As the warmer weather warms it is good to be able to explore down country lanes just to see what is there. Of course, there is often "lots" there but my interest is birds ... heading towards Lennox Head and off the main road there is lane which serves macadamia and cane farms (and no doubt various other less obvious farming activity). After a short time there is a drainage ditch that mostly runs parallel to the lane and serves to host a range of trees and later on heads off back up into a much larger (but inaccessible) swampy area. The good thing, generally, about exploring lanes like these is you can go nice and slow with the windows down and look and listen because of the lack of local traffic - still need to be careful because every now and again you might encounter a cane truck or tractor heading your way!
First up I noticed perched high above the drain this wonderful specimen of a grey goshawk. As always, they keep a keen eye on all things moving as they repose on their throne. It is always a treat to sight birds of prey, and even more so when they are not so "obvious" and sitting out in the open. Ones like this always provide a sense of me being watched and only the bird only being "seen" if it chooses 😊. Always a privilege!
From perched above and looking down over the drain I next came across this plumed whistling-duck cruising along on the drain. Very content and showing off the distinctive plumage very well, especially highlighting the "plumed" part of the name.
In contrast to the camouflaged sighting of the grey goshawk above, these next two pictures highlight my point about the "ease" of spotting when they are exposed on our built environment, in this instance, a young (as the young like to do, having a bit to say!) and then more mature black-shouldered kite at different points along the power lines. These guys are a sight when they hover over potential prey before diving ... but that is for another post another day (did not happen this day).
And finally along this country lane and again well down in the more clogged area of the drain was this egret ... could not resist the rich setting for the shot to show how even what we consider weeds and "rubbish" and so often see being sprayed (poisoned to clear) means that a fertile hunting ground for something is likely being disrupted it not destroyed.
These next few were kind of down a different country lane, but this time in a far more nature friendly boardwalk nearing Byron. Just end up there while meandering around. This first one is a figbird feasting on some berries. Love the way they are so acrobatically able to enjoy their feast!
And here is as clear a shot of the oh so elusive (to me) eastern whipbird. Quite distinctive when you see them, actually almost as distinctive as there whip sound. Of course, this also highlights how their camouflage is so effective in the branches (as on the ground).
A pacific black duck out of water - on the edge of the boardwalk just before dropping back into the pond.
Here a very young brush turkey already foraging as they do. Once born (hatched), they are on their own ... survival of the fittest at its most base level. Not difficult to hear in a forest when they are active because of the active raking with their claws.
A pale-yellow robin in a very common pose on a vine peeking curiously. The white feathers around the beak and the yellow legs distinguish it from the very similar eastern yellow robin.
The very common and lovely singing Lewin's honeyeater is the final offering from this part of the journey before the rest of my time took me ever closer to home. Again, the camouflage is readily highlighted, but often their wonderful singing is the give away (along with their natural curiosity).
Here we have a grand brahminy kite perched on the other side of Emigrant Creek. So while in the branches, it is relatively easily spotted because of the width of the Creek at this spot. Quite the treat to see one perched in such an accessible spot for a photo 😊.
These next two offer a majestic pair of black swans followed by a wider angle showing the expanse of the water world they were enjoying along with many of their flock & other species.
The next three are from flowering gums in my parents' front yard. The flowering gums accentuate and complement the always striking plumage of the cheeky rainbow lorikeet in the first two; the third offering a head shot of a brown honeyeater appearing to emerge from the flower itself!
This next shot was one of a series I was out taking so I had shots to complete a photobook I had in mind which I ultimately titled "Beach Things". I managed a series of shots of this silver gull scavenging the remnants of a quite large whiting. It was fun watching it lay around with the skeleton (seemingly trying to figure out if it was going to offer much resistance!).
The next tow are good clear photos of a dollar bird. I love the lustre of the black/blue wings and chest that contrast quite sharply with the orange beak and very black eyes. Anotehr excellent example of what appears to be a "black" bird but which is rather more chameleon in reality.
And my final three for this journey are the laughing kookaburra and a couple of figbirds (one mature and the other very young), each in a garden environment.
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