They're Back!!

They're back and having a ball!

Its been raining all day and the little White-eyes have been flitting through the garden with their excited little chirps. Sometimes in pairs and somtimes in groups, swooping so low and going ever so fast. They settle on top of my native Cabbage Tree feasting on the seedheads from the flowers, tugging and pulling and shaking the pinnacle, so many seedheads fall to the ground. Then its off into the neighbours garden but its not long before they have returned to the native trees in my garden.

After a little feasting they're bathing on top of a concrete pillar where big drops are falling from the leaves of the Cabbage Tree, a bit of a shake and a little drink, a few excited chirps and they're away yet again to do another circuit of our neighbourhood finishing way up high in the tops of my Cabbage Tree.

Because of the rainy day, the sky is ever so dull, no light or moving clouds - this was a differcult photo. I don't advise enlarging it but just enjoy this tiny excited bird the way he is, feasting on the seedheads of my native Cabbage Tree.

For those who are interested the little White-eye is also known as Silver-eye, Wax-eye and its Maori name is Tauhou. Found widespread throughout New Zealand and was first recorded in 1832. The young ones lack the white eye ring. A colourful bird with the back grey, undersides off-white, flanks cinnamon, chin yellowish and undertail white. They are a native to New Zealand, the family name is Zosterops lateralis.

An early blip, a quick cuppa, then plenty of more jobs to be done. I'll try to get back later for a few comments :)