tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32308743155076106842024-03-13T12:02:38.194-07:00Chris Steeles BirdingChris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-47241656076913860922022-08-18T06:10:00.003-07:002022-08-18T06:31:54.892-07:00Birdsville Track 2022<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's that time of the year again when the northern areas of South Australia call to Lisa and I... The days start to get longer after a long winter and after months of dreaming, it was time to head up north birding and camping. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year we had decided to head up through Broken Hill, north along the Silver City Highway to Tibooburra, through the Sturt National Park to Cameron Corner, then down the Strzelecki Track and home. Well... that was our plan. Right up until two days before we were to leave. Watching the weather I had been a little suss of a cold front moving through. Then this cold front dragged some tropical moisture down to join with it and release it's cargo right over Tibooburra and surrounds! 30mm fell and closed all the roads... Even the bitumen was closed! So yeah that threw a spanner in the works! What to do? Scanning the rainfall maps with about 24hrs before we were to leave we decided on a run up the Birdsville again instead. As only five millimetres had fallen in the region and one of the perks of being so mobile and self-sufficient are plans can be changed last minute. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On the morning of departure we still had a fair amount to pack as it had rained consistently the night before and slowed us down. Eventually we got away, driving out through the rain (seems to be a common occurrence at the start of these trips lately!) Originally we had planned to camp at Clayton Wetlands just a little way up the track but with this late start plans were revised and we made for Farina. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The drive was fairly uneventful with very dry conditions from Orroroo and all the way north past the western edge of the Flinders. It wasn't until we made it to Leigh Creek when conditions started to change. By the time we got to Lyndhurst it was heartening to see some lovely green growth over the gibber plains and it boded well for the what lay ahead. All the way through to Farina the country felt happy... birds were around and the thrill of being immersed in it was washing over us! Spirits were high. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not far from the Farina ruins we found a large group of Black Kites feeding on a rabbit. All flew as we drove past except one... it was enough for Lisa and I to pull the cameras out for the first time of the trip. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPSI57vyqysBQZQtJmRoa2R9v9cOlGhVnx5s1SQsNu4YRnYxmWn52u7gEEyItD9Yep1bLsJFzGCXT7rtIYyMREgieT2BMAxDlVuugBULdCrZJRUkLTkNeLpXec_zIAWKj7i2QtSDd8hlZ1E-G2fvZmqLucd8umEAHWMDoYbYbHMHOUDnVUg7hHiHftQ/s5428/IMG_4669-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3163" data-original-width="5428" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKPSI57vyqysBQZQtJmRoa2R9v9cOlGhVnx5s1SQsNu4YRnYxmWn52u7gEEyItD9Yep1bLsJFzGCXT7rtIYyMREgieT2BMAxDlVuugBULdCrZJRUkLTkNeLpXec_zIAWKj7i2QtSDd8hlZ1E-G2fvZmqLucd8umEAHWMDoYbYbHMHOUDnVUg7hHiHftQ/w640-h372/IMG_4669-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Kite near the Farina ruins</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Next we checked a couple of small dams we know of in the area. As we were walking up to the edge and admiring a Little Eagle as it flew low past I heard the tell tale "whistle" of Plumed Whistling Ducks! Peering over the edge we found a nice group of eight sitting on one of the dams. These beautiful waterfowl were quite a thrill being a new bird for Lisa to see. Lifer dance number one of the trip was performed and then we retired to camp. <div><br /><div>The next morning we spent a little more time getting some images of the ducks but then it was time to hit the road. <br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcYdvaub9LAqwVtPhVrrm01Vtfb_xcEzFx1wMxyqI7I1fVBEpPrCbE3BdZ_SYTLWFU-dplYNXBUpC83LUb_sxvpAbeNecgYHboBe3PT5E6ytK-shfKVDbfnric_NaynCYbxrNkZwD7ZVHIb5aZxmqS8CI7jLqJoILBxdsD_FJPsIfYTAhOUwboAS5DQ/s3644/Plumed%20Whistling%20Duck-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1837" data-original-width="3644" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcYdvaub9LAqwVtPhVrrm01Vtfb_xcEzFx1wMxyqI7I1fVBEpPrCbE3BdZ_SYTLWFU-dplYNXBUpC83LUb_sxvpAbeNecgYHboBe3PT5E6ytK-shfKVDbfnric_NaynCYbxrNkZwD7ZVHIb5aZxmqS8CI7jLqJoILBxdsD_FJPsIfYTAhOUwboAS5DQ/w640-h322/Plumed%20Whistling%20Duck-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plumed Whistling Ducks near Farina</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Starting along the actual Birdsville Track itself about an hour later we had made it around 18kms up the track when I noticed a big flock of little bird heads sticking up out of the grass on the gibber to the left of the car. Inland Dotterels! We pulled up but this 50 bird strong flock was quite timid and we had no chance in hell of closing the gap!</div><div> </div><div>Next stop was at a spot not much further along where we often get Gibberbirds. It only took about a minute and we found Gibberbirds! Always a thrill as I never ever get sick of seeing these desert beauties! So whilst I was admiring my little yellow friends Lisa was scanning out further and found another group of Inland Dotterels! About a dozen this time. This group were much more approachable and Lisa managed some quite nice shots.