I spent another day at Long Reef Aquatic Reserve on the Northern Beaches. I was after more photos of raptors. In particular Ospreys. They turned out to be the only raptors I saw. There were no Sea Eagles, or Kestrels of Black-shouldered Kites this time. With the Ospreys, I did mange to get some reasonable shots, but no good action shots of them diving for fish.
When I arrived, the tide was low, so I ventured out onto the rock platform looking for the migratory birds. There were still lots around. Here are some –
Grey-tailed Tattler
A Little Pied Cormorant flew past –
And here is a Pied Cormorant –
Back to the migratory birds. There were lots of Red-necked Stints –
Australasian Gannet
Ruddy Turnstones
Pacific Golden Plover
Ruddy Turnstones andPacific Golden Plovers
Pacific Golden Plover
Ruddy Turnstones andPacific Golden Plovers
Grey-tailed Tattlers
Than an Osprey appeared. It was fishing, a fair way out.
Sooty Oystercatcher
Osprey
The Osprey had landed on the rocks. I made my way closer.
Pied Cormorant
Sooty Oystercatchers
Osprey
The Osprey flew far out to sea.
Crab
Then an unusual airplane flew past. It was a Chaika L-65 Seabear –
Little Black Cormorants
I was hoping for some more Ospreys. Finally one flew past the headland, but it too headed out to sea.
More bird photographers had arrived. Chang Li, Sam and Adam, who I have all met before.
Willie Wagtail
Pied Cormorant
And then all of a sudden, Sam spotted an Osprey nearby. It was diving –
It pulled out of its dive.
It flew past still looking for fish, and then out to sea to the north.
Despite more waiting, no more Opsreys appeared.
Crested Tern
White-faced Herons
There was some beautiful later afternoon light.
And many thanks to Adam for a lift back to the city. It was much appreciated.