sit on the nearby plants and try to lure me away from the nest. They are very quiet, though, and don't appear too worried. They are fairly used to us being nearby.

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/455252406_DoUXh-XL.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/455252203_QpFtW-XL.jpg

[Jack'll do]

Thanks Jack. I am pretty stoked to have the nest there. Although these are all taken by going outside. The nest isn't up against the window, but about 2 meters away. We have a predicted 40 degree celcius day coming up on Friday so I hope they have enough shade to keep cool.

Well if it gets too hot for you you're welcome to come up here. Friday morning it's predicted to be -22 ºC with a windchill of -34 ºC :D

[stevehapp]

nice ones mike.
well done!

:thumb

[Harryb]

Excellent ste Mike. :clap Hope yopu can keep on capturing their development.

[Giphsub]

Sorry for the delay in posting more pics. The little fellas grew very quickly and left the nest in the blink of an eye. The parents didn't waste any time getting them away from our prying eyes. Here are a few shots, but you can see the rest in the gallery here (http://giphsub.smugmug.com/gallery/7159871_p3cqC#459535491_gR759). The pics are all in chronological order, right up to the day they left the net. Enjoy. All C&C welcome.

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/459538830_h6zU4-XL.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/459540090_KxoY5-XL.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/459540227_qjtfp-XL.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/459540557_Td8pq-XL.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/459544836_4emqS-XL.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/459545825_VkWES-XL.jpg

http://giphsub.smugmug.com/photos/459546127_BUWHd-XL.jpg

[Giphsub]

Well if it gets too hot for you you're welcome to come up here. Friday morning it's predicted to be -22 ºC with a windchill of -34 ºC :D
:huh Not thanks!

[Giphsub]

nice ones mike.
well done!

:thumb

Cheers Steve. It was very cool having them in our yard.

[Giphsub]

Excellent ste Mike. :clap Hope yopu can keep on capturing their development.

Cheers Harry. I more or less took pictures everyday.

[raptorcaptor]

Neat set Mike! Should offer excellent photo ops! :thumb