</div><div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVWJ3y-RvjClC-XG9Jdgxg_ss_hy-abvz6w5q9HesCSM-PihG42z06W2ubhspO8izUTxt7doVOtrWLTvrpshx-jsAB8Qy9MTD3VxPHj0VUg6rEoTewV-jhLwwMJoK-LI9vA8nZRjGC3k1uh2l8eLOKwaOGmBkSadLyzPN-gl8QHzl8QZnyoEb7nPOgg/s6960/IMG_4976-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4232" data-original-width="6960" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVWJ3y-RvjClC-XG9Jdgxg_ss_hy-abvz6w5q9HesCSM-PihG42z06W2ubhspO8izUTxt7doVOtrWLTvrpshx-jsAB8Qy9MTD3VxPHj0VUg6rEoTewV-jhLwwMJoK-LI9vA8nZRjGC3k1uh2l8eLOKwaOGmBkSadLyzPN-gl8QHzl8QZnyoEb7nPOgg/w640-h390/IMG_4976-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Gibberbird spot which produced a dozen Inland Dotterels this time as well.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcE5vHwErqqv3Oj6iuA5AjeZLqwVq4ScVMiHI3NCJPuxB2LbwJve9S3HHn11KKUl502MMT_l4I3T3giWRDzRgEUzqdEyG4kSO2WalHzRBdxHt9VFoUef6n3BZFU3g_Tmtr0TtX6h3p53mxDf3VNwbVw-4jX3YDVCa_l2Y9Qyif3g9WITuJKmVNKGQlCg/s6960/IMG_4952-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4640" data-original-width="6960" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcE5vHwErqqv3Oj6iuA5AjeZLqwVq4ScVMiHI3NCJPuxB2LbwJve9S3HHn11KKUl502MMT_l4I3T3giWRDzRgEUzqdEyG4kSO2WalHzRBdxHt9VFoUef6n3BZFU3g_Tmtr0TtX6h3p53mxDf3VNwbVw-4jX3YDVCa_l2Y9Qyif3g9WITuJKmVNKGQlCg/w640-h426/IMG_4952-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa in pursuit of Inland Dotterels</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaxa2uSdj2Nt-KWgNmbtG9zJowb4fr7lcQQ18BMpDfQJPM9pR2lF8mjSqw_xoevqSGe4muBu848w5_jI8pfE9kruWwYL386kH66L45g6gzeTxVrI6Fnyf5fuMsQgjevzY_09w9r4tDOe0UM0KcoRihvpScrX3rjLbuonfeIIK3FViAf-NjW-ox3U6-Q/s5251/Inland%20Dotterel-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2368" data-original-width="5251" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwaxa2uSdj2Nt-KWgNmbtG9zJowb4fr7lcQQ18BMpDfQJPM9pR2lF8mjSqw_xoevqSGe4muBu848w5_jI8pfE9kruWwYL386kH66L45g6gzeTxVrI6Fnyf5fuMsQgjevzY_09w9r4tDOe0UM0KcoRihvpScrX3rjLbuonfeIIK3FViAf-NjW-ox3U6-Q/w640-h288/Inland%20Dotterel-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa's Inland Dotterel image</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Heading north again we made our way along the area west of Lake Harry where our trip nearly ended in a bang! As we made our way over a little crest right at the top and out of sight until the very last minute was a massive bulldust hole! We drove straight into it! Luckily nothing broke and no harm was done. Just a few choice words were emitted and some head scratching as to why a hole so big hadn't been flagged? Later we would learn from Phil up at the Mungerannie Pub that a couple of caravans had busted their axles in the exact same hole... gotta be so careful out on these outback roads!</p><div style="text-align: left;">Next stop was in the creek bed next to Clayton Station. As we exited the car we could hear birds everywhere! Cockateils, Budgerigars, Diamond Doves, Woodswallows etc... Even an immature Spotted Harrier was thermaling above us as we grabbed a few images of all the life within the Eucalypt-lined creek. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Being close to the middle of the day we kept cruising northwards. The next station Dulkaninna was looking a little more dry than Clayton and as expected the birdlife was a little less as well. We kept moving on up the track as my plan was to camp north of Mungerannie. As we entered Ettadunna Station the conditions started pick back up and as did the birdlife. Orange Chats were everywhere whenever there was a few bushes or decent roadside vegetation and small Budgie flocks were buzzing about mostly along the small creeks. At around the 20km to Cooper Creek mark we had a bit of a set back though... Thump! A decent rock had smashed into our wheel arch. Within 20 seconds we were driving on a very flat tyre on the driver's side rear. After a good run we had now wrecked two tyres in two years on our outback track trips. Last year was a bummer but this year hurt more as we had only just put new rubber on the Prado. Luckily I always carry a spare casing on the roof for just such a problem. Unfortunately we still had about 100kms to go to get to Mungerannie where we could get the tyre put on the rim... so this stretch would be done with no spare! We were both a little nervous about this and drove extra slow to make sure we had no more issues. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Crossing the Cooper Creek we entered the Nanterannie Sandhills and pulled up at our usual Eyrean Grasswren spot. The place was going off with birds everywhere! Eyrean Grasswrens, Crimson Chats, Pied Honeyeaters, Masked and White-browed Woodswallows, Budgerigars, Diamond Doves etc... by the bucket load! The sandhills were in great condition with lots of flowering and seeding plants and the life had certainly followed. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lisa had the next and probably her biggest highlight of the trip when we came across an immature Grey Falcon resting on a communications tower as is quite typical of them in this area. This was Lisa's first time seeing a Grey and it prompted the second lifer dance of the trip. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_E_6iAzrIEOLsjV_SjEWetkRNOMCMeW-cA33I4PV1S8LI8O45BOSZazabkut4gh14ZV6Z0HG7Zj-MWiM6ET-weB4m3YEXAA2h4Ff60ABpY_r_mVlV8TXFn_6Qu8m8uAfYEyCMkJ2aw_3IFegB0nehF4s_UU5szRK2EZcOHOxUkK_Qj6UE4_FbkcMYOg/s1755/Grey%20Falcon-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1755" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_E_6iAzrIEOLsjV_SjEWetkRNOMCMeW-cA33I4PV1S8LI8O45BOSZazabkut4gh14ZV6Z0HG7Zj-MWiM6ET-weB4m3YEXAA2h4Ff60ABpY_r_mVlV8TXFn_6Qu8m8uAfYEyCMkJ2aw_3IFegB0nehF4s_UU5szRK2EZcOHOxUkK_Qj6UE4_FbkcMYOg/w640-h426/Grey%20Falcon-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Falcon south of Mungerannie.