Claustral Canyon – 15 February 2018

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Dave Noble

This was a nice visit to Claustral Canyon with Bob. We arrived at the carpark on the Bell Road nice and early, around 9:30 am, but were discouraged to see a lot of vehicles parked there. At least 3 other cars, but also 3 minibuses. Lots of people in the canyon could mean a holdup at the abseils! We considered a few other options, but then decided to head off but were prepared to change our decision to continue once we had consulted the logbook near the start of the track.

The logbook, showed that despite all the vehicles, there were not that many people in front of us. Two commercial parties, a total of 15 people, and they had both left before 8 am. So we should be OK. Continue reading →

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Nature at Bicentennial Park – 14 February 2018

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Dave Noble

This was a short visit to the park. It turned out to be a very hot day, so I cut my visit short and headed home earlier than previous visits. Like before, I walked into the park from Concord West Station and returned the same way.

Due to the heat, I did not see as many of the smaller forest birds like the  wrens as on previous visits. It was also quite noisy due to cicadas – so harder to hear the birds. Continue reading →

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Taronga Zoo – 13 February 2018

Posted on February 19, 2018 by Dave Noble

This was another nice day at the Zoo. I arrived late due to a fire near Circular Quay – and instead of train and then a ferry to the Zoo, I caught the bus from Sydenham to the Zoo.

Here is some of what I saw at the Zoo. First the Blue Mountains bushwalk section –  Continue reading →

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Hat Hill Canyon – 11 February 2018

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Dave Noble

This was our second canyon of the weekend. Albert and myself headed into Hat Hill Creek on Sunday morning to visit and photograph the canyon.

We had a nice day. The canyon is very pleasant and relatively easy. It has no abseils and easy access, but does have a fair bit of scrambling down boulders, so care needs to be taken. It is probably not a good canyon to take young kids along.  Continue reading →

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Dargan Arch, Sunset at Anvil Rock Lookout and Sunrise at Pulpit Rock Lookout 10 – 11 February 2018

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Dave Noble

After visiting Dargans Creek Canyon, Albert and myself headed to the other side of the railway line to visit Dargan Arch. This is a large sandstone natural arch and is well worth a visit. On a previous visit, I gave instructions of how to find this feature.

We took a few photos of the arch and noted that rock climbing bolts had been removed from it. Continue reading →

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Dargans Creek Canyon – 10 February 2018

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Dave Noble

Albert was keen on another canyoning photographic weekend and didn’t need to do much convincing to talk me into joining him. We discussed a list of possible canyons and decided on Dargans Creek and the Hat Hill Canyon. We were joined for the first day at Dargans Creek by Craig, from Lithgow. I had been canyoning with Craig many years before. In recent years, with his kids growing up, he has been able to venture into canyons once more. He was happy to put up with our photographic pfaffing.

We met at the carpark above the dam at Dargan. We soon had our gear packed and set off for the dam. We then headed down the track to the canyon. On the way, we passed a pair of climbers on one of the lower crags. We didn’t envy them, as it was a hot day, and we would soon be in the cool refuge of the canyon. Continue reading →

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More Interesting Local Bird Observations – Cooks River – 9 February 2018

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Dave Noble

This time I was joined by Digi Dave and we spent an interesting and enjoyable few hours on the Cooks River near the Old Sugar Mill. We spent our time between the Dog Area and the Boat Harbour.

On the bridge over the river, we spotted a White Faced Heron flying along, and then landing on the bank. It soon moved off however to the other side, very close to where a Cormorant was hunting.  Continue reading →

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Cooks River Birds – 8 February 2018

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Dave Noble

More local birdlife. During the afternoon, I cycled down the Cook River Cycleway to Barton Park, and there visited the Landing Lights Wetland. I then continued on to where the Cooks River flows into Botany Bay. I later returned the same way and then further up the Cooks River to the Dog Area and The Boat Harbour.

Here is some of what I saw. At the Landing Lights Wetland – Continue reading →

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Bell Creek Canyon – 7 February 2018

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Dave Noble

I spent a very pleasant day with Bob visiting Bell Creek Canyon near Mt Wilson.

We entered the canyon via the usual route – from the RFS building at Mt Wilson, along the fire road and then crossing Du Faurs Creek at the usual start for Clatterteeth Canyon. Then we climbed up the other side. There was a faint track at times, but this vanishes in the thicker scrub at the crest of the hill and some navigation is needed to find the start of the ridge down to Belfry Canyon. Continue reading →

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Cooks River Birds – 6 February 2018

Posted on February 9, 2018 by Dave Noble

I spent a few hours in the afternoon down on the Cooks River photographing the birds. I started at the Dog Area and looked without success for the Tawny Frogmouth family.

Downstream was a nice Cormorant sitting on a pipe in the river. Continue reading →

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