Tassie VIII - Some birds around Strahan

Pristine. A place you feel relaxed and at peace.

That's the best way to describe the environment in and around Strahan on the west coast, sitting in the vast Macquarie Harbour and gateway to the Gordon River. Blessed with waterfront accommodation it was surprising how little range of birds we saw during our visit. However, the dominance of starlings and sparrows may have something to do with that in town. Not to worry ... here is a selection showcasing what we did see (and those sparrows and starlings were certainly incredibly active feeding their young mirroring what was noted earlier when we were in Franklin).

A mallard sitting on a mirrored harbour.

A welcome swallow sunning on an old pier post.

The next set of three provide portraits of the house sparrows and show how they are not afraid to get up close and personal with us!

A starling with prey observing the target nest from the gum.

Co-perching but one after a successful hunt.

Grey fantail (still for once) staring me down!

Sulphur-crested cockatoo on high.

This next set showcases a pair of welcome swallows up the Gordon River as we docked for a nature walk. The first one was from the boat as we docked; the second from the wharf as we disembarked for the walk. Always cute and the tannins in the water are also highlighted.

Finally, one of the gorgeous superb fairy wrens with that deeper iridescent blue being shown off on the grass among the fallen gum leaves as it hopped about looking for food.

Tassie IV - east coast

We were based near Little Swanport, between Swansea and Triabunna on a former dairy farm that is now a wildlife refuge. While we saw lots of animals, not so many birds during our stay, but those we did see were not so familiar and provide further evidence of what nature is capable of that we need to admire more 😁.

This new holland honeyeater was blowin in the wind while perched atop thiese pine fronds.

In contrast to the foliage above, this grey butcherbird was happily surveying his feeding ground perched on dead branches under that clear blue sky we call home in Australia.

Through our bedroom window late one afternoon I spotted this common bronzewing cautiously crossing the lawn. Fortunately my appearance did not cause it to fly off.

On our way to explore Freycinet National Park we stopped for a coffee and these welcome swallows were enjoying a break from their usual areobatic displays so I was able to get some good portraits while they were resting.

Another day saw us call into a berry farm cafe for coffee and treats 😁. In addition to the food, which was delicious, we were also treated to some antics by the superb fairy wren below. 

A little later at the same location a scarlet robin made an appearance and I managed to catch it diving to catch some prey, which it subsequently enjoyed and then just offered a couple of self-satisfied poses for me - quite the treat, better than the food for me!! 

Tassie I

After lots of planning and getting organised we set off for our driving holiday to Tassie. We took 3 days to reach Geelong via the Pacific and Hume highways and few lesser roads to skirt Melbourne. Fortunately uneventful and a good shared driving experience to get us underway.

We had a full day in Geelong awaiting the Spirit of Tasmania evening embarkation and departure. We had a good walk along the foreshore and several hours in the Botanic Gardens enjoying the flora and fauna.

Here are three birds we saw in the gardens. 

First is a pied currawong with the distinctive strong curved beak and yellow eye ring. 

Next is a magpie foraging among the dandelions, the second photo showing the rewards of a successful hunt. These southern magpies have a much fuller white shoulder and back patch.

This next pair was a treat for me as I have not previously photographed one. So to have such willing subjects and different perches was a bonus. The red wattlebird is shown off in all its glory in each photo. 

After our ferry crossing and early morning arrival in Devonport, we had until mid-afternoon before our accommodation would be ready. We decided over breakfast to head out to the Tasmanian Arboretum and explore what it had to offer, given it was a lovely clear and warm morning.

Here is a selection of birds we were fortunate enough to glimpse.

First up a welcome swallow posing on a rail showing off its prey in the beak. Fast insects, faster swallow!

Next up was a common blackbird, the first of MANY we were to see thoughout the coming weeks. Noticeable was the more orange (than yellow) eye ring and beak compared to those I have previously photgraphed on the mainland.

On a raft in one of the lakes were several species of ducks soaking up the morning sun. Chestnut teals on either end and the middle; two pacific black ducks second from left and the larger pair second from right are Australian shelducks.

Next up are a series photos featuring black swans. First, a pair shepherding a pair of cygnets around the pond; second a pair floating without movement - one neck up (presenting a wonderful reflection), one down; finally, a threesome also showing their ability to float without rippling the water on a still pond all with their graceful necks extended.

Here is our first sighting of the prolific superb fairy wren. These were common almost everywhere we went. Noticeable immediately was the deeper shade of irridescent blue these wrens have in Tassie. Makes them (in my view) even more striking than our mainland ones.

Next photo of an equally prolific bird - a Tasmanian native hen with the "soft" yellow beak and the distinctive orange eyes. Like many ducks we saw, and other birds and animals it was spring time and many young were sighted and enjoyed as they began their explorations of their environments and learning how to feed themselves.

Finally on day one we reached our first B&B near Mole Creek in the Western Tiers where we were spending our first week. We were greeted by (well, first by our hosts!) this pair of superb fairy wrens, the 2nd photo showing the male in flight shortly thereafter. The second bird welcoming us provided our first (alas fleeting for now) glimpse of the green rosella (more later of these beautiful creatures).

A quiet 3 months (Aug-Oct)

For a variety of reasons, mainly health related, this period was relatively quiet. Of course, preparations for our long-awaited driving trip to Tassie occupied much of our time too.

The selection below shows a variety of regular birds along several common areas we walk. "Regular" in terms of sightings they might be, but as usual, they also offer different appreciations of the capability and beauty of the birds.

First up I managed to frame this osprey alighting from the top of a riverside pine. More usually I photo these in static poses.

Next a youngish prancing plover (masked lapwing) just about to disappear into the shadow of a telegraph pole.

The next two photos show a rainbow lorikeet and a crested pigeon. The lorikeet is feasting on the nectar of the banksia flower while keeping a very keen eye on the photographer. The pigeon is in the same bush and roosting among the flowers to complement its wonderful plummage and also keeping an eye on the photographer.

Here is a pied cormorant basking on a boulder along the wall in the morning sun. The sheen on the wings and the black collar and head streak contrast strongly with the white neck and chest. The yellow beak is also a clear further contrast.

  

The same beauty of the soft pastel palette is perhaps even more apparent with this crested pigeon grazing on the grass among the clover, compared to the perch in the banksia shown above. Both have their own charm.

From pines, to banksia, to grass, to rocks, a plainer bare branch context against our wonderfully clear blue sky shows off the magnificent sounding (and looking) pied butcherbird. 

 

And a youngish magpie listening and feeling for any movement underground before it digs out the underground prey.

Showing off both the grass and rocky context is this white ibis preening its chest while balancing on a single leg ... such dexterity while ensuring they look their best 😁.

A pair of pacific black ducks by the edge of the lake enjoying some anonymity in the shadows.

The next two photos show a pair of welcome swallows enjoying the afternoon sun on their highwire perch. One caught at the beginning of a dive, and then in the second photo it has returned to the (deserved) admiration of its partner!

Another photo showing the acrobatic skills of the rainbow lorikeet.

Finally, just prior to our departure, a brush turkey decided he was going to build a nest in our front yard 😟. You can see in the first photo the spread of dirt behind the red flowers ... it had been moved there by the turkey from the nice clean path beside the birdbath. The next position was off to the left under a native magnolia tree ... the second photo shows to proud builder working the dirt & debris into position under the tree. On our return (mid-Nov) the nest is MUCH bigger and the yard much less tidy but boy, can these guys move a lot of material around in a short amount of time!