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>As we moved through Mulka Station the gibber plains were looking in great shape and we'd have liked to have been able to spend some more time here but the day was getting on and we still had to get to Mungerannie to get the tyre changed. </div><div><br /></div><div>Rolling into the pub to see if Phil could change the tyre we found him in the beer garden looking like it had already been a long day! Eventually he came out and changed the tyre and also showed us an air propelled beer can launcher he had made for the workers' kids the day before. They fired a can that went about 150m into the air! Only in Mungerannie! LOL</div><div>With only an hour or so left of light after the tyre was fixed and beer cans launched we decided to revise plans and stay in the Mungerannie campground. Once set up we headed out into the sandhills across the Derwent River and found 5 Eyrean Grasswrens in about 30mins. We made our way to the pub after dark and ended up having one too many drinks each sitting chatting with Phil for about three hours! When we got back to camp an Eastern Barn Owl was flying about the area screeching away. Lisa mimicked it and it came straight in and did about three laps around our camp. </div><div><br /></div><div>The next morning we took a little longer to get moving than should of been the case and after a bacon and egg roll from the pub we headed off north. Arriving at the turn off to Cowarie Station my original plan was to head north to the Goyder Lagoon and search for Grey Grasswrens for Lisa. As we got to the corner though something in my gut told me we should probably go out along the Cowarie road instead. Lisa said "trust your gut" so we decided to go west along the Cowarie road for the morning, have lunch out at the Warburton River and then head back and go north to Mira Mitta in afternoon in hope of seeing some Flock Bronzewings there late in the evening coming to drink. </div><div><br /></div><div>We drove about 20m up the Cowarie road when a pair of Cinnamon Quail-thrush crossed the road in front of us. We managed some nice shots of the male and then as we were watching him I heard the tell tale musical stylings of a Banded Whiteface. Playing a little playback had 8-10 of these cool little birds all around us. We were to see them in a few more places on this trip too. A bird which was one of my last outback SA track birds to find but now I find them easily! Always the way.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafs4aFlkXn_nb7Lnrj9ogW94Y4xDlpbVIxvH2yzeEE44w2cVFhEWZfXFAHw5LShatNKOWWI4fn2wBnyPmihvM-hecepdo_d-K8VKAYcQb11q2vBpmG3PVPgLmKqTMjyTNnEPX4Wzj6d55LZzEGxQV_vOCeoN4IBZrviAJIk0MV3gIoBu2V5dXIjFJcQ/s6016/IMG_5218-2%20copy-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4011" data-original-width="6016" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafs4aFlkXn_nb7Lnrj9ogW94Y4xDlpbVIxvH2yzeEE44w2cVFhEWZfXFAHw5LShatNKOWWI4fn2wBnyPmihvM-hecepdo_d-K8VKAYcQb11q2vBpmG3PVPgLmKqTMjyTNnEPX4Wzj6d55LZzEGxQV_vOCeoN4IBZrviAJIk0MV3gIoBu2V5dXIjFJcQ/w640-h426/IMG_5218-2%20copy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Quail-thrush in the early morning sun near Farina</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lZdiClHS_hxrDagB8_czWnFBLErkn1Ce4hC6YAVoyTpTcXnFKk9PZ2XrRQc3uYvXJBcOk_bd4A-sLWGxrwM_doFUOhEWajtesMA7psEOEx_SwMWJlFYE8UizrvfPXQh4KDI35kJ5bZOqcGkne3YiXrjKgpEweQ9V0nrY0nQX3smWDPLzrXYfU3k_-g/s5943/IMG_5362%20copy-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3714" data-original-width="5943" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2lZdiClHS_hxrDagB8_czWnFBLErkn1Ce4hC6YAVoyTpTcXnFKk9PZ2XrRQc3uYvXJBcOk_bd4A-sLWGxrwM_doFUOhEWajtesMA7psEOEx_SwMWJlFYE8UizrvfPXQh4KDI35kJ5bZOqcGkne3YiXrjKgpEweQ9V0nrY0nQX3smWDPLzrXYfU3k_-g/w640-h400/IMG_5362%20copy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Quail-thrush</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKzCcRhAbH8JfmKdzQ-gyCkWTUMl4cPfn_gfWrYsYADVKkavtfzwL2BBrgqhCW4RAoGnVDQe1uvo73CFD88T3ncHFqoo0IcafwIOKSHwrOp3q171--M9YGyGlN00PFsBzwSaz3gCGOnQDWz42-nYtbzxDsIRG5KC6pPqmuxMAflQA0yr7hQDNb5CSog/s4260/IMG_5451-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2693" data-original-width="4260" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKzCcRhAbH8JfmKdzQ-gyCkWTUMl4cPfn_gfWrYsYADVKkavtfzwL2BBrgqhCW4RAoGnVDQe1uvo73CFD88T3ncHFqoo0IcafwIOKSHwrOp3q171--M9YGyGlN00PFsBzwSaz3gCGOnQDWz42-nYtbzxDsIRG5KC6pPqmuxMAflQA0yr7hQDNb5CSog/w640-h404/IMG_5451-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banded Whiteface</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></div>Fifteen kilometres down the road Lisa spotted a beautifully marked Dingo about 50m off the track. Never get sick of seeing these amazing apex predators. Having seen the more common sandy-coloured versions more often it was nice to see a variation. We took some photos as it trotted off warily. On the way back in the same sort of area later in the day we would see a herd of six feral Camels as well, most south I've seen them along the track.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBbTR8kqcwoE7awEZK6m_Kui6xXgwQvtxIItN99bVaVj-mZgSnpzfgNFZkqhWyGYpxCs6_IanxJbac06Cmso48nDF3o1J4KuUbKxbumGBMIJaE1UQ4nM1p40myDRelLBH1yzLHg7t_WpW5KmmXz9OSy1RDZ5sF_7i8iYGUyJZ4-ZFRonliRV7WH2mjQ/s4190/Dingo-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2764" data-original-width="4190" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBbTR8kqcwoE7awEZK6m_Kui6xXgwQvtxIItN99bVaVj-mZgSnpzfgNFZkqhWyGYpxCs6_IanxJbac06Cmso48nDF3o1J4KuUbKxbumGBMIJaE1UQ4nM1p40myDRelLBH1yzLHg7t_WpW5KmmXz9OSy1RDZ5sF_7i8iYGUyJZ4-ZFRonliRV7WH2mjQ/w640-h422/Dingo-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A photo by Lisa of a beautifully coloured Dingo which was checking us out.