More Fun on Mt Banks – 13 September 2018

Bob was keen on another trip to Mt Banks to check out some of the ledges. The year before we had both traversed a ledge across the face of Mt Banks. That ledge followed a shale band called the Wentworth Falls Claystone. But neither of us had visited the Half-way Ledge on Mt Banks. This ledge is lower and follows the Mt York Claystone layer. Bob had found some information to access the ledge here on the Sydney Rockies website.

We set off from the Mt Banks carpark and straight away left the road and tracks and headed into the bush in the general direction the notes suggested. It was actually quite easy going. Not too scrubby and not too steep. At one point, we had to cross a small gully and it was not far past this that we started looking for the ramp described in the Rockies notes.  Continue reading →

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More Birds and Flowers at Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park – 12 September 2018

I spent another delightful day along the Chiltern Trail in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park photographing the birds and wildflowers. Here are some of the highlights of my visit.

First, some wildflowers –  Continue reading →

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Malabar Headland – Lizards, Birds and Whales – 11 September 2018

My previous trip to Malabar Headland National Park had been very interesting, and I was keen to return. This time I was joined by three more Nature photographers – Ken, John and Erden.

Walking from the bus stop to the start of the track, we noticed a lot of birds in the trees in the carpark. One was an Australian Figbird. Nice  to see. Continue reading →

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Cooks River Birds – 10 September 2018

I made a short trip to the Cooks River to look for local birdlife. I had been told by Steve in a blog comment that there was a tawny Frogmouth nest on the south side of the river at Earlwood, so that was where I headed first.

It did not take long to spot the nest – in a fork in a Casuarina tree near the path. One of the parents was sitting on the nest very quietly. I didn’t find the other parent roosting nearby. Continue reading →

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Ironpot Ridge Walk 8 – 9 September 2018

A friend, Dave Os had organised a walk from the Dunphy Campground in Megalong to Ironpot Ridge and the plan was to camp high near Ironmonger Hill. Joining him on the walk were Digi Dave, Keith and myself.

The first day of the weekend was a bit wet and misty. The precipitation was only light drizzle and with the mist it made conditions quite atmospheric. We left the campground and started walking. We could not help noticing all the Wallabies. Lots of them, and many of the females with joeys in their pouches. Continue reading →

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Storms and More at Malabar Headland National Park – 7 September 2018

I took another opportunity to visit Malabar Headland National Park and had a most interesting day.

I caught a bus to Maroubra Beach, and not far along the trail to the National Park I spotted a Laughing Kookaburra flying into a thicket of trees with something in its beak. After my recent observation of a Kookaburra with a lizard at Centennial Park, I thought this one may one too. I went into the thicket and soon spotted the bird perched in a tree. It did have a lizard. I found out later from reptile expert Ken Griffith that is was an Oak Skink, a species that you don’t see too much. Continue reading →

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Wondabyne to Woy Woy Walk – 6 September 2018

Bob had planned this walk in Brisbane Waters National Park. We caught a train to Wondabyne and got off at the small station. The station is so small that you have to detrain via the back door only from the last carriage (after notifying the guard – as it is a requested stop). We were surprised then to find the station manned.

Aboriginal Art

From the station we took a track that climbed up the ridge and then continued along the ridge. It was pleasant walking with a sea of wildflowers.  Continue reading →

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Bola Creek and the Hacking River – 5 September 2018

I spent and pleasant and interesting day with Digi Dave in the southern part of Royal National Park. There had been some recent rain, so we first visited Bola Creek to see if any fungi was out.

It was late in the fungi season, and also there had not been that much rain, so the fungi that was out was not that great. But we did find a few interesting things – Continue reading →

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Birds at Centennial Park – 4 September 2018

I spent most of this day at Centennial Park looking for and photographing the birds.

I did try and find the Powerful Owls – but not with any success. They seemed to have moved from where they were close to their nest. In that area, I saw a Currawong struggle to grab an insect –  Continue reading →

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Northern Beaches Birds – 3 September 2018

I made another trip to the Northern Beaches area for some more bird photography. The weather was not ideal – it was raining on and off during the day, but I managed to do quite well.

I was able to get some good photos of a Peregrine Falcon in flight. It didn’t stay around for long though. Continue reading →

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