Long Reef, on average, has been a very good spot for bird photography lately, particularly for raptors. So, it didn’t take much to decide to head up for another day.
It turned out to be another good day. The weather was quite pleasant, but got a bit cold around the time I left at 3 pm.
When I walked up to the lookout, I spotted an Osprey cruising about.
it landed on the talus lower down –
Through binoculars, I spotted anOsprey perched in a tree on the north side of the Headland, so I started walking that way. But when I got close, another Osprey arrived and swooped down.
It had caught a fish.
It circled around and landed on the beach further along, not far from the other Osprey perched in the tree. I carefully approached.
The Osprey was wary. They always are when eating.
Here is the Osprey perched in the dead tree –
I wondered if I could get past the feeding Osprey. I didn’t want to disturb it.
Then a third Osprey arrived, with a very big fish.
It circled around and landed in another dead tree a bit further along.
A few more photos of the one on the beach –
The one in the dead tree was also watchful.
I slowly walked past the feeding Osprey, To do this I had to pass fairly close to it, and there was only a narrow strip of beach due to the high tide. I deliberately kept my eyes away from the bird, and it kept on eating.
The third Osprey had started eating its catch –
And the others –
The a fourth Osprey arrived. It was hunting.
It didn’t get a fish on that dive.
Back to the perched Ospreys –
I heard some Variegated Fairy-wrens in the vegetation nearby. I managed to get some poor photos –
Back to the Ospreys –
The one perched in the tree then took off –
The one on the beach was still feeding.
And another Osprey had perched in a tree higher on the slope –
One Osprey flew past with a stick – nesting material.
I thought it about time to head back to the point, so I carefully walked past the feeding Osprey again. It was still undisturbed.
Back, at the point, there was a single Osprey –
But, the Nankeen Kestrel was perched on a pole near the bottom of the path down from the lookout.
It was being harassed by a Willie Wagtail –
Then a Magpie started the harassing –
Peace at last? No, The Willie Wagtail was back.
The Nankeen Kestrel then did some hunting, but didn’t stay long in the area.
Here is a passing White-faced Heron –
It landed in the tall grass –
Meanwhile, an Osprey had landed on a rock. It had a fish. It was fair way out on the rock platform, but the tide was bit high to venture out.
Pelican
Another Osprey arrived –
Ands did a White-bellied Sea Eagle.
Osprey
The White-bellied Sea Eagle then seemed to spot the Osprey with its fish out on the rock platform.
The Osprey took off, but somehow the Sea Eagle grabbed its fish. Then a fight took place –
The Sea Eagle flew off with ist prize, and the Osprey returned, probably a bit angry and hungry.
