Photos from my weekend's trip in central Victoria. Leaghur State Park and Mt. Korong Conservation Reserve. Some not very clear photos i'm afraid, hopefully good enough for id purposes and also some low hanging fruit starting with:
1.Pied Butcherbird
...and also a test for uploading photos (my first time here).
2. Shellducks in a tree.
3. A family of white winged choughs
4. Australian Magpie
5. White Plumed Honeyeater
6. Red Rumped Parrot
7. Brown Treecreeper
8. White Winged Triller. Not a great shot i'm afraid, they seemed camera shy to say the least.
9. Black Fronted Dotteral. I was a long way away.
10. Red Necked Avocet
11. Eastern Rosella
12. Superb Fairy Wren in bright plumage
13. Willi Wagtail
14. White Headed Stilt (pied stilt)
15. Grey Fantail
Hi Pip, some nice photos there, all clearly identifiable. Particularly like your waders, and the Shelducks. Looking to find some waders in the next few weeks, not good at identifying them. The tree creeper was a good spot, I reckon I’d have missed that one.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
16. Long Billed Corella
17. A wind swept Galah
18. Common Bronzwing
19. And now it gets a bit tricky. The following three species aren't all that common for me so the photos aren't great. Spiny Cheeked Honeyeater.
Thanks Dale, actually there were lots of treecreepers about but they do blend in.
Nice work there Pip, looks like a very productive weekend :-) Love the shelducks and the long billed corella particularly. Yep, you can tell what they all are, you've embraced the ethos of Every Bird Counts, and good on you, you've raced into the lead!
(I'm going to save a few cheeky EBCs for when it gets down to the wire... :-)
Thanks Alex. Every bird counts indeed. I live next to port philip bay here in melbourne and i'm planning to duck out tomorrow morning for a bloody silver gull!
Seriously though, this weekend i used my camera way more often than i would've because of this challenge and it really enhanced my experience because i took more time trying to capture familiar species. More time observing, more engrossing in a way, i learned things. I'm glad i joined the challenge.
22. Pacific Black Duck
24. Australian Wood Duck and family
25. Rock Dove. A handsome one.
26. Dusky Moorhen
28. Eurasian Coot
29. Magpie Lark (mudlark)
Wow Pip 30 in no time at all. I thought you said your photos might not be good enough, or words to that effect. The majority of your photos are of a very high quality in my opinion. As you said, a couple out of focus, but all are identifiable. Glad Alex’s idea has kick started your enthusiasm. Keep up the good work. I am Hoping to get out soon for some more, but between work and the weather, not so lucky at the moment!
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Thanks Dale, i know the weather in our southern region has been surprisingly cold wet and windy. I'm reluctant to wish for warmer though, with summer just around the corner and all the dangers it brings - even for Huonville now days, or so i hear. I lived in Pelverata rd' just out of cygnet for a year, and Hobart for a decade. Every summer was a gentle delight, the last few not so much from my reports. Anyway, it's a lovely part of the world youre in.
Great collection of shots there Pip :-) And fantastic that this challenge has inspired you to get out and take more photos - that is exactly the point :-) I'm going to have to get out more to try to keep up with you!
Some more chooks from this afternoons walk around my hood.
31.Common Myna
A nice collection for the afternoon Pip - I see your "bloody seagull" made it :-)
I'll have to pull my finger out. I can see that weekend warrior photography won't cut it!
Hah! I'm using all me easys straight up. I'm playing the hare game it seems.
Well done, Pip. 38 is an amazing start and as said, you embraced the ethos of the challenge. I will have to get to work next week!
A wonderful variety & some great shots.
Thanks Sue, i've really enjoyed photographing the common birds, i've never really bothered before but it's strangely rewarding and i'm appreciating them more. I guess familiarity breeds a bit of complacency in that regard.
39. Eastern Yellow Robbin
The following birds were photographed on Gabo Island in far East Gippsland, where i've been for the last 4 days. A truly stunning place. 27 bird species plus whales, dolphins and seals. No internet or phone. Bliss.
41. Welcome Swallow
42. Yellow faced Honeyeater
46. Silvereye (after a bath)
54. Fan tailed Cuckoo (bad focus, sorry, damn skittish).
Hi Pip, don’t think I will catchup, but I’m gunna try. Your Gannet photo is of the Australasian Ganet (fairly common) as opposed to the Cape Ganet, which have been recorded here, but are not native.
I like the White Bellied Sea Eagles, and your Golden Whistler shot is a pearler.
Practice makes perfect, hopefully your focus will improve with time. I am trying manual focus, but my eyes aren’t that good. Even with autofocus, birds can be tricky, especially if moving, as the focus point(s) might be close to the mark but can be affected by movement.
I am still learning, have enrolled in an adult education course later this year.
Keep them coming, I am enjoying both yours and Alex’s work. Hopefully some others might join the party soon!
