Narooma continues to hold appeal, especially as a welcoming place to escape some of Canberra’s winter cold. Spending a week in Narooma meant that there was time explore around the area a bit more. One location worth exploring was on the way back to Canberra, at the Wray Street Oyster Shed right on the bank of the Clyde River at Batemans Bay. In the water beside the blue-painted shed there was a mixed group of ducks swimming not far from the shore. Among the ducks were Chestnut Teals, including a number of males with their wonderful dark green heads that shimmer in the light. Unfortunately, the teals were swimming in the shadow so the intense colours were not obvious. These birds are very common on calmer, estuarine waters near the coast and they have such wonderful colours. I always enjoy photographing them and 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 MoreGang-gang Cockatoos, other parrots and some cute jumping spiders - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve and Hughes in Mid-October 2020
It had been a while since I had visited Red Hill Nature Reserve, despite it being almost right on our doorstep. I had been distracted because normally on Sundays I headed to a number of other locations around Canberra but I felt I had ignored this local jewel for too long. The inspiration for my return was actually a bunch of weeds. I had been driving on a road that runs along the north side of Red Hill when I notices large patches of purple on the hill. I suspected that they were probably weeds but I thought that they may make a nice subject for a photograph. I am glad that a few days later I did go out photographing because I had a wonderful encounter with some Gang-gang Cockatoos that I followed up the next day. While I did not travel far that weekend I had fun, including watching some of the jumping spiders I found around our house. I ended up doing more photography than I planned but I am glad that I did. I hope that you like the photos below.
Read MoreSnow on the Brindabella Ranges around Canberra - Photographing around Canberra on Sunday, 23 August 2020
I am creating a pattern of starting posts with apologies and this one also starts with an apology. I am sorry, there is only a single picture of a bird below. I set out to meet a friend at the Stony Creek Nature Reserve to photograph birds and wildlife there but snow fell around Canberra on Saturday, 22 August and was still lying on the Brindabella Ranges the next day. As I was driving the 25 minutes to the nature reserve, and I was only about five minutes drive from my house, I looked out and saw the scene in the photograph at the top of the post. There is no doubt that I love bird and wildlife photography but I cannot ignore scenery like that when the sky makes it even moodier thanks to the dawn’s red glow and brooding clouds. I had to pull over to take some photographs. Coincidentally, while I was photographing, my friend phoned to say that he may be late or may not be able to get to the reserve as he was also photographing what he was seeing. We agreed that sometimes, when photographing, you just have to go with what is presented to you. Eventually, we did meet up, but on the road to the reserve where we both had pulled over to take more photographs. I stopped a couple more times on the way to the reserve. I also bumped into a nice guy who, like us, was out photographing the scenery. My friend and I eventually got to the nature reserve but it was then that a large cloud blocked out the sun. While was saw a number of birds the light was not bright enough to get good shots, so I only took one, possibly half-reasonable, shot of a Crimson Rosella. I was not disappointed with the morning because I really enjoyed the scenery and I thought that Stony Creek Nature Reserve was definitely worth another visit. Later that morning, I took my camera out to the yard, while I was supposed to be gardening, to take some shots around the garden. To cap off this very different photographic journey to the one I had envisioned, I had found a wombat skull in my touring around on Sunday and spent a couple of nights during the week trying to come up with the best way to photograph it. All in all, those change of plans on Sunday turned out for the best and I had a lot of fun. I will be back to photographing birds again but I do consider myself to be a nature photographer as well, so it was exhilarating to expand my photo collection that day with some different shots to those that I usually take. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreSuperb Fairy-wrens, Australian Wood Duck and Galahs - Photographing at Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve on Sunday, 16 August 2020
Sunday’s weather might not have been great but the available light was better than it had been for a while so I decided to head back to Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve. The recent heavy rains across Canberra meant that the reserve was very wet. At one stage I found myself walking up a slight hill yet there was pooling water amongst the grass, even on a slope. Lighting wise, there was a bit of cloud hanging about but the sun was coming through. Canberra is at the end of winter so the days are getting longer and the birds appear to be starting their mating preparations, with the Wood Ducks calling and male Fairy-wrens showing their blue plumage. I went a slightly different way to the path I travelled last time, wanting to explore more, although I still found myself climbing up a hill. I am glad I went out for the morning and I am glad the light gave me a chance to get some shots. I hope you like the photos below.
