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Pair Bee-eaters (46)
darwin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 245 W: 0 N: 447] (1690)
THE BEE-EATERS (family Meropidae) are one of 9 or 10 families in the order Coraciiform. The -25 extant species currently recognized occur predominantly throughout the Afro-Asian tropics. There is considerable diversity in social and breeding behaviors among the Meropidae: they may be sedentary or migratory, pair-breeding or cooperative; some species nest solitarily, whereas others nest in some of the most complex social organizations recorded among birds Thus, the family presents a fertile ground for comparative studies of social organization.

Only one species, the migratory Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) occurs in Australia, nesting throughout much of the mainland and some parts of New Guinea. Some may overwinter in northern Australia, but their principal wintering grounds are in the lowlands and forest clearings of New Guinea and most islands west to Lombok and north to Sulawesi.

The Rainbow Bee-eater is an abundant, widely distributed, and popular bird in Australia; yet relatively little is known of its breeding biology, compared with that of some other beeeater species. Rainbow Bee-eaters arrive in Australia every September where they typically nest solitarily or in loose aggregations, though they can also nest in dense colonies comprising hundreds of nests. Breeding is carried out either by unassisted pairs or in cooperative groups

Bee-eaters are aerial insectivores, sallying forth from preferred vantage perches to pursue a wide variety of prey. The prey species of Rainbow Bee-eaters vary quite dramatically in local abundance in response to temperature, wind, rainfall, and flower phenology. Thus, Bee-eaters are likely to employ life-history tactics to overcome such unpredictability.
Altered Image #1

darwin Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 245 W: 0 N: 447] (1690)
PS CS2
Edited by:JPlumb Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 160 N: 894] (2837)
Hi Jon, in this workshop I was looking to increase contrast. I started with levels, and pulled in the white and black points. I then added a curves layer where I put in a very slight s-curve. For the repost I sharpened with USM. I hope this meets with your approval. I have removed the copy from my terminal.

Regards, John