I once again joined a party led by Brian Everingham on a walk in Royal National Park to visit the Karloo Pool and a section of Kangaroo Creek. The walk was an activity of the National Parks Association of NSW. We enjoyed beautiful walking weather and an interesting group of walkers.
In the party was Brian, Sue, Paula, Valerie, Elaine, Paul, Anna, Colin, Deb, Megan, Julie, Lynette and myself. Here we allure on the track, not far from Heathcote Station – Continue reading
On my last visit to Taronga Zoo – I had wanted to see the newly renovated Nocturnal House. But when we arrived – we found it had not opened due to a faulty electricity supply. But now it was finally open, and I had a very pleasant visit, and was accompanied by Sue.
When we arrived , we made our way to the Nocturnal House, and we went via the Australian Animal section. Continue reading
I joined Brian Everingham and party from the National Parks Association of NSW for a walk in the Bundeena Area. The original plan was to walk from Bundeena to Marley along the Coast Track and back, but a total fire ban meant increased bushfire danger, so plans were modified – we only walked out to The Balconies and a bit to the south, and then later visited the wetland at Bonnie Vale. Despite the modified plans, it was a very pleasant day out.
In the party was Brian, Valerie, Sue, Derek, Tania and myself.
We set of along the track, and early on we spotted this large Wasp dealing with a large Huntsman Spider. Continue reading
The day before on the Greenway Bird survey, I had mentioned to Valerie, that I was thinking of heading out to the Richmond Lowlands to see a rare bird – an Australian Painted-snipe. A pair had been spotted a week or so earlier on the lowlands, just north of Richmond, and it looked like one, the male, was still around and often seen by birdwatchers foraging near a laneway. Valerie was keen to see it, and offered to drive out.
We set off early in the morning and arrived at the lowlands around 8:30 am.
We soon found the right spot – there were about twenty other bird watchers and photographs gathered along the road. Friends Diana and Lennis were amongst them, and told us they had already seen and photographed the rare Painted-snipe. At present the bird was around – but was resting out of sight in tall grass next to a pool near the road. Continue reading
To photograph juvenile Peregrine Falcons – you need to strike while the iron is hot. There is a brief window of time from when the young birds fledge till they become so good that they fly further and further away from the nest area – too far for it to be worthwhile trying to find them on the cliffs.
On these cliffs, the time, I think is almost over that you can easily find them and have a good chance to photograph them flying. Continue reading
I took part in the local bird survey along the Dulwich Hill part of the Greenway. The group meets on the east side of Waratah Mills Light Rail Station at 7:30 am on the 4th Saturday of the month – and then slowly walks along the streets near the Greenway – on a loop that finished back at the station.
Here are some of the birds we saw – Continue reading
I made another visit to the cliffs of malabar Headland to check on the breeding pair of Peregrine Falcons. This season, I have been puzzled by their behaviour. Had their nest been successful? Will there be checks this year? The birds seemed to be different to previous years in what they had been doing at this time of the year – when their chicks should have fledged or been close to fledging. I had seen no food being deliver to the ledge they had their scrape on in previous seasons. I thought they may have moved to a different location, and I now think is right and explains what I have been seeing, or rather, not seeing.
With early a rain, I delayed my departure, and arrived on the cliffs around 10:45 am. Dale, who I had met on these cliffs the week before was also there. He reported that he had seen no Peregrine Falcons so far. We then went for short walks in different directions to check parts of the cliffs, and we bother returned without seeing any Peregrines. Continue reading
The day started off a bit wet and windy, but by afternoon I was keen to head out, and visited a few local spots to see what birds I could find.
I first walked to Morton Park on Canterbury Road. There has been a nesting pair of Tawny Frogmouths here in recent years. Would they be breeding again. Local birdwatcher, Michael had told me they were, and it didn’t take too long to spot a nest. But it was very high up in a tree and it was obscured by branches and foliage from most angles. This is the best I could do – Continue reading
I decided to visit Sculpture By The Sea in the morning, and thought the best time to get interesting photos would be close to dawn. So, I got up early, at 4:15 am and caught a train at 4:41 am, then changed at Town Hall for a train to Bondi Junction. Once there, I had time to grab a coffee before the 381 bus to Tamarama. I arrived at the beach at 5:40 am – before the sun was due to rise at 6:03 am.
Once there, it was relatively quiet around there art installations. So I could move around and try to get good angles without having to wait for people to move. And there was a nice sunrise to experience. Continue reading
I only had time for a short walk on this day, as I had spent a long time working at my computer processing photos of Peregrine Falcons from the day before. So I visited Wolli Creek Regional Park – and walked along the Two Valleys Track from Bexley North, through Bardwell Park, and down as far as the Flying Fox Camp, then returned to exit at Girrahween Park.
I would have liked to linger in a few places for longer. I heard plenty of birds on my walk, but I dint wait fro them to appear. At Paperbark Creek, I could hear the call of a Sacred Kingfisher. I sept a bit of time locating and photographing it. Continue reading
