Bird Photography – John Weeks Photography

John Weeks Photography – 0011

John Weeks Traveller

Official Website: https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography
Email : johnweekstraveller@gmail.com or johnweekstraveller@iinet.net.au

INSECT PHOTOGRAPHY

Here are some more of my recent photos of insects. These photos were snapped at my garden at home in Belgrave (Victoria, Australia).

‘Hoverfly’

‘unknown’

PHOTOS OF THE DAY

Saturday, 2 December, 2023

“No! It’s Mine! I Got It First!” …. I captured the image late this afternoon at my home in Upwey (Victoria, Australia).

There was a lot of ‘anst’ involved which resulted in a long standoff with these two Kookaburras. I had a good friend with me at the time, who used to work for the Melbourne Zoo, and he explained to me what was going on. The behaviour of the birds was quite normal. The Kooka who had the creature in its mouth finally broke free, flew up to another tree branch and gulped the whole thing down at a rapid pace. The creature that was the victim was most likely a rat however it was suggested that it could have been an Antechinus, a native mouse, but it was hard to identify as the head was so badly mangled.

——-

Sunday, 3 December, 2023

Not the best quality photos however it was an absolute joy to see black cockatoos fly over my home in Upwey this afternoon.

COLOURFUL BIRDS IN MY GARDEN

Here are a few photos that I captured in the last couple of days (March 15-16, 2024) outside in the garden at my home in Upwey (Victoria, Australia).

King Parrot (top) & Rainbow Lorikeet (bottom)

Rainbow Lorikeet in Flight

Red Wattlebird

BLUE BEE

Facebook reminded me that I captured this beautiful image of a Blue Bee two years ago that was attracted to a Rosemary Tuscan Blue Herb Plant in Belgrave (Victoria, Australia)

FINALLY

I love all aspects about photography hence this Newsletter. I wish to share things that I enjoy about this medium. If you like what you have read, please subscribe to receive future Newsletters 🙂 Comments are also nice to receive.

By the way, check out my official website https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography

For more information on the photographic digital books that I m producing go to https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography/e-books

John Weeks
John Weeks Traveller
Australia
johnweekstraveller@gmail.com

John Weeks Photography – 0010

Official Website: https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography
Email : johnweekstraveller@gmail.com or johnweekstraveller@iinet.net.au

PHOTO OF THE DAY

My Daily Photo of 2022 Challenge
20221103 #307 – ‘Another Confrontation’
Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo & Butcherbird
Location: Home, Belgrave, Victoria, Australia.

A short time I posted this photo on Social Media, I received a request from a newspaper reporter:

Hi John Kimberley from Leader News here- I absolutely love the confrontation pic you shared of the birds today! Would you mind if I shared it on the Knox and Lilydale Leader Facebook pages? Would make sure to credit you. Thank you! Kimberley

My response : Go for it, Kim!

Social Media – Feedback :

Jocelyn R. > Priceless moment😁
Murjan > Who won? Great shot!
Janice M. > Excellent
Marina D. > Go the magpies !
Vicki W. > 🤗
Cathryn A. > Awesome photo
Kim B. > Ooh love it
Anne W. > Wow, look at the body language. 😯
Renée R. > Fantastic photo!
Melissa M. > OMG hilarious! This is meme worthy.
Valerie W. > Wooooo – That’s a goody xx
Janine G. > Wow you take great photos John
Shannon I. > Great photo”
Rosemary D. > They live very precarious lives, these poor birds. Backyard battlefields.
Mardi C. > The Rainbows are the bossiest.
David J. > Good timing !
Martina P. > love your pictures
Gillian S. > Just brilliant!
Lorena C. > Great picture 💕go cocky!
Caz A. > Omg….this has made my day!🤣🤣
Kathy B. > Holy Crap! Where did you come from? 😳😳😳😳
Kathie T. > Love it John. You get a great variety of birdlife in your garden and on your fence.
Sandy H. > Just awesome!
Margaret Anne W. > Love your birds. Don’t see any here except signs here & there telling people to beware of attacking magpies but you don’t even see them.
Helen K. > Great picture, love it ❤️
Dee P. > Great photo.🤩 Wow!
Stephen C. > “Darling!!!” “Sweetheart!!!”
Frances C. > Haha. You absolutely caught the indignation 🤩
Sandra A. > What a shot!!!!! Amazing
Leanne R. > It looks as I the cocky is saying to the smaller Bird ‘Who the HEEeell do u think you are??!” 🤣
Leanne R. > Such a terrific photo!
Jacqueline J. > Great shot x
Christine U. > “Whaaaaaaaat?” Gorgeous photo💛
Jill Q. > Such drama!!
Barbara E. > Everyone’s rocking these days!
Ross S. > “Where yer bloody been, yer drongo? ‘Aven’t seen yer fer a week;
Bernadine A. > Back off Maggie , it’s cocky territory!

