Bird and wildlife photography in December 2019 was very challenging due to the smoke haze from the bush fires around Canberra. Please understand, I am not complaining as on the relative scale of things, a bit smoke haze was not bad when people were dying or losing their houses and some species of wildlife are facing extinction because of the extent of the fire. Really, I got off very lightly, as I was still able to photograph, even if it was a little difficult. This post is a grab bag of the various birds and other wildlife I saw over that period. I was moving around Canberra, particularly near the Australian National University (ANU) at Acton, doing a few things, generally with my camera close at hand so I could take photographs. I hope you like the photographs I was able to capture and sorry this is so late.
Lichen on the bark of a tree at ANU
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/10 and 1/125 SEC])
Contrasting a stark ANU building with the whisky clouds in the sky
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF40mm f2.8 STM [ISO 400, 40mm, f/14 and 1/320 SEC])
Three immature Galahs (Eolophus roseicapillus) paid my backyard a visit. One of them was loudly speaking, and not just the usual dry, hoarse squeaking of juveniles. This one often sounded like a small-engined car that was having trouble starting. It sounded like the engine was turning over but not catching. I have seen this before and it normally leads to feeding but I could not see any feeding occurring. To be on the safe side I made the sure the birdbath was full of water and left them to do what they needed to do.
The three immature Galahs in our backyard
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])
This female Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca), distinguished by her white face, was beside Sullivans Creek at ANU. She appeared to be in the company of a young bird as she was sometimes feeding the other bird. Apparently, she was very accustomed to humans because she walked past me at about less than an arm’s distance. At the time, I was kneeling to get a better angle and she barely paid any attention to me. In contrast, the younger bird flew around me but not this female. I had seen her fly so I knew she was not incapable of flying, she was just not concerned about my presence. Unfortunately, I only had my macro lens with me and because she was so close I had trouble keeping her in focus.
The very people-accustomed female Magpie-lark at ANU
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 1250, 100mm, f/10 and 1/640 SEC])
Two Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) were enjoying the grasss, by which I mean they were eating it, one morning at ANU. They seemed accustomed to having people walk past them and were not too concerned at my presence when I was taking this photograph.
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo tucking into some grass roots
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 500, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/400 SEC])
Common Brushtail Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) are, well, common, in Canberra. They often run over our roof, normally, as I am dropping off to sleep, ensuring I wake up with their heavy bounding over our tiles. They also often ‘growl’ at each other, an incredible sound that makes them sound more aggressive than they are. These two possums had discovered some seeds I had hung for visiting birds earlier in the day. I thought I had made the seed possum proof by hanging it from a wire but my first sight of the possums was of one fully out-stretched from the branch where the wire was attached down to the seed block. To help with observing, I had a torch with me, which may have dazzled the possums as I could get very close to them. That night I was practicing my night flash photography and really enjoyed photographing these two. The second one was slightly more timid than the first one, starting further back and coming slowly forward. It eventually over came its apprehension to sit on a branch close by, giving me a nice picture.
One of the Brush Tail Possums
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC] with Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
A close-up on the head as it first started to come onto the branch in the first picture
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 640, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC] with Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
Grey-headed Flying Foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) are an occasional visitor to our garden. One night I heard them outside and was able to get this photograph. It is not pin sharp but I started practicing my night time flash photography after that. They were in the tops of our trees and few off as I approached, despite them being so high in the trees. At the same time I could see other flying foxes flying above our neighbourhood. As these bats can range up to 50 km it is possible they came from the well-known camp near Lake Burley Griffin. They are important pollinators in Australia so it was good to see them in our ironbark while it was in flower.
Grey-headed Flying Fox hanging from an ironbark
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM [ISO 800, 200mm, f/5.6 and 1/180 SEC] with Canon 430EX III-RT flash)
Several Gippsland Water Dragons (Intellagama lesueurii howitti) were sunning themselves along the eastern bank of Sullivans Creek. The first one I saw was a little distance from the bank, and I only noticed it when it moved because of a nearby pedestrian who was oblivious to the water dragon. Again, I only had my macro lens with me so I was hoping to get close to it. Fortunately, the water dragon was not that concerned. It kept moving towards the creek but would pause for a while in a spot, giving me a chance to get closer. The first photo seen below was taken on the bank of the creek where I had followed it. The lizard, probably a male given its colouration on the neck, stopped on one side of a gap so I approached from the other side, hoping the void between us would make it feel secure enough not to flee. I was able to close in to take a photograph, and I was very happy with the result. I then saw several more water dragons along the creek as I walked northwards. There was even a baby one. Most of the lizards were among the rocks near the start of the flood canal. They were already there when I approached but did not flee unless I got too close.
Gippsland Water Dragon showing great throat colouration so probably a male
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 800, 100mm, f/10 and 1/400 SEC])
Another Gippsland Water Dragon
Juvenile Gippsland Water Dragon
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 1250, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])
This Delicate Skink (Lampropholis delicata) was resting under a garden waste bag I was moving. I think the skink may have been a bit cold as it took a while to get moving after I lifted the bag off. Fortunately, I had my camera so I was able to take some shots.
Delicate Skink a bit sluggish after I accidentally uncovered it
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 3200, 100mm, f/6.3 and 1/125 SEC])
Long-jawed Spiders were in abundance in the reeds lining Sullivans Creek at ANU, doing well in catching the small insects flying along the creek. Unsurprisingly, these spiders are often found near waterways. The last photograph below is of the ‘jaw’ or chelicerae area and shows how they get their name.
