The Noisy Friarbird calling while trying to eat a beetle

Photographing at Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve on Sunday, 25 November 2018 - A spectacular Dollarbird and an active Noisy Friarbird

Jon Steinbeck November 28, 2018

I hate to say it, but this was my first visit to Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve. I can understand why it has such a good reputation. Visually, the woodland is a lovely place to visit and the birdlife was wonderful. I am planning to head back very soon as I did not reach the big dam, which I really want to see. I get the feeling the reserve will be worth a number of repeat visits to see all it has to offer. Despite only spending an hour there I was so pleased with what I saw on this first visit. I saw my first Dollarbird. I also found this Noisy Friarbird, featured above, who put on a great performance. I saw a Masked Lapwing family, who, while alarmed, did not swoop me. I really enjoyed my walk that morning, but I know there is much more to see. I hope you enjoy the photographs below.

A very cooperative preening Australian Magpie

Photographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 24 November 2018 - Rainbow Lorikeets and some more insects

Jon Steinbeck November 25, 2018

My motivation for getting out of bed before the sun rises on a Saturday morning is the knowledge that I will be shortly walking around Red Hill Nature Reserve photographing something interesting. I never try to anticipate what I will see on the hill that day, I just know I will see something. On this morning, I was so glad to see Rainbow Lorikeets. As I said in a previous post, I really have a soft spot for these engaging parrots as they were always around when I was growing up in Sydney. They still maintain their mischievous ways. Despite all the marvellous birdlife I saw, this was the first morning in a long time I did not come back with a single Gang-gang photograph. I certainly heard the birds and saw one fly past, I just did not see any of these wonderful birds in a tree. Towards the end of my walk I found a placid, cooperative Australian Magpie who went about its business, mostly, unconcerned about my photographic activity. I also photographed three different species of insects, all with my telephoto lens. I hope you enjoy the pictures below.

A Sulphur-crested Cockatoo drinking at the remnants of a small dam

Photographing at Callum Brae Nature Reserve on Sunday, 18 November 2018 - Looking so dry for birds and turtles

Jon Steinbeck November 23, 2018

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.

Not sure what this Gang-gang was doing but the wing-spread looks great

Photographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 17 November 2018 - Gang-gangs, Straw-necked Ibis and some interesting insects

Jon Steinbeck November 18, 2018

I decided to upgrade my camera so my walk around Red Hill Nature Reserve was extra special for me since I was using a new camera I had been wanting for a while. I have upgraded to a Canon EOS 7D Mark II. Combined with my 100-400mm telephoto lens, it is a heavy unit to carry but I am already enjoying the better sensor and faster auto-focus than my old Canon DSLR. The light improved this morning from a cloudy start so I really enjoyed shooting with a camera that is almost designed for bird photography. The birdlife was plentiful with the Gang-gangs always available for photographs. I loved seeing the Straw-necked Ibis on Red Hill. Not only were they great subjects in flight to practice with the camera but their shiny plumage came through beautifully in the images. I also added to my kangaroo photographs this morning with some great subjects, including my first photograph of a real subject with my new camera. I even used my telephoto for some “macro” shooting of insects, which worked better than I thought.

The female Eastern Snake-necked Turtle probably digging a hole to lay her eggs

Saw a Eastern Snake-necked Turtle on my way to and from work on Thursday, 15 November 2018

Jon Steinbeck November 15, 2018

I have started taking a simple point and shoot Canon PowerShot SX120 IS on my backpack for my commute rides as I am often frustrated by the wildlife I see on my rides but my iPhone just will not capture the image. I would love to have my usual camera with me all the time but I am worried about damaging it when I am riding along some of the rough trails. I was glad I am carrying the point and shoot camera because riding to work this morning I saw an Eastern Snake-necked Turtle between Yarralumla Creek and the Curtin playing fields. I noticed this turtle had crawled onto the grass between the creek and the bike path. It seemed determined to cross the path. I accidentally spooked it taking photos, so it pulled its head into is shell, photo one, but became accustomed to my and other people's presence. I left it near the bike path to continue on to work, not knowing what it was doing. On the way home this afternoon, I was worried I would see it injured or dead on the bike path. Instead, I saw it was across the bike path, about two metres west of it, digging in the grass, photos four to six. I am guessing it was a female getting ready to lay eggs. I was surprised to see it doing so in the daytime in such an open area.

