The temptation to photograph once again at Namadgi National Park was too overwhelming and I once again found myself driving south to the national park in the early morning of 25 April 2019. The weather was gorgeous, great for beginner photographers. I also took the opportunity to shoot some landscapes while I was on some high ground. I followed the Cypress Pine Lookout trail again, although I did not see as many species of bird as last time, even when I was back near the visitors centre. The lack of birds did not worry me as it was such a beautiful morning to be out for a walk, so I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Looking up to Mount Tennent from Cypress Pine Lookout
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 200, 30mm, f/22 and 30.0 SEC] with an ND filter)
The boulder on top of Cypress Pine Lookout
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 200, 20mm, f/18 and 1/13 SEC])
Colours left behind at a dry waterfall near Cypress Pine Lookout
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 400, 18mm, f/22 and 1/60 SEC])
I was not able to obtain any decent photographs of birds until I was back on the Woodland Walk behind the visitors centre. Once I started that walk I quickly encountered a Yellow-rumped Thornbill (Acanthiza chrysorrhoa) fossicking for food in grass,
A Yellow-rumped Thornbill hunting in the grass
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/640 SEC])
There was a trio of Dusky Woodswallows (Artamus cyanopterus), which stayed high in the trees.
A pair of Dusky Woodswallows perched on a dead tree
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/1600 SEC])
Walking back towards the visitors centre I noticed a lone Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) perched under the awning over the back door. it was sitting there quietly. I am not sure how many people had come out underneath it while it was sitting there. Unfortunately, my attention made it nervous. After I had photographed it, when I started towards the back door, it flew off.
Welcome Swallow
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/100 SEC])
While walking around the pond at the back of the visitors centre I saw this very tattered Meadow Argus (Junonia villida) land. Most butterflies I see have bits of their wings missing but this was one of the worst examples I could remember.
A very tattered Meadow Argus sunning itself near the pond behind the visitors centre
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 200, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/800 SEC])