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Red-Eared Firetail. Photo Col Roberts
Red-Eared firetails feed in low undergrowth or occasionally on the ground. Photo Col Col Roberts
A Red-Eared firetails feathering in flight. Col Roberts
A perfect side profile of a Red-Eared firetail. Photo Col Roberts
A family group of Red-Eared firetails : Photo Col Roberts
Col Roberts, from Perth in Western Australia, is rapidly building up a reputation for himself as one of the world’s best photographers of finches. Discovered on the recent RFCG EcoTour to Africa, his work ethic and passion for finch photography is simply unbelievable. Up before sunrise and ending after sunset he runs around all day carrying his sophisticated camera equipment looking for the perfect pic.
The Master at Work. Col Roberts from Perth Australia Photo Eelco Meyjes
Red-Eared firetails are found in the extreme South Western part of Australia. This is what the authoritative Clement, Harris and Davis book on Finches and Sparrows says about the bird. ” Uncommon or scarce, and population has declined in recent years. Inhabits the undergrowth of thick or large forests. Occurs alone or in pairs or in family groups…a shy secretive, generally quiet and inconspicuous bird, rarely seen except in slow direct flight from cover to cover.”
This is what Col had to say about his observations
“Just one thing about the finches feeding habits. I’ve noticed they mainly forage for seeds whilst on the ground. They are also very adept at diving into bushes at the first sign of danger. That group shot is the first time I have seen a large group together.”Col is an honorary member of the Rare Finch Conservation Group and we thank him for supporting the group with his brilliant work. Visit our 27 Feb 2014 blog for more examples of Col’s stunning finch photography
The Rare Finch Conservation Group is registered in South Africa as a non-profit organisation and is dependant on donors and sponsors to carry out its conservation work on finches in the wild. For more info visit http://www.rarefinch.org or write to the secretary at editor@avitalk.co.za
SEE – CONSERVE – ENJOY
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