A Variegated Fairy-wren paused for a second on a tree draped with lichen. It brought to mind a Christmas scene, with the bird a bauble that adds its bright colours to the grey of the tree and the rather surreal green tinsel formed by the lichen.

Common name: Variegated Fairy-wren
Scientific name: Malurus lamberti
Approximate length: 13 cm
Date spotted: 17 October 2024 (spring)
Location: Manly Dam park, near Sydney: 33°46’23.1″S 151°14’35.9″E