I think we all know what it is like when a plan does not turn out as expected. That happened to me on a weekend in March 2021 but I had a whole new experience so I was not that upset. I found myself photographing beside Mount Franklin Road when I should have been following it to my planned destination. Canberra had experienced some heavy rain the weekend before so I checked the ACT service page to see if there was any news on the status of Mount Franklin Road, was it open or closed. Unfortunately, there was no information so I had to take my chances. That Sunday, 28 March, I drove towards my objective to the south-west of Canberra, ever hopeful that the dry weather over most of the week would mean that the roads were safe and open. The first, and clearest, indication that was not the case was when I turned onto Brindabella Road where a sign post gave the status of the surrounding dirt roads and Mount Franklin Road was closed. Being incredibly optimistic, and having already traveled half-way to the destination, I pushed on, only to find that the Mount Franklin Road was indeed closed, with a locked steel gate across it to emphasise that point. However, there was still bush around and the closed road meant that I could walk along its dirt surface without fear of being run-over by a car, so I grabbed my camera bag to go for a hike in order to see what subjects there were. I ended up having a fantastic morning, mainly with macro subjects. At times I found myself lying in dewy grass, my head buried in a shrub trying to get the right angle for a shot and thoroughly enjoying the experience. I also had a chance to use my drone to shoot some pictures of the Murrumbidgee River in flood. I hope that you like the pictures below.
Read MoreNankeen Kestrel, Rainbow Bee-eater and some wonderful insects - Photographing at Gigerline Nature Reserve in November 2020
Gigerline Nature Reserve sits astride the Murrumbidgee River just south of Tharwa. I had visited part of the reserve before when I went to Tharwa Sandwash but I had not really visited the rest of the reserve. After heading there once, I ended up visiting it twice because I wanted to see more. My first visit was with the plan to walk along the Gudgenby River as far as I could, thinking that the water level would not be too high. I was wrong, the water level was right up and I could barely get to the remaining banks of the river from the surrounding countryside. As part of that trip I walked up to the top of the ridge of the peninsula that separates the Gudgenby and Murrumbidgee Rivers before they join. I am glad that I did because I came across the path that followed the ridgeline down to the tip of the peninsula. I did not have time to explore that path on my first visit so I knew that I would be back. I ended up having two great visits and saw my first wild Rainbow Bee-eaters, truly a beautiful bird. The second visit was a bit of a macro paradise, with so many subjects to photograph. I hope you like the photographs below.
Read MorePhotogenic Pacific Black Ducks and an Australian Raven flying with an egg in its beak - Photographing at Casuarina Sands Reserve on Sunday, 4 August 2019
Casuarina Sands Reserve may technically be across the river from where I actually was on this Sunday but it is a good of enough landmark to show where my location. In previous times at Casuarina Sands I have looked across the Murrumbidgee River to wonder what the other bank had to offer. So on this very foggy Sunday I thought it would be worth having a look. Like Casuarina Sands Reserve it was very accessible. Unfortunately, the weather was not great but the potential was definitely there. I had another close encounter with a lyrebird but I could not get a photograph. This lyrebird was a magnificent vocalist. It was making some amazing sounds, including mimicking a number of other birds. I saw it a few times through some shrubs but I could never get close enough to take a photograph. Still it was nice to see the bird and to hear it. I was able to photograph some other birds but the fog made photography very challenging. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreCasuarina Sands Reserve on 17 June 2018
Well my wife decided I was definitely crazy this morning when I left for the golden hour in apparent sub-zero temperatures to go to Casuarina Sands Reserve on the Murrumbidgee River, about 20 minutes drive from the centre of Canberra. The drive was quiet, with few cars on the road. Casuarina Sands Reserve itself is a peaceful. little area on the southern bank of the Murrumbidgee River in the Cotter area. There is a sealed-road carpark with flush toilets. The light was not great as the sun was just making it over the surrounding hills at the time I had to return home. What sunlight there was struggled to cast any brightness on the area as there were a few clouds hanging about. With all that said, I am keen to return on a more suitable day as the location was a lovely spot with a lot of potential for birding as well as bird photography. The photos below are not great because of the lighting but I saw today as a good chance to work on the exposure triangle to try to get some good shots. I have also purchased Adobe Lightroom so I am trying out my editing skills as well. As always, I hope you like the photos.
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