A Great Egret walked through the water, paralleling a row of damp, black oyster bags that sat across the water’s surface. The bird was advancing slowly until it jabbed forward with its yellow beak and one of its wings half-opened to balance it. Withdrawing its head from the water a pipefish wiggled hard, trying to escape. The egret climbed onto the oyster bags and carefully readjusted the pipefish in its beak through a couple of rapid openings and closings, before swallowing the fish. Whereupon the egret returned to patrolling along the top of the bags. I was able to witness the whole encounter from just a few metres away where I was sitting in my kayak on a lovely Spring morning on Wagonga Inlet in Narooma. The inlet is coming alive with a lot of birds and other creatures. I spent a fair bit of time paddling around the inlet enjoying some beautiful mornings and wonderful encounters with birds. I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreSea-eagles, herons and oystercatchers - Beautiful Narooma Part 2, Summer 2022/23
One fine morning in Narooma I decided to head out to photograph. It was the first time in a while that I had been able to get out with a camera. I didn’t have much time so I was not planning to go far. I decided to head straight for the tiny Lewis Island that sat just west of the road bridge over Wagonga Inlet. In approaching the foot-bridge to Lewis Island I saw a lone Pied Oystercatcher standing on one leg atop the white, wooden rail along the footbridge. To me, not only did the rail provided a firm base to rest my camera it also created an obvious leading line guiding the eye to the oystercatcher. I advanced slowly across the bridge, periodically stopping to take some shots, knowing that at some stage the oystercatcher would flee from me. It did not take long for the bird to decide I was too close. First its folded leg came down, then it took a few steps along the railing before it flapped its wings to fly a few metres to the sand on the island. I felt bad for disturbing the bird but glad it had not flown too far.
Read MoreFur Seals, beautiful water birds and gorgeous scenery - South Coast NSW, June 2022
The afternoon sun was getting low in the western sky when we finished walking along the boardwalk at Merimbula. This walk took us from the bridge over Boggy Creek in the centre of town, along the side of Merimbula Lake. The tide was low with mudflats and sand exposed. A group of egrets were wading through the still waters of Merimbula Lake and among them was a lone Little Egret. The sun was on the other side of the birds so they were not in an ideal position but the Little Egret raised its head to look in the direction of the sun and I was able to get a photograph when its eye glinted in the sun and there was a rim lighting effect on its white plumage. That was at the end of day one of our trip to the south coast of New South Wales. We needed a coastal fix to recharge our batteries from an early, cold winter in Canberra. We spent four days along the south coast, looking at sites from Eden up to Narooma. It was a wonderful trip to a beautiful part of the world. I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreHerons, egrets, sea-eagles and even insects along the mangroves - Tomaga River, NSW, March 2022
The eyes of the White-faced Heron regarded me momentarily but I was at the edge of the exposed sea grass flat, too far to be a threat, especially when the heron was looking for food. The grey coloured bird went back to the vital search for food in the rich habitat where small marine creatures tried to hide under the limp sea grass strands. I could approach no closer n my kayak but it was securely resting where some water still lapped its side. This was my second trip to the Tomaga River which had some beautiful wildlife along it but the weather this time was so much nicer than the previous time. I was paddling up the river while the tide was ebbing but I did not mind, I was just enjoying the beauty of mangroves and a wonderful tidal river on the coast. I paddled as far up the river as I could, enjoying every moment and I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreAustralian Pelicans, waders and beautiful wildlife at a river mouth - Tuross Head, NSW, January 2022