Read MoreLittle Corellas at a hollow, a number of ducks and other wonderful things - Photographing around Callum Brae Nature Reserve on Sunday, 19 July 2020
The sun rise that Sunday morning at Callum Brae Nature Reserve was spectacular, with some amazing hues. I did not have the right lens to take the shot I wanted so I left the macro lens on my camera and shot the sunrise through the trees. The colours did not last long, then they were gone and I did not do justice to what it was like. The sunrise was a nice sight to see as it was the start of a new day and the birds were up and going. There was a group of Little Corellas that were mixed in with some Suphur-crested Cockatoos but not afraid to ensure that they were not pushed around by the larger birds. The dams were still full with two different species of ducks taking advantage of the abundance of water. I also had to continue my photographic fascination with Eastern Grey Kangaroos by taking a few shots of a mob. I hope you enjoy the photos below.
Read MoreA large Australian Wood Duck family and macro shooting, including my first frogs - Photographing around Canberra in April 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.
Read MoreA Rainbow Lorikeet in a hollow and a group of Gang-gang Cockatoos - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 21 March 2020
I always love seeing Rainbow Lorikeets, their colour and something about their behaviour makes them a joy to watch; although they are competing with other native birds in Canberra. Still it was great to see them during my first visit back to Red Hill Nature Reserve in a very long time. Due to a number of reasons I had not been to Red Hill for a while so it was great to walk around it again. That said, unfortunately, Icon Water have repaired the leak from the water tank on the ridge meaning that there was no more stream running down the hill, and the area was now dry. Despite that unfortunate change, Red Hill was still mainly the same and I finished off my walk watching a group of six Gang-gang Cockatoos. I hope you like the photographs below.
Read MoreA Laughing Kookaburra in a hollow and Australian Magpies enjoying cicadas - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 30 November 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve was under a blanket of cloud and smoke haze on this Saturday. There was a major bushfire out towards Braidwood that was sending smoke over Canberra. This smoke haze, combined with the cloud lowered the light levels and also meant any distance shots were hazy. Even so, it was still nice being out on Red Hill. A group of Australian Magpies were enjoying taking cicadas in flight. I was also lucky to see a Laughing Kookaburra emerge from a hollow. I also saw a kangaroo I thought had flowers on its head but realised it had been tagged. It was a lovely morning, even if I was rushing through my walk as later on Saturday we went to Centennial Vineyards in Bowral for a family lunch. I hope you like the pictures below.
Read MoreSwooped by a Brown Goshawk and watching two Australian Ravens pick at a feather - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 9 November 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve always has something of interest, with this morning’s excitement caused by a Brown Goshawk swooping me. I thought I had missed the opportunity to see the goshawks as I had been through this area without any interaction with them but one of them let me know they were still definitely around. I also had an enjoyable time photographing some Gang-gang Cockatoos as well as the usual assortment of birdlife in the reserve. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA possible pair of breeding Gang-gang Cockatoos and Satin Bowerbirds practicing their mating dance - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 2 November 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve was its usual awesome destination. I started on the Garran side before crossing the Federal Golf Club to get to the reserve proper. It was a fantastic morning where I think I saw a breeding pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos. There were also some other birds showing interest in hollows, which is a good sign at this time of year. There was also a group of Laughing Kookaburras, and I always enjoy seeing them. I hope you like the photographs below.
Read MoreGalahs, Rainbow Lorikeets and a male Gang-gang cockatoo in hollows - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 26 October 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve was the first place I went to photograph on that Saturday as my son and I were going to Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve for a walk later that day. The wind picked-up in speed throughout the morning and the clouds were coming across so Red Hill ended up being the best location for photographing that day. I rushed through Red Hill because I needed to get home so we could get to Tidbinbilla while it was still the morning. Because I enjoy Red Hill I wanted to go for a quick walk there before heading off to Tidbinbilla. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreAn entertaining family of Gang-gang cockatoos and a Galah in a hollow - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Sunday, 20 October 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve was again the place to be on this Sunday morning, especially when I came across what appeared to be a noisy family group of Gang-gang Cockatoos in a tree. They were having a great time, and I was rooted in one spot watching their antics. I saw some other wonderful birds that day, but the Gang-gangs was definitely the highlight. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreMating Gang-gang cockatoos and lots of interests in hollows - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Sunday, 13 October 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve had, unfortunately, been off my schedule for a couple of weeks due to some unforeseen events but I was finally able to get back there on this Sunday morning. It was good to get back to Red Hill as that day was a lovely spring morning with a lot of wonderful birdlife. I saw a number of Gang-gang cockatoos, including a pair mating. I also saw a number of Rainbow Lorikeets and had a wonderful time trying to get a good picture of a Crimson Rosella, who was very patient with me. It was a wonderful morning, and just what I needed. I hope you like the photographs below.
