The Sunday dawned with the forecasted sub-zero temperature accompanied by a heavy frost. I had been thinking about the forecast the whole week, watching It firm as a morning below freezing while the weekend approached. I was wondering how I could use the conditions to my advantage to take some winter-like photographs. Eventually I decided that I would head to Callum Brae Nature Reserve again so that I could walk through the narrow connecting corridor to Jerrabomberra West Nature Reserve with its open, grassy fields. I was hoping that the grassland would provide some opportunities for frosty morning photography. During my trip I was happy that along the way I saw some beautiful little birds, including a Striated Pardalote that was in a nicely lit part of a tree. I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreEven when scouting locations there are still things to photograph - May 2021
I really did not have much of a plan that slightly foggy Sunday morning in May, even when I woke up, I was not sure where I was heading. However, the weather forecast was for a sunny morning so I had the inspiration to travel along Tidbinbilla Road from Point Hut Road to Tharwa. The reason for this idea was because that road joined the two routes that I would usually take to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve or Namadgi National Park, but I had never driven along that way. I was not sure what I would find but I thought that I would scout the area out. By looking on Google Maps I did have an idea about some of the drone shots I could take because of the interesting patterns made by streams in the area. I was not sure what animal life I would find and I did not do too well in that regards because most of the area was private property preventing me from getting far from the road. Despite that, I hope that you like the photographs below.
Read MoreSpotted Pardalote, Grey Fantails and a White-throated Treecreeper made my morning - Photographing around Black Mountain on Sunday, 5 April 2020
With the current COVID-19 pandemic we have to be responsible about going out as we do not want to inadvertently spread the disease. With that in mind it has been a challenge to find locations to photograph so to ensure that I avoid crowds but still get out to exercise while taking my camera with me so I can also photograph. This post is predominantly about a walk I did around the base of Black Mountain but I have also included some extra recent photographs from around Canberra. Unfortunately, the Sunday that I visited Black Mountain was very windy and cloudy, making the lighting unpredictable as the clouds moved across the sun. I was still happy to get out for a walk and because I was able to photograph some birds, particularly the Spotted Pardalotes. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreNankeen Kestrel's mating and an active group of Striated Pardalotes - Photographing around Callum Brae Nature Reserve on Sunday, 22 September 2019
Callam Brae Nature Reserve really turned on a special morning this Sunday when I was walking around. I had not been in the reserve for long when I saw a Nankeen Kestrel. Just as I started to move away from that kestrel a second kestrel came along and the birds started mating. Further on I also enjoyed the challenge of trying to photograph a group of Striated Pardalotes. Beyond the birdlife the reserve was still experiencing challenging times with the two ponds I visited having very low water levels. In the first one, the pond looked like it had dried out at some stage but the recent rains had filled it up slightly. Strangely, the ground beneath the water must have been very dry preventing liquid absorption as the rain water resting on the top was almost clear. The water was not the usual colour of liquid content in these ponds. The weather was lovely on the day making it a glorious start to the day. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA White-eared Honeyeater looking for food in wattle and my first Double-barred Finches - Photographing around Hall on Sunday, 15 September 2019
Hall is a small town, a village really, which existed in this area before Canberra was established. When Hall was absorbed into the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) its residences lost some of their rights as they moved from under New South Wales to the federal administration of the non-self-governing ACT. This was my first trip to Hall and I loved the place and the birdlife. I mainly wandered along the One Tree Hill track that starts on the north side of Hall. I did not go far but I saw honeyeaters, finches, a Grey Thrush-shrike and a number of other wonderful birds. I hope you like the photographs below.
Read MoreA Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike having a feed and my first Olive-backed Oriole of the season - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 14 September 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve was absolutely beautiful in the early Spring sunshine. The weather was some of the nicest Canberra has had for a long time. The birdlife was starting to come alive with some visitors coming back and birds turning their attention to breeding. I did not get far that morning as I was enjoying myself, yet again, among the trees on the slope that faces the southwest. I watched a Weebill hop around some branches. I also enjoyed more pardalotes and a female Golden Whistler. It was a lovely Spring morning photographing some beautiful birds. I hope you like the photographs below.