Long-jawed Spider with prey
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/640 SEC])
A different Long-jawed Spider with prey
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 800, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/500 SEC] with focus stacking)
Another Long-jawed Spider
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 800, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/500 SEC] with focus stacking)
Long-jawed Spider
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 1600, 100mm, f/6.3 and 1/320 SEC] with focus stacking)
The business end of a Long-jawed Spider
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 1600, 100mm, f/6.3 and 1/320 SEC])
An Ant-eating Spider appeared in our bathroom one day. It was on the wall, very obvious against the white tile. It was a hard spider to disturb as it barely moved while I was photographing it with a flash. I left it where it was and next time I went to the bathroom it had moved on.
Ant-eating Spider in our bathroom
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/9.0 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite and focus stacking)
This Austral Ellipsidion Cockroach (Ellipsidion australe) was crawling on top of our plastic garden hose casing. The cockroach was examining all the holes in the casing. I will admit I did stop it entering the hole where the hose comes out as I still wanted to photograph it. In the end, that was probably best for the cockroach as a letter found a Red Back Spider had made a web in there. Even without the spider I thought this casing was a risky spot for a brightly covered cockroach to be crawling across, it reall stood out against the white. These can be fast moving cockroaches, even though this one was not moving quickly and they are generally not found in houses.
Austral Ellipsidion Cockraoch on a garden hose reel
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 2000, 100mm, f/5.6 and 1/200 SEC] with four stacking)
Close up on the head
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 2000, 100mm, f/5.6 and 1/200 SEC])
I really liked the way the macro lens caught this first Bristle Fly.. the second Bristle Fly was flying around some rocks and feeds at Sullivans Creek.
Bristle Fly
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 500, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/200 SEC])
A different species of Bristle Fly
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/9.0 and 1/640 SEC])
A Common Hover Fly was making its way long the plants beside Sullivans Creek and it did not seem to be aware of my presence as it flew nearby me. It was very interested in one plant, hovering near it repeatedly. I used that as an opportunity to see if I could capture the fly with my macro lens while it was in flight.
Common Hover Fly in flight
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/1250 SEC])
The colours of this Red and Blue Pollen Beetle caught my attention as it crawled along a the side of long leaf. These beetles are apparently predacious against other insects, including eating eggs and larvae.
Red and Blue Pollen Beetle
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/9.0 and 1/320 SEC])
All the Common Grass Blue butterflies (Zizina labradus) I photograph tend to have bits missing from their wings, probably by birds looking for a meal. This one was no exception, if anything, it looked more worse for wear than most.
A very frayed Common Grass Blue butterfly drinking nectar from a flower
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 400, 100mm, f/9.0 and 1/320 SEC])
This Bold Phratria (Phratria bijugata) was on the brickwork of our house one morning. It was on a wall facing the sunrise but in an area that was going to be in the shade. Interestingly, given the bad camouflage clash, it was in the same spot for most of the day so I wondered if it had just finished its transformation from a caterpillar and was waiting for the energy from external warmth so it could fly off.
Bold Phratria on brickwork
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/20 and 1/100 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Shield Bug nymphs were all around the external walls of the house and the garden. They drink the sap of trees but not in any quantity to be a problem. It is good to see them about, knowing they are part of biodiversity in my garden.
Shield Bug nymph
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 200, 100mm, f/20 and 1/100 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)
Gum Tree Shield Bug nymph on some brickwork
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 500, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/500 SEC])
The two Assassin Bug nymphs below were out and about on the same day and not far from each other. They were crawling around the garden, although one was doing a better job at staying out of sight than the other. They were slightly different from each other, so I am not sure if they were different species or just nymphs at different stages of development, called instars.
One of the Assassin Bug nymphs I saw
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 2000, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])
The other nymph
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 2000, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])
This Marsh Fly (Sciomyzidae sp) was not very big, about the size of the head of a large dragonfly, and no that is not a typo, these are indeed Marsh Flies not the more well known March Flies. These flies appear to be parasitic in that their larvae feed on slugs and snails in watery areas, however, not much is known about them.
Marsh Fly on a reed
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 800, 100mm, f/7.1 and 1/640 SEC])
This Tau Emerald Dragonfly (Hemicordulia tau) was patrolling along the upper parts of Sullivans Creek at ANU.
Tau Emerald Dragonfly
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 800, 100mm, f/10 and 1/400 SEC])
There were several Blue-spotted Hawker dragonflies (Adversaeschna brevistyla) flying along an area of Sullivans Creek that had reeds flanking it. Occasionally, they would come together, possibly looking for a mate but I did not observe any mating behaviour. Sometimes, one of these dragonflies would go after a smaller dragonfly, I am unsure if they were doing this to possibly prey on the smaller insect or whether they thought the other dragonfly was a rival, or a potential mate.
Blue-spotted Hawker patrolling part of Sullivans Creek
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/1000 SEC])
I almost missed this Halictid Bee Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) brunnesetum (Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) brunnesetum), as it was so small. I saw something crawling in a flower and only after taking a photograph did I realise this was one of Australia’s native bees. These are not social bees, normally having their own nest.
Halictid Bee Lasioglossum (Chilalictus) brunnesetum on a flower
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 800, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])
A Spotted Amber Ladybird (Hippodamia variegata) was crawling over a plant at ANU.
Spotted Amber Ladybird on a flowering plant
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 1000, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/640 SEC])
This Meadow Argus (Junonia villida calybe) took a quick rest in the grass beside Sullivans Creek.
Meadow Argus butterfly
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 640, 100mm, f/8.0 and 1/1000 SEC])