A pair of Australian Wood Ducks with 16 ducklings(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/11 and 1/400 SEC]) — A pair of Australian Wood Ducks with 16 ducklings
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/11 and 1/400 SEC])

A large Australian Wood Duck family and macro shooting, including my first frogs - Photographing around Canberra in April 2020

BirdsinCanberra May 9, 2020

I am still trying to get back into a routine but life always seems to get in the way but at least I got out a number of times in April. I was happy to get out at night a couple of times to do some night-time macro shooting. My son even came out with one time to Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve and pointed out my first frog, which I had already walked straight past. As there were school holidays we went out for some afternoon walks around Red Hill Nature Reserve and he patiently waited for me to take some photographs. Even though Canberra was still in the middle of the COVID-19 restrictions it was an enjoyable April and I also made another video that you can watch in this post. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.

A head study of one of the Laughing Kookaburras from that morning(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC]) — A head study of one of the Laughing Kookaburras from that morning
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Laughing Kookaburras at tree hollows, ducklings and Eurasian Coots mating; spring is almost here - Photographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 31 August 2019

BirdsinCanberra September 8, 2019

Red Hill Nature Reserve was the location for my usual walk although, I went through the Federal Gold Club so I could then follow the path along the southern side of Red Hill, about half way up. I was distracted by the birdlife before I got to where I was going but I was not upset, the birds were too beautiful not to photograph. I enjoyed getting some shots of Laughing Kookaburras, a quintessential Australian bird with its mismatching blue and brown. The fact that the kookaburras were looking at hollows was even more exciting. I also saw a pair of coots mating. Just a wonderful way to start a weekend. I hope you like the photographs below.

A study of the head of an Australian Magpie feeding near the summit of Red Hill(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 500, 400mm, f/5.6 and 1/12500 SEC]) — A study of the head of an Australian Magpie feeding near the summit of Red Hill
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 500, 400mm, f/5.6 and 1/12500 SEC])

A soaring Wedge-tailed Eagle and taking close-ups of an Australian Magpie - photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 16 March 2019

BirdsinCanberra March 18, 2019

This morning turned into one of those great photographic days. When I started out, I was really not confident about the day as it was overcast with birds being hard to find. As the sun burnt off the cloud, I brightened up as it was a beautiful day with some common birds, magpies and Fairy-wens, providing great photographic subjects. Towards the end of my walk I saw a dragonfly flying in one spot of an open area. With the sky now a lovely blue giving me a burst of energy I decided to challenge myself to shoot a photograph of this moving insect in flight. While persevering with that challenge I became aware of three specks much higher in the sky, When I zoomed in, I saw a Wedge-tailed Eagle with two Australian Ravens. Even though I was already late getting home I had to photograph those birds soaring high in the sky, as well as complete my challenge to myself with the dragonfly. The results are below. The birds were very high so my lens was struggling. While the dragonfly photo has some room for improvement, I was happy with the result I was able to achieve. The whole walk was just another wonderful morning on Red Hill Nature Reserve and I hope you enjoy the photographs below because I had a great time taking them.

Three Superb Parrots possibly getting moisture from dew(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 400mm, f/7.1 and 1/250 SEC] with flash) — Three Superb Parrots possibly getting moisture from dew
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 400mm, f/7.1 and 1/250 SEC] with flash)

Photographing around Hughes and Garran, ACT (again) on Sunday, 24 February 2019 - more waterbirds with chicks and more Superb Parrots

BirdsinCanberra March 2, 2019

As I said in my previous post, I had such a wonderful morning wandering around Hughes and Garran, I decided to do it all again the very next day. I basically did the same walk but I concentrated more on the areas with the Superb Parrots. It was hard not to spend a long time at the pond again but I felt I should keep moving. It was yet another rewarding morning watching the Superb Parrots as well as the water birds. The weather was initially slightly cloudy but the clouds cleared up to give me plenty of light. I hope you enjoy the photos below.

An adult Australasian Grebe feeding a chick(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 371mm, f/5.6 and 1/640 SEC]) — An adult Australasian Grebe feeding a chick
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 800, 371mm, f/5.6 and 1/640 SEC])

Photographing around Hughes and Garran, ACT on Saturday, 23 February 2019 - looking at waterbirds with chicks as well as gorgeous Superb Parrots

BirdsinCanberra February 27, 2019

Getting out for a walk around Hughes and Garran this Saturday was just one of those mornings that made you glad to be alive. I saw so many birds, beautiful Superb Parrots as well as so many water birds with their young. I also saw two young male kangaroos playing at fighting, allowing me to obtain that iconic kangaroo photo. It was just such a wonderful morning I did not want it to end. I enjoyed it so much, I went and did it all again on Sunday. I was going to do both days as one big blog post but I realised I had more than enough material for two blog posts. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.

A Welcome Swallow casting a giant shadow on the bridge to Aspen Island

Photographing at Lake Burley Griffin on Tuesday, 9 October 2018 - baby ducks and mud eating Welcome Swallows

BirdsinCanberra October 10, 2018

The National Carillon sits on Aspen Island in Lake Burley Griffin. I had often thought about going there to photograph birds and since I am taking time off work at present this Tuesday seemed a good opportunity to see what it was like. Although it was a small island, I was happy with the number of birds I saw. The Welcome Swallow picture that heads this post was one of the first birds I saw on the day, presaging a great opportunity to look at how swallows gather mud for their nests. The cute metre was high with some ducklings wandering on the island. While I was at the lake, I went on a bit further to look at the birds around Commonwealth Park, including hearing then seeing an Australian Reed Warbler.