Sequel …

Knox Leader news published online my photo of the White Cockatoo & the Butcherbird. … [3 Nov. 2022]

FULL BLOOM

Another photograph added to my merchandise site via Red Bubble – 22 Products available.
https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/130397533?asc=u

FROM MY GARDEN

Here are two very recent photos that I snapped from my garden in Belgrave (Victoria, Australia)

STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Here is a photo I snapped back in 2014 when I was staying in India for a few months.

‘She’s Listening!’ … I snapped this photo 5 years ago in the City of Melbourne (Victoria, Australia):

RAINBOW

A really nice rainbow this evening (Monday, 7 November, 2022) – a view from my street in Belgrave (Victoria, Australia).

FINALLY

By the way, check out my official website https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography

For more information on the photographic digital books that I m producing go to https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography/e-books

John Weeks
Australia
johnweekstraveller@gmail.com

The Photography of John Weeks :
Official Website: https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography
Red Bubble: http://www.redbubble.com/people/jweeks/art
Facebook: https://facebook.com/johnweeksphotography
Instagram: https://instagram.com/johnweekstraveller/
Diaspora social media : https://diasp.eu/u/johnweeks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhotosByJWeeks
Merchandise : https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography/merchandise

John Weeks Photography – 0009

Official Website: https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography
Email : johnweekstraveller@gmail.com or johnweekstraveller@iinet.net.au

LEADING LINES COMPETITION

I was delighted to win 2 ‘Commended Award’ [‘Long Train’ & ‘To The Centre’] & 1 ‘Highly Commended Award’ [‘The Pivotal Point’] for my photos that were judged at the Hills Photographic Society meeting on 20th October 2022. The theme of the competition was ‘Leading Lines’.

‘The Long Train’ – Commended Award

‘To The Centre’ – Commended Award

‘The Pivotal Point’ – Highly Commended

TODAY’S PHOTO – Sunday 30 October 2022

‘Rainbow Lorikeet Versus King Parrot’

‘Showdown’ … I snapped this photo this morning at my home in Belgrave (Victoria, Australia).

Current Social Media Feedback:

Janette G. > John, my favourite ?
Ju L. > Great shot.
Carmel H. > What a beauty!!
Alan B. > What a great picture!!
Jeanette W. > Stunning
Frances C. > Hooooo
Pamela G. > Yes I often have these fights of 2 but up to 8 at times on my balcony. Then there are the magpies and the cockatoos, all fighting for the food I put out. My Schnoodle loves watching the skirmish. 🤨🐶🐾👏👏👏👏👏
Bobbie W. > Fantastic shot
Lyn J. > Gorgeous ❤️❤️
Ian R. W. > Beautiful
Rosemary D. > I think they mean business.
Maree H. > Another fabulous action shot.
Emma G. > Love your pictures John, you should do a bird calendar ❤️
Helen D. > Precious
Joy C. > The Lorikeets are the Boss.
Kim B. > Very well taken
Christine E. > Great photography!
Steve H. > High noon. Beaks at 3 paces!
Dennis C. > Who was the winner?

MOOMBA PARADE 1980

Who remembers The Sullivans, an Australian period drama television series produced by Crawford Productions, which ran on the Nine Network in Australia from 1976 until 1983? Cast members of the TV series appeared in the Moomba Parade in Melbourne in 1980. I was there and these are the photos I snapped on the day.

Actor, Michael Caton, Moomba Parade, Melbourne

Actor, Paul Cronin, Moomba King, Moomba Parade, Melbourne

Actor, Steven Tandy, Moomba King, Melbourne

Actor, Richard Morgan, Moomba Parade, Melbourne

The above photos is part of my ‘Negatives to Digital Project’ that I am currently working on.