Overcast skies hung threateningly overhead on the day in January 2022 when I went to Tuross Head. Rain was threatening most of the time and a strong wind blew up later in the paddle. However, none of that mattered because it was just such a wonderful time paddling around the shallow waters there with the beautiful birdlife and other animals. A kayak was the ideal means to see the region because I could paddle up shallow creeks and easily move between sand bars. The wildlife was captivating, from the Eastern Curlew that I saw even before I put my kayak in the water to the Semaphore Crabs that blanketed the mudflats up the Tuross River. And once I saw the Australian Pelicans I was in my element. I had a great time photographing those big water birds that can look so clumsy walking but are masters of using the wind to manoeuvre in the air. Later, after the kayak, I was in a suitably elevated position to photograph some of those magnificent, large water birds as they came in low to land on the estuary surface around the boat ramp. I had a marvellous morning despite the overcast conditions and I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreBeautiful coastal wildlife under overcast skies - NSW South Coast, December 2021
Canberra is a lovely city but I also like the coast, especially the variety of wildlife there. So, with the easing of the COVID restrictions in New South Wales (NSW), like a lot of Canberrans, we wanted a break down the coast. The weather was not forecast to be the best, with the rain and clouds having blanketed the southeast corner of NSW for most of November, and no sign of beautiful weather on the horizon for early December. That meant we had to make do with the weather at hand. We had a very simple plan, to drive down for a lunch at Narooma. Then follow the Princes Highway north for dinner and accommodation at Mollymook before continuing the next day through to Jervis Bay and the Greenwell Point area. Even though this was more of a family getaway I still took my camera because I wanted the chance to photograph, even with a compalining family telling me to hurry up. I am glad that I did take my camera, even if I was only pairing it wth my trusty go to lens, the Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM. I also viewed only having one lens as a challenge to see what compositions I could achieve across the two days. Even with that self-imposed restriction I was thrilled to be able to capture some of the lovely wildlife that we saw, including a Little Black Cormorant on our second day that was looking for food in the Shoalhaven River. The two day trip was a great little rest and I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreAn ecosystem in an enclosed estuarine lake - Durras Lake, October 2021
Canberra was in lockdown for about two months during 2021 but with the easing of restrictions it was time to head back to the coast to see some different scenery. I thought that it would be nice to return to Durras Lake for a kayak and to see what wildlife I could find to photograph. I like Durras Lake because it is shallow so I can enjoy looking at what is beneath me, and it has some flooded terrain where is it is nice to glide through in a kayak. I was hoping to see some nice things to photograph as well as to use my underwater camera housing. I was not disappointed in either case with a number of birds around and the water temperature making snorkelling pleasant. The trip was a wonderful way to mark the end of lockdown with some beautiful natural things to see. I hope that you like the photographs below.
Read MoreBeautiful birds, boulders in a creek and a sunken barge; all in one morning - Moruya River, July 2021
There were groups of Australian Pelicans wherever I looked when I was paddling on the Moruya River, on the south coast of New South Wales (NSW) in July 2021. They were not the same birds moving around but distinct, small groups of these stunning birds, with their basic black and white plumage but colourful bill and yellow eye circle. They were big birds so they tended to dominate the space they occupied, making for wonderful photographic subjects. While they are very common, seeing those birds throughout my paddle really helped make a great day even more special. That was not how the day was looking initially because cold, windy, overcast conditions met me at the river and I was thinking about what my alternate plans were, either cancelling or shortening my paddle. I am glad that I persevered with close to my original plan because the weather improved during my paddle, making it a wonderful day. The perfect partner to my trip earlier in that week. I really hope that you like the photographs below.
