Try to say that quickly. 3 times in a row? Funny.
Colourful with setting sun rays @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
A ‘flaming galah’ is in Ozzie slang, not exactly a compliment. It translates more or less to the German word ‘Dorf-trottel’, which means something like ‘village idiot’.
Playful @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
But there is nothing ludicrous about these clever birds. Some galahs are known to speak English in captivity, as much as I dislike that idea.
Playful with cousins @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Well, arguably, they do have a few silly moments.
Playful stage @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Or playful rather?
Pine cone banquet @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Galahs frequent all around Australia. I have seen them in many different locations.
High wire @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Super flocks can group in smaller towns and occupy kilometres of electricity wires. They often gather around sunset, converting the high wire to a colourful and noisy gala. This was only a small flock in Woolgoolga. Imagine trying to sleep with that racket background noise.
Food for everyone @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Galahs don’t mind to mingle with other feathered friends.
Peaceful @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
No matter what size.
Chased off @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Unless they draw the short end of the stick.
Social human distancing @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
They are certainly keeping a social distance from humans in the outdoors, that’s how clever they are.
Zoomed in @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Fortunately, I can opt for a good zoom on my camera. This makes photographic life a whole lot easier.
Walkabouts @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
These pink feathered friends are always on the move and incredibly hard to capture.
Keeping up @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
I tried to keep up with them.
Pine cone tussle @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Galahs are vegan allrounders. Pine cone seeds seem to be irresistible for these birds, a highly nutritious diet.
Pine cones!@ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
All that wooden cellulite is hard to chew at times.
Tough beak @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
If the pine cones are too rough to cough, some fresh grass seeds go down well.
Double dinner @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Conveniently, that’s what some pine cones are lying on.
Grass seed banquet @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Grass grows all year round and is, therefore, an important food source.
Wie chew? @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
What’s up ‘wid chew’? Galahs enjoy a stroll in the parklands. This always an amusing event.
Bonding @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
It is playful and strengthens their life-long bond.
Followers @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Once a pair decided to forage on the ground level, other members of the flock gradually join in.
Watchful eyes @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Strength and security in numbers is an important aspect of any galah.
Outstanding @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Their pink appearance is unmissable in most places.
Mates for life @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Galahs mate for life and are very affectionate.
Cleaning procedures @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This is often noticed when two love birds are going through their cleaning process.
Sneak a beak @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
A scratching beak is not only a welcoming but desirable gesture.
Who’s your favourite? @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Facial expressions speak louder than words.
My turn @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This favour is then happily returned with interest.
Still scratchy @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This delightful behaviour goes on for a while. Awww.
Underbody colours @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The most fascinating impression of the galah is its complexions in pink and grey.
Colour complexion @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
These are interestingly varied in different parts of their body.
Fading colours @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Bright sunlight fades these colours into a single pattern.
Shadow spectrum @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Softer lights, like shadows, display the colour scope clearer.
A rare underbody view @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Even the underbody feathers differ greatly from one another.
Front and back view @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The head is lighter in colour than the saturated pink neck.
Flaming Galah @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
And there you have it! A ‘flaming galah gala’.
Double flames @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Or even two.
Shining brightly @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The fading rays of the sinking sun give these birds a torch-like appearance on a high wire.
Spinning out @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
His playful nature may look like a spinning torch at this time of day. The ‘flaming galah’ got his name from his glowing appearance.
Fooled us all! @ Woolgoolga, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Only his sympathetic attitude was understood as foolish. Who fooled who?
Travels with Ben 