Lage Brown Mantid noticing me getting closer
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)

Praying mantis looking at me and other macro subjects - Home, ACT, October 2022

BirdsinCanberra November 3, 2022

The pseudo pupils of the Large Brown Mantid made this alien-like insect appear like it was looking directly at me. No doubt the mantis had detected my approach but the raised triangular head with the large eyes was exactly the shot I was hoping for. The mantis had been resting on a black garden stake when I went searching for macro subjects to try out my recently purchased Raynox DCR 250 Super Macro Lens, which simply clips onto the front of my Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM. I was thrilled when I came across the praying mantis because it was such a spectacular macro subject, especially when it lifted its head. After a while, it seemed to sense that the camera was not a threat so it returned to a relatively normal position even though its large eyes were still slightly tilted toward my lens. I enjoyed my time playing around with my new lens and I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.

An immature orb-weaver spider moving from one leaf to another in the rain(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/16 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite) — An immature orb-weaver spider moving from one leaf to another in the rain
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/16 and 1/180 SEC] with Yongnuo YN14EX Macro Ring Lite)

A rain-drenched orb-weaver spider and rain drops on leaves - Photographing around home on a wet Sunday afternoon, 20 September 2020

BirdsinCanberra September 26, 2020

Sunday, 20 September, was one of those rare occasions when I did not head out somewhere to photograph. There was heavy rain and the rain radar showed that the downpour was going to continue for a while so I decided it was not the morning for photography. However, later that day I thought I would have a walk around our yard to see what subjects I could find to photograph in the rain. I was inspired to try this by a good friend of mine. I was speaking to this friend on the Friday beforehand and we discussed the forecasted bad weather for Sunday. My version of the conversation is that my friend said that I was a wimp for not photographing in the rain, although my friend might dispute that account. However, since this is my blog post, my version stands.

Immature Gold Whistler with a caterpillar(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/400 SEC]) — Immature Gold Whistler with a caterpillar
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/400 SEC])

Golden Whistlers, Weebills and a Galah at a hollow - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve in July 2020

BirdsinCanberra July 30, 2020

For one reason and another it has been a while since I have been to Red Hill Nature Reserve, even though it is very near to my house. Recently, I just felt it was time to head back to this wonderful little reserve. That was especially the case when the sun was shining and I had a window of a couple of hours to get out to enjoy the weather. I just grabbed my go to Canon EOS 7D Mark II with the Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM telephoto lens plus the monopod and went up the hill. I am so glad I did. Both times it was mid-morning when the sun was up and the birds were still active but a little quieter than earlier in the morning when I usually go out photographing. Still the light was not too harsh and both times I made this dash I found some great subjects. You can see in the landscape shot below, looking across to the Brindabella Range that there was still a dusting of snow on the peaks around Canberra on the first Saturday. Despite that, the weather was not too cold and it was nice to be outside. I have also included some shots of flowers from our garden. Only the second one is an Australian native but I was enjoying the chance to practice some flower photography with natural light. It was good to be back on Red Hill, even if for a brief visit and I hope you enjoy the photographs below.

Juvenile Galah in a backyard tree(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 227mm, f/11 and 1/400 SEC]) — Juvenile Galah in a backyard tree
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 227mm, f/11 and 1/400 SEC])

Birds, mammals, lizards, spiders and insects - Photographing around Canberra in early December 2019

BirdsinCanberra January 29, 2020

Bird and wildlife photography in December 2019 was very challenging due to the smoke haze from the bush fires around Canberra. Please understand, I am not complaining as on the relative scale of things, a bit smoke haze was not bad when people were dying or losing their houses and some species of wildlife are facing extinction because of the extent of the fire. Really, I got off very lightly, as I was still able to photograph, even if it was a little difficult. This post is a grab bag of the various birds and other wildlife I saw over that period. I was moving around Canberra, particularly near the Australian National University (ANU) at Acton, doing a few things, generally with my camera close at hand so I could take photographs. I hope you like the photographs I was able to capture and sorry this is so late.

The male Gang-gang Cockatoo, from the second pair, checking out a tree hollow(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC]) — The male Gang-gang Cockatoo, from the second pair, checking out a tree hollow
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/320 SEC])

Two pairs of Gang-gang Cockatoos were checking out trees and some other random photos - Photographing around Hughes and Garran on Sunday, 25 August 2019

BirdsinCanberra September 7, 2019

This Sunday was not my typical Sunday. I did not go for a drive to take photographs, I just went for a walk around the Hughes-Garran boundary near the Federal Gold Club to see what photographic subjects I could find. I was able to find some Gang-gang Cockatoos, which is always nice. I also just found some random photographic subjects that caught my eye. Later on that day I had the camera out at home trying to photograph hoverflies in flight. Finally, in the afternoon, I went across to Westfield Woden, taking my camera with me to use on the way back. I used my 100mm macro lens and I was not keen on changing to the 40mm prime I was also carrying because of the strong wind; I did not want dust getting into the camera or lens while I was changing lenses. Still, I enjoyed the chance to be out taking photographs. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.

Two rain-drenched Eastern Grey Kangaroos at Mount Taylor Nature Reserve on Sunday morning(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/800 SEC]) — Two rain-drenched Eastern Grey Kangaroos at Mount Taylor Nature Reserve on Sunday morning
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/6.3 and 1/800 SEC])

Amazing spiders, interesting insects, drenched kangaroos and beautiful scenery - Photographing around Canberra on Friday to Sunday 24-26 May 2019

BirdsinCanberra June 4, 2019

This was not the weekend I had planned nor was I expecting. I started photographing on Friday afternoon when I again had to go to Westfield Woden Shopping Centre so I decided to walk back home while taking photographs. The weather on Saturday, while cold, was fine enough to photograph around Red Hill Nature Reserve. However, on Sunday morning there was rain and I was wondering if I would get out to Mount Taylor Nature Reserve. Happily I did. Monday, a public holiday in Canberra, no such luck, it was bleak; wet and cloudy for most of the day. I think the bad weather made it harder to see birds over the weekend as they had either gone or were trying to find ways to minimise energy loss in the face of the colder temperatures. The kangaroos I encountered on Mount Taylor on Sunday were drenched with rain but their fur coats appeared thick, probably providing needed insulation. Rain drenched birds would be cold but would also find it harder to fly. Sorry, there are no bird photos below but there are kangaroos, spiders, insects, landscape and one dinosaur skeleton (photographed in a museum). I hope you enjoy the photographs.