This Sunday was not my typical Sunday. I did not go for a drive to take photographs, I just went for a walk around the Hughes-Garran boundary near the Federal Gold Club to see what photographic subjects I could find. I was able to find some Gang-gang Cockatoos, which is always nice. I also just found some random photographic subjects that caught my eye. Later on that day I had the camera out at home trying to photograph hoverflies in flight. Finally, in the afternoon, I went across to Westfield Woden, taking my camera with me to use on the way back. I used my 100mm macro lens and I was not keen on changing to the 40mm prime I was also carrying because of the strong wind; I did not want dust getting into the camera or lens while I was changing lenses. Still, I enjoyed the chance to be out taking photographs. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
A path through some replanted trees at Garran
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 200, 32mm, f/14 and 0.4 SEC])
A modern attempt at a traditional lean-to near a scout hall
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF40mm f2.8 STM [ISO 200, 40mm, f/10 and 1/160 SEC])
A pink Cherry Blossom at the Woden Cemetery
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/1000 SEC])
Wisteria on the verge of blooming
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/1000 SEC])
Red Camellia
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/6.3and 1/1000 SEC])
Behind the green door
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/100 SEC])
Small Dandelion emerging from the grass
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/6.3 and 1/100 SEC])
Some back-lit wattle
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/6.3 and 1/100 SEC])
Two pairs of Gang-gang Cockatoos (Callocephalon fimbriatum) were out and about when I was on my walk in the morning. The first pair of Gang-gangs were in a group of trees that straddle the current golf course fence. Both birds were chewing at wood in various trees. They seemed interested in what may have been a hollow high up in a tree just outside of the golf course fence but neither went inside, so I am not sure how deep it was. The female was perched quietly in the tree while the male would call occasionally. At one stage, it appeared that the male chased the female from the hollow. He flew at her, calling out, causing her to quickly fly from that part of the tree to a nearby branch. The male did not pursue her. Later they both flew off to the west, after I had left the area of the tree. They may have returned a little while later as I heard some calling from where I had first seen them.
Male Gang-gang on a tree branch
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
Female Gang-gang inspecting a small hollow
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
The other pair of Gang-gangs were at a hollow in a tree closer to Garran. There was a very obvious, south-facing hollow in one tree. Both male and female spent time at the hollow, chewing around the edges. This pair swapped positions quietly, without any contact. They both moved away from the hollow while I was watching but stayed in the surrounding trees, occasionally calling. Neither bird went fully into the hollow so I am not sure how deep it was.
The male Gang-gang at the tree in Garran
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC])
The female at the hollow
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC])
Four Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) landed in a grassy area in Garran and started eating the green plants.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoos feeding on the ground
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 271mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
Meat Ants (Iridomyrmex purpureus) were climbing out of their nest then up an adjacent tree. I could not see where they were going as I suddenly realised I was standing atop their path while photographing them and I did not fancy those ants climbing up my leg.
One of the Meat Ants climbing a tree
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 800, 100mm, f/5.6 and 1/125 SEC])
Two Banded Sugar Ants (Camponotus consobrinus) were climbing up a tree in the Hughes-Garran Woodland area.
Banded Sugar Ant climbing a tree
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/5.6 and 1/250 SEC])
A European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) hive had a few active bees entering and exiting.
European Honey Bees returning to their hive
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/1000 SEC])
Several Hoverflies (Family Syrphidae) were in my backyard. They were hovering around the plant in the first picture before landing on it. They would then take off again quickly. It appeared they were sometimes chasing each other but that could just have been my perception. I took on the challenge of trying to photograph them in flight when they were hovering although there was perhaps not enough natural light to allow me to use a really high shutter speed. I enjoyed the challenge but there is room for improvement.
Hoverfly resting on a plant
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/800 SEC])
Experimenting with photographing one in flight
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/1600 SEC])