New Holland Honeyeater (Phylidonyris novaehollandiae)

Vigil of the Golden Wing

Perched elegantly upon a web of slender, mossy twigs, a striking songbird surveys its fragrant heathland home under the soft light of a shifting southern sky.

David S. McMeans · Nikon Z9 · Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S

Narawntapu National Park, Tasmania, Australia

Image

Vigil of the Golden Wing

Perched elegantly upon a web of slender, mossy twigs, a striking songbird surveys its fragrant heathland home under the soft light of a shifting southern sky. Its fine, down-curved bill—perfectly tailored for probing the deep chambers of native blossoms—stands out cleanly against a charcoal head accented by crisp white facial flourishes and an intense, piercing pale eye. A brilliant panel of golden-yellow flashes along its folded wing and tail, a vibrant counterpoint to the chaotic black-and-white streaking of its breast. Framed by a beautifully soft haze of blooming yellow grevillea, the active nectar-feeder pauses for a rare, breathless second, remaining completely still before continuing its frantic search across the sun-dappled canopy.

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