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Thanks Dale, also i wasn't aware of the Cape Gannet, i'll look it up, cheers.
Yeah, i'm quite new to photography really. I don't have a huge zoom on my camera and although i always try to take the best shot i can i'm also just trying to get some photgraphic evidence and also to help in cases where the species is tricky to identify. It's huge fun. I keep my photographic expectations fairly low so all good.
I think a class on how to use these modern cameras is a very good idea.
Very impressive! I have dreadful internet at Bowra but expect a few in a couple of days. Might catch up with you.
On my phone in town so might be the tiny screen but please check your Grassbird as could be a Pipit, as colour of bill seems wrong to me. Apologies if I am mistaken.
Great job so keep it up.
Hi Pip. I think Sue is right with your Grassbird. I was able to put your photo into the Merlin eBird ID app, and it identifies it as an Australasian Pipit. If you find another species, you could swap that photo out, or repeat the number of your last photo.
This point raises another issue, in that anyone can download your photos, without your permission. Not sure how you upload, but maybe have look at the security level and or put a copyright on them.
Personally I would be both complimented and upset if someone used my pics, but not overly fussed either way (unless they are making money from them), I will look at my photo security, as I am not sure whether anyone can steal my shots.
FYI, I will delete your photos which I copied!
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I can't tell you how i labored over that little grassbird/pipit. I just could not decide and the little guy was a very unreasonable model. I just couldn't get close enough and she wouldnt stay still. Thanks for the correction, i really appreciate it. I'll recount the last number for my next photo.
Also, thanks for the info on the privacy issue. I'll check my flikr setting although like you Dale i'm not sure i entirelly care that much. I only upload bird and other wildlife photos, nothing personal and no people, and as far as i'm concerned the more photos of animals and birds in the world the better. Might help people appreciate their existence a little more, and the threats they're facing.
Hi Pip, some great birds, and some lovely pics, thanks. The Whistler photo is great! HAd to look up Gabo island - did you stay at the lighthouse? Looks like a successful trip :-)
There's a beautiful house next to the lighthouse, the assistant lightkeepers house, built in 1862 and owned by Parks where you can stay. It's simply the most stunningly amazing place i've ever been. Whales all day long, dolphins, seals and i saw 26 bird species. Coastal rainforest in the centre of the island, no snakes, no rubbish, and a human population of 1 (the Parks officer who looks after the island - and who was lovely). As for the birds, it wasn't so much the diversity of species that impressed but the abundance. Unfortunately i didnt have the skills or the equipment to identify the sea birds off to the south.
The island also needs visitors so that the government doesn't open it up to private investors to build a resort - which would be a disaster. If you're looking for an extremely comfortable stay on a pristine island surrounded by a healthy ecology i'd urge anyone to consider Gabo island. The house has seven beds so you could go with the whole family!
(Apologies for the sales pitch - it's just that the thought of a private company building a resort there makes me want to weep).
Looks gret Pip, its on my list, thanks.
Had a lovely weekend camping in the Towong shire of north eastern Victoria. Beautiful area, very underrated. Had some good birding but didn't have much luck with photography. Only added 3 from the trip but still.
61. (repeat number to make up for misidentification upthread) White Browed Scrubwren
62. Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrike
Hi Pip your doing well. Had a closer look and I'm fairly certain your Brown Thornbill ID is correct. Your "Little Raven" is definitely NOT a Forest Raven, the hackles make me think Australian Raven, but I have never been able to seperate these, as we dont have either in Tassie, and my mainland experience is limited. Unless someone else can ID we'll stick with Little. Thanks for posting. Hoping to get some more later this week, if the weather holds.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I differentiate little and Australian ravens primarily by their call, although that doesn't always work, or their hackles if i can get a decent enough photo. Australian ravens sometimes have that pink fleshy gape but i think that's only mature adults? The Aust Raven above sat nearby and ended her call with a typically long descending aaaaaark and was one of a pair that flew in. I was comfortable within myself with the Aust Raven id but without the pink gape it's tricky to be 100%.
Happy to defer to those with more expertise.
A few more from one of my favourite Melbourne spots. Not my best day of photography, unfortunately. Hopefully they're clear enough.
64. Freckled Duck
Some nice shots Pip, I like the group of little black cormorants fishing. Where is this favourite Melbourne spot?
Jell's Park. Outer eastern suburbs in the Monash shire. 30+ species every trip. A good fall back spot when you just want to hang out with birds and a wee bit of nature carved from the burbs.
Nice ones, Pip. Great to see everyone getting out and about. That lighthouse sounds delightful. Eager to see more.
Last few days have been bare of birds as the land is so dry... no Wedge-tail Eagles and few Kites as almost no roadkill between Barkly Homestead and Alice Springs. However that gives me time to cull a few pictures and start uploading.
Doesn't seem to be any PM function on this forum, pip, so excuse the hijack of your thread - but if you'd like to come to the Western Treatment Plant with me to increase our Small Year numbers next week, I'll be going down there next Friday with any luck - join me?
