White-faced Heron searching for food in exposed sea grass
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])

Herons, egrets, sea-eagles and even insects along the mangroves - Tomaga River, NSW, March 2022

BirdsinCanberra March 28, 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.

Australian pelican flying in to enjoy fish scraps from amateur fisherman at Tuross Head boat ramp
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 320, 200mm, f/10 and 1/800 SEC])

Australian Pelicans, waders and beautiful wildlife at a river mouth - Tuross Head, NSW, January 2022

BirdsinCanberra January 30, 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.

White-bellied Sea Eagle when the heat was getting to its highest level(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 100, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC]) — White-bellied Sea Eagle when the heat was getting to its highest level
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 100, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])

Nature and natural beauty of Shoalhaven Gorge - January 2021

BirdsinCanberra January 31, 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.

Two Purple Swamphen chicks about to enter Sullivans Creek(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 200mm, f/10 and 1/640 SEC]) — Two Purple Swamphen chicks about to enter Sullivans Creek
(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF70-200mm f/4L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 200mm, f/10 and 1/640 SEC])

Purple Swamphen chicks, parrots and other great wildlife enjoying the green from the rain - photographing around Canberra in January to March 2020

BirdsinCanberra April 4, 2020

The start of the year felt very busy, I was out and around Canberra but I did not seem to have much time. I was out photographing but I could not find the time to process and organise the photographs I had taken so I ended up with a lot of photos and no blog posts. Although I do not like composing long posts that cover several photographic trips I thought that would be the best way to allow me to publish the photographs below. There are a mix of photographic styles and subjects from various parts of Canberra with a number of different subjects. Some of these were captured while I was out specifically looking for photographic subjects, others were shot while I was out doing other things but had taken my camera with me. There are a number of birds and other animals below. I really enjoyed photographing the Purple Swanphens, even if they are common birds. I was also happy to photograph the Australian King-parrots that visited my garden because they are truly beautiful birds.

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.

A Little Pied Cormorant resting at Scrivener Dam(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 400, 55mm, f/9.0 and 1/640 SEC]) — A Little Pied Cormorant resting at Scrivener Dam
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM [ISO 400, 55mm, f/9.0 and 1/640 SEC])

White-fronted Chats and a Little Pied Cormorant - Photographing around the National Arboretum with my bike on Saturday, 14 September 2019

BirdsinCanberra September 27, 2019

The National Arboretum was the perfect place for me to test out my road bike that my local bike shop had converted into a gravel bike. The weather was glorious for this early in Spring and I took the opportunity to take my camera with me as well. Unfortunately, I did not want to take my good 100-400mm telephoto lens so I only had my 18-55mm kit lens and my 40mm. I am glad I had a camera as I saw some lovely birds but I really wished I could have carried my better lens. I saw some lovely White-fronted Chats around the pond at the bottom of the hill at the arboretum and also a Little Pied Cormorant resting on the edge of Scrivener Dam. The day has really whetted my appetite to do some bike-packing/bike-touring with my camera so I can get out and really experience the environment around me. I hope you like the photographs below.

Cannot get much further from birds in Canberra to a Variegated Shore Crab in Sydney Harbour

Photographing at Parsley Bay Reserve, Sydney, on Boxing Day, 26 December 2018 - Eastern Water Dragon posed for me and some crabs gave me good shots

BirdsinCanberra February 13, 2019

I always think Parsley Bay Reserve is one of those under-appreciated places. It has a family friendly beach with a shallow sandy bottom that extends far out into the bay. It also has interesting animals running around it. When I used to scuba dive I always looked forward to diving in Parsley Bay as I would always see something interesting. As a child I loved walking thought the bush at the back of the reserve. I recall one night coming down to collect tadpoles in a pond, high up toward the back of the reserve, when a largish eel made an appearance, possibly attracted by my net disturbing the water like a struggling morsel of food. The place has always held a fondness for me, so I was really happy to wander around the park with my camera on Boxing Day 2018. Although I was happy to photograph a currawong at its nest and to see a cormorant, I was even more excited to photograph a water dragon and some crabs, two animals I had been hoping to photograph that day. I hope you enjoy the pictures below.

Australian Wood Duck in the middle of the Murrumbidgee River(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 220mm, f/5.6 and 1/640 SEC]) — Australian Wood Duck in the middle of the Murrumbidgee River
(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 1000, 220mm, f/5.6 and 1/640 SEC])

Photographing at Casuarina Sands Reserve on Monday, 28 January 2019 - Almost trod on a water dragon and was again obsessed with insects

BirdsinCanberra January 29, 2019

The public holiday Monday, 28 January, did not dawn with good prospects for photography being a grey, overcast morning. I was checking the Bureau of Meteorology site hoping the weather forecast would be wrong, with a sunny day replacing the predicted clouds and rain. It was not to be, the clouds lay across the Canberra region cutting the morning light. I had planned to go to Casuarina Sands Reserve as I had not been for a while and I wanted to visit it on a sunny day for once. I was not going to get my wish but as I like the location, plus I was already primed to go, I headed there anyway. I was not expecting much, knowing the photography would be a challenge. There were not many birds around but there was so many other things to see. I went further east than I normally walk, wanting to get to the rapids behind the lower weir to see what was there. The river was browner than I had I had ever seen it, possibly because of the recent heavy rains washing mud into the water. I knew the day was going to be special when I almost trod on a Gippsland Water Dragon that must have been on the track but I did not see before it dashed out from under my foot. I am not sure who was more scared. So while this post is short on birds it still has some other interesting photos, including of some insects I saw along the walk. I hope you enjoy the pictures below.

Eastern_Water_Dragon_Googong_Foreshore_6475_20181009.jpg

Walking around London Bridge, Googong Foreshore on Tuesday, 9 October 2018 - a sunning water dragon and Welcome Swallows

BirdsinCanberra October 10, 2018

We had a family day out yesterday as we knew the weather was turning with rain forecast from Wednesday onwards. I had always wanted to visit London Bridge, at Googong Foreshore, I have already seen the other one, although technically the Googong one is the original based on geological age. We arrived near midday so apart from magpies most other birdlife was not readily apparent. This trip was not so much about the wildlife, it was more to see the rock formation but it was still a good opportunity to take some shots. That said, I was so intent on wandering around I forgot to take a scenery shot so I had to settle for a snap from an iPhone. It was a lovely place to visit and I am keen to return with an eye to doing more photographing.