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />A bird I have been chasing for a few trips now is the Cowarie subspecies of the Thick-billed Grasswren. We tried a spot about 35kms along the track and found none but did flush a pair of Little button-quail which was a nice bonus! Then at a spot a bit further on we finally found a Grasswren! With harsh light in the middle of the day we were never going to get decent images but it was nice to tick the subspecies off as it was my fourth of the Thick-billed Grasswrens to get. It was also quite skittish so we will look forward to returning sometime for another look. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMQ6g3LnjS5fE-dq3JsybLJAW3Imk4ZaeWX1nf4XAtcP9wojASpGKKFGtCk6S6KeQgmEYWmH2_1-r0SNgEg1gaeWLgJSGmxbCONZwK9inrZEzamiMgEhSIScVsp3HLTjP30Y1GRmrUTytOBtYCUzks35CrDxl_lMTvICEd8TXqYYmk2UqEbSVDdOTaA/s2133/IMG_5529-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1422" data-original-width="2133" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMQ6g3LnjS5fE-dq3JsybLJAW3Imk4ZaeWX1nf4XAtcP9wojASpGKKFGtCk6S6KeQgmEYWmH2_1-r0SNgEg1gaeWLgJSGmxbCONZwK9inrZEzamiMgEhSIScVsp3HLTjP30Y1GRmrUTytOBtYCUzks35CrDxl_lMTvICEd8TXqYYmk2UqEbSVDdOTaA/w640-h426/IMG_5529-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thick-billed Grasswren (Amytornis modestus cowarie)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Lunch out at Cowarie was lovely... the place is looking a little dry although there are birds everywhere as the Warburton creek is still flowing strongly from rains further north earlier in the year. </div><div>Making our way back towards Mungerannie we checked the comm tower for Grey Falcon again but we had no luck either on the way out or the way back this time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Turning north up the track for Mira Mitta bore we slowly got more disappointed the further north we went. The rains must have missed this area and it was very dry. The track was also rough... more rough than anything we'd found south of Mungerannie. Mira Mitta itself was good with plenty of waterbirds about but with the surrounding plains dead as I thought there was pretty much no hope of seeing any Flock Bronzewings here on this trip. So we decided to dash back to Mungerannie and catch the last hour of light in the dunes there. <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBMNbuJeuMcH7UMKBVJ8YmbDrkMVLV-3umaSV2l1L2lJ3TrY7L9GjIVWu5LjwXWbUsijpQlX9wRm80kVFCi5qEoOHlzbzWmuG68K-PfRKer-ejihNcRc4u4jfeayelE6RHiEpupF_A8ZDxsLZx8WEx5Wr5c8dYT8DXvJP-5v61Z0RDX3133a_EHnFvA/s3191/IMG_5128-2-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2127" data-original-width="3191" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBMNbuJeuMcH7UMKBVJ8YmbDrkMVLV-3umaSV2l1L2lJ3TrY7L9GjIVWu5LjwXWbUsijpQlX9wRm80kVFCi5qEoOHlzbzWmuG68K-PfRKer-ejihNcRc4u4jfeayelE6RHiEpupF_A8ZDxsLZx8WEx5Wr5c8dYT8DXvJP-5v61Z0RDX3133a_EHnFvA/w640-h426/IMG_5128-2-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-backed Kingfisher at Mungerannie Pub</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Again the Eyrean Grasswrens were in good numbers. This time I hit up an area a little further south and found a very confiding pair which gave some lovely views and photo opportunities in sweet light!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmtA6URWmYE32DSqS5nDsX5UKfs7MCMlpoxnoPHjP0-Jc_P9oM-urzGL87idCLBjsQVozA4GBAPrm2D8MvkYX6U-Fkd3n1aPnz3BYa6NxX27w-OFEaruTME-p1p1nNlKfT-8yzDf_rKcVtFG5lDM1-toD-3ws16lzhgNSYA33x-P0rLWa3rNmmue0bQ/s4734/IMG_5775%20copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3119" data-original-width="4734" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmtA6URWmYE32DSqS5nDsX5UKfs7MCMlpoxnoPHjP0-Jc_P9oM-urzGL87idCLBjsQVozA4GBAPrm2D8MvkYX6U-Fkd3n1aPnz3BYa6NxX27w-OFEaruTME-p1p1nNlKfT-8yzDf_rKcVtFG5lDM1-toD-3ws16lzhgNSYA33x-P0rLWa3rNmmue0bQ/w640-h422/IMG_5775%20copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyrean Grasswren in the dunes south of Mungerannie Pub.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Waking up the next day at 5.30am was tough but we wanted to make up for the day before and be on the road at dawn. This was our last day and with a ten hour drive home in front of us we wanted to get a little early morning birding in on the way back down in the the better areas we had seen on the way up. </div><div>The light was stunning when the sun rose and the forecast northerly had not yet risen as we made our way down through Mulka Station again. At one point I mentioned to Lisa that the gibber plain looked perfect for Flock Bronzewing as I had seen them on this type of habitat before so we pulled up to scan the plains. Got em! Scanning through the binoculars I found three Flockies on the wing, pointing them out to Lisa she saw them and saw them land about 200m away. We grabbed our gear and headed off after them. Not 50m out we ran into a pair of Gibberbirds! I wanted to photograph them because GIBBERBIRDS! LOL anyway Lisa dragged me away to chase the Flockies instead. Eventually we found the Bronzewings sunning on the gibber and tried to close the gap. Of course they were having none of it, but all good we saw and got some distant shots. We also found two more pairs of Gibberbirds without even trying whilst watching the Flockies! Such was the health of this Gibberplain at the time. Of course another lifer dance was performed by Lisa as these were new for her as well.