The weather over the last few weekends of July then into August was generally wet and overcast, in line with that old saying of “good weather for ducks.” Because of those conditions, I had not been out photographing for a few weekends so I was really missing something. Although Sunday, 1 August, was another drizzling and overcast morning I decided to go photographing regardless. I could wait for perfect weather but who knew when that would come. Besides, I would not always have perfect weather so I had better practice with less than ideal circumstances so that I was ready to photograph the beauty of nature in all climatic conditions. With that resolve I headed to one of my favourite spots, the nearby Callum Brae Nature Reserve. Over the few years that I have been photographing I was used to seeing Callum Brae as a dry habitat but the rain over the last 18 months had given new life to it. I was keen to see how the environment was changed with rain falling. If I found no other animals, I knew that I would see ducks. Despite the scattered showers and overcast conditions I thoroughly enjoyed my morning wandering around the beautiful but soggy reserve. I hope that you like the photographs below.
Read MoreFull dams bring beautiful animals to Callum Brae Nature Reserve - April 2021
I was so used to seeing the small, ex-farm dams at Callum Brae Nature Reserve as half-filled or completely dried vestiges of a wetter time in Canberra that I was shocked when I finally saw them full. It was not only a very positive sight but I was seeing life back in them and around them. Back in February 2020 I phtoographed the dams when they were completely empty, with their cracked dirt floors exposed to the heat of the sun. A little bit of rain soon afterwards provided some liquid covering but I did not expect to ever see them actually full. When I did see them finally full on a recent trip I also saw some Eastern Snake-necked Turtles swimming in the brown water but I have no idea where they came from. Besides the filled ponds I was delighted to see a pair of Rainbow Lorikeets at a hollow. It is past the breeding season but I am always happy to see these truly gorgeously coloured birds that can never be quiet. I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreHoneyeaters, Rufous Whistler and a multitude of small birds - Photographing at Paddys River on Sundays, 6 and 13 September 2020
While I have visited where Paddys River meets the Cotter River, I have only ever driven across the bridge over Paddys River further upstream on my way to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve but never given a thought to stopping there. So I decided it was time to stop at that bridge to explore that area underneath it to see what animals there were. In the end, I visited the area over two successive weekends because I found so much of interest. I was focussed more on the birds but there was other life around, all of which will make me include this location on my regular visit list. It was so tranquil yet so full of life with different species of honeyeaters, and so many small birds whirling around me. Plus there was the reassuring gurgle of Paddys River flowing past me on both visits.
Read MoreA Rufous Whistler and a Yellow-faced Honeyeater, as well as a big huntsman in the toilet - Photographing on the Gibraltar Peak Hike on Monday, 7 October 2019
The Gibraltar Peak Hike in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is an iconic Canberra hike. It seems that most Canberrans who enjoy a hike have done the Gibraltar Peak trail, and even some Canberrans who are not into hiking have done the trail. It is a lovely hike that seems to keep going up as you near the crest. The climb is definitely worth it with spectacular views to be enjoyed from the top. The wildlife was also very special, from the large huntsman spider in the toilet at the start of the hike to all the wonderful birdlife. I hope you enjoy the photos below.
Read MoreA Laughing Kookaburra in a hollow and Australian Magpies enjoying cicadas - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 30 November 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve was under a blanket of cloud and smoke haze on this Saturday. There was a major bushfire out towards Braidwood that was sending smoke over Canberra. This smoke haze, combined with the cloud lowered the light levels and also meant any distance shots were hazy. Even so, it was still nice being out on Red Hill. A group of Australian Magpies were enjoying taking cicadas in flight. I was also lucky to see a Laughing Kookaburra emerge from a hollow. I also saw a kangaroo I thought had flowers on its head but realised it had been tagged. It was a lovely morning, even if I was rushing through my walk as later on Saturday we went to Centennial Vineyards in Bowral for a family lunch. I hope you like the pictures below.
Read MoreSwooped by a Brown Goshawk and watching two Australian Ravens pick at a feather - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 9 November 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve always has something of interest, with this morning’s excitement caused by a Brown Goshawk swooping me. I thought I had missed the opportunity to see the goshawks as I had been through this area without any interaction with them but one of them let me know they were still definitely around. I also had an enjoyable time photographing some Gang-gang Cockatoos as well as the usual assortment of birdlife in the reserve. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA possible pair of breeding Gang-gang Cockatoos and Satin Bowerbirds practicing their mating dance - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 2 November 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve was its usual awesome destination. I started on the Garran side before crossing the Federal Golf Club to get to the reserve proper. It was a fantastic morning where I think I saw a breeding pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos. There were also some other birds showing interest in hollows, which is a good sign at this time of year. There was also a group of Laughing Kookaburras, and I always enjoy seeing them. I hope you like the photographs below.
