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.

Photographing around Hughes on Saturday, 22 September 2018 - Gang-gangs and nesting Galahs

Jon Steinbeck September 23, 2018

I was busy in the morning so I was unable to go out for my usual walk but I was able to head out after lunch for a quick photographic stroll. I decided to head to a small patch of trees and shrubs where I was told there were nesting Gang-gang Cockatoos. I did not see any nesting Gang-gangs but I did see three of them as well as some nesting Galahs, some mischievous ravens, grazing White-winged Choughs and a juvenile Superb Parrot high up in a tree. Considering I did not go far that afternoon I was really happy with what I saw. I hope you like the photographs.

An orange-bellied parrot receives a health check ahead of its release for breeding season. (Source: Werribee Open Range Zoo via ABC) — An orange-bellied parrot receives a health check ahead of its release for breeding season. (Source: Werribee Open Range Zoo via ABC)

ABC News: Threatened orange-bellied parrots to hitch ride on plane in effort to save species

Jon Steinbeck September 22, 2018

One of Australia's most threatened bird species will be boarding a plane from Victoria to Tasmania's south-west wilderness next month in a desperate effort to save the animal from extinction. (Full story here)

Photographing where Yarralumla Creek meets Molonglo River on Sunday, 16 September 2018 - Ducks, Coot, Wattlebirds and a Fantail

Jon Steinbeck September 16, 2018

I often pass by the area where the Yarralumla Creek (link 2) flows into the Molonglo River just downstream from the Scrivener Dam. I have always been intrigued by the massive amount of erosion on the banks of the Yarralumla Creek, which is more a water control canal then a true creek, although parts of it look more natural then the concrete-sided water course a lot of people will be familiar with. I am glad I went to have a closer look, while the creek is very dirty the erosion does provide a good view of the soil in the area. I was also able to see some interesting birdlife including Pacific Black Ducks, Coot, Red Wattlebirds and even a Grey Fantail. I even just enjoyed sitting on the bank at the conflux of the water systems surrounded by reeds as the sun warmed the area.

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.

Three Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos flying over my location at the lake

Photographing at Lake Burley Griffin on Sunday, 9 September 2018

Jon Steinbeck September 9, 2018

I arrived at the edge of Lake Burley Griffin a little later than planned this morning. My intent was to try to photograph some cormorants and, perhaps, a darter I often see at the lake's shore on my bike rides to work. Unfortunately, they were not around this morning, maybe because there were already fisherman at the spot or maybe they were just not there this morning. I decided not to waste my time at that spot so I moved a bit further around the lake. I am glad I did shift along as I found far more birdlife. Unfortunately, it was a challenging morning for photographing as the sun was often blocked by clouds. That further reduced the light getting to the area I was at, which was already having trouble with the light because of the tress. Despite that, I enjoyed being at the lake's edge. There were rowing boats out on the lake and cyclists regularly passing on the bike paths. The birds were out and I only wished the sun had been out as well. I hope you like the photographs.

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 :-)