I joined the Mudlarks for their monthly survey along the Cooks River. In daylight saving time the group meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 7 am on the Lang Street Footbridge. This month the group surveyed downstream on the Wave Rock Circuit.
We saw a good number of species. Here are some – Continue reading
I spent a most amazing day out on the sea cliffs of Malabar Headland National Park with Sue, and later Alana. We witnessed a truly astonishing display of Nature in action. The weather was very pleasant. Not too hot and with a nice breeze. Although it later became quite windy.
Perhaps the most incredible thing we saw were two large pods of Humpback Whales cruising past, just below the cliffs. One pod seemed to be large adults racing each other near or on the surface. Incredible to witness so close. But we also saw a lot of Dolphins. I think at one time about 50 went past us. And although the Peregrine Falcons were not active most of the time, we did witness one attacking some Ravens.
Near the park gate, we could hear a Golden-headed Cisticola. We soon spotted it calling to stake out its territory. Continue reading
A warm day was forecast, so I decided to head to the Northern Beaches hoping that sea breezes would provide some cooling. I first visited the sea cliffs to look for Peregrine Falcons, then after that I visited Long Reef.
The first bird I spotted on the cliffs was a juvenile Peregrine Falcon. It seemed rather advanced, but I don’t know whether it could fly. It was on a ledge, not too far from a nesting site, so perhaps it managed to get there by hoping along ledges?
Some more photos – Continue reading
After the early Tempe Bird Survey, I went home for lunch, then I headed out to Sydney Park in the afternoon. It was nice to see a pair of Tawny Frogmouths. I also saw a Buff-banded Rail – but it was flying fast through vegetation.
Here is a selection of photos – Continue reading
I joined the Tempe Birdos for their monthly survey. After meeting at the lower pond at Tempe Wetlands, I joined the group that surveyed at Tempe Reserve.
The first few photos below were taken at the Wetlands before the groups separated.
Pacific Black Duck Continue reading
Sue joined me for a very peasant day at Nurragingy Reserve. The day was forecast to be hot, so we arrived early and left for home in the early afternoon. On this visit it was the newly returned Sacred Kingfishers that were the highlight.
Near the entrance gate, we spotted a number of Stinkhorns – Aseroë rubra – Continue reading
It was the time for the survey along the Hawthorne Canal section of the Greenway. The group met at 7:30 am at Taverners Hill Light Rail Station.
Here are some of the birds we saw – Continue reading
On a recent bushwalk, Bob reminded me that it was about 50 years ago that we did our first trip together. This was a canyoning trip I had put on for the Kameruka Bushwalkering Club from Mt Irvine to Short Creek Canyon back in October 1975.
I hunted on my computer, and found some old scans of slides from that trip and thought it worth posting them here.
In the party was Bob Sault, John Atkinson and Trevor Carr. Bob was still a high school student at the time.
This one is looking down Short Creek from above the abseils –
First Abseil Continue reading
A warm day was forecast, so something not too strenuous sounded like a good idea, so I suggested a trip to Malabar Headland. Sue was keen in coming along, and this would allow us to get an update on the Peregrine Falcons and we could sit in shady spot and do some whale watching.
Despite the hot weather, we had a very pleasant day. This time we started earlier, and first walked along the track at the west side of Malabar Headland National Park. Last year we had seen some orchids along the track and we wondered if they would be out. Continue reading
Friends had strongly recommended visiting the current exhibition of Aboriginal art at the Art Gallery of NSW. It is an exhibition of the art of the Yolŋu People from Northern Australia. It focuses on art from the 1940’s to present from the community of Yirrkala in the East Arnhem Region of the Northern Territory.
I met Sue at the Art Gallery and we had a most interesting time viewing the art. Continue reading