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBq3fCq-DLk3NHfpRcWrvneyTky-YSkzUshB-_Yha9XCdhV6G5fS0hSxSUYfLp_D4Z9oV7H50w8hID9SB462G3wZhGFuSiXwt-pMDWf6ReQH6bpV3_Ryih_QAWd7pMXbKHVfXa0dR1yBl31h_CHnnJXGZtcmg8hZqbEL0F-VaoEY8dW35yeK1a5l5OhQ/s6459/IMG_5984-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4306" data-original-width="6459" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBq3fCq-DLk3NHfpRcWrvneyTky-YSkzUshB-_Yha9XCdhV6G5fS0hSxSUYfLp_D4Z9oV7H50w8hID9SB462G3wZhGFuSiXwt-pMDWf6ReQH6bpV3_Ryih_QAWd7pMXbKHVfXa0dR1yBl31h_CHnnJXGZtcmg8hZqbEL0F-VaoEY8dW35yeK1a5l5OhQ/w640-h426/IMG_5984-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flock Bronzewings on the gibber plains of Mulka Station</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qPi9TCx-7WqZFi6GFAwUnPqdk6OsD8doQaTp_fuSQSIV1EnmzuCy1wePp1HnCuDYPaPkkUhYGvtj3FwuPS8D5Mko9_6g_VCE3ZD4dd733W7Htyq8xcQzah-_KiBBOnarwzqE-OauHEUuR4uA6gq1xtVb9LC0WWw3HFGePnAUdOVSrCdTGdcH3ljVSQ/s4587/IMG_6060%20copy-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3009" data-original-width="4587" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qPi9TCx-7WqZFi6GFAwUnPqdk6OsD8doQaTp_fuSQSIV1EnmzuCy1wePp1HnCuDYPaPkkUhYGvtj3FwuPS8D5Mko9_6g_VCE3ZD4dd733W7Htyq8xcQzah-_KiBBOnarwzqE-OauHEUuR4uA6gq1xtVb9LC0WWw3HFGePnAUdOVSrCdTGdcH3ljVSQ/w640-h420/IMG_6060%20copy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gibberbirds were numerous on the healthy looking gibber plains of Mulka Station.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Moving south again we made our way back into the Nanterannie Sandhills with a plan of stopping for Eyrean Grasswrens. About halfway down to the spot we spied a Flock Bronzewing fly over the car and land on the ground just out of sight at the base of a dune. I said to Lisa there's a chance there might be water in there we should have a look. We made our way down through the bushes and shrubs to find a lovely waterhole with about 100 Flock Bronzewings sitting on a claypan beside the water! Amazing! The next hour was filled with Flockies flying in and out of the area and many birds circling then coming into to drink. Something you can never get sick of watching! Also coming in to the water were plenty of Budgies, Zebra Finches, Diamond Doves etc... and in shrubs behind where we were sitting were Pied Honeyeaters, Chestnut-crowned Babblers, Crimson Chats and many others in big numbers! only thing against us was the time... but too bad we'd have to get home late!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oTJQ9OWVielgKhMIFSni25QF222CHLORxG03kdHY6myU3GLAwSZ_b-QH6TR_ZU5_DIJVBqPL8_FMMxfi9TdNE9ZwAQgQAuA-A7nREabJJTvJuTLgdM_tSSq29uz6_VaAsx9H5seLQ03uj77J2aOeiqRFcS8t4QGcC6do_ancP0SGMmt18Fj-MabRUw/s4328/Flock%20Bronzewing-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2729" data-original-width="4328" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oTJQ9OWVielgKhMIFSni25QF222CHLORxG03kdHY6myU3GLAwSZ_b-QH6TR_ZU5_DIJVBqPL8_FMMxfi9TdNE9ZwAQgQAuA-A7nREabJJTvJuTLgdM_tSSq29uz6_VaAsx9H5seLQ03uj77J2aOeiqRFcS8t4QGcC6do_ancP0SGMmt18Fj-MabRUw/w640-h404/Flock%20Bronzewing-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flock Bronzewings coming in to drink. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG1799Lk6h5Rv2doJkyDJEuJ7M-XhkMGH6Fyhd01VppuMs5rhcZdEtWPESlaCQLRkZAnHsTRqrzfxK2YZ7ONE9FBNWoxJDnrb799KbM_jMAabhZXUAH4_nYq0M9gyAUWA17pKfHRkXmRqRS0hBinFt2t6HCRzh81wIE0PBBsFQvfOeaZv_vyxpEwqwQ/s5518/IMG_6373-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3428" data-original-width="5518" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTG1799Lk6h5Rv2doJkyDJEuJ7M-XhkMGH6Fyhd01VppuMs5rhcZdEtWPESlaCQLRkZAnHsTRqrzfxK2YZ7ONE9FBNWoxJDnrb799KbM_jMAabhZXUAH4_nYq0M9gyAUWA17pKfHRkXmRqRS0hBinFt2t6HCRzh81wIE0PBBsFQvfOeaZv_vyxpEwqwQ/w640-h398/IMG_6373-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flock Bronzewing (male) </td></tr></tbody></table><br />We did have another crack at the Eyreans and found another two pairs but neither pairs wanted a photo taken so we left them to it and headed for home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another fantastic trip done... In one of our favourite parts of the world. </div><div>Also Lisa and I would struggle to do a trip like this if it wasn't for my parents Denise and Ralph Steeles who come up and look after the menagerie of animals on our little farm. So a big thankyou to them it's so appreciated!</div><div><br /></div><div>In two days' time I am heading back up so it will be interesting to see if anything has changed in that time? Stay tuned for another blog update to come...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div>Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-27297149047406081002022-06-05T05:05:00.011-07:002022-06-05T05:08:53.812-07:00Oodnadatta Track 2021<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwJyWMfSLwM/YV1zC5yjLSI/AAAAAAAADH4/rjZwwk__a80Dpd0nURtA1eV0sg-oxIbNACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210903_182319.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwJyWMfSLwM/YV1zC5yjLSI/AAAAAAAADH4/rjZwwk__a80Dpd0nURtA1eV0sg-oxIbNACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h288/20210903_182319.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The lure of the outback and the wonders which dwell in such places was calling... it calls every year to me in the cooler months when the harshness of the Australian outback is at it's most hospitable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As the cold of winter starts seeping into parts of the south my eyes turn northwards and my mind starts to dream of the vast emptiness of the gibber plains, the canegrass covered sandhills and the life-filled bores and tree-lined watercourses meandering through the desert like veins of life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dreaming turns into planning and most years we start working out which direction to travel... well it's always north! Just the degree of north to which we travel can vary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This year the choice was between the Oodnadatta track or the Gawler Ranges...? