Cooks River and Landing Lights Wetland Birds – 1 January 2021

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Dave Noble

Again the forecast was for rain, so another local trip. This time by bike. I cycled down to the Cooks River and then checked out the local Tawny Frogmouths and other birds. The rain held off, so I continued to Tempe and along the cycleway to Barton Park. There, I spent some time at Landing Lights Wetland before riding home.

At the Boat Harbour, it took me a while to spot the family of Tawny Frogmouths. They were roosting quite high up in a tree, and I dint bother to photograph them. I continued on to Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands. I could see a few chicks – Australian Swamphens and Dusky Moorhens. Continue reading →

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Wolli Creek Walk – 31 December 2020

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Dave Noble

With a forecast of more rain, I thought it wise not to venture too far from home, but I was keen to get outside, at least while I could. So I set out for Bexley North and walked own the Two Valleys Track.

My original plan was to walk down to Tempe, and then walk up the second valley – the Cooks River to home. But when I arrived at Tempe, it started raining heavier, so I walk to Tempe Station instead and headed home. Continue reading →

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Engadine Falls Walk – 30 December 2020

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Dave Noble

I had never been to Engadine Falls before even though it is very easy to reach, being close to a fire road between Engadine and Loftus. I thought after recent rain, that it may be worth a visit. My plan was to catch a train to Engadine, then walk along the track from the station to one of the fire roads and then follow that to Engadine Falls. Then after that, if the going looked OK, to follow the creek downstream to Horseshoe Falls. There were several options to return to either Engadine, Heathcote or Loftus.

Horseshoe Falls

It was pleasant going from Engadine Station along the track and fire roads. There was a lt to look out for, particularly orchids. Continue reading →

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Lawson South Waterfall Circuit – 28 December 2020

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Dave Noble

I had spent the night at Blackheath with the remnants of the canyoning party from the day before. We had thought about doing another canyon, but the weather was cooler and thunderstorms were predicted for later in the day. So after some discussion, we decide a walk would be nice and decided to do the Waterfall Walk on the south side of Lawson.

Adelina Falls

In the party were Martin, Steffy, Rick, Robin and myself. We were soon on our way. At the top track – we were surprised by all the cars parked there. It looks like these walks have become very popular. The path first took us to Adelina Falls. Continue reading →

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Dawn at Govetts Leap – 28 December 2020

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Dave Noble

After canyoning, some of us stayed the night at Blackheath, enjoying Enmoore’s hospitality. I got up early in the morning and wandered down the road a sort distance to Govetts Leap for sunrise.

The sunrise was a bit of a fizzer. The Sun soon hit a thick band of clouds. Continue reading →

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Yileen Canyon – 27 December 2020

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Dave Noble

Martin and Steffy had proposed a canyoning trip on Sunday. I was one of those invited, and I was not too fussy about what canyon we visited – and it ended up being Yileen Canyon. The party was Martin, Steffy, Rossco, Rick, Robin, Tony, Kate and myself.

Yileen is not one of my favourite canyons – it has always seemed to offer not that much canyon for the effort involved. It also has logistic issues – a car shuffle is a good idea, but that often means a large and slow party, and two long ropes must be carried – and only used for the last abseil – the only one which requires the two ropes. The canyon formation is not very deep nor sustained. But – on the day it was a very enjoyable trip. Recent rain had promised a nice water flow. Continue reading →

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Birds at Sydney Olympic Park – 26 December 2020

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Dave Noble

It had a been a while since I had been to Sydney Olympic Park, so I decided to make a visit.  I caught a train to Strathfield North and then walked down to Mason Park Wetlands. After that I visited Lake Belvedere, then the Bennelong Ponds and the waterbird Refuge at Bicentennial Park, then went to Wentworth Common.

Here are some of what I saw – Continue reading →

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Some Birds at Ellalong – 25 December 2020

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Dave Noble

I was at my niece’s place on Christmas Day at Ellalong (near Cessnock) and wandered to the end of the large block, her and her husband own, looking for birds. Here are some –

Red-browed Finch

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater Continue reading →

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Hazelbrook – North Waterfall Walk – 24 December 2020

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Dave Noble

I was visiting my sister and brother in law at Hazelbrook, and during the afternoon, I visited the waterfall walk near their place. I had packed my camera. As well as the waterfalls, I was looking out for birds and orchids.

It did not take my long to spot an orchid, a Bonnet Orchid (Cryptosylis erecta), on the way down to Horseshoe Falls. Continue reading →

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The Great Conjunction – 22 December 2020

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Dave Noble

The evening that would have been  best to observe to Great Conjunction was completely overcast and raining all night. So no chance to see this spectacle. In Sydney, the two planets Jupiter and Saturn were actually at their closest angular separation at 5:22 am on the morning of the 22 nd December. So the evening before would have been about 8 hours before their closest approach, but this evening was only 16 hours after their closest approach so still should not be too bad.

A check on Stellarium confirmed this. Now would the evening be clear? I checked the cloud forecast and it was not that encouraging. But on twilight – there was a gap in the clouds towards the west. So I kept a watch. The planets should be visible a bit after 8:30 pm and they set just after 10 pm – so I did not have a long window. Continue reading →

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