Read MoreBeautiful Galahs feeding as well as a Golden Whistler and pardalotes - Photographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 24 August 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve started a bit overcast but then the sun came out lighting up everything. I did not travel far this morning because I was trying to find some of the small birds again I had seen previously. I am glad I did not go too far as I was rewarded by being caught between trees as a mixed flock of small birds flitted through the area. The low light made photography a challenge, especially with small birds. Later in the morning, when the light was better, I took some photos of two very common birds, a Pied Currawong and Galahs, because I really wanted to use the light cast on them. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreSulphur-crested Cockatoos in tree hollows - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 20 July 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve was again where I found myself on Saturday morning. My initial focus was to play around with an old Canon 40mm f2.8 STM pancake lens I had from 2008, not the later model. I had recently started using the lens but I was not sure how it suited my style of photography. Sorry, there are a few experimental photos with that lens below so feel free to skip those to the see the birds below. I had a good play around with it before I went back to the telephoto lens to see what wildlife was around. It was another fantastic morning to be out on Red Hill. I again came across two species of pardalotes before encountering different Sulphur-crested Cockatoos checking out two separate tree hollows. Later that day I found myself at Lake Burley Griffin. It was a social occasion rather than a photographic one but I still had my camera with me, once again seeing what I could do with a 40mm lens. I have included some of those photos at the bottom, including of a pair of Magpie-larks. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreGorgeous Striated Pardalotes were camera friendly and watched a group of Satin Bowerbirds - Photographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Monday, 15 July 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve is a different place on a weekday. Because I had been in Sydney on Saturday morning I missed my regular walk and photographing on Red Hill that morning. I had taken Monday off work to catch up on things I should have done while I was in Sydney so I decided to go for a walk around Red Hill on Monday. I was amazed how quiet it was. I did not see any joggers or people walking their dogs, only a person who appeared to be walking to work through the reserve. The reserve seemed quieter, in the sense there was less human-made noise and more natural sounds. I was pleasantly surprised by the natural stillness. I had a wonderful time as the birds seemed to be easier to hear. They also seemed to be around more. I did not go far as I was late starting but I thoroughly enjoyed the areas I visited. I am really looking forward to my next day off work so I can see if this quietness is the normal situation on Red Hill. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreBewitched by beautiful Scarlet Robins and watching a group of Red-browed Finches look for food - Photographing at the Pinnacle Nature Reserve on Sunday, 7 April 2019
Seeing lovely, red breast plumage on a small bird always gets me excited as it will probably be a robin. That Sunday morning I went to the Pinnacle Nature Reserve because I had seen so many lovely photographs taken at this location uploaded to Canberra Nature Map, I just had to go to see for myself. Very soon after arriving I was again attracted by some Gray Fantails, which were a prelude to another group of small birds, including the Scarlet Robin at the top of the post. I then kept seeing these robins for the rest of the morning. Getting to the reserve had not been hard, just a 20 minute drive from my house and I was seeing some lovely birds in a lightly wooded setting. The area was better than I imagined and there was still so much more to see. I hope you enjoy the photographs below from another magical morning.
Read MoreWhen the wings of small birds sound like rain and some lovely shots of spiders at night - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 6 April 2019
The title of this post probably requires an explanation but it truly reflects the sounds I heard on that Saturday morning at Red Hill Nature Reserve. I was standing in a small, rocky clearing under a cloudy sky when I noticed some Grey Fantails. They were joined by other small birds in the young gum trees that formed the edges of this open area. The birds were all constantly moving through the foliage in search of food. The quantity of flapping wings on leave started to sound like large rain drops hitting the leaves. The noise was so convincing I looked up several times to see if it was raining. The sight was fantastic, all these little birds darting backwards and forwards in the tree. I found it hard to take any photographs as I would try to focus on a bird but it would fly-off, I would then turn to another bird to repeat the same frustrating process. After a while I stopped photographing, instead, enjoying the moment with all these little birds flying about me. This wonderful experience reminded me how lucky I am to live near Red Hill. I hope you enjoy the photographs.
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 at Campbell Park Woodland on Monday, 31 December 2018 - a Gerygone, treecreeper and a pair of Dollarbirds
This was my first visit to Campbell Park Woodland. I had heard about this site for a while and I knew it would be quiet as far as the office buildings were concerned. Because this site backs onto office blocks used by the Australian Department of Defence there is a lot of parking at the site as well as intimidating signs warning visitors of trespassing. On. my walk to where the woodland began behind a fence I was worried I may have been misled about the site as there did not appear to be much birdlife. I decided to head towards a small dam I could see on my Google Maps app because all animals need water. That was when the morning lived up to its deserved reputation. Just around this small dam I saw a treecreeper, an immature woodswallow as well as Dollarbirds. I was told by somebody I met at the dam that there was another dam further on that is also good. Unfortunately, I ran out of time so could not get to the second dam. That will be for another day, and I will use the Canberra Ornithologists Group Campbell Park Woodland map as a guide. I hope you enjoy the photos below.
Read MorePhotography at STEP, National Arboretum on Wednesday, 19 December 2018 - Fascinating Ravens, cooperative Pardalote and a male Superb Fairy-wren
The same person I met on the ‘Understanding Birds’ course, who volunteers at the Australian National Botanic Gardens also volunteers at the National Arboretum. Even though I ride through the Southern Tablelands Ecosystems Park (STEP) at the National Arboretum regularly on my bike I did not realise the plan behind it. The arboretum is attempting to replicate the various ecosystems found at different altitudes within the southern tablelands. While the trees are still young, once they reach maturity the park will be an evermore fascinating place to visit than it is at present. On the day of my visit it was very overcast with rain constantly threatening.
