Haven't posted any photos for a while, which is not to say I haven't been taking them, just no time to edit and post. You could say birding is coming first :-)
Sooooo..........
Working trip last week to Port Augusta and had a few hours both during the work trip and on the way home.
Arid lands was the focus in Port Augusta but very hot (Surprise!!) and a little quiet birdwise. Did see a couple of Chirruping Wedgebills but no photos. White-browed babblers and a lone Richard's Pipit sat nicely.
Couple of lovely Mulga parrots did sit for a while so not a total write off (This was right at the end of a very hot walk so was more than welcome as a game saver)
Had a side trip to Whyalla Conservation Park one evening and located a couple of Thick-billed Grasswrens, too quick for me so again no photos.
Plenty of Thornbills of various varietys ( but not the Slender-billed I was after) and a surpising amount of Crested Bellbirds.
On the way home stopped at Winnowie Conservation Park/Chinamans Creek just South of PG for an amazing variety of seabird/shorebirds at the beach. Thirty plus Caspian terns, Crested Terns, Curlew Sandpiper, and hundreds of Red-capped Plover and Little Stint.
Last stop was Barker Wetlands, just before home, and though the ponds still had quite bit of water bird life was very scarce. The miriad of species from six weeks ago was gone ( my thoughts are maybe North with all the rain that they have had up there). Couple of Black-winged Stilt and a lone Wood-Sandpiper were the main points of interest with the usual Pelicans, Cormorants and Singing Honeyeaters making up the bulk.
Hot long days but still saw a great range of birdlife.
Mulga Parrot (Female)
Richard's Pipit
White-browed babbler
Red-capped Plover, Red-necked Stint, Curlew Sandpiper (wish the quality was better :-( )
Black-winged Stilt
Wood Sandpiper
Great shots as always, Rick! The photo of the Black-winged Stilt is beautiful, with such a perfect reflection.
Someday I hope to take some shots like you do. ;D
M.M.
Cool pix, Rick, I especially like the one of the Mulga Parrot
Ryu
Canberra
Aiming for DSLR-quality shots with a bridge camera
The mulga parrot and the stilt are excellent, and even a disappointing trip is saved by just a couple of great photos. There's more detail in that stilt's reflection than on the subject of half the photos I take. It is a pity that trifecta photo didn't come out a bit better, but there's always next time.
The babbler is a nice shot, too. I've found them very shy the few times I've come across one. Never putting themselves out where you can get a clear look at them.
Can't help but ask if there was any sign of the resident raptors circling above Barker wetlands while you were there? I've seen a lot of photos taken up there and have been weighing up whether it's worth an early morning trip on an upcoming day off, or if I've left it too late.
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Mike
https://flic.kr/ps/aF4bq
Thanks all.
Mike, One Whistling Kite up high and a couple of resident Black-shouldered Kites on the West side of the road into the salt pans.
Quietest I have seen it for a long time.
Very nice set Rick,
I really like the Stilt with the reflection.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Some great shots as usual. Hard to pick a favourite but if I had to it's going to be a toss up between the Black-winged Stilt and the Wood Sandpiper.
Samford Valley Qld.
That stilt shot is a ripper. I like the trio of tiny waders too, great composition, can't win 'em all with the image quality.
LM
Lots of excellent photos Rick - interesting places you visit.
I like your White-browed babbler - another distinctive looking bird i have not seen. Of your photos i have only seen the 3 shorebirds and the stilt. The trio of shorebirds is a unique shot - getting three lined up like that. The wood sandpiper is a beauty as well.
Pity to hear that, though I'd still happily waste away a morning with an obliging kite or two. I might find my way up there all the same, if only to have a bit of a poke around.
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Mike
https://flic.kr/ps/aF4bq
Just Brilliant Rick! When are you bringing that tallent up this way?
The female Mulga Parrot shot is superb.
Barney.