Good morning everyone - this week's theme is getting you out of your backyard. Share photos of birds that you took on some visit to a location that you have never been to before (and haven't been to since). Would be great to share your thoughts of your trip - what do you remember?
Recently we went for a holiday to Singapore and Penang. I tried to take as many photos that I possibly could of birds while there ( I must say I thought I would have got more than I did) anyway the photo below is the one out of them all that I am most excited and proud of. The day before we were to leave we went to Monkey Beach hoping to see (the obvious) monkeys!!!!!!!!! We trekked 1.18kms up the side of a steep hill to the lighthouse and didn’t see one monkey but heard the occasional bird. It was so humid and steep, and on either side of the stepping path was full dense terrain, it was like being in a rain forest. Once we got to the top of the lighthouse it was breath taking to see the Sea Eagles soaring and gliding over the water. It wasn’t until we were on our way back down to the beach and it had just started to rain (enough just to make the steps slippery, always a bonus when wearing thongs) and before the rain became extreme that I saw this flash of black followed by a bird call. I quickly took a shot of it with my camera. I was so overwhelmed when I got home and uploaded the holiday photos to see this bird was one that I had already taken a week before at the Singapore Bird Park that was caged. You only see these types of birds on the t.v. or like I did behind wire , so you could only imagine how chuffed I was that I actually captured this bird in its natural habitat ( even if its not the best quality photo) I got a photo, one I don’t think I will ever be able to get again. The name of this bird is Greater Racket-tailed Drongo, taken 5/4/2013 Monkey Beach, Penang.
this is the same bird taken the week before at the Singapore Bird Park.
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
So it is not only Australia that has Drongos!!
Peter
Ok i will step back to Winter 2010.
Had the worst Canon tele zoom they make 90-300 non is.
3 Months from Canberra to Cooktown and a quick trip to the cape for a week.
Went up there for fishing but took a lot of photos ( A must do trip for anyone who hasn't done it )
Photos are poor quality but if you can id them for me feel free.
Cooktown
More to come
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
First bird .....Jacanas (Lotusbird) Second bird....Rainbow Bee-eater. Great photos
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
Thanks, Shoop.
I really need to do the trip again with my new gear and passion for birds
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
And I really need a camera + lens like Araminta's (M-L) .
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
In October '11 I had the opportunity to go on a Study Tour (airfare & accommodation paid by an industry supplier and study leave & some meals by my then employer) to the USA visiting Washington, DC; New York and Chicago. I arranged a day off in each place to go birding. In DC I visited Potomac Overlook Regional Park, Theodore Roosevelt Island, Arlington Cemetery and Washington itself. In New York I went to Central Park (shown around by a contact from BirdingPal.org). In Chicago I went to Lincoln Park and other areas along the lake front. After those 3 days and any other free time I had what I later identified as pics of 54 species and was a very happy chap. From Chicago we flew to Los Angeles on American Airlines and had a 3+ hour stopover before getting on a Qantas flight that was scheduled to take off at 11.55pm to head back to Australia. We were on the tarmac when Alan Joyce grounded the Qantas fleet. We were taken by bus to the Marriott Hotel, Irvine County. I got to my room at about 4.30am. After breakfast there were many other passengers in the lobby wondering when they would get a call about next actions. I decided to go for a walk and asked reception where the nearest park was. I was told that it was about 2-3 miles away and given directions. I got to what I thought was the park and the 1st bird I saw was this Great Blue Heron. I was having a great morning and finally came across a sign that said I was in the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. I went back to the Hotel for lunch and then returned for an afternoon session. I got 25 new species that day. The next day a few of us went to Newport Beach for the morning and I got another 8 new species. I also got 5 new species around the hotel grounds and on the way to the 'park'. That night after dinner we got a message to go to the airport and we left on the 11.55 flight (just 2 days late). I was most likely 1 of the few people to send an email to Qantas Customer Services thanking Alan Joyce for my 2 days all expenses paid holiday in Irvine County. PS - All grounded persons were given a voucher for a single sector return flight within Australia or New Zealand. I used mine recently to go to Perth. The 2nd pic is of a Black-crowned Night-heron. I found a large flattened section reeds where there were a number of both adults and juveniles.
Peter
Peter
I only got 17 different types (species) of birds while in Malaysia for 5 days .Tempted to post a photo/photos of each species.
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
Peter
My took my first trip to Eagleby Weatlands in hopes I would finally see some BOP up close, JACKPOT! First picture I beleive is whistling kites? and second picture a white bellied sea eagle
A few more from my trip to the cape, taken at Cooktown.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
In March, '13 I went to the NT for a week, whilst there I went to Fogg Dam and spotted a Spotted Whistling-duck. My guides say that they now have established on Cape York Peninsula, Qld. When I reported the sighting to Eremaea.com I was advised of only 2 previous NT sightings at the Leanyer STW.
Peter
Shorty your photos are amazing
is it a Whistling Kite ? I need to learn at little more about BOP with their identification.
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
Thanks, Shoop.
When i was up there i thought they were Whistling kites, but now looking at them i think not.
Maybe the first two shots (same bird) Black Kite?
Third shot i am not really sure?
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
How can you tell the difference? What makes you think that they might be a Black Kite? The Whistling Kite has a M shape pattern under their wings don't they?
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
Yep they do. I have been looking into it and i actually think now that the third one is a black kite.
I will keep looking but maybe the first two are juvenile?