OLD CAMERAS

Part 9: Zeiss Ikon, 1961

‘Zeiss Ikon Contaflex’ – 1961

BUG PHOTOGRAPHY

‘Ladybug’

FINALLY

By the way, check out my official website https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography

For more information on the photographic digital books that I m producing go to https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography/e-books

John Weeks
Australia
johnweekstraveller@gmail.com

John Weeks Photography – 0008

Official Website: https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography
Email : johnweekstraveller@gmail.com or johnweekstraveller@iinet.net.au

TODAY’S PHOTO

Coming home this evening from presenting a 2-hour radio show at radio station, 3MDR 97.1 FM, (see https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/musicmemorabilia/radio-shows ), I noticed this beautiful evening sky with a ray effect from the sun to the clouds. As I carry my camera around with me regularly I quickly snapped this image and shared it immediately after on social media. Apart from receiving some really nice compliments (which I humbly embrace and appreciate) I found it very interesting to read people’s comments on how they see the image from their own perspective.

Here is sample of the comments I received:

Lynda R. > “that looks like a huge eye at the top”
Lena G. > “Looks like someone going to heaven”
Soph A. > “Looks like a fetal ultrasound”
Colin P. > “Looks threatening…dark and forbidding”
Derek D. > “They’re calling for me.”
Jess L. > “Looks like the bat signal to me.”
Jana R. > “Eyeball! That’s what I can see!”
Andrew M. > “The eye of Mordor!”

RECENT BIRD PHOTOS

Here are a few photos I had snapped in the last couple of weeks, mostly around my property in Belgrave (Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Australia).

NEGATIVES TO DIGITAL PROJECT

It is a slow process to digitize all my film negatives that I have in storage from my days of using my Olympus 35 mm camera, as well as the Kodak Instamatic Camera, back in the period of the 1970s to 1980s. It is a fun project I have thrown myself into!

Part 6

Here are a couple of pics that I snapped in the 1970s when I was with some friends at a ten-pin bowling venue in the town of Moorabbin (Victoria, Australia):

OLD CAMERAS

Part 8 : Rolleiflex Camera, 1961

TRAIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Another project I am working on is an e-book showcasing the many photos I had taken of trains over the last 50 years, here in Australia and abroad..

Here is one image that will be included in my proposed digital book:

Location: Belgrave, Victoria, Australia. 2010.

FINALLY

By the way, check out my official website https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography

For more information on the photographic digital books that I m producing go to https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography/e-books

John Weeks
Australia
johnweekstraveller@gmail.com

The Photography of John Weeks :
Official Website: https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography
Red Bubble: www.redbubble.com/people/jweeks/art
Facebook: https://facebook.com/johnweeksphotography
Instagram: https://instagram.com/johnweekstraveller/
Diaspora social media : https://diasp.eu/u/johnweeks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhotosByJWeeks
Merchandise : https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography/merchandise

John Weeks Photography – 0007

Official Website: https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography
Email : johnweekstraveller@gmail.com or johnweekstraveller@iinet.net.au

RECENT BIRD PHOTOS

In the last couple of weeks I have been blessed with opportunities to photograph a variety of birds on my own property in Belgrave (Victoria, Australia)

Here are some of the images I had captured:

NEGATIVES TO DIGITAL PROJECT

Part 5

Here are a couple of pics that I snapped in the 1970s:

‘Car Wrecks’ – outback Victoria, Australia

BABA DESI

‘Desi, Remaining Strong!’

Yesterday I caught up with my friend Desi (93) in the morning in the township of Belgrave (Victoria, Australia).

‘Baba Desi’ – 16 July, 2022 – Photo by John Weeks

Baba Desi is a true local of the Dandenong Rangers in Victoria (Australia), a colourful character, filled with passion about life. He is Belgrave’s very own ‘Wizard’. At close to ninety-four years of age, he is a strong believer of people power, in short, he is an Activist, ‘born to fight for Justice’ as quoted in the mainstream press. If there is a social justice cause to fight for, or to lend a supporting presence, he is generally there in the front line, with his distinctive colourful clothing and ornate walking stick. I always enjoy having conversations with Desi. I meet up with him regularly around the shops of Belgrave; and during our long conversations we usually solve the problems of the world, as activists sometimes do….

Thank you, Desi, for allowing me to regularly photograph you …… John Weeks.

