Kings Tableland and Bulls Camp – Heritage Walks – 22 June 2022

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Dave Noble

This was another trip to look at some Aboriginal sites in the Blue Mountains. This time on Kings Tableland. Bob and myself travelled to Wentworth Falls and met up with Pete for the first part of the trip. Pete showed us two sites, that he had earlier told us about and we were keen to visit. Then Pete had to head off, so Bob and myself checked out some more sites on the Tableland. Then we finished the day looking at some early Colonial Heritage at Bulls Camp at Linden.

At Kings Tableland we first looked at small open rock platform on a great vantage point. This site features some sharpening grooves, a bowl shaped depression, and some engravings. Continue reading →

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Cooks River and Barton Park Birds – 21 June 2022

Posted on June 25, 2022 by Dave Noble

I spent a nice day photographing local birds. I started off walking down the Cooks River from Wardell Road and made my way to the Cahill Park. Then I caught a bus to Barton Park and spent the rest of the day there.

Along the Cooks River, the main birds I photographed where two Sacred Kingfishers I saw just downstream on Illawarra Road. Here are some photos – Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – 20 June 2022

Posted on June 25, 2022 by Dave Noble

My last visit to the headland had been good – not so much for the whales as for the Peregrine Falcons. They had appeared late in the day and renewed their bonds. I was keen to go back and see them again. But this time – while I was there, I did not see them. So had to make do with some of the other resident birds and the passing whales.

At least the whales were a bit more active on this trip. Continue reading →

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Mt Tomah and Mt Wilson Weekend 18 – 19 June 2022

Posted on June 25, 2022 by Dave Noble

Wendy had planned a weekend trip to visit two of the basalt capped mountains in the Blue Mountains. Her plan was to first visit Mt Tomah and go to the Botanic Gardens there. She was particularly keen to visit the rainforest section. Then we would head to Mt Wilson and camp near October Creek. Then Sunday would be spent on some daywalks at Mt Wilson.

As well as Wendy and myself, Rui also joined us. We had a very pleasant weekend. Continue reading →

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Taronga Zoo – 17 June 2022

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Dave Noble

It was good to visit the Zoo again. Its a pleasant place to spend some time. The weather was beautiful and the Zoo was not too crowded.

On visits, you cannot expect all the animals to be active. Many, like the big cats tend to sleep a lot and it necessary to visit their enclosures a few times if you want to see them walking around. Continue reading →

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Royal National Park Art Walk – 16 June 2022

Posted on June 23, 2022 by Dave Noble

Bob and myself decided on a trip to Royal National Park to see if we could find some Aboriginal Art sites.  On the day we visited five separate sites and found some amazing art. All the art we saw were rock engravings.

Fish engraving

As well as engravings, we also saw a lot of sharpening grooves.  Continue reading →

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Pacific Baza at Sydney Park – 15 June 2022

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Dave Noble

A Pacific Baza had been reported at Sydney Park. I saw a photo of it on a Facebook page, and thought it worth visiting the park to see if it was still around. They are rarely observed in the inner west.

When I arrived at the park, all was quiet. I had a look at the ponds to see what birds were around, and then had a look for the pair of Tawny Frogmouths that I had seen on previous visits. I could not spot them, but near where I was looking, I could hear some Noisy Miners kicking up a fuss. Perhaps the Pacific Baza was around? It was! It was moving around a fair bit, hunting for insects, its usual diet. Continue reading →

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Cooks River and Barton Park Birds – 14 June 2022

Posted on June 20, 2022 by Dave Noble

After the Mudlarks Bird Survey, I continued walking down the Cooks River to see what birds were out. At the Princes Highway, I caught a bus down to Barton Park and spent most of the rest of the day there. This turned out to be a very good day of bird photography.

Below, Illawarra Road on the Cooks River, I spotted a Sacred Kingfisher. I watched it for a while. Continue reading →

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Mudlarks – Cooks River Bird Survey – 14 June 2022

Posted on June 20, 2022 by Dave Noble

An early start on a cold day – to meet the Mudlarks at 7:30 am on the Lang Street Footbridge for the monthly birds survey. This survey was going downstream – to do the Wave Rock Loop.

Eastern Rosella

Here are some of the birds we saw – Continue reading →

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Fungi at Ferndale Park and Blue Gum Reserve – 13 June 2022

Posted on June 20, 2022 by Dave Noble

I was keen to see what the fungi was like at these two reserves at Chatswood. I was a bit disappointed – due to recent winds and dry conditions the fungi was quite poor. What I did find in reasonable condition was very small, and all the large fungi was desiccated.

Gliophorus chromolimoneus

I started off at Ferndale Park. Here is some of what I found – Continue reading →

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