Tried something new for me in that usually I would try to plan at least two or three days for a photo birding weekend to a particular place (or more if possible :-) ), but due to work constraints could only get Friday afternoon and Saturday. Left home for the mid north, 180klm, yesterday at 2:00 pm, home today at 5:00 pm.
With my partner took swags only and basic food and drinks (read beer :-) )
Weather was terrible, very hot, flies were just crazy, then in the morning thunderclouds to stuff up the light and spot of rain. Couldn't sleep because of the heat so got up at 1:00 am for a three hour Owlet Nightjar hunt but only saw a couple, no photos. Managed some Redthroats in the morning and lots of Rainbow Bee-eaters but cloudy and spitting rain so again not so many photos.
Saw some really nice Raptors with nesting pairs of Black Kites and Peregrine Falcons plus Brown Falcons, Nankeen Kestrels and what I think is a Collared Sparrowhawk.
My partner Monika saw four new birds for the weekend, Redthroat,Peregrine,Variegated fairy-wren and Black Kite so she was very happy.
Heat would have been ok but the flies were a real killer due to the North wind so will have to check the weather a little more closely next time.
Tonight I will have an early night :-) :-)
That bird list suggests you were east of Burra, Rick.
Some stunning shots there Rick.
Samford Valley Qld.
Beautiful birds...Beautiful photos.
M.M.
Thanks all,
Woko, correct, overnight at Redbanks Conservation Park then further afield in the morning.
Cheers
Stunning shots
Ryu
Canberra
Aiming for DSLR-quality shots with a bridge camera
Great photos Rick .... thanks again for sharing your photos here.
I like your peregrine falcon on the rocks.
great pics as usual, Peregrine falcon was my bogey bird so I like the PF on rocks pic
Peter
For bad weather, they're still great shots Rick. It's amazing how insects can ruin an otherwise pleasant trip. We once went camping and were ambushed by a gazillion mosquitoes and they seemed to be amune to mozzie repellant.
Thanks Devster and all for your comments.
It takes a bit to wear me out but the flies went close :-)
Also had a really bad time one trip last year to Gluepot, mozzies were as you describe
and drove us crazy.
Good to know. If I ever get down that way, which I am very keen to do, either go in winter or take mozzie repelant, long pants & a long sleeve shirt. I imagine it gets pretty hot down there in summer. Oh and interesting note: Most of you are probably aware that Mozzie repelant doesn't really repel Mozzies, but hides us from their detection. Kind of like the virus in the movie World War Z.
Some excellent captures there Rick and with some good raptor variey. Well done.
Link to my Flickr Account
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14869355@N07/