The community response to the above photo of Desi:

Amelia V. > Looking good Baba Desi
Janice W. > What a great picture!!
France S. > Good man! Baba Desi. Nice photo ….
Terri C. > Time for another hair,beard and brow trim Des …see you next week.
Kerry P. > He is such a great character of Belgrave. Thanks for sharing a great happy picture of him
Bet B. > Thank you for sharing this!
Trish B. > Wow that is such a great photo of a treasured icon . He Looks so well
Sandra B. > Love this!
Lena G. > What a great picture!, baba desi is an icon

Check out of my other photos of Desi: https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography/baba-desi

OLD CAMERAS

Part 7 : Rolleiflex Camera, 1960

NIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY

‘Flinders Street Station’ – Melbourne, Victoria, Australia – 2005 – Photo by John Weeks

FINALLY

By the way, check out my official website https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography

For more information on the photographic digital books that I m producing go to https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography/e-books

John Weeks
Australia
johnweekstraveller@gmail.com

John Weeks Photography – 0005

FOX ON THE RUN

I visited the Braeside Wetlands this morning to photographed birds in the wild. I was joined by fellow photographer Kathie Thomas.

Braeside Park Wetlands Circuit trail provides visitors with a number of wetlands viewing opportunities and to observe the many varied bird species that reside in the park. The trail travels through open Red Gum and Manna Gum bushland area to the north east of the wetlands, with more grassy vegetation along the south western edge. Source: Park Vic https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/sites/wetland-circuit-trail

Sadly, there were few birds about this morning, however I was absolutely delighted to see a beautiful fox nearby. Here are two photos (among others) I had snapped of this wild creature:

There have been very few opportunities that I was able to photograph foxes in the wild. Here are two photos I had snapped in 2018:

Foxes fighting. Location: Upwey, Victoria, Australia. 16 July 2018. Ref. 1886

Two foxes at my neighbour’s backyard in Belgrave, Victoria, Australia. 24 March, 2018. Ref. 1578.

BIRDS AT BRAESIDE WETLANDS

Despite the seemingly lack of a huge amount of bird life around, we walked around the Wetlands circuit, approx 5 kms or so (I was informed that equates to over 10,000 steps today!), I did manage to snapped many photos of the bird life that was seen. Here are a couple photos of mine:

Birds Sighted today:

Black Swan
Gray Teal
Chestnut Teal
Blue-billed Duck
Australasian Grebe
Spotted Dove
Common Bronzewing
Crested Pigeon
Tawny Frogmouth
Dusky Moorhen
Eurasian Coot
Australasian Swamphen
Silver Gull
Little Pied Cormorant
Australian Pelican
Great Egret
White-faced Heron
Australian Ibis
Eastern Rosella
Rainbow Lorikeet
Superb Fairywren
Noisy Miner
Brown Thornbill
Gray Butcherbird
Australian Magpie
Gray Fantail
Magpie-lark
Little Raven
Welcome Swallow
Common Myna
Eurasian Blackbird
Red-browed Firetail

(Thank you, Kathie Thomas, for the bird list)

MY PHOTOS PUBLISHED IN INDIA

A few years ago I travelled around India, particularly in Kolkata (Calcutta), and one of the many subjects that I challenged myself with was photographing popular singer, Christopher Lobo, at the many venues that he was performing at. I gave Christopher a whole lot of photos of mine for him to use in his publicity and media activities. I am delighted that he is using many of these photos to this day. Here is an example of such use:

Here is the original Photo of mine:

Keep on rockin, Christopher!!

OLD CAMERAS – 005

Agfa Optima – News Chronicle and Daily Despatch, 27 February, 1960.

BIG ROSE

‘Sculpture – Rose’ – Date: 24 March, 2010 – Ref. 361

FINALLY

By the way, check out my official website https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography

For more information on the photographic digital books that I m producing go to https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography/e-books

John Weeks
Australia
johnweekstraveller@gmail.com

John Weeks Photography – 0003

SLOW SHUTTER PHOTOS

Recently I submitted photos to the monthly photo competition organised by the Hills Photographic Society. The theme was ‘Slow Shutter Photography’. I didn’t receive any awards at last Thursday night’s meeting. The judging, on this occasion was conducted internally (due to an unexpected cancellation of an outside judge). Personally I prefer a qualified outside judge to assess and comment on the received photos. It is my way of further learning the techniques of photography.

Anyway, here are the four photos that I submitted:

HASSELBLAD MAGAZINES

A local photographer recently donated a stack load of magazines to the Hills Photographic Society for the members to take home. Even though I am not a ‘Hasselblad’ photographer, I took a few of these magazines in order to study the technique of some of the photographers that were featured in the magazines. In my view, you do not stop learning.

Here are some of these magazines, dating back to 1997/98, published in Sweden. Thankfully, the content is in English.

