Callum Brae Nature Reserve is part of the extensive nature reserve system around Canberra. It is southeast of where I live and is part of a bush corridor starting outside of Canberra leading to Red Hill Nature Reserve. From my place it was a quick, easy drive to an area I have travelled past but never stopped at before. I was not sure what I would see at Callum Brae but my expectations were well and truly met. From mating Gang-gangs, to my first good sighting of Rainbow Lorikeets in Canberra, as well as a chance to see the shimmering green wings of the Shining-bronze Cuckoo. Despite the relatively small area of the nature reserve it packed many interesting sights in to the morning for me. I was so thankful to live in a city that has these types of reserves so near in such easy access. Unfortunately, it was another overcast morning, which I am still learning how to cope with, so the photos do appear to be a bit subdued. With that said, it was a wonderful start to another day of holidays, I hope you enjoy the photographs.
An eroded and dried up water course that even eroded the soil from the roots of the tree
Another view in Callum Brae, further south and looking south
Very soon after entering Callum Brae I heard the sound of Gang-gang Cockatoos. I followed the calls, finding the tree you see in photo one. I was wondering if the Gang-gang was inspecting the hollow for a nest but he did not seem that interested. He disappeared around the other side of the tree where the female was. He then started preening himself. After a short while the pair returned to the side of the tree I had first seen them on. The light was not good so I turned on my flash. The birds started mutual preening, which I have seen regularly before, then the male mounted the female’s back and, I believe, mated with her. I know it is wrong to anthropomorphise animals but the look on her face, the “kissing” while coupling and the expression on his face really had me feeling like I should give them privacy. The mating lasted no more than two minutes according to the time stamps on the photographs, after which the male climbed down from the female to her right side. He walked to the end of a small dead branch, the final photograph, paused momentarily before they both flew off in a northeasterly direction to a large dead tree. I did not follow, still amazed by what I had just witnessed. Looking at the photographs to write this blog post I was still caught at how these birds looked during mating, it really was hard not to see tenderness as well as, dare I say it, love.
There are always Crimson Rosellas in Canberra, and I never tire of them. I thought these two may have been looking at a tree hollow but I was mistaken.
This Noisy Friarbird was by itself on the branch of this tree, It was in the middle of a field beside the nature reserve. It appeared to be undertaking its morning routine of calling out its presence, while scanning the environment and preening.
I was so happy when I saw this Rainbow Lorikeet, even more so when I saw the other five. These birds always came to our house when I was growing up in Sydney. I would feed them honey on bread. They were not worried about humans, happily landing on me to feed as I carried the bread to the feeding table I had build them. It did not take them long to work out where the kitchen was, which was at the end of a covered alcove. They would fly in, under the alcove’s roof to land on the kitchen window sill, calling out to let us know they were around. They would often hang upside down from the bars across the window, making us laugh. How could you not like birds so interactive, especially, as I think, they have sone of the nicest plumage. They are also brave. I often saw them face-off against magpies, larger birds, pushing them back if they got too close to the bread. As I said, there were six of these birds. They were flying between trees, sometimes appearing to get into “disputes” with other parrots in the area.
After walking south for a little way I saw what I assumed to be an earthen embankment of a small dam. I decided to skirt around the dam to approach it from the east as the path was taking me to the dam from the western side which would have meant any photos I would take across the dam would be facing into the rising sun. I am glad I took the time to come in form a better side because my approach meant I ended up seeing a pair of Shining bronze-Cuckoos that were moving near the diagonally opposite corner of the initial direction the path had me approaching the dam. Since I had the sun behind me it helped taking photographs, plus I had my flash fitted to my camera. I saw the first one at the base of a tree which something white in its mouth, photo one. I thought I must be seeing it but obstructed by leaves as its front was stripy brown but the flanks appeared to be shimmering green. I was lucky as the bird was heading my way. I kept still, just slightly moving my head from behind the camera viewfinder to more easily track their progress. The bird almost did a hummingbird impersonation as it hovered away from a leaf to pluck something from it before returning to a branch. I was also fortunate to catch a shot as the bird launched downwards, photo three. One of the birds landed in a small tree directly across from where I was trying to stand motionless with my camera, photographs four to six. I was finally able to truly appreciate the lovely colours of this bird. Neither of the birds seemed that concerned about my presence. Flying just out of reach of me if I had stretched my arm out.
While at the small dam I heard the unmistakable sound of Australian Ravens but their constant noise made me look. Through the trees and tall grass I could see two ravens confronting a fox. I am not sure what was happening as there did not seem to be something on the ground that both types of animals were after. There may may have been a nest near by but I am sure the trees would have defeated the efforts of a fox to climb them. The birds followed the fox for a while once the fox started moving from that area. You can see the ravens were launching their attacks from the ground, not the trees, which would have been a safer spot for them. As ravens are smart animals I wondered if there was a bit of play involved in this confrontation. Still it was an interesting interaction to see.
Heading north I saw two Eastern Rosellas in this young tree overlooking a small dam. I think they may have been planning to use the dam’s water but my presence made them change their minds.
Just off the trail I saw a flash of grey land in a small tree. Initially I thought is was a Noisy Miner until I used my telephoto lens, realising it was an Olive-backed Oriole. The bird was at the limit of my lens and I could not approach any closer to it. I lost sight of the oriole as I was trying to get closer, I only know it left the tree in the photographs.
