Parsley Bay seemed like a good choice on a blustery winter Saturday morning for trying to take photographs. I suspected I would be challenged to find birdlife but I was hoping to do some macro photography along the rocks beside the bay. Unfortunately, I almost let one of my best opportunities pass me by when I saw a white bird high in the sky, soaring above Rose Bay. I incorrectly assumed it to be a pelican, only later in reviewing the photographs did I realise it was a White-bellied Sea Eagle. Despite the cold wind, which felt as biting as a Canberra wind, I enjoyed the opportunity to get out taking pictures. Later that day, we drove back to Canberra but stopped into Berrima for lunch. Despite the cold, windy day, because the light was good I decided to use the opportunity to take a few more photographs. Although there are not many bird photographs below, I hope you like the photos I do have.
The steps leading into a very cold bathing area on a windy, winter morning
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC])
The wind was pushing the floats holding up the net, bowing it towards the shore
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC])
Looking from the still waters of a small rock pool to the wind-lashed rough waters in the bay
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 400, 55mm, f/8.0 and 1/50 SEC])
A small study of some of the shore life (a Surf Barnacle, limpet shell and Zebra Snails)
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/100 SEC])
An Immature White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) was soaring in the sky. I glanced up to see some white wings high in the sky, thinking it was a pelican, I was not planning to photograph the bird due to the strong wind moving the lens and I was trying to get to Parsley Bay. I then saw an Australian Raven take-off after the bird, which made me second guess what I assumed the bird to be. It was not until I reviewed the photograph much later did I realise it was an eagle. It was using the winds perfectly, gracefully circling above Rose Bay. By the time I decided to photograph it, and I was able to locate it with my lens, I had almost lost it behind some vegetation. I never expected to see a sea eagle above Rose Bay but I am so very glad I did.
An immature White-bellied Sea Eagle soaring above Rose Bay
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/800 SEC])
Silver Gulls (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) are probably the sea bird most Sydneysiders are familiar with. It was the original scavenger and most people in Sydney who have visited a beach have probably fed a chip or two to Silver Gulls or Sea Gulls, as they are more commonly called. This one landed not far away from me while I was photographing the shore. I had my 100mm macro lens on the camera, which can do portraits so I decided to give it a go. I suspected the gull thought I may have food or at least if I was fishing I may throw it some scraps. Sadly, I left it disappointed.
Sorry, the same photo of a Silver Gull from the top of the post
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/60 SEC])
Zebra Snails (Austrocochlea porcata) are very common in Sydney. They feed on algae. The stripes on different shells may vary in width because of weather conditions impacting the animal as it matures.
A Zebra Snail
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/6.3 and 1/30 SEC])
A group of Zebra Snails (and a single Periwinkle) in an algae covered rock pool
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/30 SEC])
Sydney Rock Oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) are popular for eating with commercial crops growing in some areas, although not so often in Sydney Harbour due to pollution issues. These shells are making a comeback after being used as easy bait by anglers in the harbour. There are so many around Parsley Bay people have to be careful where they walk, and wear decent shoes if they are walking on the rocks.
Sydney Rock Oysters on a rock
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/6.3 and 1/50 SEC])
Little Blue Periwinkles (Nodilittorina unifasciata) are very common along Sydney’s rockier for foreshores. They can tolerate long periods our of the water so can be found above the high-water mark. They feed on algae. I found so many of them, including this group that were half in a rock pool and half out. In trying to move away the bit of wood floating between them I accidentally dislodged a few of the animals. I was annoyed at myself for disturbing them but it allowed me to get some shots of their underside. I liked how the the moisture brought out the various colours contained on the shell.
A group of Little Blue Periwinkles in a rock pool
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/100 SEC])
Periwinkles at the bottom of the same rock pool
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/100 SEC])
Berrima is a lovely town located in the Southern Highlands between Canberra and Sydney. It was founded in the early 1800s but as the railway passed it by, then the New Hume Highway also skirted the town, it has become a sleepy tourist backwater. This historic gem is very popular on weekends for people from Canberra and Sydney. Even though it is only a three-hour car trip from Canberra to Sydney we do enjoy dropping in to Berrima to break the trip. Often we will stop for lunch outside of Berrima at the wonderful Bendooley Estate. The restaurant is in the Berkelouw Book Barn, among the bookshelves, under character-rich wooden beams. The wood panelling and the roaring fireplace exude warmth, which is always welcome in winter. And the food is absolutely delicious. We once again enjoyed our meal and ended up buying some books. There were some birds around but the strong wind made it hard to get photographs. In the end I decided to have a play with my 40mm lens again.
A row of leafless grape vines because of winter
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF40mm f2.8 STM [ISO 400, 40mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC])
A wider of view of the vines at the vineyard
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF40mm f2.8 STM [ISO 400, 40mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC])
Interesting colours on a sapling
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF40mm f2.8 STM [ISO 400, 40mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC])
A fence post on the estate
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF40mm f2.8 STM [ISO 400, 40mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC])