Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree!

[logansrogue]

We've had a bunch of kookaburras coming through our neighbourhood recently. They've found all the big old trees in our yard and like them a lot. They've been chattering away and fighting and snapping at each other. There's a whole host of noises they make other than the well known cackle, but I've had to bite my tongue from trying to talk with them in their own sounds, because Helen told me it's disrespectful to the spirits to do that, in Aboriginal lore. So, in respect, I don't make the same noises. I still try to talk to them however, but I don't think they like me so much. I've never met birds so keen, alert and clever. I worry they're trying to eat our fish though :T Oh well. We have too many anyway! :)

There were three in a row on a branch the other day, and I tried to take a photo but they moved. I still got some AWESOME shots though! Check it out:





He so knows I'm there.



He was *very* sweet to let me get this close. I have a feeling he's proud of his pretty feathers.



This one is wondering what I'm doing! :)



Haven't they such beautiful eyes?



Anyway, I'm glad to have them around, even if it's only for a little while. They're merry fun birds to have in the trees, and such funny fluffy-heads.

Comments

[shirasade]

Aww, I love Kookaburras! Did you know that in German they're called 'Lachender Hans'? We've got some at our zoo and they were always among my must-sees... And in Brisbane I spent a night at the Kookaburra Inn, but unfortunately without seeing any birds. :)

[logansrogue.livejournal.com]

Lachender Hans? What does that mean? It's so cute!! My brother says it means 'laughing birds', is that right? (For half-Germans, well, on my account, for a half-German my understanding of the lanuage is utterly attrocious!).

And it's ironic that you were somewhere where the birds are actually indigenous, and you didn't see any, and I see heaps of them and they're not even supposed to be here! LOL!

[shirasade]

Actually it means 'laughing John' (the English form of the name 'Hans'). I have no idea why, but it's just cute. Yes, I found it quite funny, too, that I only got to see them in zoos - saw a lot of wild possums and bats instead, though. *g*

[apolla.livejournal.com]

They look pretty cool... I just remember singing that 'laugh kookaburra' song around the campfire when I was with the Guides.

*happy sigh*

*hugs you*

[likebunnies.livejournal.com]

Great pictures! That's one of the best things about live journals and the internet... those of us way over here get to see something from way over there. Thanks for sharing.

[logansrogue.livejournal.com]

Yeah Paul said that he thought it was actually Johns, because Hans is the Germanic for John. Our Dad's friend Robert was in a park, looking for squirrels going, "Hansi! Hansi! Haaaansi!"

[annearchy.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Nancy. I remember the "Laugh Kookaburra" song from when I was a wee tyke but I don't think I'd ever seen a photo of one before!! (No kookaburras in New Orleans, Louisiana, or southcentral Wisconsin:-) Thanks so much! I'll show these to Maya, who loves birds and other creatures. ~Hugs, Anne

[azinazelle.livejournal.com]

Awww they're so cute! I'm so geeky over indigenous species. I would love to listen to them and watch them. Maybe the spirits led them to your trees to cheer you up?

[roguewords.livejournal.com]

Hee. Their so cute. How great is it that they came to visit you? My mom taught me the Kookaburra song when I was little. I'm going to show her these pictures, she's always loved them. The only ones I've ever seen were at the zoo. (/rambling)

[fangexploring.livejournal.com]

Hi Nancy,

Thanks for sharing these pictures, the Kookaburra are cute with their fluffy heads. I like the second one best. :)

And Merry Christmas! Hope you have a great time with family and friends. I finally friended you after checking your journal every now and then for a few months, hope to get to know you. :) You write some of the most beautiful fics out there for H/H, thank you for sharing them. *just read "Optimistic" a few days ago*

Ken

[logansrogue.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Ken, friend away!! Part one of a new one was out yesterday, and hopefully I'll get the rough beta of the second part out today. Stupid Christmas challenges. :)