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Can we expand this thread to possibly include captive exotics for those of us who aren't travellers? I promise I won't cry (much) if you say no.
Wendy
Mandurah, WA
Peel-Yalgorup System Ramsar Site
http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlinoz/
A couple more from Keetings Lagoon, just outside of Cooktown.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Very easy to see the difference between a Whistling Kite and a Black Kite, the Black Kite has a forked tail.
(Shorty's are both Whistling Kites. (I hope
)
M-L
In this photo you can see the tail of a Whistling Kite, and the pattern on top of the wings.
M-L
Thankyou M-L that helps
...it is like the Black-shouldered Kite and the Letter-winged Kite , they are so similar.
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
In September 2011 my partner and I were very fortunate to visit Galapagos. There were so many finches there and even though our Guide told us the difference between them ( with their beak sizes and shapes) it was still very hard to say which is which . Here are just a few I photograghed while we were there for a week.
These were all taken with my Canon Powershot SX10 IS.
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
Great shots, Shoop. Must of been a excellent week, would love to go there someday.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Not a bird shot but a typical overnight stay on our way to the Cape (Myself and my brother)
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Here aresome shots of Brown Pelicans in Galapagos.
A pelican , a seal and a shark...there was even big turtles all swimming together in harmony .
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
And now for a variety of birds I took in Galapagos. Striated Heron.
Great Blue Heron.
Sanderling
Semipalmated Plover
Frigatedbird
Lava Gull with Brown Pelican
Flamingo and Common Gallinule
Ruddy Turnstone
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
Sorry ....I have more from Galapagos.....Galapagos Mockingbird
Smooth-billed Ani
Galapagos Hawk
Dark-billed Cuckoo (these are common but secretive so I was very happy to get just one shot of it)
Yellow Warbler female ( I think) hard to tell the difference between the the Yellow and the Green Warbler
Yellow Warbler (again having a guess) 
Galapagos Penguins
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
and just a few more from Galapagos....Whimbrel
Galapagos Flycatcher
Closer look at the Galapagos Flycatcher
Vermilion Flycatcher (female)
Vermilion Flycatcher (male) Super down pour of rain and it would not stop the whole time this little guy was present.
Nazca Booby ( another privilege shot , super happy to get)
Blue -footed Booby
Blue-footed Boobys with Penguins
Blue-footed Booby in flight
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
oops, double-up
Wendy
Mandurah, WA
Peel-Yalgorup System Ramsar Site
http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlinoz/
Those blue feet are amazing! You must have had a wonderful time there, shoop.
Wendy
Mandurah, WA
Peel-Yalgorup System Ramsar Site
http://www.flickr.com/photos/girlinoz/
Super experience, I'm sure, shoop. I love the story of evolution in the Galapagos Islands.
Yes I must say we were very very fortunate to go to Galapagos, the Blue-footed Boobys were my favourite, I would have loved to get a photo of the Red-footed Boobys as well but they were on a different Island to the ones we did visit. We spent 2 more weeks in South America, visiting Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls, Cusco, Guayaquil, Lima, Quito, and Rio de Janerio. Here are a few more birds I got to photogragh while there. This is a Rufous-collared Sparrow at Machu Picchu
American Kestrel, Machu Picchu
Crested Oropendola, Iguazu Falls . These birds were busy weaving their nests. in the palm like trees.
Plush-crested Jay, Iguazu Falls
Vultures. Iguazu Falls.
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
great pics, thanks for sharing, I do like the Plush-crested Jay
Peter
A few more from my trip to the Cape
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
What an assortment of birds Rawshorty . What are the birds in the second photo at horseshoe lagoon? And is it a family?
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
I was not into birding when i did this trip i just took photos of everything i saw, as for the lagoon shot i believe Brolga, the little ones maybe chicks? not sure though.
I do remember the little ones went everywhere the Brolga went, but i was trying to get a Barramundi so my eyes were busy looking out for Crocs.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Peter
Thanks, Peter. Up to 123 now.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Thanks Pacman for the ID ...so Rawshorty what made you discover birds?
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
Hi, Shoop. I have always loved all wildlife, i have spent most of my life camping out in the bush.
Wildlife are much more enjoyable to interact with than people running around in a city.
I have been into photography for a very long time but when i discovered that the little birds i would see and hear were infact different species and not the same bird
i got hooked.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Going through my archives i have one more from the trip (and another species)
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Fantastic! My list count for Western Australia so far is 154 out of approx 534 ... Interested in what your count is Rawshorty !? By the look of your photos you seem to have a large collection of species.
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
Up to 124, but have only just started. I'm hoping to get to 200 by the end of the year.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
For what area are you focusing on or is it all of Australia ? Would love to see your list and compare it to mine:)
Kerry - Perth, Western Australia.
Canberra and N.S.W. at the moment but plan on going to Tas before to long.
I am just checking off from a list at the moment but plan to use my pc to have an up to date list soon, i will send it to you when i complete it.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Raja Shelduck + ducklings from Leanyer STW, Darwin in 3/13 and Raja Shelduck in Darwin, 3/13
Peter
M-L
Thankyou for all of those lovely photos, I am super excited, finished the last of my study, today I put away the books and out comes the camera again, back on the road in 10 days, driving to melb then over to tassie for 10 days then ...........off to England/scotland/ireland..........then back to queensland, and to work in either the NT or cape york/torres straight islands...........so will hopefully have lots to share.........does anybody have any ideas for a good bird guide for the UK........
Teresa Skerratt
Gardens for Birds Bees and Butterflies