The Gibraltar Peak Hike in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is an iconic Canberra hike. It seems that most Canberrans who enjoy a hike have done the Gibraltar Peak trail, and even some Canberrans who are not into hiking have done the trail. It is a lovely hike that seems to keep going up as you near the crest. The climb is definitely worth it with spectacular views to be enjoyed from the top. The wildlife was also very special, from the large huntsman spider in the toilet at the start of the hike to all the wonderful birdlife. I hope you enjoy the photos below.
A screen shot from Google Earth of our hiking route
The view north-east from the top of Gibraltar Peak
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF16-35mm f/4L IS USM [ISO 200, 16mm, f/18 and 1/80 SEC] two shot panorama)
The hill range on the way to Gibraltar Peak
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC] two shot panorama)
Even before starting the hike I had a wonderful bird encounter with a pair of Australian King-parrots (Alisterus scapularis). I was hanging out some washing on the line when a pair of king-parrots landed in the tree beside the clothes line. This was strange enough, as these birds seemed happy to be near me. I was even more amazed when they started coming towards me. The female bird hopped on the clothes line and started coming towards me. I had me camera with me, with a macro lens, as I intended to look for insects quickly after I had hung the washing. By the time I had the camera ready the bird was so close I was having trouble getting enough distance to focus my camera. The male stayed in the tree but did move closer. I went over to where we occasionally feed the local birds and put some bird seed out but it took a while for the parrots to go there. They had some seed but not much. I am still not sure if they were after seed or something else. This has not happened again unfortunately, as it was such a wonderful experience having such beautiful birds so close.
Female Australian King-parrot who came down to see me
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/80 SEC])
A head study of the female
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/100 SEC])
Male Australian King-parrot
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/80 SEC])
There was a Grey Butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus) looking for food on the road as we drove into Tidbinbilla. My son was embarrassed when I stopped the car on the road to try to photograph the bird, which had flown to a small tree on the other side of a fence. There were no cars behind me so it was safe but my son was not happy.
Grey Butcherbird with a slight blur from a strand of fence line
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/320 SEC])
This female Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris) was flying to tree to tree calling, but I did not see a male.
Female Rufous Whistler
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/160 SEC])
There were a number of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters (Lichenostomus chrysops) but they wee moving quickly through the trees so it was hard to obtain a good photo of them. They seemed to be in small groups and tended to be in the middle of the walk where the trees were thick.
Yellow-Faced Honeyeater
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/160 SEC])
The ever ubiquitous Grey Shrike-thrush (Colluricincla harmonica) was around in numbers, but always flying between trees.
Grey Shrike-thrush
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/160 SEC])
Before the hike I went to use the toilet, finding a Huntsman Spider, which was a good 10 cm across. I only had my telephoto lens with me so it may have looked a bit strange if somebody had entered, seeing me pointing a 100-400mm telephoto lens at the wall. The spider did not move, it was happy on the wall and did not seem phased by my presence.
Huntsman Spider on the toilet wall
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/160 SEC] with internal flash)
We ended up at the awesome Koko Black for a post-hike chocolate energy fix
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 1600, 100mm, f/4.5 and 1/80 SEC])