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It would play on my mind for quite a few weeks before eventually deciding. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the end it was clinched by the probability of Painted Finches... Historically seen before in both areas. Much more likely in the far north, so the Oodnadatta track it was. Another factor in this was Lisa would be with me on this trip and lots of the species we would encounter along the track would be new birds... lifers! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As always a week or so out from leaving the weather forecast became the most viewed site on my phone. Especially this time as the forecast wasn't looking all that good! Strong winds were forecast on the first day and theoretically it would be breezy for the other four days we'd be out there. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When my alarm went off on the day of departure, I instantly did one more check of the forecast... nothing had changed. We'd be driving north into 60km/hr northerly winds for most of the first day! I have to admit I almost canned it! Too much was invested into the trip now so in reality it was now or never. So away we went... it would be what it would be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As predicted the wind was strong, not a big concern whilst travelling other than the extra fuel being used. Until we hit the Flinders proper where the raised dust started... driving up the main highway north we could only just make out the ranges 10kms to the east! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4jUAlaURtzI/YV1vc7gLP8I/AAAAAAAADGk/nOv8jAY_Wbg9K8xRMdEOq-mBY7629PDOACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210902_135950.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4jUAlaURtzI/YV1vc7gLP8I/AAAAAAAADGk/nOv8jAY_Wbg9K8xRMdEOq-mBY7629PDOACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h228/20210902_135950.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Flinders Ranges behind the dust</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Birds were pretty well hunkered down and fairly few and far between. One exception was a lone Black-breasted Buzzard battling the wind up high, just north of the Brachina Gorge turn off. By far the most southerly sighting I have of one of these and a nice bird to find so early in the trip. Especially since we missed them at their usual haunt at Farina later in the day.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y57NekhQ4_8/YV1vnpmLChI/AAAAAAAADGs/ibG-3Xono4skTuCl-IVmx5BAsoZD2SxDwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5337%2Bcopy-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y57NekhQ4_8/YV1vnpmLChI/AAAAAAAADGs/ibG-3Xono4skTuCl-IVmx5BAsoZD2SxDwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_5337%2Bcopy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-breasted Buzzard seen above the highway heading north next to the Flinders</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the kilometres ticked by we kept an eye out for Cinnamon Quail-thrush between Parachilna and Leigh Creek as over the last few years we'd picked this species up incidentally a few times in this region. A little while later the Leigh Creek turn-off loomed and there would be no Quail-thrush for us south of there this time. </div><div style="text-align: left;">With our bellies and the Prado filled up we kept heading north. Next stop was the retention dam from the now defunct coal mine. A place I'd driven past many a time yet never ventured in to have a look. Even though it was still blowing a gale there were water birds everywhere. Plenty of common stuff and even some good trip list pick ups like a small flock of Gull-billed Terns.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QpEu6frzOXc/YWJUBABO9mI/AAAAAAAADLc/Q-QskUBfMMQHbuMjjyTdrCu5OrCIaGL3wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5352-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QpEu6frzOXc/YWJUBABO9mI/AAAAAAAADLc/Q-QskUBfMMQHbuMjjyTdrCu5OrCIaGL3wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_5352-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Great Cormorant wasn't having a good day when this happened to it at some stage! Looks like some crazy oversized Butcherbird has stored it there for later! </td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Lyndhurst came and went as we had no need to stop until we pulled over for the standard photo op with the sign for where we were headed. </div><div style="text-align: left;">A little spot not far north of Farina would be our camp for the night, so we kept on heading towards it. The wind was still strong and when we passed over a couple of low, flat, dry and dusty section, clouds of raised dust were making visibility limited. At one point we saw something on the road ahead in the dusty gloom which I called for a Pratincole... As we got closer it flew and flew fast, low and a little crazy in the strong winds just in front of the car before eventually landing on the side of the road. We couldn't believe our eyes... it was no Pratincole but a Wader! Unfortunately It almost instantly flew again this time off into the dust out of view. Lisa and I both agreed the most likely wader was a Curlew Sandpiper as it definitely had a slight down curve in the beak. I wouldn't bet my house on it though... so a mystery it shall remain. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Shortly after we pulled into our camp spot for the night which was nice and sheltered, we were greeted by a pair of Little Eagles flying around. Other cool birds we saw here before dark included Mulga Parrots, White-breasted Woodswallows, Black Kites with fledged chicks and White-backed Swallows.