I had driven over Point Hut Crossing a number of times on my way to Tidbinbilla National Park. I always wanted to stop one day to have a look around. That was how I found myself, at this crossing, on an autumn Sunday morning. Initially, I thought I had made a bad choice, as there did not seem to be much around in the way of birds or other life. Walking around I found some things of interest but no birds that made for a dramatic photograph. Towards the end of my time there an immature White-bellied Sea Eagle came soaring along the course of the Murrumbidgee River at tree-top level. I was on a small rise so I was effectively at eye-level with this graceful raptor. It was a beautiful moment that really made the morning for me. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Point Hut Crossing from downstream on the Murrumbidgee River looking through a slight mist
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 200, 18mm, f/22 and 30.0 SEC])
A channel of the Murrumbidgee River passing some rocks as the sun rays strike
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 200, 18mm, f/16 and 13.0 SEC])
A placid section of the Murrumbidgee River upstream from Point Hut Crossing
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/16 and 1/125 SEC])
Moss covered rocks in the Murrumbidgee River
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 200, 29mm, f/11 and 0.4 SEC])
There were two Masked Lapwings (Vanellus miles) upstream of Point Hut Crossing. They were on a small sandy beach along the river. They were walking along the edge of the river apparently looking for a morning feed. It is easy to forget lapwings are classed as waterbirds because they are so often seen away from the water on open, grassy areas but this sighting showed now suited they were to benefit from a watery environment with their long legs and splayed toes.
Masked Lapwing
(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])
This lone Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) flew into onto a branch of an oak tree. It stayed perched there, moving its tail up and down. Something attracted its attention on the ground, as it looked down intently, while hopping on the branch to change its position. I was hoping I would see some hunting but, for whatever reason, the kookaburra left the object of its attention alone.
Laughing Kookaburra
(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 were several Little Pied Cormorants (Microcarbo melanoleucos) in the area. They were very alert, never letting me approach close at all. These two birds had taken off from an area away from where I was but they circled around to come back toward Point Hut Crossing. It was not until I looked at the photograph that I noticed there was some contact between them, with the rear one appearing to be lunging at the front bird.
Two Little Pied Cormorants appearing to clash over the Murrumbidgee River
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/1250 SEC])
I had seen some birds already but nothing had stood out to me. I had also not really seen much other life. I climbed a rise where there had been a burn-off among some rocks. I was walking along the higher ground hoping I may see some birds or other creatures to photograph. I saw some wings in the distance, initially I thought it was a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. The bird was coming from the west, following the flow of the Murrumbidgee River. I realised the wings were in fact grey. I started photographing and soon realised it was an immature White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster). It was following the river’s course at about tree-top level. Once past me, an Australian Raven, and, for a little while, an Australian Magpie, harassed it, although the eagle did not seem to be too concerned. The eagle was soaring, barely moving its wings. It continued to follow the river northwards in the direction of Tuggeranong, and I eventually lost sight of it. It was silent the whole time I was observing, the bird was just flying through the environment. The sighting made my morning. The eagle was so majestic, so in control, so beautiful. Its ability to glide along without actually flying was a marvel. I was on a high.
An immature White-bellied Sea Eagle flying above the Murrumbidgee River
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/1250 SEC])
The eagle being harassed by an Australian Magpie and an Australian Raven
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/1250 SEC])
After photographing a flying eagle, I was feeling very confident so I photographed this Red Wattlebird (Anthochaera carunculata) in flight as a reflex. The picture is not totally crisp but I thought it was not too bad. There were a lot of these birds in the area. As I had not seen many smaller birds like fantails, fairy-wrens, thornbills or scrubwrens I wondered if these territorially aggressive birds had driven the smaller birds away.
One of the many Red Wattlebirds in flight
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/1250 SEC])