BIRDWATCHING AT LYSTERFIELD LAKE

Last Wednesday, 25 May, 2022, I and fellow photographer, Kathie Thomas, spent three and half hours at Lysterfield Lake, snapping photos of the many birds that we sighted there.

Lysterfield Lake (Victoria, Australia) is very popular for canoeing, kayaking and sailing, mostly on the weekends or public holidays. People take a refreshing swim in one of two swimming bays with sandy shores. There is lots to explore on the large lake. There’s canoeing or kayaking in order to view waterbirds and habitat that can’t be seen from land.

Here are the results of the day of our photography:

Protocol: Traveling
Complete
• Observers: 2
• Duration: 3 hr, 25 min
• Distance: 6.5 km

Species observed:

Pacific Black Duck – Number observed: 2
Musk Duck – Number observed: X
Eurasian Coot – Number observed: 5
Australasian Swamphen – Number observed: 12
Silver Gull – Number observed: 4
Little Pied Cormorant – Number observed: X
Little Black Cormorant – Number observed: 8
Straw-necked Ibis – Number observed: 4
Gang-gang Cockatoo – Number observed: 7
Galah – Number observed: 2
corella sp. – Number observed: 5
Crimson Rosella – Number observed: 3
Rainbow Lorikeet – Number observed: 2
Superb Fairywren – Number observed: X
Lewin’s Honeyeater – Number observed: 2
Yellow-faced Honeyeater – Number observed: 3
Noisy Miner – Number observed: 1
Red Wattlebird – Number observed: 1
White-browed Scrubwren – Number observed: 2
Brown Thornbill – Number observed: X
Gray Butcherbird – Number observed: 1
Australian Magpie – Number observed: 3
Pied Currawong – Number observed: 2
Magpie-lark – Number observed: 3
Little Raven – Number observed: 7
Welcome Swallow – Number observed: 1

(Thank you, Kathie Thomas, for the statistics)

OLD CAMERAS – 003

Zeiss Ikon Contina – Time Magazine, 4 April 1955

TODAY’S PHOTO

‘As The Sun Goes Down’ – I snapped this image today from my home in Belgrave (Victoria, Australia).

Thank you for the kind comments I received on social media this evening:

Lyn C. > Beautiful, lovely layers of colour. 👏🤗
Judith L. > Stunning,amazing colours John
Ian R. W. > Awesome
Peter J. D. > Stunning.
Joanne F. > Glorious.
Norma B. > Absolutely gorgeous!!
Brenda D. > The dead the living and the never ending…..
Christine E. > Beautiful thankyou
Colin P. > Moody skies…great silhouettes to balance
Robyn C. > Absolutely beautiful 🥰
Carmel H. > Gorgeous ❤️❤️
Sue F. > Magnificent!

FINALLY

By the way, check out my official website https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography

For more information on the photographic digital books that I m producing go to https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography/e-books

John Weeks
Australia
johnweekstraveller@gmail.com

John Weeks Photography – 0002

Official Website: https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography
Email : johnweekstraveller@gmail.com or johnweekstraveller@iinet.net.au

CURRAWONG IN FLIGHT

I snapped this photo yesterday. These birds seem to be more present where I live (in the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria, Australia) in this Autumn weather for some reason. I don’t mind. I love capturing these birds with my camera.

Here are a couple of photos I had snapped earlier this year …

DIGITAL BOOKS

Currently I am in the process of producing various digital books showcasing aspects and themes of my photography.

For example:

After extensive journeying around Ireland on two occasions I recently began sorting through thousands of photos that I had snapped of that beautiful country, and have now produced three digital books in a pdf format.

Ireland 2007 Digital Books – Photography of John Weeks

For more information on the photographic digital books that I am currently producing, go to https://johnweekstraveller.wixsite.com/photography/e-books

OLD CAMERAS – 002

Leica III – Source: Time Magazine, 18 August 1952

NEGATIVES TO DIGITAL PROJECT

Sorting through thousands of negatives of photos that I had snapped in the period of 1970-1980s.

Part 002

Near Mentone (Victoria), a path access which I regularly used to get down to the beach, usually on the weekend. My parents had a home unit five minutes walk to the beach.
14 April, 1980

MEERKAT

Who doesn’t like Meerkats?

The meerkat or suricate is a small mongoose found in southern Africa. It is characterised by a broad head, large eyes, a pointed snout, long legs, a thin tapering tail, and a brindled coat pattern. The head-and-body length is around 24–35 cm, and the weight is typically between 0.62 and 0.97 kg. Wikipedia

FINALLY

John Weeks
Australia