</div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exI00NGf5UI/YV1zJBv3eHI/AAAAAAAADH8/PHD1AzbWfUsIMCo3GaGMJ7ckEEK4ATM6ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210902_164236.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-exI00NGf5UI/YV1zJBv3eHI/AAAAAAAADH8/PHD1AzbWfUsIMCo3GaGMJ7ckEEK4ATM6ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h410/20210902_164236.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa ready for a hopefully bird-filled run up the track!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Settling in for the evening, the winds abated and it was quite warm and a little stormy feeling. We lit a campfire for cooking only as we didn't need the warmth. Everything was going quite well until the invasion started! Out of the deep cracks in the clay around the camp and attracted by our light... CENTIPEDES! Lots of them! One thing Lisa and I are not big fans of is Centipedes! I spent the next hour relocating one after another as they came into our camp chasing the lights. Needless to say I became tired of it pretty quick so we decided the best bet was to jump in the swag, zip it up tight and try to get some sleep after a long day. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvtQMynGJmk/YV1v0-i5e9I/AAAAAAAADG0/KsljDTrZL9EH6u5IyK_6qNuIyFgv-AliQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210902_182400.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvtQMynGJmk/YV1v0-i5e9I/AAAAAAAADG0/KsljDTrZL9EH6u5IyK_6qNuIyFgv-AliQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/20210902_182400.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp one near Farina. This was Centipede central and it made for an early night!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qF4xWxRDVw/YV1wAtcTYoI/AAAAAAAADG8/ctW4IYWmOEE5XB5gAsPemjq69AuQCEESgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210903_064907.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qF4xWxRDVw/YV1wAtcTYoI/AAAAAAAADG8/ctW4IYWmOEE5XB5gAsPemjq69AuQCEESgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/20210903_064907.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa on an early morning bird call hunt from memory I think she was following a Diamond Dove call?</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>Moving off the next morning all was quiet. We arrived in Marree then headed out onto the track. Around five kilometres had passed when we saw the distinctive flight off the track of a Gibberbird. Stopping, we found a pair which weren't the most photogenic birds of this species I've come across... it was a highlight though as this was the most southerly pair I have found, the next lowest being about 23kms up the Birdsville track out of Marree.<div>Lake Eyre South would see us pull up for a rest with views over the dry lake bed. After around 2.5 seconds I became bored of that and remembering some other birder friends had seen Thick-billed Grasswrens near the lookout, I thought I'd head around the edges and see if could find any. Surprisingly they were there as soon as I looked just out of the carpark! Calling Lisa over, we eventually found two different pairs and managed some nice shots of them. I certainly enjoyed this as I have spent a lot of time looking for this species over the years, after first seeing them at Mt Lyndhurst in 2010. The first pair were a little wary but the second pair had a juvenile with them and used a distraction technique to try to lure us away as seen in the photos below... </div><div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krZokDTswyk/YV1wbGL8j-I/AAAAAAAADHI/7dvA7QjZSq8bgifaBlTsEaikGBYmCDCAgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/IMG_5758%2Bcopy-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1500" height="412" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krZokDTswyk/YV1wbGL8j-I/AAAAAAAADHI/7dvA7QjZSq8bgifaBlTsEaikGBYmCDCAgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h412/IMG_5758%2Bcopy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thick-billed Grasswren (Indulkanna)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MY2_-fZS9CY/YV1wbWoXv1I/AAAAAAAADHM/2t98ZHnu87Y2-lbv5Z6PxqfFw3rTq4ALQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5709-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MY2_-fZS9CY/YV1wbWoXv1I/AAAAAAAADHM/2t98ZHnu87Y2-lbv5Z6PxqfFw3rTq4ALQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_5709-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An unusual thing to see... a Thick-billed Grasswren in mousing mode</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy9YBLj_wbE/YV1wbfdDLJI/AAAAAAAADHQ/Gj6HWDwW7II55nWHZSYQhaDUM86Vm8PnACNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/IMG_2364%2Bcopy-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Iy9YBLj_wbE/YV1wbfdDLJI/AAAAAAAADHQ/Gj6HWDwW7II55nWHZSYQhaDUM86Vm8PnACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2364%2Bcopy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa captured this image of a male Thick-billed Grasswren heading straight towards her in mousing mode.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the parent birds looking a little agitated we didn't hang around. We kept moving towards Coward Springs. Along the way we encountered the first lifer for Lisa in the form of Bourke Parrots... a pair which flushed off a small dam on the side of the road and down a small scrub filled waterline. We followed on foot and eventually found a few other pairs as we moved along. Lisa even saw and photographed an adult bird feeding a juvenile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Next stop was Coward Springs a neat like oasis in the middle of nowhere. Often full of travellers who pull in to camp the night, it was almost deserted for us as we were arriving in the middle of the day. Birdlife there was quiet but we were entertained by a Sand Goanna whilst we ate our lunch, which lived under the amenities block.