Satin Bowerbird at Bower

Adam Blyth has added a photo to the pool:

Ptilonorhynchus violaceus

August 21st, 2011
Maroondah Reservoir, Healsville, Victoria, Australia
Canon 7D
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM lens
Canon 580 EX II flash
monopod

focal length: 370mm
ISO: 800
shutter speed: 1/60sec
aperture: f5.6
exposure compensation: 0
metering mode: pattern/evaluative
mode: Aperture Priority
flash: fired
flash exposure compensation: -1.7

The incredibly beautiful Satin Bowerbird. These amazing birds construct an elaborate bower using sticks & then decorate it with all kinds of blue objects, in order to attract a mate. As you can see they use an assortment of items - feathers, bottle caps, straws, pegs, Lego - anything blue that catches their eye.

This particular Satin Bowerbird is a familiar resident at Maroondah Reservoir, often building his bower near the old kiosk. I was stoked to find he had built a new one in 2011. It was a very difficult image to get, as he didn't spend much time at his bower on the many trips I visited. The positioning of his bower wasn't conducive to photography either; it was obstructed by branches & quite dark. This was the best image I came away with after several visits. Sadly, after about 3-4 weeks, someone had destroyed the bower - sometimes I really hate people. I have seen the Satin Bowerbird still around the area recollecting his blue decorations, but I am yet to locate his new bower.