Read MoreStaring at a White-bellied Sea-eagle on Wandandian Creek - Paddling and photographing along Wandandian Creek, July 2021
I did not see the White-bellied Sea-eagle until if flew from a branch that was low to the water on a sunken tree. It took off from the opposite side of the creek from where I was, gracefully curving across the water, around the sharp bend that was just in front of me. I tried to follow the eagle with my eyes but I lost it behind some trees on the inside of the bend that I was approaching. I already had my camera out because I had just been photographing a Willie Wagtail. Nervously resting the camera on the black spray skirt stretched across the kayak I carefully paddled on to where I estimated the eagle had flown, intently scanning the trees for the impressive bird. Coming around the bend I saw the tell tale shape of an upright eagle perched on a branch that was high in a tree but overhanging the water. With a sense of excitement I took some initial shots while I let the kayak drift onwards. Once I was past the bird I decided to beach the kayak so the I could exit to try to take more shots. I landed the kayak in a bad place to exit, the water was just a little deeper around the cockpit than I would have liked, so I stumbled and banged things getting out of the kayak, If birds could laugh this eagle probably would have fallen off its branch looking at my clumsiness. I was worried that all my activity had scared away the eagle but the raptor must have thought that no creature as noisy as me was trying to sneak up on it. Thus started one of the highlights of my paddle up Wandandian Creek, a small watercourse that flows into the north-west end of St George’s Basin. I had taken a week off work and this was the first of two kayak-photography trips that I had planned. I am so glad that I undertook this kayaking because I had a great time seeing one new species of bird to me as well as a number of other wonderful birds along a lovely creek. It was a wonderful break in these strange COVID times. I hope that you like the photographs below.
Read MoreSilver Gull grabbing a toadfish on a rainy day with other waterbirds - Kayaking and photographing on the Tomaga River, June 2021
A sub-adult Silver Gull was biting off more than it could chew, literally. From my kayak I could easily see the brown splotches on the bird’s plumage so I knew that it was not a full adult but I could not make out the white object that it was struggling with. Initially, I thought that it was a bit of tough fish meet that the bird was trying to tear apart. After zooming-in on a photo I realised that the bird was aggressively trying to break apart a toxic Common Toadfish. The poor fish was puffed-out to its maximum in a bid to scare the bird off, but so far that had not dissuaded this deluded bird to desist with its exertions, which would kill the fish and most likely the bird too after the gull consumed the fish’s flesh. This strange contest started within about five minutes of me pushing out into a rising tide on the Tomaga River under threatening, overcast skies with strong winds rippling the water. It was not the best day to be trying to photograph along the river because the ambient light was so bad and the strong winds meant neither I nor most bird subjects would be completely still. However, that day was the only day that I could make it to the river and the weather was not dangerous so I persisted. I was glad that I did because I really enjoyed my time and saw some fabulously animals. That common bird and common fish in the photograph above reminded me that photographs can come from anywhere but I have to be there to see it. Sorry, the photographs below are not great but I hope that you enjoy them.
Read MoreDrifting past an Azure Kingfisher and other lovely birdlife - Kayaking and photographing on Durras Lake, May 2021
A flash of stunning blue to my right caught my attention against the mottled green of some small Casuarinas. I was pretty sure of what I had seen but I now had to hope that my presence hadn’t scared this beautiful bird away. The small channel that I was in was not wide and it was very shallow so it was easy enough to smoothly reverse my kayak back past an overhanging Casuarina tree branch in the water to let the wind carry me back along the channel. My heart was beating when I saw the speck of blue perched so still on a branch. With a bit of manoeuvring, I had my blue, sea kayak pointed at the bird while the wind drifted me closer. I cursed the foliage that was blocking a clean shot but I was also excited beyond words to be finally getting some pictures of a gorgeous Azure Kingfisher. That experience took a fantastic day to an even higher level. I had already seen some lovely birds on Durras Lake while also taking in the natural beauty of the Murramarang National Park that rimmed the lake and now I was photographing an Azure Kingfisher. The two hour long early morning drive from Canberra to Durras Lake on the southern coast of New South Wales had been worth it. I hope that you enjoy 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 MoreNature and natural beauty of Shoalhaven Gorge - January 2021
Shoalhaven Gorge is a stunningly beautiful gorge just a few hours from both Sydney and Canberra. I had paddled up the Shoalhaven River in July 2020 but I had not gone as far into the gorge as I wanted. So, jumping ahead to January 2021 I was fast running out of time to paddle the gorge before I needed to return to work. My initial plan was to do a two day trip with an overnight stay in the gorge but for a number of reasons I could not make that a reality. In the end, I was left with the option of waking at 4AM to drive almost three hours in order to paddle 13km up the river and 13 km back down, to then drive another almost three hours to be back in Canberra that night with my family. It had to be done. And, I am glad that I did paddle in the gorge, the beauty of the location and animals that I saw made the trip more than worthwhile. I watched a White-bellied Sea Eagle fly along the river and I also had to chase away a Lace Monitor from my stationary kayak were just two of the encounters that will stay with me. I hope that you like the photographs below.
