The birds on Red Hill Nature Reserve were fantastic this Sunday morning despite the overcast and cloudy conditions. There were so many Gang-gang cockatoos around, including a quiet male being a sentinel at the entrance to a hollow. I saw another Dollarbird on a different part of the hill to the one last week, as well as my first ever Cicadabird. I was also glad I had my macro photography set-up with me as there were some interesting insects, including from the day before when I went walking around my yard with the macro camera. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA female Australasian Darter drying herself and a intrepid juvenile Australian Magpie - Riding and photographing on the Canberra Centenary Trail, Friday, 19 April 2019
One of my other favourite pastimes is cross-country mountain biking. Knowing Canberra would be very quiet on the morning of Good Friday, I decided that time was a great opportunity to do the southern loop of the Canberra Centenary Trail. I was planning a ride of 50 km, although it end up being over 60 km. I wanted to take my camera in case I saw some things to photograph but I was reluctant to take my Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM, since it would be in my back pack being carried over some bumpy trails. So, I settled on my Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM, which is over 10 years old and was a kit lens I bought with my first Canon DSLR. I would have to accept a reduction in quality for not risking my good lens. It was a wonderful ride and I am glad I had a camera as there were things to photograph. The lens was not great but it did an OK job. I was probably more focussed on photographing landscapes but I was also looking out for birds and other wildlife. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MorePhotographing around Callum Brae Nature Reserve on Sunday, 3 March 2019 - A large group of Crested Pigeons and finding elusive Striated Pardalotes
On Sunday, 3 March 2019, I headed to the always interesting, and generally quiet, Callum Brae Nature Reserve, just a short drive from my home. I always enjoy this nature reserve. I started by walking along the path that leads south-west from the entrance gate. I had not taken that path for a while so I was interested to see what life was around. All the vegetation was still dry, with the ponds I saw still very low. There were still a number of birds and animals around, including the most Crested Pigeons I have seen in one location and a group of three to four foxes. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MorePhotographing around Red Hill on Saturday, 2 March 2019 - A group of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos and a fox that posed
I was able to get out for my usual walk around Red Hill Nature Reserve on the morning of Saturday, 2 March 2019. After my days of looking at the Superb Parrots and water birds I decided to see what I could find by heading to a different part of Red Hill. The hill was very dry, with the vegetation showing how a good soak of rain is really needed. Because of the lack of water there did not appear to be much birdlife around. The large Sulphur-crested Cockatoos were dominating the Federal Golf Club with its sprinkler system. However, I was so excited to see the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos on Red Hill as they are not regular visitors to the hill. It was another lovely Saturday morning on Red Hill, I hope you enjoy looking at the photos below as much as I enjoyed taking them.
Read MorePhotographing at Callum Brae Nature Reserve on Thursday, 11 October 2018 - mating Gang-gangs and Ravens attacking a fox
Callum Brae Nature Reserve is part of the extensive nature reserve system around Canberra. It is southeast of where I live and is part of a bush corridor starting outside of Canberra leading to Red Hill Nature Reserve. From my place it was a quick, easy drive to an area I have travelled past but never stopped at before. I was not sure what I would see at Callum Brae but my expectations were well and truly met. From mating Gang-gangs, to my first good sighting of Rainbow Lorikeets in Canberra, as well as a chance to see the shimmering green wings of the Shining-bronze Cuckoo. Despite the relatively small area of the nature reserve it packed many interesting sights in to the morning for me. I was so thankful to live in a city that has these types of reserves so near in such easy access. Unfortunately, it was another overcast morning, which I am still learning how to cope with, so the photos do appear to be a bit subdued. With that said, it was a wonderful start to another day of holidays, I hope you enjoy the photographs.
Read MoreFox on the run
I am the first to admit these phots are not in focus. I feel that I missed this opportunity. I was out for my usual walk around Red Hill with my camera this morning as a way to practice with it while also just admiring the wildlife that exist so close to my house. During my walk I heard a group of Noisy Miners squawking their warning call. I saw some Eastern Grey Kangaroos bound away then a rabbit followed suit. Neither of these animals made sense as the cause of concern to the miners, yet the birds were still calling while heading in my direction. I wondered if it was a dog loose who had spooked them. Then I saw the slight red rushing along the ground, realising there was fox out. The Miners were chasing the fox. There were four miners taking turns swooping the fox, while alerting their kin, along with the rest of the area. I realised this scene was approaching the fire trail I was on, and would cross it not far away from me. I switch my camera, took a site, thought I was in manual without checking then I also forgot to focus. Fortunately, I was not in manual and the setting did not focus automatically on the fax. I had done a good enough job in getting the camera positioned so I was ready to capture the action but I had forgotten to check the setting as well as to use the proper focus procedure. Even though these pictures are worse than even my learning standard currently is I wanted to post them as the subject matter is interesting. The fox is easily seen in all three photos while the birds are a bit more challenging. In the top photo the Miner is at about 1 o'clock to the fox, in the middle photo the bird is now forward of the fox at about 11 o'clock while in the final photo their are two birds; one forward at about 11 o'clock and one behind, low to the ground, in the shadow at about 3 o'clock. After they cleared the track I could hear the birds continue on until they were out of ear shot. I suspect the fox did not have a bird breakfast this morning.
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