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TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸

@tarasmithson.bsky.social

Nature is my happy place. 📸🌳🦉🪶🇦🇺🦘🐨🪃 Photos are my own. Most bird photos taken with 600mm lens. BSky native. No DMs. AccessibleImages ALT text Instagram.com/tarasmithson1

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TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 6d ago

Egret grabs a delicious afternoon snack of tadpole. 🐸 🦢 #EgretsAndHerons #BirdOfTheDay #birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #Photography

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 6d ago

Mallard turning a simple morning at the lake into a moody, dramatic scene. 🎬 🩶 #Birds #Duck #BirdOfTheDay #BirdPhotography #Nature #Nature #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #photography #ducks

An intimate, front-facing portrait of a male mallard duck swimming forward on glassy, dark metallic-grey water. The duck’s head is a velvety, dark iridescent green that shifts to near-black in the shadows, contrasted sharply by a bright, pastel-yellow bill. A clear droplet of water is frozen mid-air as it drips from the tip of the bill to the water below. Below, its chest is wrapped in a rich, textured chestnut-brown plumage that transitions seamlessly into a frosted, silver-grey body. The surrounding water is filled with soft, rippling concentric circles that catch pale highlights, casting a moody, vertical reflection of the duck's dark head and warm chest colors directly beneath it

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 6d ago

One month till Spring in Australia. But winter is the breeding season for these Ravens. ☀️🔭 ☁️🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛ 📷 Back deck #Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Raven #Photography #Raven #Corvid #Canon #Wildlife

Two large, black Australian ravens are captured against a pale, overcast sky. On the right, one raven perches alertly on the highest point of a metal, grid-style television antenna, its glossy feathers catching the light and its distinct, bright white eye visible. On the left, a second raven is captured mid-flight, diving downward with its stark black wings fully extended and feathers fanned out, showcasing a striking, dynamic contrast to the stationary bird.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 6d ago

Just a little sunset vibe with the female superb fairy-wren. 🌇🦜 Night night from Oz. 🌏🦘 #BirdOfTheDay #YourChoice #birdphotography #Birds #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #Photography

A detailed, close-up photograph captures a female superb fairy-wren perched jauntily on a weathered wooden fence rail against a soft, sun-dappled background. The small brown bird has light greyish-white underparts, a warm reddish-brown eye-patch, a petite orange-brown bill, and delicate thin legs. Its signature slender tail stands upright, catching the bright morning light, while the blurred pastel background of soft greens and blues creates a peaceful, open atmosphere.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last wk.

Goodnight, from Australia, everyone! I took this photo from my deck a little while ago. 🌔 🥱 99% visibility, waxing gibbous. 🌝 🔭 #moon #moonphotography #astrophotography #cosmos #night #nightsky #photography #moonphases #astro

A crisp, highly detailed photograph captures a nearly full moon suspended against a deep, dark midnight-blue night sky. The illuminated lunar disc dominates the frame, showcasing a rich and textured landscape of silver, grey, and charcoal tones. Intricate craters, high-contrast highlands, and the smooth, dark volcanic plains known as maria stretch across the surface, with a prominent bright impact crater and radiating ray system standing out sharply on the right side. Every contour, ridge, and shadowy basin of the lunar terrain is rendered with striking clarity, offering an immersive look at the crater-pocked surface of Earth's closest celestial neighbour. 99 percent visibility waxing gibbous.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last wk.

What a galah! 🩷 The last birds on this day, to have dinner before night fall. 😴🌃 #EmeraldBackdrop #BirdOfTheDay #birds #birdphotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #Photography

A close-up, front-facing shot of a galah foraging in green grass. The cockatoo has striking bright pink plumage on its chest and face, a pale pink to whitish crown, and soft grey wings. It is holding a small piece of green grass in its pale beak, with its dark eye focused downward. The background is a moody, out-of-focus dark green lawn with a soft, blurred shape (another galah) behind the bird.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last wk.

