An evening dogwalk along the shore of Lake Macquarie showed that there were still plenty of waders about. These Bar-tailed Godwit show no sign of breeding colours and may be young birds who will stay for the winter. The Far-eastern Curlew has become more habituated to people during its summer here, when they first arrive they will take off with their blood-curdling shriek at any movement. Pelicans gathered for their evening roost on the off-shore sand islands.
Water Dragon
Mother and baby Lowland Gorilla
Java Finch
Indian Mynah
Asian Elephants
Golden Bear
Vulture – “Free Flight” show.
Barking Owl - “Free Flight” show
Red-tailed Black Cockatoo
Meercat
Australasian Grebe
Dollarbird
Rock Wallaby
Whipbird
Had a wonderful day at Taronga Zoo. I’d been planning a visit since I heard that there were new baby gorillas and elephants. Lots of work in progress, it’s really developing as a great place for animals and people – and those fantastic views of Sydney city are a bonus.
I’m sure that friends who invite you around for a barbeque don’t really mind when you spend the evening with your camera trained on their birdfeeder. These galahs and long-billed corellas were impossible to ignore.
There is a large population of long-billed corellas on the central coast. While originally restricted to South Australia and western Victoria, populations are developing in major centres following the escape or release of caged birds.
Bees on a waterlily
Red Skimmer
Blue Skimmer eating a damselfly
I stopped in at Blackbutt Reserve after visiting a photo exhibition in Nobby’s Lighthouse (open to the public for the first time) but it was already very hot, and while Treecreepers, Rosellas, Cockatoos, and Thornbills could be heard, and Kookaburras hovered around hoping we’d put a sausage on the barbeque, I was disinclined to go go walking.
The lily-pond on the other hand was inviting, with a bench in the shade on its bank. There were plenty of Odonata to test my reflexes. I’d love to be able to identify them – must add a dragonfly book to my bird book collection.
As the full moon high tide came in the Grey-tailed Tattlers jockeyed for position on the wreck rusting at the edge of the Hunter River, just upstream from the river mouth.
I haven’t had a lot of bird photography opportunities lately, but I’ve been looking at some inspirational portfolios, including Binu John’s. I’d love to replicate his bird silhouettes against the setting sun – a lot of organisation and a good deal of luck required!
Gave myself an hour down at Soldier’s Point today to check on the waders. Some are starting to develop their breeding plumage, it will only be a matter of weeks before they begin their long journey back to the breeding grounds in the Northern hemisphere. I’ll have to schedule more regular visits over the next month.
