I had visited the Tempe Wetlands in the morning, and later in the afternoon, was sitting at my computer, and watching the weather radar page. It showed a large thunderstorm was approaching the city. I thought that Gap Bluff at Watsons Bay could be a good place to obese the storm if it came over. I also used the photographers ephemeris and it showed that the Sun would set over the city buildings.
So later in the afternoon (around 4:30 pm), I set of for Bondi Junction, then caught a 380 bus to near Rodney Reserve. I first looked for Peregrine Falcons – without any luck. I continued on to Dudley Page Reserve. This provides good views of the city. The storm did seem to be approaching, but didn’t seem too impressive.
I then followed the Coastal Path around Diamond Bay. Along this section I looked for Nankeen Kestrels, but agin without any success. I also kept my eye on the weather radar. There are some refuges in case it rains – bus shelters, overhangs etc.
As I climbed up to Christison Park, I could see a raptor being harassed by a Welcome Swallow.
I reached the park, and soon located the raptor on the roof of a house. it was a Nankeen Kestrel.
I waited here for the bird to take off. It did eventually and I managed a few reasonable shots. It was hunting. They must have amazing eyesight to see something like a cricket or grasshopper from 200 metres away. I walked towards the birds and then got some more photos as it took off. It flew back to the same roof.
A bit more waiting and patience paid off. It took off again and flew to the ground again. it had caught some small animal.
It then took off and flew back, circled around and then perched near the top of a pine tree.
I waited a bit more, but it soon took off and flew out of the area. So I continued on towards The Gap.
The approaching storm seemed to have fizzled out. I reached The Gap and then climbed up to the lookout on Gap Bluff. I took a few photos and waited to see if the sunset could be good. While waiting, several parties of tourists asked my to use their phones to take photos of them at the lookout.
In the end, I gave up waiting for the sunset. It looks like it would be very dull with the Sun obscured by a large cloud mass. So I left my vigil around 7:30 pm and caught a bus back to Bondi Junction and a train home from there. It had been a pleasant afternoon stroll – and the Nankeen Kestrel being the highlight.