It is hard to take a picture of a Wedge-tailed Eagle soaring high in the sky. Even with a 400mm telephoto this large, accomplished flyer is still small, no matter how much I crop in. However, to me, it does not matter. As much as I want to take good photographs, it is also just thrilling being able to see these birds in the wild. I had not gone to Namadgi National Park to see the birdlife, I had gone to help my son out with a project but I took my camera gear as I knew I would see something of interest. He was not feeling up to continuing the walk to Cypress Pine Lookout, which was our objective, but as we were so close, I wanted to see the actual location. I went on by myself while he walked slowly back along the trail. As I was standing at the lookout admiring the view I noticed a soaring eagle. I was the only person there, there was only the sound of nature and I could see this beautiful bird moving effortlessly through the sky. I loved the experience. It just reminded my how lucky I am to live in a place where I can get out to have these encounters. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Was in a rush so had to use my iPhone to capture the view from Cypress Pine Lookout, I will be back
(iPhone SE)
There was a group of Dusky Woodswallows (Artamus cyanopterus) in the Woodland Walk area behind the visitors centre. They were staying high in the branches but moving between trees. Occasionally they would preen themselves.
A single Dusky Woodswallow seen as we started our walk
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/1000 SEC])
A pair of Dusky Woodswallows seen at the end of our walk
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/2000 SEC])
This is the Wedge-tailed Eagle (Aquila audax). I first saw it to the north-east of the lookout where it was circling before it started to fly towards Mount Tennent. It soared along the front of the mountain but I lost sight of it behind some trees and I did not see it again.
A Wedge Tailed Eagle soaring over Namadgi National Park with the rock face of Mount Tennent in the background
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/1000 SEC])
In the area of the Woodland Walk near Naas Road there was at least one Diamond Firetail (Stagonopleura guttata) or Diamond Finch. They received their first name because of the white colouring on their wings. The firetail name comes from the red rump area. This bird was perched on a branch of a dead tree before flying off to another tree. My photographs do not do it justice, it was a beautiful looking bird. It is unfortunate that due to habitat loss and nest predation these gloriously coloured birds are listed as vulnerable in this area.
Front view of a Diamond Firetail
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/2000 SEC])
Another rear view of the Diamond Firetail, with the red rump showing how it got its name
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/2000 SEC])
There was a group of at least three Striated Thornbills (Acanthiza lineata).
Striated Thornbill
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/2000 SEC])
I saw one of my favourite birds, a Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa). I could not wait around to see what other birds would arrive but I figured I had already seen the Diamond Firetail, which was a lovely bird to see.
Grey Fantail
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/2000 SEC])