Top right hand side of the screen above the "Donate Now" button, just sent Alex a PM.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Damn! I'm sorry i missed this post Alex. Life stuff has really impinged on my birding over the last few weeks and i've barely had more than a few neighborhood walks in the last month. It's been frustrating. As it happened i couldnt have made Friday anyhow, but another time perhaps? That would be cool. I'm planning on going down myself in the next month, hopefully.
Anyway, six more pretty common offerings to add to my list, just so as not to fall too far behind.
74. White faced Heron. The light is a bit strange, a strong beam of sunlight was shining on this guy.
Funny how one person's common birds are another's lifers - I've never seen a musk lorikeet! And we don't have grey currawongs up here. Keeps it interesting having people posting from all over Aus :-)
Some more gorgeous photos, to go along with all your other nice ones. Your Grey Currawong looks more grey than ours, they often look more black down here.
Keep em coming, this chllenge is a blast, getting out far more often, seeing lots, but quite often coming up empty (they fly off at just the wrong time), still - having fun.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Some nice birds, Pip. Those Musk Lorrikeets are a delight whenever you see them. Up my way, they are often with other Lorrikeets.
I must agree with Alex and Dale, it is great to get out and about and try to capture what you see which may be a lifer for others.
Photos from this weekend's trip to central victoria. I'll start with one i'm not sure about. I just couldnt get the focus right before it took flight.
80. Southern Boobook (?)
Welcome back pip, was wondering if we had lost you. Some magnificent photos, particularly like your white browed babbler and the ring neck. Like them all!
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Some nice shots there Pip. Love the tree martin - presumably they were collecting nesting material there? Also like your thundercloud bee-eater. Babblers are so cool, love the way they carry on. And so cool to see an owl - I'll leave it to an expert to confirm, looks like a boobook to me.
Thanks, yes, the tree martins were stopping at regular intervals to get moss, i think. Interesting this challenge, the ebc's are almost exhausted for me, i have to go further afield to get new birds.
Some nice birds and shots, Pip. I think it is a Southern Boobook & I would suggest lifting the exposure or shadows a little in editing so that you are sure. I appreciate your effort with the Tree Martin as I tried for a Fairy Martin recently & have not been happy with any of them! I agree about the challenge, wonderful to see everyone out & about.
Great Photos Pip. I am very jealous of your musk Lorikeets and White Browed Babler. Any chance you could name the subspecies of your Australian Ringneck. Is it the Mallee 'barnardi' Ringneck?
Yeah i reckon it is a Bernardi given my location, it was on the edge of their range. I don't often see Ringnecks because i tend to be in south east of Victoria more than the north west so i was chuffed to see one this weekend. They only ever seem to come here in the warmer months too.
Given the red above the beak, I would also agree with barnadii . It is great sorting out which one you have as the differences are more subtle than found with the Crimson Rosellas.
Probably not the spot for this but good luck to everyone in the vacinity of the fires, stay safe. It's only here that i feel i can express the sense of tragedy for the wildlife. I get that people dying and getting injured is terrible but to be honest i really dont give a f... about property loss, what worries me are the deaths and injury to the birds and wildlife that never seems to be mentioned.
I guess the bigger birds can get away. The raptors and ravens and currawongs should mostly be fine but the thornbills and robins and wrens! My god, it's horrific. Keep the bird baths full if you're anywhere near in case of passing avian refugees. Stay safe everyone.
At least the birds can fly, Pip. Let us hope many get to safety. Property can replaced but not the people & wildlife. I have posted a comment in the Social forum. Stay safe
Finally managed to get away last weekend. Went to the Mildura region and picked up 5 lifers. Didn't have the most success photographically, missed the bluebonnet and an inland thornbill along with quite a few others but i did manage to add a few to my list.
95. Mulga Parrot. A first for me. Saw lots of them.
105. Emu. I confess to being a little scared of emus.
Wow, some really good birds there, Pip... an unusual selection. I have yet to find a Regent Parrot. I think the terminology now is Common Blackbird and Major Mitchell's Cockatoo (but sometimes it is hard to keep up with the changes... I still occasionally call a Crested Pigeon a Topknot as I grew up with that from my father).
Definitely a female Splendid Fairywren as you cannot miss the orange lores and that blue coloured tail and it is clearly a Black Kite so well done.
I am a bit unsure of the Brown Songlark but in the field you would have seen it best. The throat looks a bit pale and suggests a young Australian Pipit but that could be just the light. Juvenile Pipits have that streaking but will not be as dark.
Sorry, I was called away before finishing. Love the Babbler. Good to see you find some free time to found some uncommon birds. Congrats on the century. Our combined total must be getting up there now. I must also thank you for the Emu as I forgot to post one seen on the trip! This is a great challenge but I need to keep track of my posts on a spreadsheet.
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