Read MoreRainbow Lorikeets calling out and a battle-scarred male kangaroo - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 21 September 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve is such an enjoyable place in spring, with so many birds and other animals shaking off the Canberra winter chill. The weather has been very kind in recent weeks with mild, clear mornings, making photography such a pleasure. This morning’s walk was just wonderful, I saw some Rainbow Lorikeets, a bird species I adore. I also was up close with a Laughing Kookaburra, an experience that always thrills me. In addition, I saw a scarred, old, male kangaroo, who paid me no attention, he seemed to have no fear of me. It was so enjoyable photographing him as he barely even acknowledged my presence even though I was only a few metres away. I always enjoy my walks on Red Hill but this morning was extra special. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA White-throated Treecreeper searching for food and the lovely blue of a male Superb Fairy-wren - Photographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 27 July 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve is a lovely place to start a weekend. The weather was a little overcast so I figured I needed to be on the north facing aspect to take advantage of whatever sun there was. Unfortunately, while I was photographing the fog rolled in to block the sunlight on what had been developing into a lovely day weatherise. Despite the fickle weather I was able to find some interesting subjects, including a White-throated Treecreeper who was happy to be on a tree in close proximity to me. I also took some low-light shots of two juvenile male Eastern Grey Kangaroos fighting as well as a shy Red-necked Wallaby. 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 MoreA number of birds at a small dam and a flock of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos - Photographing around Callum Brae Nature Reserve on Sunday, 14 July 2019
Callum Brae Nature Reserve is always worth a visit. There were a number of small dams so I was in my element of being beside a small pond or dam on a cold Sunday morning. I had not been to the reserve for a while, so this morning was a nice opportunity to return. I walked along the firetrail to where it met a dried water course, which I then followed south-easterly towards the dams. The water course had little puddles of water but was far-off being even a small creek. Interestingly, despite the dampness in the water course the dams were still drying out. I did not photograph the usual dam I have used to show the effects of the dry weather but I am sure it was looking like it had even less water in it compared to my previous visits. As always, there were a number of different parrot species as well as a number of Australian Wood Ducks. I always enjoy a walk around Callum Brae and I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA pair of placid Australian Wood Ducks and two beautiful Crimson Rosellas - Photographing at Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve on Sunday, 7 July 2019
Aranda Bushland Nature Reserve is a small reserve to the west of Black Mountain Nature Reserve. Given the time of year I was not planning on walking the usual routes through the reserve because there would probably not be too much wildlife to see. I decided to try some small ponds that were in the bushland. I had not been to these ponds before so I was not sure what to expect. The first pond was close to a road and there was not much life on the water. The second pond was further in among the trees and my initial thoughts were that there was not much there either. Fortunately, while peering through some branches I noticed a pair of Australian Wood Ducks. I was able to spend some time quietly photographing them. They were aware of me but grew used to my presence. I am beginning to make a habit of sitting by small ponds on cold Sunday mornings. Beyond the pond, I was fascinated by some lichen. With a bit of an imagination I am sure I could see a tree spirit’s face in the pattern on one tree. No, I do not believe in spirits, but it was nice to indulge my inner child. I hope you enjoy the pictures below.
Read MoreAustralian Wood Ducks and Crimson Rosellas staking out dead trees - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 29 June 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve is an easy walk from my house, so even if I am a little slow getting out of the door, I still have enough time to make a walk worthwhile. That is what happened this Saturday morning. I was a little late getting out the door because I was not certain about the weather but decided to head out as the slight rain looked like it was clearing. I am glad I went for a walk as the weather was not bad and I still saw some wonderful birds. The Australian Wood Ducks were back in force, apparently staking out trees. Although, there is competition with other hollow breeders like Crimson Rosellas. The walk was not a long one but the birds were beautiful. I hope you like the photographs.
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