I had a function to attend at lunchtime at Bardwell Park and I thought it would make a good day if I did some walking along the Two Valleys Track, before and after the function.
Flying Fox mother and pup
I caught a bus to Earlwood and walked down through Girrahween Park to the Two Valleys Track. On the way I passed a nice grove of Hyacinth Orchids.
It was quite a hot day, and along the first part of the track, from Bardwell Park, towards Bexley North I did not find that many animals or plants of interest.
Things were better after lunch. I walked to Girrahween Park and then continued along the Two Valleys Track towards Turrella. Early on I spotted some Variegated Fairy Wrens –
Next was a Red Browed Finch and a Little Wattlebird –
And a little further along was an Eastern Spinebill. It was a bit shy – hard to photograph – hiding in bushes. This is the first one I have seen in the area.
I then got a call from Digi Dave. He happened to be in the area and was happy to do a bit of a walk. We arranged to meet at Turrella Reserve. So I walked quickly down the track. At the Reserve we did a bit of photography in that area before walking back up the track.
We spent a bit of time observing the Flying Foxes. Quite a few of the females had babies. The pups cling to their mother’s, even while flying. During the day, the flying foxes are usually asleep, but there are always some that area awake, often fighting and squabbling with others nearby in the camp. Occasionally they will fly to a new perch. To photograph them flying you need to be quite patient. Mots of the time, you miss them. They fly fast and give little warning they are taking off. So its challenge to get reasonable photos.
After the flying foxes, we walked further along the track. I was hoping to spot the Spinebill again – but no luck. And then we returned to Turrella Reserve.
White Browed Scrubwren
Pied Cormorant