Read MoreAn immature White-bellied Sea Eagle soaring over a city and macro sea-shore photography - Photographing at Parsley Bay, Sydney on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Parsley Bay seemed like a good choice on a blustery winter Saturday morning for trying to take photographs. I suspected I would be challenged to find birdlife but I was hoping to do some macro photography along the rocks beside the bay. Unfortunately, I almost let one of my best opportunities pass me by when I saw a white bird high in the sky, soaring above Rose Bay. I incorrectly assumed it to be a pelican, only later in reviewing the photographs did I realise it was a White-bellied Sea Eagle. Despite the cold wind, which felt as biting as a Canberra wind, I enjoyed the opportunity to get out taking pictures. Later that day, we drove back to Canberra but stopped into Berrima for lunch. Despite the cold, windy day, because the light was good I decided to use the opportunity to take a few more photographs. Although there are not many bird photographs below, I hope you like the photos I do have.
Read MoreTwo perching Wedge-tailed Eagles as well as a Scarlet Robin - Photographing at Namadgi National Park on Saturday, 8 June 2019
I will be honest, this was not the walk we had planned for Namadgi National Park, I got my Boboyan Roads mixed up so we turned onto Old Boboyan Road when we should continued along Boboyan Road. I am not upset because we will do the originally planned walk very shortly and I was also able to see two Wedge-tailed Eagles. I saw one of them in the distance through a mess of tree branches, I was amazed I had picked out this awesome bird of prey which was perched motionless on a far away dead tree. I was even happier when I could get photographs from a better vantage point further along the trail. My son and I both enjoyed the trail, despite the weather not being great, cloudy with the temperature hovering around 6ºC (about 43ºF). In addition, I was undeniably happy to get some OK shots of the eagles considering the bad light as well as the distance to the birds. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA soaring Wedge-tailed Eagle and an absolutely beautiful Diamond Firetail - Photographing at Namadgi National Park on Sunday, 21 April 2019
It is hard to take a picture of a Wedge-tailed Eagle soaring high in the sky. Even with a 400mm telephoto this large, accomplished flyer is still small, no matter how much I crop in. However, to me, it does not matter. As much as I want to take good photographs, it is also just thrilling being able to see these birds in the wild. I had not gone to Namadgi National Park to see the birdlife, I had gone to help my son out with a project but I took my camera gear as I knew I would see something of interest. He was not feeling up to continuing the walk to Cypress Pine Lookout, which was our objective, but as we were so close, I wanted to see the actual location. I went on by myself while he walked slowly back along the trail. As I was standing at the lookout admiring the view I noticed a soaring eagle. I was the only person there, there was only the sound of nature and I could see this beautiful bird moving effortlessly through the sky. I loved the experience. It just reminded my how lucky I am to live in a place where I can get out to have these encounters. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA soaring Wedge-tailed Eagle and taking close-ups of an Australian Magpie - photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 16 March 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.
Read More'Understanding Birds' - An ANU Continuing Education course with Ian Fraser - including a great field trip to Mulligans Flat
This is a bit of a different post as I wanted to write about a course I undertook through The Australian National University’s Centre for Continuing Education. The course had a simple title that summed it up well, it was called Understanding Birds. The lecturing occurred over six nights from late November and there were also two field trips on Saturday mornings. The first field trip went to Campbell, Molonglo Gorge and Jerrabomberra Wetlands while the second one was conducted at Mulligans Flat Woodland Reserve. The second field trip will be described in more detail later in the post, with accompanying bird photographs.
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