FOR THE BEGINNNG OF THIS STORY CLICK HERE
31/8/2018
Mr S. Bowerbird’s magnificent home in Blackheath’s Memorial Park was almost wrecked yesterday. Two (illegally) unleashed dogs tore through the middle of it before I could warn their owners. How they missed crushing the bower itself is a miracle. There was a bit of repair work required.
Could be an insurance claim.
More repairing of internal walls
Even the ‘roof’ needed a bit of attention.
A bit of thatching.
Time for a bit of foraging outside after all that effort.
One must keep up one’s strength.
Munch munch
While he was away I thought I would find a little treasure to cheer him up after the dog scare. Growing nearby was a hebe shrub. Its violet flowers are a perfect match for a bowerbird’s eyes. Oh dear….it was a disaster. As soon as he returned he picked it up and hurled it out of the bower
Bowerbird with rejected hebe flower.
2/9/2018
It’s the second day of spring. The blossom is coming out directly above the bower. This bird has chosen such a delighful spot.
Sing of new life….how appropriate.
Happily, there comes a moment in a satin bowerbird’s life when a carefully chosen object completely beguiles the object of his desire.
With this ring…… (Image by Ravenari)
The wedding bower.
How wonderful that the eggs have those violet splashes to match their father’s eyes.
The female does all the incubating and later the feeding of the young. How on earth does she manage? No wonder these birds make lightning raids on orchards and vegetable gardens. I have never seen a nest, and this very murky photo was the only one I could find on-line.
Sitting, sitting. (Wikipedia)
Look at this chick. Just a little bit adorable. I love the smokey fuzz.
Bowerbird chick. Already unmistakable . (Flickr, by Tixie Benbrook)
Soon this little fellow will be venturing out and eating my flowers. That’s a little groundcover called Lithodora.
Couldn’t fit much more in!
And so the cycle of satin bowerbird life goes on. How entertaining these characters are.
What a beautiful story about a lovely bird! I’m so glad he wasn’t hurt during the rampage by those unruly dogs nor his delightful bower wrecked. The photos and sketches are charming. I am beginning to appreciate birds more as I grow older and your colourful charmers are encouraging me too.
Thanks Fiz. I’ve always loved birds. My current passion for them really began with my little ‘point and shoot’ camera. I loved all the birds in the UK too, especially the wonderful red kites in the Chiltern Hills.
This has been a wonderful series. Thank you so much. I have loved every article and the photos are wonderful.
Cheers,
David
Thanks so much David. The bower has given me so much enjoyment. It’s a pleasure to share it.