Taronga Zoo – 21 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

The main purpose of this visit to the Zoo was to see the new Sumatran Tiger enclosure. It had opened the day before. It certainly was impressive – both for these magnificent animals and also allowing people to observe them. It also relates well to the tiger’s conservation.

It starts with a group of visitors entering a chamber that looks like you are in an aeroplane.  The illusion is made more real when TV monitors on the side show a runway out side and the place then takes off. After surviving a storm, you seem to be flying over the Sumatran jungle. Then a ranger appears on a different monitor and you hear a conservation message. Then the “plane” lands, another door opens and you emerge into an Indonesian village. You pass stalls and a garage and then enter a national park where you can see the tigers.  Continue reading →

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Local Birdlife – 20 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

I spent an enjoyable few hours with camera and bike – along the Cooks River and then along the cycleway to the Landing Lights Wetland at Barton Park. Quite a few birds were out.

Here are some photos –  Continue reading →

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Astrophotography 19 – 20 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

I recently took a few photos of the Moon and some of the planets. All were taken from out side my flat in suburban Sydney using a camera, tripod and telephoto lens.

When I photographed the crescent Moon above, The planet Venus was in conjunction – it is the small dot on the lower right –  Continue reading →

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Cape Banks Walk – 19 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

Sydney was experiencing a period of very windy weather which made it unpleasant to be outdoors in exposed places. But on the other hand, it provided some spectacular seas. I was keen to be out in the bush but not particularly in the wind. I thought that a walk out to Cape Banks from La Perouse would be good – a lot of the walk is in very sheltered forest and then it would also provide some opportunities to perhaps see some big waves hitting the cliffs near the Cape.

I caught a bus to La Perouse, and then starts walking out to Cape Henry. This part of the walk was sheltered and I was even able to photograph some birds. Continue reading →

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Sculpture at Barangaroo – 18 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

After visiting the Sealife Aquarium, I wandered down to Barangaroo to see an exhibition of sculptures. It was a very windy day and it was a bit hard to stay upright in the strong gusts.  There were not too many sculptures and they were a bit spread out – but perhaps some had been taken down due to the wind?

Here are some of my photos –  Continue reading →

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Sealife Aquarium – Sydney – 18 August 2017

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dave Noble

I had been a long time since I had visited the Aquarium at Sydney (now called Sealife). I spent an enjoyable and interesting few hours inside the aquarium – looking at and trying to photograph the marine creatures.

As well as fish, there are corals, molluscs, crustaceans, birds and mammals to see. Some of my favourites included jellyfish, several species of penguins, a couple of dugongs and a nice tank of cuttlefish.  Continue reading →

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Middle Harbour Creek Walk – 17 August 2017

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Dave Noble

This was a pleasant walk from St Ives to Roseville Bridge mainly along a good track on the banks of Middle Harbour Creek in Garigal National Park.

I met up with Bob on the bus. I joined the bus (197) at Gordon Station. This bus service goes to Frenchs Forest via Mona Vale Road. We got off at the corner of Kitcheners Road.  The end of that road offers convenient access to the bush. Continue reading →

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Wolli Creek Nature Walk – 15 August 2017

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Dave Noble

Another pleasant walk down part of the Two Valleys Track along part of Wolli Creek. This time I caught a bus to Earlwood, and started walking up from Bardwell Park for a bit, then back down, and along the track to Turrella Reserve.

Nankeen Night Heron

No fungi of note was out, so I spent my time photographing mainly the birds and flying foxes. The highlight was seeing three Nankeen Nigh Herons perched above a pool near the Flying Fox camp. I have not seen this species in the area before.  Continue reading →

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Sydney Sunset – 14 August 2017

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Dave Noble

After my Centennial Park wander, I headed to Circular Quay. It had been a smoky day in Sydney due to a series of hazard reduction burns on the hinterland. Often these condition can lead to an interesting sunset. I had checked with my ephemeris app and it looked like the sun would set near the Opera House when viewed from Mrs Macquaries Chair.

I walked from the Quay around the Opera House, on my way noting that a seal was sleeping on the steps where boats access the Opera House –  Continue reading →

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Centennial Park – Trees and Birds – 14 August 2017

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Dave Noble

After a nasty bout of flu, I was keen to get outdoors. As I was still recovering, I wanted to do something easy, and thought a wander around some of the ponds of Centennial Park would be nice. It was.

I spent a very relaxing and enjoyable day walking though the park taking photos. Here is some of what I saw –  Continue reading →

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