Ospreys at Long Reef – 17 November 2024

Posted on November 27, 2024 by Dave Noble

I travelled up to Long Reef on the Northern Beaches for hopefully some more Osprey photography. I had quite a good day.

When I arrived, I spotted an Osprey perched on the south side of the headland. Continue reading →

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Glenbrook Heritage Walk – 14 November 2024

Posted on November 26, 2024 by Dave Noble

On an earlier trip, Bob and myself had spent a bit of effort looking for an Aboriginal art site that is described in “Blue Mountains Dreaming” edited by Eugene Stockton. in the book, Stockton describes a cave, nit too far way from the well known Red Hands Cave that features some very unusual engravings. As well as the engravings, there is also some ochre art – including a boomerang motif, and the cave has become know as “The Golden Boomerang Cave”. On this trip, we looked for it again, and investigated some more gullies and we had success.

The photo below shoes one of the engravings. It is a human figure lying down, and looking towards the left. You can see a large bottom and two legs. The upper part is a bit indistinct.

The photo below shows the golden boomerang (orange ochre) in the middle, and to the right is another human figure – upright with outstretched arms. It is very hard to discern. Continue reading →

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Sydney Park Birds – 13 November 2024

Posted on November 26, 2024 by Dave Noble

After the Greenway survey, I headed to Sydney Park for a short visit. It was a hot day – so I decided not to stay too long. The birds were also very quiet.

Here are some that I saw –

Australasian Darter

Continue reading →

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Greenway Bird Survey – 13 November 2024

Posted on November 26, 2024 by Dave Noble

I joined in on the monthly bird survey along the Hawthorne Canal section of the Greenway. The group meets at Taverners Hill Light Rail Station at 7:30 am.

Here are some of the birds we saw –

Red Wattlebird

Noisy Miners Continue reading →

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Mudlarks – Cooks River Bird Survey – 12 November 2024

Posted on November 26, 2024 by Dave Noble

It was nice to join the Mudlarks once again for their monthly bird survey along the Cooks River. This month the group were surveying upstream from the Lang St Bridge – to the Boat Harbour and then to Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands and back on the far side.

Notable on this survey were the number of nesting birds that were observed.

Here are the photos – Continue reading →

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Red Jacks and Costyns Point – 11 November 2024

Posted on November 23, 2024 by Dave Noble

I was keen to attend this walk in Royal National Park as it was to places that I had never visited before. It was a walk led by Brian Everingham for the National Parks Association of NSW.

The plan was to visit two headlands near Maianbar, both on Port Hacking. In the past, around 1870, both the headlands were “developed” with buildings – houses and more. The remains of these structures now have considerable heritage value. Continue reading →

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Back to the Northern Beaches Peregrine Falcons – 10 November 2024

Posted on November 23, 2024 by Dave Noble

I decided to make a repeat trip to Northern Beaches in order to get some more photographs of the family of Peregrine  Falcons.

I did see both the adult Peregrine Falcons, and at least one juvenile flying, but I also spent long periods with no action.

Here is the adult female Peregrine Falcon – Continue reading →

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Birds at Tempe and The Cooks River – 9 November 2024

Posted on November 23, 2024 by Dave Noble

It was time to join the Tempe Birdos for their monthly bird survey. This month I was in the group surveying at the wetlands.

Walking down to the wetlands, I spotted this White-faced Heron –

While the group was gathering, one of the members pointed out this Eastern Long-necked Turtle. Someone had seen it on a nearby road and carried into the wetland area. It was good to see it was heading towards the pond. Continue reading →

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Northern Beaches Peregrine Falcons – 8 November 2024

Posted on November 16, 2024 by Dave Noble

This was perhaps the most successful of recent trips to the cliffs of the Northern beaches in order to get some action shots of a family of Peregrine Falcons.

When I arrived on the cliffs, I soon spotted an adult (male) – Continue reading →

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Victoria Brook Walk – 7 November 2024

Posted on November 16, 2024 by Dave Noble

Bob had suggested this walk a while back. He was keen to look for a pass from the gorge section of the Brook to the ridge the goes out to Odin Head. The interesting thing about the pass was that involved climbing up a tree that had metal spikes screwed into it for assistance. There are other passes in the Blue Mountains that involve trees with spikes – the one of the exit from Dargans Creek Canyon and the one in Mitchells Creek Pass on Narrow Neck.

On an earlier walk to Victoria Brook – we had walked around an upper canyon section. It would be nice to visit this properly – bit as it was likely to involve some swims it would be better to do it in warm weather.

So on a warm November day, we headed out the Victoria Falls Road, and then turned off along the rough fire road that goes out towards Odin Head. Continue reading →

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