Well, we made it to November! Your bird’s-eye view calendar this month features a male yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Zanda funerea). You can tell it is a male because of the pinkish eye ring (females don’t have this). The colour of the beak for males and females also differ. Males have a darker greyish beak, while females have a white or ivory coloured beak.
This photo was taken in my friend’s garden as the male fed on their banksia tree and then fluttered down to the bird bath for a drink. I was thrilled to be able to get close enough to take this photo (and sooo many others!).
It’s been a bit busy around here as we hurtle towards the end of the year, and about to get busier. At the end of last month, I attended the Holmes Prize for Realistic Australian Bird Art as one of the 35 finalists. It was a big learning curve for me, being the first time I’d tried entering a competition, and a really interesting night. I was so grateful to be able to share the experience with my parents who came along to support me. Here is a photo of me standing next to my entry (thank you Mum for the photo!).
I am crossing my fingers that my entry ‘Blossom’ will find a new forever home. It is currently being exhibited at the Sunshine Coast Art & Framing Gallery in Minyama. If you love birds and fabulous art, this is the exhibition to go see before November 21st. You can find all the details and check out the artwork on the Holmes Prize Facebook page.
For the latter half of this month, I will be travelling and looking for birds to take photos of. If you have any end-of-year gifting to do and you would like to place an order with me, then now is the time to do that so I can make sure you have your goodies by December. My Etsy Shop will be closed from November 15 – 30, 2025.
I hope November is shaping up to be a great month for you!