Brian Everingham had planned this walk the week before, but it been unable to go ahead due to closure of all tracks in Royal National Park and a total fire ban. I was thankful when Brian put it back on the National Parks Association walks program a week later.
The party was Brian, Valerie, Sue, Derek, Suzanne, Elaine and myself. We set off from the carpark, and soon spotted our first orchids – Continue reading
Sue joined me for another day spent out on Malabar Headland watching the Peregrine Falcons.
We had a very interesting and enjoyable day, but it was a bit perplexing to try and work out the status of the Peregrine’s nesting.
This time, we met at Maroubra, and first walked along the western track. I was a keen to look for some orchids. In particular Flying Duck Orchids. We didn’t spot any, but I did find a Beard Orchid that was out – Continue reading
I travelled up to the Northern beaches again for some more bird photography. And like previous recent visits, I spent most of my time at Long Reef photographing the local Ospreys.
I first visited the sea cliffs to check on the status of a breeding pair of Peregrine Falcons. I could only spot one of the Peregrine Falcons. Continue reading
Bob had suggested a walk at Mt Victoria, below the cliffs. This time, we were also joined by Doug.
The plan was very similar to a walk Bob and myself had done in 2014, where we were discussing wet weather options, and we decided a walk under the cliffs would at least offer some shelter in overhangs when we needed a break. That walk was very good – and we did have shelter, but we had very few views owing to the mist.
On the earlier trip, we had started at Fairy Bower. This time we started at Mt Piddington. We then walked down the track towards Coxs Cave. Continue reading
This was another great walk led by Brian Everingham for the National Parks Association of NSW. Of particular note was the number of orchids we observed.
In the party was Brian, Valerie, Ian, Elaine and myself. The route we walked was along the Mirang Road Fire Trail, near Heathcote, to the Pipeline Trail, then south along it to Heathcote Creek – at The Batteries. Then back north along the Pipeline to the Friendly Track. which we followed to the Scout Camp and Heathcote shops.
Once we started off on the Mirang Road Trail, we were on the lookout for orchids and other wildflowers. Continue reading
I decided to visit Sydney Park again, mainly to get more photos of the Pacific Baza, if it was still around.
I did find the Baza, but I also spotted two other fairly rare birds for the inner west, a Boobook Owl and a Hoary-headed Grebe.
The usual way to find the Baza is to walk around the likely parts of the park where it could be – places with Eucalypt trees., and then listen for the pandemonium created by Noisy Miners harassing the bird. This visit, I had to walk a bit further than usual. Continue reading
I decided to visit Malabar Headland National Park to check on the status of the Peregrine Falcons. On this visit, I walked in, and out from Malabar for a change.
It turned out to be a very good day. Continue reading
We were scheduled to go on a NPA walk to the Curra Moors in Royal National Park led by Brian Everingham. But, it turned out the walking tracks in the Park were all closed due to a a total fire ban and very strong winds being forecast. So, at the Curra Moors carpark, I took a few photos of some of the orchids nearby, then on the way out of the Park, we stopped off at The Forest Path carpark, at the south end of Lady Carrington Drive – and we all had a look for orchids near there. We found a surprising amount out.
First, here are some at the carpark for Curra Moors – Continue reading
I thought about time for another visit to Oatley Park. I was wondering what birds and orchids were out.
I caught a train to Oatley and walked to the Park, then started off along one of the tracks. Continue reading
I decided that another visit to Long Reef would be worthwhile. Lately it has been the best place to photograph raptors. But when I arrived, around 11 am, things turned out to be very quiet.
No other bird photographers were there. I walked down to the bottom level, and spotted one Osprey on the southern side of the headland. It was eating a fish, a big fish, so I knew it would be there for a fair while. Continue reading
