Urban Coastal Walking – Milsons Point to Waverton – 21 August 2019

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Dave Noble

This was a pleasant half day out with the National Parks Association of NSW on a walk led by Brian Everingham. Also on the walk were Gary, Sue B, Sue W, Esther, Claire, Kevin, Allen, Derek, Karen, Paul, Terry and Graeme.

We met near Milsons Point station and then walked down and under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and followed the path around towards Luna Park. On the way we passed the art deco North Sydney Pool, which was used for the Empire Games, and a venue where more swimming world records have been set than any other pool. Impressive! Continue reading →

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Wattamolla to Marley Walk – 20 August 2019

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Dave Noble

Another walk in Royal National Park. Another chance to see wildflowers, birds and great scenery. Digi Dave and myself set out from Wattamolla carpark along the Coastal Track.

A windy day was forecast, but most of the time we enjoyed reasonably sheltered conditions as the wind was from the west. New the carpark, at the creek is a good place to spot birds. I saw an Eastern Spinebill and several New Holland Honeyeaters as well as a Superb Fairywren. Continue reading →

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Birds at Nurragingy Reserve – 18 August 2019

Posted on August 29, 2019 by Dave Noble

This was another pleasant day photographing birds at Nurragingy Reserve at Doonside. Like the previous visit, I had no luck spotting any of the Azure Kingfishers this time. But there were plenty of other nice birds to see.

Yellow Thornbill

The best birds of the visit were found along the perimeter fire trail – close to the creek. I found it best to wait quietly and see what turned up. If there were no birds around, then I would move along short way and try waiting again. And multiple trips were beneficial. Continue reading →

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Birds at the Cooks River and Barton Park – 17 August 2019

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Dave Noble

This was a day spent in my local area – cycling along the Cooks River Cycleway from Cup and Saucer Creek to Barton Park and then back home.

I started, by looking for Tawny Frogmouths. I found one pair along the Cooks River. One sitting on a nest and the other perched in a nearby tree. Continue reading →

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Coastal Walking – Maroubra to La Perouse – 16 August 2019

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Dave Noble

Su Li had a few days off work, so was keen on a mid-week walk. I put forward a number of suggestions and we ended up deciding on a walk along to coast from Maroubra to La Perouse.

I have been many times recently to the first part of the walk – out on Malabar Healdand, but the last time I walked the whole coastline was on a trip from Bronte to La Perouse, and on that trip, Malabar Headland was not open. So this time, the walk started at Malabar Headland National Park and finishes at Kamay-Botany Bay National Park but in the middle there are three golf courses to negotiate. Continue reading →

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Mill Creek Loop – 15 August 2019

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Dave Noble

I have been to Mill Creek a fair bit recently on trip with the Sydney Fungal Studies Group to look at the interesting fungi that can be found there. But its also a great place to start bushwalks. Two walks are popular – the first – a short walk up the creek from the picnic area and then back along a track that features a lot of Grass Trees. The other is a lower walk that is sometimes referred to as the Eleven km Walk or the Mill Creek Loop.

On this day, I was out with Bob, and we did the Mill Creek Loop, and on it did a short side trip to see an interesting Aboriginal Art site. Continue reading →

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More Birds at Malabar Headland – 14 August 2019

Posted on August 20, 2019 by Dave Noble

After taking part in the Greenway bird survey, I caught the Light Rail to Central and then a bus to Maroubra Beach and set off for Malabar Headland.

This was a fairly quiet trip compared to previous visits. I did spot one of the Peregrine Falcons but it was not very active while I there. I managed to photograph one take off sequence – but the direction was away from me. Continue reading →

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Greenway Bird Survey – 14 August 2019

Posted on August 20, 2019 by Dave Noble

Earlier in the month I had joined a local bird group for a survey of the birds along part of the Greenway at Dulwich Hill. This morning I joined the same group for a survey further along the Greenway – from Taverners Hill to Hawthorne Light Rail Station.

New Holland Honeyeater

During the survey, we found an interesting set of birds. Here are some – Continue reading →

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Astrophotography – 13 August 2019

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Dave Noble

Some practice astrophotography. During the evening it was easy to spot Jupiter and the almost full Moon. Between them was Saturn. Three objects to photograph. First Jupiter. Here is a typical shot –

You can easily see some bands on the plant and 4 Moons (from the top – Ganymede, Europa, Io and Callisto). It looks very similar to what my Stellarium, planetarium software shows – Continue reading →

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Birds in Sydney – Centennial Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens – 13 August 2019

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Dave Noble

Another interesting day of bird photography. I started off at Centennial Park.

Pink-eared Ducks

One of the key birds I wanted to photograph there was the Powerful Owl. I had taken nice photo of it on my previous visit. But on the way to where it usually perches, I ran into Steve, a local bird watcher. He has been watching the Powerful Owls in the park for a number of years, and he told me that after recent storms, they seem to have left their nesting area and moved to another location. Continue reading →

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