Ah! The sweet, dulcet tones of the melodic Australian Cockatoo! Anybody from Australia and anybody who has been to Sydney and has had the pleasure of listening to a cockatoo will know I am being deeply sarcastic here! The cockatoo's call is the most abrasive, screeching, ghastly sound on the planet and yet they hold a special place in every Aussie's heart. Their name is often shortened to "cocky" and boy are they that! So confident and full of chutzpah! As a matter of fact I'm listening to a lone cocky screeching like a madman in the park down the end of my street right now. Bless!
This is my Shadow Shot for this week. Shadow Shot Sunday is a fantastic meme set up by that all round good gal Tracy of Hey Harriet fame! Anybody can enter and here are the instructions on how to do so!
Happy Sunday mes amis!!
A lovely shot!
BTW: You should know your Mr.Linky link isn't coming here. I had tried earlier and just found you from a comment on Ralph's.
Posted by: Carletta | December 06, 2009 at 08:00 AM
Great shot, Sam! And they do indeed look cocky!!!
Have a great weekend!
Sylvia
Posted by: Sylvia Kirkwood | December 06, 2009 at 08:01 AM
The cockatoos make a racket don't they? We have them trying to eat the nuts on our almond tree at the moment. They are so destructive.
Posted by: jo | December 06, 2009 at 09:11 AM
The sky is a faint blue. The concrete fountain and shadowy underside a bit dark. So, the cockatoo is beyond bright, actually brilliant in the ultra-white plumage. The pose is regal, sitting proudly at the top of the world. A bird for all to admire - his beauty ought to overshadow his 'voice'...
Posted by: Ralph | December 06, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Haha! While reading that first line of your post I was thinking that the cockatoos in Sydney must sound very different to the ones here Sam! I do love those crazy critters. Even with their annoying voices. They're such show-offs! Especially the one you captured there! I love that photo!
I deleted the goofy link you left in Mr Linky earlier. Weird how it bounced back to a post of mine. Those bloggy gremlins hard at work again I suspect ;)
Nice to hear that the weather has cooled down for you. It has been a little milder here this week also but today is a bit too hot for my liking. My freezer is stocked full of icecream though, so that makes me happy :)
Posted by: Tracy | December 06, 2009 at 02:48 PM
wow! that is such an amazing shot Sam!! I hope you are having a nice weekend!
Posted by: Iva | December 06, 2009 at 04:04 PM
wow Sam, you were definitely at the right place at the right time...or is it the other way around? anywhooo, great shot! Great weekend~
xo*
Posted by: lenorenevermore | December 06, 2009 at 04:05 PM
A bad bird cry really can be the worst thing. Especially first thing in the morning. Oh well, other lovely birds usually make up for it.
Posted by: Amelia | December 06, 2009 at 06:25 PM
Such handsome birds have every right to be loud and proud - great shot!
Posted by: jabblog uk | December 06, 2009 at 10:38 PM
I love your shot of Cocky! Beautiful birds aren't they? So exotic looking to me.
Posted by: Sarah | December 06, 2009 at 10:48 PM
beautifully composed shot...
Posted by: Crafty Green poet | December 07, 2009 at 12:55 AM
I'm glad I can enjoy the photo without the screech LOL
Posted by: Joe Todd | December 07, 2009 at 02:22 AM
...kind of like a blue jay here in the states...it's deemed a song bird...but it just screeches!!! great photo...happy sss.
Posted by: robin | December 07, 2009 at 02:38 AM
Hey there. How are you today? I hope you've been enjoying the weekend. Take care. Have a great week ahead. Cheers!
Posted by: Keith | December 07, 2009 at 04:59 AM
Omgosh... another reason why I absolutely must visit you one day!!♥ Such a handsome bird and your description is adorable.
Beautiful shadow shot dear Sam. Wishes for a fantastic new week!
Posted by: Gabbi | December 07, 2009 at 05:44 AM
nice shot, Sam! I really should join in the Shadow Shot Sunday some day. It looks like fun!
Posted by: Anna | December 07, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Omigoodness..hehehe. We don't such a bird here. They are quite beautiful and do have that cocky look..hehe. What a great shot. I must go there someday, I must. Soo different from here.
Hope your weekend was awesome!
Take Care..
Posted by: Kathleen | December 07, 2009 at 08:02 AM
Regal.
Posted by: Jonny Hamachi | December 07, 2009 at 09:55 AM
I had to do a double take! These creatures have to be bought here at a pet store and do not roam freely as yours do! I forget that this is a creature from the wild as all my life I've only known it to be someone's pet...
Posted by: Molokai Girl | December 07, 2009 at 01:48 PM
What a great photo! I've yet to visit your hemisphere but I tend to love the spirited (although loud) birds (bluejays, seagulls) so I'm sure I'd love your cute cockatoo!
Posted by: Emma Wallace | December 07, 2009 at 03:00 PM
such a great picture, sam!
wishing you a great week, xx.
Posted by: miriam | December 08, 2009 at 12:53 AM
amazing shot! it looks like the bird is part of the fountain.
Posted by: Down and Out Chic | December 08, 2009 at 08:36 AM
How funny! Pretty animals with obnoxious voices are sort of endearing, I think. I don't have to hear cockatoos all the time, though; I suppose I might feel differently then! :)
Thank you for the sweet comment on my blog!
Posted by: Rebecca | December 08, 2009 at 08:45 AM
WOW such a gorgeous shot!! I really adore it. :) I adore that painting on your girls legs...so cute and such a generous sales! Perfect timing for give giving! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to yoU!
Posted by: Jacqueline | December 08, 2009 at 03:31 PM