Read MoreA White-eared Honeyeater looking for food in wattle and my first Double-barred Finches - Photographing around Hall on Sunday, 15 September 2019
Hall is a small town, a village really, which existed in this area before Canberra was established. When Hall was absorbed into the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) its residences lost some of their rights as they moved from under New South Wales to the federal administration of the non-self-governing ACT. This was my first trip to Hall and I loved the place and the birdlife. I mainly wandered along the One Tree Hill track that starts on the north side of Hall. I did not go far but I saw honeyeaters, finches, a Grey Thrush-shrike and a number of other wonderful birds. I hope you like the photographs below.
Read MoreA Satin Bowerbird practicing its mating dance on a foggy morning - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 3 August 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve seemed like it was going to be a bad choice this morning as the fog thickened while I was on the hill. At one stage I thought I would head back early but I am glad I kept going as there were some wonderfull photographic subjects. Early on I found an old caterpillar track from some construction plant like a tractor or bulldozer, which I used to practice with my different lens as it made an interesting subject between the trees on a foggy morning. While, right at the end of my walk I was again captivated by some beautiful Satin Bowerbirds, including one that seemed to be practicing its mating dance. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA group of Gang-gang Cockatoos in a tree are a great start to the day - Photographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 22 June 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve once again beckoned me. There were a number of birds that are always around, including a group of Gang-gang Cockatoos in one tree. This mini flock included some immature birds. Not far away Grey Butcherbirds called across the landscape, marking their presence. While none of the birds I saw this morning were exotic or rare I thoroughly enjoyed watching them. Later that day, Yerrabi Track at Namadgi National Park was the goal for my son and I. We walked along the track to the top of the Boboyan Trig Point. The walk was a lovely way to spend the morning. I was not able to photograph any birds but I enjoyed the scenery. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA Grey Butcherbird with its prey, fog and a myriad of photographic subjects - A weekend photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve, 11-12 May 2019
This was not quite the weekend I had planned. I went out on Saturday morning for my usual walk, this time going to the Hughes-Garran area, particularly the woodland. There had been rain overnight so the ground was wet, the sky was still a bit overcast and temperature a little cool. I had then planned to go for a short hike later that day with my son in Tidbinbilla National Park but we were having car problems so we ended up having a very nice hike over Red Hill Nature Reserve. The next day, again, because of car issues, I returned to Red Hill, which was covered in fog, with a light frost as well, for a walk there. The fog stayed for my whole walk and for most of the day. In the end, I spent my whole weekend wandering over Red Hill Nature Reserve, which was not a bad way to spend a weekend. The conditions were not great for photography, especially of birds, so there are plenty of pictures below of subjects that are not birds. I hope you do not mind and enjoy the photographs.
Read MorePhotographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Sunday, 17 February 2019 - Cockatoos and Galahs plus a well posed kangaroo
I was out on Sunday morning for a walk around Red Hill Nature Reserve. There was some low cloud that eventually dissipated leaving a lovely blue sky. Unfortunately, I made a rookie mistake in that I did not adjust down my ISO after trying to take some photographs in low light meaning my later shots were looking over-exposed, loosing some detail. In addition, because It was a beautiful morning there were a lot of people out enjoying the sunshine making it harder to find a quiet place where the creatures had not been disturbed. Even with that complaint, I would not have missed being out and about, I always enjoy my time on Red Hill. I hope you enjoy the pictures below.
