If anyone is planning a trip to Broome the best place to go is the end of Short street. Just off Dampier Terrace there's a little arcade you can go into. When I was first shown this spot by a friend the arcade was closed so we hopped down and sat on the other side of it right in front of the mangroves.
Here I saw my first Red-Headed Honeyeaters, magnificently coloured. This is my favourite shot of a bird. There were also heaps of Silvereyes, a Singing Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeaters of course, and a Mangrove Grey Fantail.
We sat there for ages and watched the birds that were so near, who became complacent by our presence and continued drinking from a dripping pipe. I managed to get some great shots.
The next day I got up close and personal with a cheeky Pied Butcherbird. I love when you can see their little whiskers! We were also shown an Oriole nest which was great.
What great shots. Just love the mid flight one. Never been to that side of Aussie, maybe when those lucky 6 numbers come up lol. The red headed honey eater is just adorable.
Best luck I've had with taking photos of birds. I'm usually too busy looking through the bino's. Also I bought the camera before I got into birding otherwise I would've gotten one with a better zoom!
I love the mid flight one,and the first one of the red-headed Honeyeater.I would love to go up that way, I haven't seen much of Australia yet.
Hey Cath and Shane, didn't Santa bring you the Harley???
And grohlster,if you haven't got a big zoom, you have to sneak up closer. I'm an expert sneaker, LOL You can practice with a sleeping dog, if you can make it past the dog without waking it up, you are a master sneaker... ( yes,a perfect sneaker, has to wear sneakers)
M-L
I already do try and sneak up on my dog when she's sleeping to take cute photos. I might practice this technique and try and get some good shots of the local Double Barred Finches. Mind you they're quite cheeky so I might be able to get a good shot anyway.
Goos colection of shots grohister, I have been to that spot and put a stick in the pipe for the birds to land on. it made getting the shots easier as they would walk up the stick to get a drink. Another bird you will find in that spot is the mangrove golden whistler, you just need to wait and listen for his call then track nit from there.
I love birding in Broome and spend a week there each year, mostly staying at the Broome Bird Observatory. You can get a air con room there for $50 a night and full kitchen facilities in the campers kitchen. Its also a great place for a day visit with tours, info and great friendly birdos.
Isn't it a great spot! And what an excellent idea with the stick in the pipe. Fingers crossed I'll be back up that way and able to try it.
It's great to hear such a positive response about the Broome Bird Observatory. I so badly wanted to go there. During this visit I was tagging along with a colleague who was on business. It was an 8 hour drive one way from where we were in the Kimberley, which we did in the one weekend. We wanted to sneak another night in to get off to the Bird Observatory but it never happened.
Nice shots there! I'm actually heading to Broome in March, so i'll check this out!
Excellent tips too!
Cheers