This Brown Goshawk made my day by letting move to a better angle to photograph it

Photographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Sunday, 11 November 2018 - a Brown Goshawk came by and a Gang-gang peered out of a hollow

Jon Steinbeck November 11, 2018

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.

A male Red-rumped Parrot near its nesting location

Photographing at Jerrabomberra Wetlands on Sunday, 21 October 2018 - A darter and nesting Red-rumped Parrots

Jon Steinbeck November 2, 2018

I always enjoy a trip to Jerrabomberra Wetlands because the birdlife is so rich in an area with easy access and great watching locations. The wetlands are always worth a visit, with different locations giving a different view of the life to be found. This time I decided to park on Dairy Road so I could enter from the south-east side of the reserve. I am glad I took that route as almost immediately I saw a pair of Black Swans with a group of cygnets. With spring upon Canberra there are more baby birds as well as more nesting birds. A number of migratory birds have also returned. Canberra is really coming alive with birds so it is a great time to have a walk around different parts of Canberra observing the birdlife.

Photographing at Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 13 October 2018 - Six Gang-gangs and a baby magpie

Jon Steinbeck October 20, 2018

The weather this Saturday was again not the best. There was a light, misty drizzle from the start, which did stop but the overcast conditions remained. The first location I went to had few birds and the cloud cover made it hard to take good photographs. I was thinking about returning home rather than keep walking but I persevered. I figured I would at least get to Red Hill Nature Reserve to see what I could find. The first photo below the map underneath this text gives an idea about the conditions on the day. I am glad I did keep going as I saw six Gang-gangs in one location, the most I have ever seen gathered together. Closer to Hughes I saw a magpie chick that was close to fledging. I hope you enjoy the pictures.

A Red Wattlebird looking out from an Australian native plant

Walking around the Australian National Botanic Gardens on Thursday, 11 October 2018

Jon Steinbeck October 14, 2018

We had a family day out at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, which sits at the bottom of Black Mountain in Canberra, just to the west of the Australian National University. The gardens have a good reputation for birdlife because of the concentration of flora, especially when it is flowering. The gardens did not disappoint. I was not able to photograph all the birds I saw as I was with my family and so I was supposed to keep up with them, not stay behind to photograph birds. Something about nobody understands me. I was really happy to see an Eastern Spinebill and a New Holland Honeyeater, I was just annoyed I could not get better photographs. We were all really excited when we saw the Echidna, who did not seem to care it was out in the middle of the day, mind you with that protection I guess it is very safe.

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

Jon Steinbeck 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.

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Photographing at Red Hill on Saturday, 6 October 2018 - nesting Gang-gangs and Wood Ducks

Jon Steinbeck October 7, 2018

I was not sure of the weather on Saturday morning but really wanted to photograph so I headed out under an overcast looking sky. The ambient light was initially not great but the sun broke through to create a wonderful sunny Canberra spring day. I was rewarded for my diligence as I believe I saw a tree hollow possibly being used by Gang-gang Cockatoos as well as a second tree hollow probably occupied by some nesting Australian Wood Ducks. The birdlife is becoming more abundant as the days warm up although I suspect it will still get better as there has not been an explosion of insect life yet, although the flowering plants will probably cause more invertebrates to emerge shortly.

This was actually my last shot of the day but I do like how I caught the bee in flight

Practicing macro photography on European Honey Bees at Hughes on Saturday, 30 September 2018

Jon Steinbeck October 1, 2018

I wanted to expand my photography so, almost on a whim, I grabbed the camera and the tripod to wander around the garden in search of subjects for macro photography. My 40mm Canon lens has macro written on the side of it, although it is the standard lens that came with the camera about ten years ago when I bought my Canon EOS 100D. I started my attempts with some flowers, experimenting with shutter speeds and f-stops as well as an external flash. I was reasonable happy with the results, although I need to balance the flash and ambient light better. I thought it would be interesting trying some live subjects, the first of which I came across were some European Honey Bees who were visiting our front garden. Again, I did some experimentation but I was happy. with my initial foray into macro photography. I will need to keep practicing but I did enjoy looking at the smaller world around us.

