I was just looking over ‘my bower’ towards a rustic Bauhinia Tree, where an adorable female bowerbird just landed.

She looks very relaxed, even with me sitting only a few meters away. All those greens in various contours blend in superbly with her environment.

Not to mention the countrified tree behind her. It’s the tree of life in the shire.

I counted up to 6 females in one sitting, but there may be more.

The forest extends over the horizon into the Great Dividing Range of ‘Mordor’. Precious they are.

Back in middle earth, the native blossoming trees attract our hoppits.

Bowerbirds hop from here to there and then bop back again.

Naturally, male specimen were given the name of ‘Frodo’.

Who else would be looking for ‘the Precious’?

His fellowship of bowerbirds was never far away. 

It all started with a few sightings here and there. The bowerbirds were often too far and too quick for my camera. They don’t stand still for long.

Spring into spring, and that threw me a lifeline.

This purple flower Bauhinia tree is a major draw-card. It comes naturally.

Visitors of all nature favour this incredible tree.

My first and only sighting of a Regent Bowerbird occurred here.

Bauhinia trees are commonly known as Orchid Trees. The flower’s shape is similar to an orchid’s leaf pattern.

They blossom from white to pink and purple.

If these flowers taste as sweet as they smell, the birds are in for a treat. How about this idea?

Maybe I can treat the bowerbirds for dessert? They are hungry and fruits are good for anyone.

I gradually placed discarded fruit near the Orchid tree, which attracted the birds in the first place. It worked that treat.

A routine pattern emerged within the bird’s community. Which was exactly what I hoped for. The area was scanned from a safe vantage point.

If no swooping magpies were detected in the sky above, sweet flower peddles were a delicate appetiser.

The ground level was carefully examined for fruits and seeds, whilst gradually descending.

Gradually and cautiously we got used to each other’s presence. But they were still timid and any fast movement spooked them off.

What to do, how to do? What would an atten-pro do?

‘The solution is quite simple, actually!’ I could hear his English accent chanting through my ears. ‘Read the signs!’ Thank you, Sir David, I must build a bower!

It’s spring after all. The mating and nesting season is in full swing. A bowerbird’s chanter is easily recognised.

The show is spectacular as males performe a dance-off in nearby trees. Australia’s birds of paradise.

A well-advertised allocated area would give a food-source point of interest. And could act as a visual shelter from aerial attacks.

And who knows who else will drop in. Anything can happen around the ‘tree of life’.

I was excited. Very Exited. My creative mind kicked into overdrive.

I can build a hip-hop arena for the bowerbirds.

I started with a few Azalea flowers scattered over the grassy carpet.

Outstanding. Fruits and seeds were placed around the flowers. Could it get better? You bet.

I couldn’t wait to get started and decorate the area with fresh spring flowers in various shapes and sizes.

A rainbow spectrum bonanza on soft green grass.

Leafy twigs added structure, as the veins stream to the middle artery.

Added to the bowerbird’s colours and patterns.

Colours and shadows change en-course with the sun throughout the day, which gave me different light angles.

It wasn’t hard to miss their favourite treats. Quickly added to my fruity shopping list.

Oranges are high on the demand list.

So are blueberries.

And strawberries.

I wonder what else I can add to this painting.

Pine cones appeared out of nowhere.

A landing stick for the birds created an elevated view over the bower.

Green ginger plants advertise a dramatic backdrop. They also create a tunnel for the birds to hop through.

I could channel the birds through this tunnel to bypass colourful patterns straight into my lens.

The bower would never be as perfect as the bird’s bowers.

But it will be perfect for photography.

More and more pieces were added to this lifeline puzzle. Camou-Cam was deployed on an undercover series.

Different ideas implemented from other parts of the puzzle. It was a fun and exciting challenge, that’s what it comes down to.

I couldn’t stop smiling. Photographic opportunities of this bower exceeded all expectations.

The fellowship gathered within my bower.

Little did I know, that this bower created a mini eco-system for all animals. Job well done.

But that’s not the end. It was only just the beginning.

Events got personal.

Space invasion was frequently conducted by

A bird called Frodo.