Since our last hot summer I have leave a bucket of clean water out for the birds to swim and drink from. The noisy miners like to take a daily bath as does the Ravens, and Cormorants. 🛁🐦‍⬛ #Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #Photography #Canon

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 2w ago

Little Lord of the Manor showing off the electric blue and some dreamscape textures for #BirdOfTheDay and #TantalisingTextures Thanks, nature! ⚡️🐦🌿🎴 #Wrens #Birds #BirdPhotography #Wildlife #Nature #NaturePhotography #photography #BirdsOfBlueSky

A photograph of a male superb fairy-wren perched proudly on the tip of a textured green shrub. The tiny bird features striking electric-blue and deep black breeding plumage, a white belly, and its characteristic long tail. It is set against a dreamy, softly blurred background of warm, earthy tones with a creamy bokeh.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 2w ago

New Holland Honey Eater knows how to perch, even if it's on a little jagged branch. 🎋🐦‍⬛ #BirdOfTheDay #TantalistingTextures #BirdPhotography #Wildlife #Nature #NaturePhotography #WildlifePhotography #Photography

A detailed photograph of a New Holland honeyeater perched proudly on a weathered, sun-bleached branch against a soft, out-of-focus golden background. The bird faces to the right of screen, and features striking black-and-white streaked plumage, a distinct white iris, a slender curved black bill, and brilliant splashes of yellow on its wings and tail feathers that catch the warm light.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 2w ago

Goodnight from Australia.🌃😴 #Gulls #BirdOfTheDay #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #Wildlifephotography #photography

A high-contrast action shot freezes a seagull in mid-air with its wings dramatically spread and angled to catch the afternoon breeze, its white plumage and dark-tipped primary feathers illuminated by a warm, golden backlight. The bird's legs are dangling below and its sharp gaze is focused forward, while the background dissolves into a moody, cinematic blur of churning ocean foam and dark, sun-kissed coastal rocks that frame the subject

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 3w ago

This Raven was making so much noise off my back deck, I had to see what all the crowing was about. 🔊 Turns out he was just a noisy eater. 🌲🐦‍⬛🍽️ #BirdPhotography #Birds #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #Wildlifephotography #photography #Nature #Raven #BirdOfTheDay #Portrait

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 3w ago

Right now, it's like I'm living in Transylvania.🏰🌑🖤🐦‍⬛ It's winter here. 🦘Raven breeding season is July to Sept. All day it's a cacophony of crowing that echoes off the surrounding buildings. 📢🐦‍⬛🏘️🎶🔊 📷 off the deck #ScreenFiller #BirdOfTheDay #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Nature #Wildlife

A close up black-and-white portrait of a raven, caught in a moment of poised intensity as it stretches its wings wide across the frame sitting atop a tree. The play of light and shadow accentuates the complex textures of its feathers, while the monochromatic edit creates a moody, timeless aesthetic that isolates the bird against a soft, unfocused backdrop.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 3w ago

The alternative #BirdOfTheDay day theme is #OpenBeaks 👐🐦 Here's a Little Pied Cormorant 🌊🪽 #Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Widlife #WildlifePhotography #Photography #BirdsOfBlueSky #photography

A close-up portrait of a Little Pied Cormorant, its head tilted upward with its vibrant yellow beak wide open in a vocal display. The bird’s plumage is a crisp blend of dark, textured feathers on the back of its head and neck transitioning into a smooth, bright white chest. Set against a clean, minimalist off-white background, the focus remains sharply on the bird’s expressive eye and the intricate details of its open, colourful yellow bill, capturing a candid, operatic moment in the life of this coastal bird

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 3w ago

Pied Cormorant shaking off his tail feather for the #ButtShotts #BirdOfTheDay. 🍑 🪽 #Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #Photography #Canon #BirdsOfBlueSky #Birdlife

A Little Pied Cormorant stands perched on a bare, sunlit branch with offshoot branches. It faces away from camera, its head turned to the right. It's captured in a dramatic pose with its wings spread high and its beak wide open as if in mid-squawk. The bird’s plumage is a sharp contrast of glossy black wings and back against its crisp white chest and throat, while its bright yellow beak adds a pop of vibrant colour. The background is a soft, out-of-focus blur of natural greens and earth tones.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 3w ago

Bar-tailed Godwit is #AmongtheRipples for #BirdOfTheDay. 🦢📅. This was taken at a local lagoon during migration season. They fly from Alaska or Siberia NONSTOP to Australia for our Spring/Summer. ✈️🇦🇺 #birds #Birdphotography #wildlife #nature #naturephotography #photography #Canon #Godwit

