Day 81 of lockdown. This turned out to be an amazing day for bird photography. I did my usual exercise break – a bike ride down the Cooks River and then to Barton Park where some nice birds were seen. Then later, and I will put in a separate blog post – I visited the local Tawny Frogmouths at dusk.
I cycled down to Barton Park, without stopping on the way. When I arrived I went down to the small bridge over the Spring St Canal, where I observed a Striated Heron.
I then looked up and saw a second Heron flying in the far distance. I assumed it was another Striated Heron, but when I looked at my photos, I could see it was a Nankeen Night Heron.
Back to the much closer Striated Heron. It was in the same place I had seen it hunting on a previous visit, but this time the tide was much higher.
The Heron was joined by a Great Egret, that flew in and decide to land.
And also a pair of Royal Spoonbills arrived.
The Striated Heron seemed to be looking for fish.
It suddenly dived for a fish.
This time it missed. But its next dive was much more successful.
It landed back in its original spot with the fish, then flew across the canal into the mangroves. I think it was taking it to its nest to feed its mate or chicks.
The Striated Heron soon reappeared.
Other photographers had arrived, Linda and Adam. We looked up and saw a distant Black-shouldered Kite.
The Kite then flew away. But in the other direction, over Muddy Creek, an Eastern Osprey appeared. It too seems to be hunting. It was studying to water for fish.
It circled around a few times. Our cameras were busy.
It then dived.
It had missed the fish, but it was good to record its dive.
It circled around a bit more then left the area. The Great Egret had meanwhile retreated to the mangroves.
Then the Eastern Osprey reappeared.
It dived again, but the bottom of its dive was out of our view.
Back to the there birds. Here is the Great Egret –
And the Striated Heron was still around.
The Great Egret then decided to hunt on the grass.
A Pelican appeared for a short time.
And the Striated Heron flew off for a rest.
So did the Great Egret –
I then went up to the top area, where I met some more bird photographers – Sarah, Daniele and Linda again. We were all looking at the Black-shouldered Kite.
It was perched on a small tree, and seemed content to stay there. A Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike them arrived.
The Kite tried its best to ignore the Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike.
We all waited to see if the Kite would take off. I did eventually!
It then hunted in the general area. Sometime close, sometimes more distant.
It was then time for me to head home for a late lunch.
Great photos David!