This was a bit of an opportunistic trip. I had visited the headland a few times recently, and had originally planned to do some bird photography at another site. But the forecast was for more high seas, so I thought the coastline would be nice.
It was another very good day. But it started badly – here had been a train with a mechanical problem at Town Hall on a different line that the one I was taking to Central. But the whole rain system seemed to be stuffed up. The train journey was very slow. Then the bus trip to Maroubra Beach. So I eventually arrived around 10:30 am, and started my walk out into the National Park.
Before reaching the park entrance, I stopped to photograph a Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. It was perched in a bush, but a person walking past disturbed it at the right time, and I was able to get some photos of it flying.
On a fence near the park, a Silvereye was perched –
A little way beyond. a short way into the park a Nankeen Kestrel was perched on a post.
Out on the Headland, the sea was high, but not all that spectacular. It would mean the whales would be harder to spot. The wildflowers were very nice.
Near Boora Point, I looked for the Peregrine Falcons. I eventually spotted one of them perched almost out of sight under an overhang.
The Falcon looked quite settled so I wandered around the headland bit to see what else was out. I didn’t see too much except for the odd Gannet flying past.
I returned to where the Peregrine Falcons were. The perched one I had seen before had left and I could not spot it anywhere else. I thought it may have flown off to find food. So I decided to wait in that spot to see if it returned. I found a shady spot out of the wind, and had lunch.
While I was waiting, another bird photographer arrived. It was David, who I had met several times before at Oatley Park. We both settled down to wait for the Peregrine Falcon’s return. While we were waiting, we did spot a Whale or two and small pod of Dolphins.
Then another bird photographer arrived. It was Gokay, who I had met at Sydney Park. We chatted and waited to see if any Falcons would appear. One eventually did, but not till around 2:30 pm. It landed on a perch but not for long.
It flew off and seems to fly under the cliffs, to where its nest was. Then we think its mate flew out. It looked like the larger female. It perched on a spot, but again not for long. It soon flew off, probably to look for food.
I was able to get a reasonable take-off sequence –
I went with Gokay along the cliffs, to see if we could spit it. We soon located it right on Boora Point. But again, it flew off, and I didn’t see it again.
Walking back to the original location a small jet flew past.
We waited for a while, to see if the Falcon wold return, but it was soon time for me to start to head home. I left David and Gokay and walked back to Maroubra Beach.
More spectacular photos, David. Thanks!!