This Whistling Kite was the first one I had seen, and I almost missed it when I first arrived on Spinnaker Island, an island located in Canberra’s Lake Burley Griffin. The raptor was in a tree on the island when I arrived but flew away, not because of me, but I think it was looking for food. Beyond that fantastic bird I was pleasantly surprised how much birdlife there was on the island. Unfortunately, the lighting was not great because the morning was very overcast and there was still smoke from the bushfires. In addition, I thought it would be hard to find photographic subjects because the island was small with sparse vegetation but in the end I was late departing the island as I kept wanting to take more photographs. Being late meant I had to paddle a bit faster in my kayak to get back to shore so I was not too late home. I did not worry too much about my tardiness because I had had a truly interesting time on this small island, thoroughly enjoying my short visit; I hope you like the photos below, and the video I made of my visit (the video is also embedded below). Sorry about the quality of the photographs, the bad lighting meant I was shooting with a very high ISO so some crept into the pictures.
Read MoreA Gang-gang cockatoo nestling and Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos using a hollow - Photographing around Hughes-Garran on Saturday, 4 January 2020
The birdlife around Hughes-Garran seemed to enjoy another respite from all the recent smoke because the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos were out in number and I was even lucky enough to see a Gang-gang Cockatoo nestling. The Gang-gang nestling was particularly interesting as there was a concern among those interested watchers that this season would be a bad nesting season for Gang-gangs because of the drought and fires. With all this activity primarily in one spot I spent most of my morning walk near a single tree. I was enjoying looking at the birds coming and going but by doing so I was able to catch some shots I really liked. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA Flame Robin pair and a pair of Spencers Skinks - Photographing on the Square Rock Hike on Saturday, 28 September 2019
Square Rock Hike in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is a wonderful trail that is both easy and scenic. I was accompanying my son on the hike as part of our routine bush walks. The trail was very popular on that Saturday, with the car park already filling up by the time that we arrived. We met a number of people on the trail and up at the actual Square Rock lookout. There was a lot of wonderful birdlife as well as some Spencer’s Skinks, which seemed relatively accustomed to the presence of humans. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreA Rufous Whistler and a Yellow-faced Honeyeater, as well as a big huntsman in the toilet - Photographing on the Gibraltar Peak Hike on Monday, 7 October 2019
The Gibraltar Peak Hike in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is an iconic Canberra hike. It seems that most Canberrans who enjoy a hike have done the Gibraltar Peak trail, and even some Canberrans who are not into hiking have done the trail. It is a lovely hike that seems to keep going up as you near the crest. The climb is definitely worth it with spectacular views to be enjoyed from the top. The wildlife was also very special, from the large huntsman spider in the toilet at the start of the hike to all the wonderful birdlife. I hope you enjoy the photos 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 MoreGang-gang Cockatoo in a hollow, another Dollarbird and some interesting insects - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Sunday, 24 November 2019
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 MoreDollarbirds are around as are the Corellas, and I even saw a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo in a hollow - Photographing around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 16 November 2019
The birdlife around Red Hill Nature Reserve was even better than usual on this Saturday morning. I saw my first Dollarbird of the season and two species of Corellas were around. There was also a Laughing Kookaburra in a hollow. The wonderful birdlife combined with a warm, sunny morning made it a great start to the day. I hope you like the photographs 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 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 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 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 MoreSo many Grey Fantails, some other small birds and even a Nankeen Kestrel - Photographing at the Tharwa Sandwash on Sunday, 8 September 2019
Australian Capital Territory. It was a quiet little spot at the end of an unsealed road but with a tranquil beauty despite the strong wind blowing that morning. I really did not care if I saw any birds or not, I was just happy to soak up the peaceful. quietness of this location. The car park was almost at the river bank, with large, shady gums providing a canopy over the short walk to the river edge. The Murrumbidgee River was slowly slipping past in an almost imperceptible way. Everything about this spot seemed to reinforce that it was a location to slow down in. I had originally had a plan to climb a nearby hill but, in the end, I barely covered much distance, I just stayed very close to the river. I really enjoyed my quiet Sunday morning there and I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MoreLaughing Kookaburras at tree hollows, ducklings and Eurasian Coots mating; spring is almost here - Photographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 31 August 2019
Red Hill Nature Reserve was the location for my usual walk although, I went through the Federal Gold Club so I could then follow the path along the southern side of Red Hill, about half way up. I was distracted by the birdlife before I got to where I was going but I was not upset, the birds were too beautiful not to photograph. I enjoyed getting some shots of Laughing Kookaburras, a quintessential Australian bird with its mismatching blue and brown. The fact that the kookaburras were looking at hollows was even more exciting. I also saw a pair of coots mating. Just a wonderful way to start a weekend. 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 MoreAn Olive Whistler visited a quiet part of Paddy's River - Photographing at Murray's Corner on Sunday, 18 August 2019
Murray’s Corner is a little reserve that sits on Paddy’s River in an area surrounded by pine forest. I thought I would pay it a visit as I really enjoy the Cotter area. Paddy’s River is a quiet river and I feel it would be nice to return in the spring and summer when there is more likely to be life. I heard a number of birds but I was only able to photograph the Olive Whistler that heads this blog post. Unfortunately, I had some car issues so I ended up being at Murray’s Corner longer than planned, which did allow me to practice some landscape photography in a tranquil setting. I eventually finished my morning at Phillip, to put my car in for servicing, but that did allow me to photograph some House Sparrows in the area. There are always animals to photograph, so at least that made the morning a bit happier. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
Read MorePhotographing my first wild Emu, not what I was expecting - Photographing at Cotter Precinct on Saturday, 17 August 2019
Cotter Precinct, Murrumbidgee Nature Corridor is the term used on Google maps for the area between Casuarina Sands and the Cotter Dam. The area is not far from my home and is a popular recreation area for people living in Canberra, although the temperature is still too cool for most people to think of water sports. My original plans did not materialise for Saturday but the weather was so beautiful I still wanted to head outside. This area seemed to be the perfect choice as it was an easy drive and I wanted to walk a short trail I had seen on a previous visit. I am so glad I went as I had a memorable encounter with an Emu. This area is not known for Emus and I was not expecting one, so seeing that bird in that location was truly an unexpected thrill. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.
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