The White-faced Heron primed to strike with a nice reflection in the water

Photographing at Casuarina Sands Reserve on Sunday, 23 September 2018 - awesome White-faced Heron

Jon Steinbeck September 27, 2018

It had been a while since I had been to Casuarina Sands Reserve so this Sunday seemed like a good time for a return visit. I was hoping I would see some Superb Fairy-wrens as I wanted to take a picture of a male in his blue breeding plumage. This was half achieved, as I did see a male in his blue but I did not get a chance to take a good shot. I will have to keep trying. I was not too upset as I had already had an awesome experience photographing a White-faced Heron who had no concerns about my presence. I sat on a rock across the river from the bird just enjoying the beautiful, placid morning with an amazing creature in front of me, birds around me, and occasional groups of cyclists on the road whizzing past oblivious to my presence. I also saw a Grey Currawong as well as watching Welcome Swallows gather mud for their nests. It was also yet another chance to sit besides a slow moving river in some lovely sunshine listening to birds around me. I could not have asked for a more lovely start to a Sunday. I hope you enjoy these photographs.

One of the pairs of Gang-gang Cockatoos I saw during my walk

A walk around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Saturday, 15 September 2018 - more Gang-gangs!

Jon Steinbeck September 16, 2018

I decided to head back to the same part of Red Hill Nature Reserve I was at last weekend to see if I could find more Gang-gangs. It had been such a pleasant spot and the return walk home last time was very enjoyable. The weather was not bad but again the clouds kept blocking the sun at all the wrong times. Despite that challenge I did see more Gang-gangs, in fact I saw two pairs in the one location. I also saw a number of other birds including some Yellow-rumped Thornbills and a Red Wattlebird. I ended up just sitting and watching the Gang-gangs for about 30 minutes, they may now be the birds I have most photographs of. it was a really nice start to a Saturday.

A very cooperative pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos

A walk around Red Hill Nature Reserve on Sunday, 2 September 2018 with some Gang-gangs showing up

Jon Steinbeck September 7, 2018

I visited a different part of Red Hill Nature Reserve than I usually visit on my morning walks. I am glad I did as there was a different variety of birds in this location. I had an extended view of a pair of Gang-gang Cockatoos as well as a fleeting look at a Fan-tailed Cuckoo. I spent a fair bit of time staying in a single spot photographing the birds around me, it was a lovely start to a Sunday.

Some of the water birds inside the sanctuary at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

A walk around Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve on Saturday, 1 September 2018

Jon Steinbeck September 3, 2018

Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve is a large national park about 30 minutes drive south of where I live. It is situated in a valley with the Tidbinbilla River running through it. I convinced my son to come with me on Saturday to go for a walk around the fenced-in sanctuary that sits in the middle of the reserve. This is a predator proof area centred on a wetlands habitat giving wild native fauna communities a chance to live without the threat of feral animals. The native fauna have the run of the sanctuary while humans are confined to well maintained paths. We had an enjoyable morning seeing so many wild birds, platypus and even a turtle. My son is not really into wildlife but agreed he would like to go back again, which is good as I bought an annual pass :-)

A very obliging Black Swan who swam past me

A walk around the National Arboretum and Coombs on Sunday, 26 August 2018

Jon Steinbeck August 28, 2018

The weather was supposed to be atrocious but it ended up being a very nice day. I had wanted to wander around Barrer Hill in the National Arboretum as it I thought there may be some interesting things to see. On this Sunday, the clouds started to clear but they were replaced by a fog around the hill. Despite the weather conditions I found a number of birds, and even some kangaroos to photograph. I really enjoyed the morning and I hope you like the photographs.

Looking over Grassy Creek to the mountains in the background

Walking Settlers Track on 2 June 2018

Jon Steinbeck July 16, 2018

Being completely honest, today was not the best day to head to the south of the ACT looking to photograph birds. While the temperature was recorded at 10 degrees, the gusts of wind from the south up to 50 kph gave an apparent temperature of 4 degrees, if not cooler. There was also a mist hanging around that added to the cold. The birds were smarter than I, they mainly seemed to be sheltered somewhere away from the prevailing conditions. This post is a bit light on for birds but hopefully it is still of interest. I was annoyed that I could not take all the photographs I wanted as I did see what may have been a hawk causing some magpies a bit of concern. Eventually the magpies chased it off but I was too far away to confirm what I was seeing let alone photograph it. Still, it was nice to be out in Namadji National Park taking pictures, which I hope are still worthwhile.