Cotter Precinct, Murrumbidgee Nature Corridor is the term used on Google maps for the area between Casuarina Sands and the Cotter Dam. The area is not far from my home and is a popular recreation area for people living in Canberra, although the temperature is still too cool for most people to think of water sports. My original plans did not materialise for Saturday but the weather was so beautiful I still wanted to head outside. This area seemed to be the perfect choice as it was an easy drive and I wanted to walk a short trail I had seen on a previous visit. I am so glad I went as I had a memorable encounter with an Emu. This area is not known for Emus and I was not expecting one, so seeing that bird in that location was truly an unexpected thrill. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
The burnt remnant of a tree in a cleared area
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 200, 18mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC])
Looking south along the Murrumbidgee River, up the flow of the river
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 200, 27mm, f/16 and 1/125 SEC])
Looking south along the Murrumbidgee River, in the direction of the flow
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 200, 27mm, f/16 and 1/125 SEC])
An Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) was probably the last bird I expected to see at the Cotter area. Initially it was walking along Cotter Road, on the western side of the single lane bridge, in the area just before the entrance way to the Cotter Camp Ground. It appeared to be looking for a way to cross the barrier. Cars were generally slowing down to pass the bird. Eventually the bird jumped on top of the railing then down onto the grassy ground north of the camping area. It then started walking back towards the north east, away from the camping ground proper. It was not in a rush, slowly walking, occasionally bending down to eat some vegetation. It did not try to avoid me and kept walking in the direction of the bridge but stopped in the area south of the bridge where it was content to eat the vegetation. I left the area to keep walking northwards. When I returned over an hour later the Emu was closer to the bridge but still in the mainly open area. It was still not put off by human presence and was, very leisurely, moving closer to the bridge despite the odd car driving across the structure. The bird would pause in a spot to eat some vegetation but then take a few more steps in the direction of the extensive bank area that lies beneath the bridge. I had to leave but when I drove across the bridge shortly afterwards the bird was slowly getting closer to the ground under the bridge.
The Emu was walking along Cotter Road, trying to cross the safety barrier
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 200, 255mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
The Emu walked along the grassed area
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 200, 271mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
The Emu eating
(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])
A close up of the head
(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])
A Striated Thornbill (Acanthiza lineata) was the only other bird I was able to photograph that morning. It was in the trees along the short walk to the lookout. It was flying between a number of trees.
A Striated Thornbill looking for food
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
A Cabbage White Butterfly (Pieris rapae) was enjoying some small flowers in the grassy area north of the camping ground. It was occasionally being pushed around by the wind but was still able to access the nectar in the flowers.
A Cabbage White Butterfly feeding on a flower
(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])
Several Tramtes fungus were on the wooden steps approaching the lookout. They may have been old as they were looking faded and some looked like animals had nibbled them.
Tramtes fungus on a wooden step
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 400, 25mm, f/8.0 and 1/40 SEC])