27 February 2013

Willie Wagtail

Ricka-ticka-ticka-tick, that's how my Birds of Australia book describes the 'varied brief but melodious phrases of the Willie Wagtail, a 20 cm (8 inch) medium-small, fantail flycatcher. 
 
While walking through the sensory garden, the first thing I really noticed in the heat of the day was the intense 'lemon' scent in the air.  In the foreground on the left is a rosemary shrub, noted for rememberance, another pungent scented plant.
 
 

Inscription reads "this garden is dedicated to the memory of the servicemen and women who since federation have given their lives for the freedom of Australia.  Dedicated on Rememberance Day 11th November 2002."  The Entrance/Long Jetty R.S.L. sub-branch.
 (R.S.L. standing for Returned Soldiers League)

foreground, left, is a lemon myrtle

Australian native Grevillea
 

...such a friendly Willie Wagtail, didn't mind me stopping to take its photo.  Won my heart!



hybridised eucalypt, suited to the home garden
 

it would flit off to the ground and snatch an insect, then return for another shot

another Grevillea
 

sorry, I'll have to move on; you've been such a charmer!  Byeeeee
 
Later addition:  You can hear the willie wagtail from this Birds in Backyards fact page.  Look down the right-hand side for Mp3
 
Sharing with Wild Bird Wednesday

34 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

what a beautiful garden, and i love that it is dedicated to those who served. and such a gorgeous little bird! you got some great shots!

Jan Castle said...

Willie certainly knows how to enjoy a beautiful garden...TFS your wonderful shots! Bet you enjoyed the garden too!!!
Hugs,
Jan

Bob Bushell said...

Nice garden, and what about Willie Wagtail, it is fantastic, cheers Carole.

eileeninmd said...

What a lovely garden and the Willie Wagtail is a pretty bird. I like the name too. Beautiful Photos!

HansHB said...

Nice post. A great garden and nice bird-photos!

mick said...

Beautiful garden. I have been hearing Willie Wagtails recently but so far they haven't stayed around for long.

Deanna said...

wonderful shots of that vibrant garden and that cutie Willie Wagtail.

i stora drag said...

Such lovely sights! Love the garden with all the fantastic flowers you showed and the bird is so sweet! By the way, did I say you took very nice photos of all of this! :)
Greetings Pia

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Beautiful walk . How I'd love to see ..and hear.. That charming bird!

Jeanne said...

Such a cute little bird this is, and have never heard of a Willie Wagtail. He looks as if he was enjoying his portait work, and you got a lovely and very sharp photo

Brian King said...

A gorgeous garden and your photo of the Wagtail is fantastic!

Karen said...

Love Australian flora. Cute wagtail!

Anonymous said...

The Willie Wagtail is a really cute little bird. The memorial garden is a beautiful.

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

What a strange and beautiful land you live in. You really got an excellent photo of the Wagtail. It is a shame not all birds could be so obliging in having their picture taken.

Marilyn said...

Beautiful photos, Carole. I love the bird call of the Willie Wagtail. Sounds really sweet. My husband just planted a couple Grevillea in our front yard. We ripped out our grass lawn last year and have it planted in drought tolerant plants.

Carletta said...

Looks like a beautiful and peaceful place. Wonderful images of the plants and that first shot of Willie is a lovely portrait with such wonderful background color!

Neil said...

Beautiful garden and wagtail.

Unknown said...

Beautifully kept gardens and a cute little bird.
Costas

Vores have said...

Nice pictures you show - incredibly beautiful bird. Wish you a good day :)

Stewart M said...

They are splendid birds - with their side-ways tails they remind me of clockwork toys (which I suppose says as much about my age as it does about W W'tails!)

Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW.

Stewart M - Melbourne

Irma said...

Beautiful pictures Carole, the garden is really beautiful with different plants.
The (Willie Wagtail) is a beautiful bird that I have never seen.
Greetings Irma

Anni said...

Beautiful!!! The bird is VERY handsome...AND the tour of the garden areas. [That red plant, I thought surely it was a bottle brush...but not?]

I especially enjoyed the very last image of his complete profile.

Unknown said...

Beautiful series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Kelly said...

...it's dismal and gray here...and cold! Looking at all the bright sun and beautiful colors is so nice, and the bird is so cute. I love the name...

Lisa Gordon said...

What a wonderful name for this sweet little one, Carole, and your photographs of him are beautiful.

Montanagirl said...

Somehow I missed this post! Lovely photos, and I LOVE Willie Wagtail!!

Dianne said...

A beautiful walk Carole and you captured a little Willy-Wagtail .... they are so cute with their tails sticking straight up but I've never been quick enough to capture one. Maybe today!

Connie Smiley said...

Willie has won my heart, too. Fantastic photos!

Esther Joy said...

Beautiful gardens! Love Willie's eyebrows!

Adrienne W said...

As usual, fabulous photos and especially of little Willy!
We have one that drops in for food on a daily basis.
Sadly our grevillea was blown over in the storm, so nectar birds are looking elsewhere now..

Amanda said...

willie's are such cutie pies!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

i enjoyed the visit and the Wagtail s really a very wonderful chap~

Judy said...

Beautiful garden!! I love hearing about all the scents!!! And I love the wagtail's white eyebrows!!!

Sharyl said...

Love the Grevillea!