Read MorePhotographing around Red Hill on Saturday, 26 January 2019 - Galahs, choughs and a beautiful female Common Owlfly
It was a hot morning walking around Red Hill Nature Reserve. When I started my walk just before 7 AM the temperature was already 24º Celsius and by two hours later, when I finished, the mercury was sitting on 34º Celsius, with very little wind. Red Hill felt, and sounded, quiet. Even the kangaroos were content to stay among the trees rather than out on the grassy areas eating. They also did not bound away as far if I approached, possibly wanting to stay in the cool rather than move into the direct sun. Despite the heat there were birds out, as they still have to live. There were galahs feeding as well as kookaburras. I also became distracted by an insect I learnt was a Common Owlfly. Regardless of the conditions I always enjoy being up on Red Hill and I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MorePhotographing around Nielsen Park and Vaucluse House on Saturday, 15 December 2018 - Sooty Oystercatchers in Sydney
I was back in Sydney for a brief stay but I did have time to head out to Nielsen Park and then Vaucluse House to see what birds I could find on an overcast Sydney Saturday morning. While the lighting was not great I was really happy to photograph my first Sooty Oystercatchers, and in Sydney Harbour, amazing! Seeing them made me really happy as they are such beautiful birds even though they are simply coloured and they are also so distinct, you cannot confuse them for other birds. I saw some other very typical birds for the area and I practiced some macro photography with an orb weaver. All said, a really great morning for a day which looked so challenging from a photographic perspective. I hope you enjoy the photographs.
Read MorePhotographing at Nielsen Park, Sydney on Saturday, 1 December 2018 - Unique sight and sound of Channel-billed Cuckoos
Nielsen Park is on the southside of Sydney Harbour, towards the entrance. It is a lovely, little jewel of green tucked away in the affluent suburb of Vaucluse where remnant and regrowth bush comes down to the shores of one of the most beautiful harbours in the world. This was my first birding trip to this part of the Sydney Harbour National Park. I was not disappointed with the trip, which turned into a bit of cuckoo appreciation day, as I saw two species. I also enjoyed seeing, as well as listening to, the juvenile Grey Butcherbirds make their melodious call. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Read MorePhotographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Friday, 30 November 2018 - Swooped by a Goshawk and saw a kingfisher nest
I was not planning on going to Red Hill Nature Reserve on this day, as we were travelling to Sydney on later that morning for an overnight stay. However, when I woke up, I could not help myself, I just wanted to go for a walk and I am glad I did. The weather was a bit overcast but it kept clearing throughout the walk. I saw my first Olive-backed Oriole on Red Hill. There was a group of White-winged Choughs cooperatively building a nest. A pair of Sacred Kingfishers revealed what may be their nest to me. Among all those sitings, the most incredible experience, even if it was heart-pounding, was being swooped by the Brown Goshawk, which you can see in the heading photograph. I really enjoyed the morning walk on Red Hill, I rushed home, excited as one thing, still with enough time to do the things I had to do before going to Sydney. I hope you enjoy the photos below from the day.
Read MorePhotographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 24 November 2018 - Rainbow Lorikeets and some more insects
My motivation for getting out of bed before the sun rises on a Saturday morning is the knowledge that I will be shortly walking around Red Hill Nature Reserve photographing something interesting. I never try to anticipate what I will see on the hill that day, I just know I will see something. On this morning, I was so glad to see Rainbow Lorikeets. As I said in a previous post, I really have a soft spot for these engaging parrots as they were always around when I was growing up in Sydney. They still maintain their mischievous ways. Despite all the marvellous birdlife I saw, this was the first morning in a long time I did not come back with a single Gang-gang photograph. I certainly heard the birds and saw one fly past, I just did not see any of these wonderful birds in a tree. Towards the end of my walk I found a placid, cooperative Australian Magpie who went about its business, mostly, unconcerned about my photographic activity. I also photographed three different species of insects, all with my telephoto lens. I hope you enjoy the pictures below.
Read MoreLorikeets in Sydney on Sunday, 8 July 2018
I know these shots are not great. I hesitated to post them but eventually I decided to upload them as they do show the beautiful colours of the Rainbow Lorikeet, even if the sharpness of the image is lacking. These are such lovely birds that are so entertaining to watch. I was in Sydney over the weekend so I took my camera hoping to get a photograph of some birdlife. I was out early on Sunday morning and I was only able to snap these birds when they were almost backlit. While the photos are not great, I did enjoy seeing these birds. They are so agile crawling over plants to get at the nectar, they are also accomplished flyers with their loud cries alerting you to their imminent arrival. I observed two pairs come along at different times to feed on this Banksia tree. There were more pairs flying around the eastern suburbs neighbourhood of Sydney I was in at the time but they appeared to be flying to other food sources. A Noisey Miner did land on a tree nearby but did not make any effort to interfere with the feeding birds.
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