There is a fig tree in our garden, and the figs are ripening. They are not among our personal favorite fruits, but we have tried a few, and they are better than I remember from 
times past (especially in the form of Fig Newtons). But there are others who obviously hold 
them in high esteem, especially the resident Silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis). They appear 
soon after sunrise and have their way with the ripening figs until nearly dusk. They are about 2/3 the size of the average house sparrow (also plentiful here) and a real delight to observe.
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What clear shots, Gary. These tiny birds don’t always stay still for long over here and I must confess a little envy that you’ve captured this bird so well.
You’re so right. They are unbelievably busy and in nearly-constant motion. It took me the better part of an hour to get several clean shots with enough detail.
Lovely photos of the birds in the fig tree!
Thanks, Peter, they are lovely little birds!
Silvereyes, I’ve never heard of them – such a beauty he is, and smaller than a House sparrow, too! Great photos!
These guys are widespread in the south-west Pacific region from Australia to Fiji and the Tuamotu Archipelago. The first ones arrived in New Zealand in the 1850s, probably a flock driven here from Tasmania in a storm during a crossing of the Tasman Sea. They’re now very common throughout the country.
Is his color as chartreuse as it seems here? or is it only that he’s next to purer greens, and the yellow seems more prominent? It certainly is a delightful little thing, and your photos are wonderful. that was an hour very well spent, indeed.
The color here is accurate, though I perceive it more as a light olive-green than a chartreuse; it could well be the proximity to the starker green of the figs and leaves, as you suggest. They are indeed great fun to watch, but very hard to catch during their frenetic activity. I made 184 shots to get these three. Thanks, Linda!