How do you sneak up on a Kookaburra?

I put some of my old glass to the test along with my balance, and sacrificed a little scrapped skin off my knee to get this shot of a handsome kookaburra in Alma Bay on Magnetic Island. This specimen was perched on a rock on the north side of the beach. I really didn't think that I would be able to approach and get a good shot. It required scampering up and over several boulders to get close enough with my trusty old (and focal length challenged) Nikkor 24-mm AI . Anyway I was able to get about 6 to 8-ft away and take quite a few shoots before this beautiful bird decided that he (or she) was uncomfortable and had enough of my antics.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f8, ISO 100, 1/60 sec.

More Critters From Down Under

The when the tide is low and the tidal flats uncovered, you'll find shallow pools full of all sorts of critters. One of the first things we found while poking around the exposed coral heads was this crab.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 100, 1/200 sec.

At the Arcardia Guest House there were several wild rainbow lorikeets that come down from the trees every morning to visit and get a quick treat.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/125 sec.

At Bremner Point on the east end of Geoffrey Bay on Magnetic Island is a colony of allied rock wallabies. They are quite tame and come up to you to be hand fed. This mother had a curious joey poking out of her pouch.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f5.6, ISO 100, 1/200 sec.

Been Down Under Enjoying Winter

Not sure how many people visit my blog regularly. I get a visits regularly but not so many comments, so I'm not sure if new posts are missed while I am on vacation.

Anyway, I've been down under in Australia enjoying the mild winter in Queensland. Spent some time on a small island off off Townsville called Magnetic Island. It's quite an amazing getaway and will probably result in a few more off Tokyo posts.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 100, 1/250 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 100, 1/320 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 105mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor Lens f8.0, ISO 100, 1/320 sec.