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · 4w ago

Seagull says have a great weekend! Get outside, enjoy nature. 🦆🦎🦘 #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Nature #Wildlife #photography #gull #beach #ocean #BirdOfTheDay #Rocky

A clear, eye-level photograph captures a silver gull standing on a rocky beach. The gull, featuring pristine white plumage with light grey wings and a red-tipped beak, is positioned slightly to the right of the frame, facing toward the left. It stands on thin, red legs amidst a scattering of dark, weathered small rocks The background is a soft-focus shoreline where the gentle motion of the incoming tide creates a smooth, golden-toned bokeh with bright, shimmering light reflections.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

Dropping a Male Superb fairy-wren to get the week started. Have a great week, world! 🕊️ #Birds #BirdPhotography #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #Photography #BirdOfTheDay #Canon #wren #Bluesky

A male superb fairy-wren stands atop a grey weathered, horizontal wooden post, facing toward the left side of the frame. The bird's striking, iridescent blue crown and cheek patches glow against a soft, pale-blue sky, and its sleek black mask and crisp, white-and-brown-tinged belly are sharply defined as it holds its long, slender tail jauntily upright, embodying a sense of miniature avian elegance against the clean, minimalist backdrop.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

Australian Magpie bath time for #Ebony&Ivory #BirdOfTheDay. 🐦‍⬛🪽 #Birds #BirdPhotography #nature #naturephotography #photography #magpies #Wildlife

An Australian magpie is captured in an exuberant moment of bathing, its body low in the shallow, rippled water as it enthusiastically flings sparkling droplets into the air. The bird's distinctive black and white plumage is ruffled and damp, highlighting its sleek markings as it creates a dynamic arc of water that perfectly contrasts with the calm, muted background. That backdrop consists of soft, out-of-focus earth tones that suggest a tranquil pond edge, complemented by slender, vertical green reeds on the left and subtle, shadowed foliage on the right.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

In the heart of the deep forest, even the smallest bloom can stand out. Find and live in your own light, no matter the surrounding darkness. 🌲✨🌿 🌑🌸🕯️ #forest #landscape #Nature #NaturePhotography #flower #flowers #woods #sovereignty #light #independence #peace #love

A close-up, atmospheric shot of a forest features delicate white blackberry flowers in full bloom, standing out against a dark, shadowy forest background. To the left, the textured, rugged bark of a large tree trunk anchors the frame, while the flowers and their serrated green leaves reach towards the light on the right. The soft focus on the lush, dark greenery behind the flowers creates a magical, intimate mood, emphasising the fragile beauty of the blossoms amidst the wild forest.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

White-faced Heron flying into the weekend. 🪽 Have a great one! 🙋‍♀️ 🦉🦆🌳 #WildMotion #BirdOfTheDay #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Nature #Wildlife #WildlifePhotography #Photography

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

Winter time in Australia - Pacific Black Duck taking a cold plunge. ❄️🦆 #Quackers #BirdOfTheDay #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #duck #ducks #photography

APacific Black Duck stands triumphantly in rippling, deep blue water, showing off its impressive wingspan. With its head held high and looking toward the left, the duck has fully extended forward its brown, mottled wings to shake off the water, revealing a brilliant, iridescent emerald-green patch on its secondary feathers. The background is a soft, blurred expanse of water that highlights the bird’s detailed plumage and the tiny, splashing droplets caught in the moment,

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

The local lagoon is a good place to just chill and watch the birds go by - even if you happen to be of those birds! 😎🦆🦤✨ Pelican in a #QuietReflection for #BirdOfTheDay theme. 🌊🌾 #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #Birding #Photography #Pelican

A large pelican resting quietly at the edge over a calm body of water on a horizontal branch. The bird features dense, white and light grey plumage, a long neck tucked slightly into its shoulders, and a massive, distinctive light pink bill with a prominent throat pouch. The pelican is surrounded by pine needles in the foreground as a frame around the bird. Behind is dense bushland at the end of the silvery lagoon.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

Red Whiskered Bulbuls going for an 80s punk rock vibe. 🎸⚡ Winter in #Australia 🐦‍⬛🌧️ #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #Photography