Read MorePhotographing at Mulligans Flat Woodland Reserve on Sunday, 2 December 2018 - Pardalotes and a Jacky Dragon
I returned to Mulligans Flat Woodland Reserve for more photography, determined I would have enough time to get down to the wetlands in the south. I had been warned the wetlands were very dry, a mere remnant of what they normally are. When I finally arrived at the wetlands, on a very windy morning, I realised just how much they had dried out, with only a long, narrow pond remaining behind the dam wall. I was a little disappointed but if I had not gone I would not have found out about the Floodplain Mussel, which had a number of shells on the drying dam banks. I also did manage to photograph some lovely birds.
Read MorePhotographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Sunday, 9 December 2018 - Gang-gangs in hollows and nesting Rainbow Lorikeets
Usually I walk around Red Hill Nature Reserve early on a Saturday morning but as I was out on Saturday with an ANU Continuing Education course I was attending, I visited Red Hill on Sunday morning instead. (I will write more about the course very shortly, especially our field trip to Mulligans Flat.) I varied my route ever so slightly this morning, as I try to do regularly, which allowed me to see a few more birds than I would have seen on my usual path. Red Hill is such a treasure so close to where I live, it is always worth going for a walk. I hope you enjoy these photographs.
Read MorePhotographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Friday, 30 November 2018 - Swooped by a Goshawk and saw a kingfisher nest
I was not planning on going to Red Hill Nature Reserve on this day, as we were travelling to Sydney on later that morning for an overnight stay. However, when I woke up, I could not help myself, I just wanted to go for a walk and I am glad I did. The weather was a bit overcast but it kept clearing throughout the walk. I saw my first Olive-backed Oriole on Red Hill. There was a group of White-winged Choughs cooperatively building a nest. A pair of Sacred Kingfishers revealed what may be their nest to me. Among all those sitings, the most incredible experience, even if it was heart-pounding, was being swooped by the Brown Goshawk, which you can see in the heading photograph. I really enjoyed the morning walk on Red Hill, I rushed home, excited as one thing, still with enough time to do the things I had to do before going to Sydney. I hope you enjoy the photos below from the day.
Read MorePhotographing at Callum Brae Nature Reserve on Sunday, 18 November 2018 - Looking so dry for birds and turtles
I thought I would try a different design approach with this post. Rather than upload multiple photographs of the same subject, I thought I would instead use one picture only to portray the subject. The ‘less-is-more’ approach. I think it helps de-clutter the post if nothing else. I will see how it goes but I thought my walk around Callum Brae Nature Reserve on Sunday, 18 November would be a good post to start with. Callum Brae was looking so dry. The vegetation was still that light Australian green colour so much flora seems to be in Canberra but the dams were looking very empty. In approaching one small dam I was unable to photograph a Little Pied Cormorant that I had scared off. I was amazed to see it at that remnant of water, I am not sure what it had been hunting. There was also this old, stone-lined run-off channel that seemed to taunt modern visitors with how much rain once must have fallen on that land to justify constructing that diversion. Now, it is grass-covered with saplings well established, as if saying no water will flow along its course again. There was still birdlife at Callum Brae but it was the first time I saw several species of birds come down for water. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MorePhotographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Sunday, 11 November 2018 - a Brown Goshawk came by and a Gang-gang peered out of a hollow
I usually go to Red Hill Nature Reserve on a Saturday morning, then go further afield on Sunday. As I felt I had not really been on Red Hill for a while I decided to photograph there this morning. I am so glad I did because it was a very rewarding morning, Not only did I find a eucalyptus tree that was supporting three species of birds with its trunk, I also saw my first goshawk, which was a very cooperative subject for photographing. The weather was also very helpful, being a lovely sunny day. Red Hill is such a wonderful location, with so much to offer. The birdlife was at its best this morning and I know I only saw a very small part of the reserve.
Read MorePhotographing at Callum Brae Nature Reserve on Sunday, 28 October 2018 - Gregarious woodswallows and a beautiful pardalote
This is also a post I should have had up before now. On Sunday, 28 October I went for another visit to the wonderful Callum Brae Nature Reserve. Initially, I had the plan to walk some of the path I followed on my first visit. Happily, I was distracted by bird calls, which sent me off in a different direction meaning I was able to see the birds I have posted below. It was the first time for me to see woodswallows, especially two species that seemingly live very close by to each other. The weather was beautiful reminding me once again about how lucky I am to live in Canberra where we have a variety of nature reserves easily accessible from the city.
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