I joined the Tempe Birdos for their monthly bird count at Tempe Wetlands and Tempe Reserve. The group met at the wetlands at 7:30 am and then broke into two subgroups – one to survey the wetlands and the other the Reserve.
We were also all distressed to see the recent bushfire damage. Continue reading
I spent a very enjoyable day at Royal National Park, accompanied by Digi Dave, photographing the wildlife.
We started off at Audley. Quite a few birds were out. But also a large Lace Monitor (Goanna) was wandering around. This seemed to upset some of the birds – the Sulphur Crested Cockatoos in particular where quite alarmed. Perhaps they had nests with eggs in nearby? The waterbirds did not seem so worried. It was interesting to observe the Goanna and its interactions. Continue reading
I spent part of the day cycling along the Cooks River between Cup and Saucer Creek and Tempe Reserve looking for and photographing the birds.
At the Boat Harbour, there were the usual Cormorants and Pelicans. It was interesting to watch a failed attempt by one of the Pelicans to take off and land on the protected area at the Boat Harbour – Continue reading
I was heading up the Mountains with Bob for a day trip. We had discussed a few possible walks, and had decided on a walk at Blackheath, but when we stopped for coffee at Lawson, the weather was not the best – misty with some drizzle, so we though that a walk with some shelter – e.g. caves, may be a better option.
So we decided to visit Wentworth Falls and do a circuit around Wentworth Pass and then back via the clifftop tracks. To make it a little different, we started from Little Switzerland, which is at the end of Hordern St, Kings Tableland. Continue reading
This was a very pleasant weekend spent with a group of friends camped at the head of the Dry Canyon in Wollemi National Park close to the Glow Worm Tunnel Road.
The Dry Canyon
Digi Dave and myself headed up a day early and camped out along one of the firetrails that branch off the Glow Worm Tunnel Road. Not far from our campsite there is an excellent lookout that provides an amazing view of the spectacular Carne Creek Gorge. This is part of the proposed Stage 2 additions to Gardens of Stone National Park.
Carne Creek Gorge
We visited the lookout at dusk and I also wandered down at dawn for some more photos. Here is a selection of photos from the lookout – Continue reading
David Hufton invited me to join him on a photo walk in Royal National Park. We chose to do a walk along the Coastal Track south from Wattamolla. This would allow us to photograph landscapes, birds, flowers and perhaps some whales.
We first walked past new track construction to Providential Point. After watching the sea for a while, we climbed up onto the headland and then around the dyke to join the Coastal Track. Continue reading
After my brief visit the afternoon before, I thought a full day could be spent along the Cooks River photographing the birds. This time I started by visiting the Boat Harbour and the Dog Area near Canterbury, then to the Cup and Saucer Creek Wetlands. Then I cycled down the river to Tempe and visited the Tempe Wetlands. Then more cycling to the Landing Lights Wetland at Barton Park. On the way back I stopped at Cahill Park to photograph some feeding Pelicans and Cormorants.
At the Dog Area, I photographed the Tawny Frogmouths again – Continue reading
I spent a few hours in the afternoon along a short section of the Cooks River photographing some of the birds. I tried to look at the Tawny Frogmouth nest at the Boat Harbour, but some very aggressive Noisy Miners made this difficult. So I departed with alacrity and went to the Dog Area. Here I was able to see a new chick –
The chick was with one parent in the nest. It looked like there may be another chick in the nest (or an egg?). The other parent was sleeping on a a different branch in the same tree. Here is another photo of the Tawnies – Continue reading
Each year, Sydney University Bushwalkers hold a walk to the Kowmung River on the October long weekend. The walk is called the “PBT” for “President’s Bludge Trip”. This was the 44th PBT. This year it was led by club president Rebecca with assistance from Ashley.
The extra day provided by a long weekend allows the party to experience a fair section of walking along the Kowmung River on the middle day. This year the route was along one of the nicest parts of the Kowmung River between Hughes Clearing and Orange Bluff. Continue reading
This was a very enjoyable day spent on the some of the Ferries in Sydney Harbour. I was not able to visit all the wharfs of Sydney, but I did visit all the major routes during the day.
I caught a train to Circular Quay. When I arrived, the shortest wait would be for the Manly Ferry, so that became my first journey. Always a pleasant cruise, I travelled to Manly and had time for a short walk before catechin the same ferry back. I was pleased to bump into an old work colleague (another retired teacher) – Steve, at Manly. Continue reading