A close-up photograph captures two Red-whiskered Bulbuls perched on thin, brown tree branches amid soft foliage. The bird in the foreground is positioned horizontally facing left, showcasing its striking, jet-black crest pointing upward, a bold red patch behind its eye, and a bright white throat and cheek. Its body features a warm greyish-brown back and wings with a pale underbelly. Behind and slightly above it, the second bulbul is perched facing away, revealing its smooth brown plumage and long, dark tail feathers while it tilts its head to the left. The background is a soft, dreamlike blur of muted greens and golds, with a few vibrantly lit yellow fern leaves in sharp focus near the centre, casting a warm and intimate mood over the scene.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

The red frontal shield on the Swamphen can signal its status to others, often effectively de-escalating potential conflicts and establishing dominance without needing to engage in physical confrontation. 🛡️🥷 #RedBeakFeetEyes #BirdOfTheDay #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Photography #Hen

A vibrant purple swamphen stands gracefully in shallow, dark water, its striking plumage shimmering with iridescent blue and purple hues. The bird features a prominent, bright red frontal shield above its stout, matching red beak, which stands out sharply against its dark, textured feathers. It is captured in a moment of calm focus, casting a clear, dark reflection on the still surface of the water, while its large, splayed feet are visible just beneath the ripple-filled waterline, in mid stride as it looks into the lagoon water for it's dinner.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

"Hey, what's going on over there? I'm just trying to have a quiet moment in the sun!" says the female Superb Fairy-wren. 🤨🧡🌿 #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #wren #BirdOfTheDay

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

#TheArtOfSurvival is the theme for #BirdOfTheDay. 🪺✨ Peekaboo! 🙈 This Superb Fairy-wren thought he couldn't be spotted hiding from the predators in the beams of a bridge. 🌉🕵️‍♂️

A male Superb fairy-wren is captured in a classic "peekaboo" moment, his head and distinctively vibrant iridescent blue and black plumage popping out from the deep, dark shadow of a narrow vertical crevice between weathered, heavy timber bridge beams. The frame emphasises the intense texture of the rough, aged wood—complete with visible nail heads blurred in the foreground—which acts as a rustic, fortress-like frame that highlights the wren's delicate, striking colouring as he cautiously observes his surroundings from his secure, hidden vantage point within the bridge's structural architecture.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

Osprey flying high after a great catch. Num Num. 🐟🍽️ While we look down at our phones, this is what happens up in the sky. 📱👆🦅 #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #BirdOfTheDay #Wildlife #birding #Photography #Osprey #Raptor

An Osprey, a large bird of prey, is flying directly towards the viewer with wings fully extended in a powerful, head-on perspective. The bird occupies the center-left of the frame, with its large wingspan reaching towards the edges of the image. Its dark, streaked brown and white plumage is crisply detailed, showing individual feathers. The Osprey is actively carrying a fish, clutched firmly in its talons. The fish is visible, catching the light. The background is a vignetted bright blue sky, free of clouds, creating a stark and isolated backdrop that enhances the visibility and focus on the bird.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

Loungin' like a ... Water dragon. 🦎✨ FYI, he hast a mocktail with a little umbrella, and a half-read book just out of frame. 🍹📖 Have a chill week everybody. 😎🌊 #WaterDragon #NaturePhotography #Lizard #Reptiles #Wildlife #Photography 🐉🍸

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

When you want the attention all for yourself and hog the camera. 📷 🦆 Wood Duck #GreyDay for #BirdOfTheDay #Birds #BirdPhotography #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #ducks #Australia

A male Australian wood duck, also known as a maned duck, stands prominently in the foreground on the edge of a concrete path, facing toward the right with its head turned to look at the camera. The duck features a rich brown head and neck with a mottled, grey-spotted chest, and its grey wings have black accents. The background is softly out of focus, creating a blurred, natural setting where a crested pigeon is also visible, but out of focus, standing on the path behind the duck.

TARA SMITHSON -Wildlife & Nature Photographer 📸@tarasmithson.bsky.social · last mo.

White-faced Heron using its sharp chopsticks to chomp on a little sashimi. 🇯🇵🍣🥢 #Birds #BirdPhotography #Birds #Birding #Nature #NaturePhotography #Wildlife #heron #BirdOfTheDay #Food