Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius) male Round Hill NR NSW

[Rod Warnock]

Early morning arrival at remnant watering hole in the Mallee
Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius) male Round Hill NR NSW
Canon EOS 40D Lens 100-400mm L IS USM at 400 mm ISO 640 F5.6 1/500 sec available light 7 November 2009
This small very muddy and soon to be dry waterhole in the mallee scrub at Round Hill NR was a magnet for many animals particularly so in the early morning and late afternoon. The Mulga Parrot alighted first in a mallee tree, then dropped to this perch before proceeding to drink. The early morning light while excluding total sharpness throughout the body of the bird due to depth of field limitations did enable the colour nuances of the 'red pants' and yellow shoulder feathers to glow.
Mulga Parrots are a feature of the Australian inland bush. Alice Springs Desert Park has a fact sheet on the species at:
http://www.alicespringsdesertpark.com.au/kids/nature/birds/mulga.shtml
Thanks for viewing
Best regards
Rod Warnock

[Scott Frye]

Beautuful colors -- the bright spot in the middle right edge is a bit distracting

[Keith Carver]

Side lighting works well here, Rod, although I would wish for more of a head turn toward the camera. Beautiful palette of colors in this bird. The BG spot just to left of the bill is distracting. Some NR on the BG would also help. Thanks for posting!

[Judd Patterson]

Wow, Rod, such a gorgeous bird that you have shared. I really love the colors. I think the head turn away from us is the biggest downside. Since its a watering hole, I also wonder if maybe you can improve your positioning to get a little more front light on the wildlife. This species has a ton of potential!!