The sun rise that Sunday morning at Callum Brae Nature Reserve was spectacular, with some amazing hues. I did not have the right lens to take the shot I wanted so I left the macro lens on my camera and shot the sunrise through the trees. The colours did not last long, then they were gone and I did not do justice to what it was like. The sunrise was a nice sight to see as it was the start of a new day and the birds were up and going. There was a group of Little Corellas that were mixed in with some Suphur-crested Cockatoos but not afraid to ensure that they were not pushed around by the larger birds. The dams were still full with two different species of ducks taking advantage of the abundance of water. I also had to continue my photographic fascination with Eastern Grey Kangaroos by taking a few shots of a mob. I hope you enjoy the photos below.
It was a stunning sunrise that Sunday morning - used my macro lens resting on my car to get the right speed
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/7.1 and 0.3 SEC])
I liked how this dead tree closed a loop with its own reflection
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/80 SEC])
Fungus growing from a tree
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 640, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/100 SEC])
While sitting beside a small dam I saw a pair of Little Corellas (Cacatua sanguinea) land in a tree. They stayed there for a while, moving along the branch before flying off northwards. The next time I saw these birds was when I was looking south from the entrance to where a group were feeding, along with some Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, just off the western track. Then across the road from the entrance there was another mixed group of corellas and cockatoos on the ground eating grass roots. One corella and a cockatoo had a bit of an argument with the cockatoo scaring the corella off, although the rest of the mixed group were eating without trouble. It was only a car shooting past that interrupted the group’s feeding, where upon they flew to a nearby tree. A cockatoo and corella flew to the same branch. I am unsure as to whether these were the same pair that had disagreed on the ground but the corella was giving the cockatoo the evil eye. I like the third photo below as it catches the building tension, as well as the size difference between the birds. You can almost see the uncertainty on the face of the cockatoo as the corella is looking intently at it. Eventually the tension blew with the corella giving the cockatoo a loud squawk and raised wings, enough to make the larger bird depart. The corella almost looked pleased pacing on the branch where the cockatoo had just vacated. This bird then flew across the road where it joined another corella at a tree hollow. They both pecked away at the wood inside the hollow before one flew off to another tree further away.
The first pair of Little Corellas I saw
(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])
Little Corella feeding on the ground
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC])
There was some tension between a Little Corella and a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 160, 360mm, f/8.0 and 1/60 SEC])
A pair of Grey Teals (Anas gracilis) were swimming on one of the dams. They were swimming on the dam and moved away from me when I appeared.
Grey Teal on a pond
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 400mm, f/5.6 and 1/100 SEC])
There were at lest two pairs of Australian Wood Duck (Chenonetta jubata) on the northern dam. Although one pair left the dam quickly when they saw me. A second pair flew onto the dam later, but exited the other side of the dam when they became aware of my presence. There were wood ducks in trees making their repetitive single note call.
Australian Wood Duck female swimming
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/125 SEC])
Australian Wood Duck male from a different pair to the female above
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/200 SEC])
An Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius) landed in a tree close to the exit. I was able to get reasonably close, because usually these are flighty birds that take off quickly. Its breast and head were in the sun, making for a lovely shot. Yes, they are common birds but I do like photographing them if I can get close enough.
Eastern Rosella
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/250 SEC])
A mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) were in the centre of the reserve, among the trees with dappled light falling on the roos. My attention was drawn to them by the two males in the shot immediately below because I thought the one on the right was going to fight the left-hand one. It would have been only a play fight but it is always interesting to watch. The right hand male made a grunting noise as it reached for the left-hand one, who did not seen keen on fighting and brushed the aggressor’s arm away. They both then noticed me, which seemed like a convenient reason not to fight, so they stared at me. The bottom photograph was another male who was also nearby. He was initially bent over eating but rose up to look at me. I was happy to get the shot as the light lit up the right-side of his face, really catching his eye well.
Two immature male Eastern Grey Kangaroos
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 214mm, f/6.3 and 1/125 SEC])
Upper body of an immature male Eastern Grey Kangaroo
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/125 SEC])