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CD9bLhSw1uU/YV1xwjR6jpI/AAAAAAAADHc/bHS0gxC9BnIUxxuXp1gmouWVi2drP7MlACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210903_141847.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1600" height="296" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CD9bLhSw1uU/YV1xwjR6jpI/AAAAAAAADHc/bHS0gxC9BnIUxxuXp1gmouWVi2drP7MlACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h296/20210903_141847.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7iO5iv3ba0/YV1yFEdg9SI/AAAAAAAADHk/kxqmSrTkW50woJRdlR_YCwYh0QspLV14QCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_5598-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7iO5iv3ba0/YV1yFEdg9SI/AAAAAAAADHk/kxqmSrTkW50woJRdlR_YCwYh0QspLV14QCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_5598-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa on her way back from meeting a local in the middle of nowhere as we headed for William Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Over the years I've been fairly lucky on my outback journeys with not too many tyre issues. On this trip as we neared 60kms to go to get to William Creek the horrid feeling of a very flat tyre was felt. A decent rock had busted through. I did an emergency repair on it but new it was pretty much stuffed so we limped up to William Creek to fit the spare casing I carry on the roof for just such an issue! </div><div>This unintended stop had us wondering whether we just stay in William Creek for the night as we didn't have enough daylight to make our intended camp. In the end with an hour and a half of daylight left we decided to just keep heading north and hope to find somewhere we could pull up for the night. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-woqPU9a3OOg/YV1yTw7ftOI/AAAAAAAADHo/aSZHeeffV4EDJyOkdOqQXx9XLhoxLoVPACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210903_163624.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-woqPU9a3OOg/YV1yTw7ftOI/AAAAAAAADHo/aSZHeeffV4EDJyOkdOqQXx9XLhoxLoVPACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/20210903_163624.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lj1jCJgJJyA/YV1zoTC8NnI/AAAAAAAADIM/bO9oeeFXysA1XK4hjyMUuuipD0uieDq7gCNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/IMG_2697-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lj1jCJgJJyA/YV1zoTC8NnI/AAAAAAAADIM/bO9oeeFXysA1XK4hjyMUuuipD0uieDq7gCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2697-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another local near William Creek </td></tr></tbody></table><br />About 80kms up the track we found a large dam with an embankment where we could pull up for a little protection so we decided to camp here. It ended up being an amazing spot with loads of Bourke Parrots and Budgies coming in to drink both when we rolled up and also in the morning. To sit around the campfire with a stunning sunset fading and sound of Bourke Parrot wingbeats constantly flying past it was very enjoyable.<br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nLCtnOEYZnE/YV1yfRiaJPI/AAAAAAAADHw/gM4BoHXNWdAntZ-E-KENz-UWQTpUEASjgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210903_182319.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="721" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nLCtnOEYZnE/YV1yfRiaJPI/AAAAAAAADHw/gM4BoHXNWdAntZ-E-KENz-UWQTpUEASjgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h288/20210903_182319.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa setting up camp north of William Creek. The sunset was spectacular!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-th352g_cq0c/YWJTw6DITtI/AAAAAAAADLM/EeLgliKHeng8w9D6rlNuzHBEmg8qytI6wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6174-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-th352g_cq0c/YWJTw6DITtI/AAAAAAAADLM/EeLgliKHeng8w9D6rlNuzHBEmg8qytI6wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h262/IMG_6174-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Budgies weren't in huge numbers but were around<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div>Day three would see us driving towards the Old Peake Telegraph station with the hope of finding Painted Finches. The drive was fairly quiet other than another tyre issue. This time one I could fix myself luckily. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bLi5PRvldA/YWJR5LrITlI/AAAAAAAADJs/2YJ642yGixUcE7cizs8ZCGFqkIcb35xPgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210904_115100.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3bLi5PRvldA/YWJR5LrITlI/AAAAAAAADJs/2YJ642yGixUcE7cizs8ZCGFqkIcb35xPgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h382/20210904_115100.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another day... another puncture!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Arriving at the turnoff we had 20kms of very corrugated track to negotiate. Last time I did this track 3yrs earlier it was rough... this time it was unbelievably rough! It was a slow journey and felt like every single thing in the Prado was being shaken apart! We were just living in hope that it would be all worthwhile in the end.</div><div>Eventually crossing through the gorge to look out on the main area where the old buildings and mound springs were, we set about searching some of the rocky hill faces and gorges in the area immediately before we got to where the buildings were. After a couple of unrewarded searches we drove on up to the end of the track at the buildings and had lunch. A little wander around the area after eating had us photographing some of the many numerous Bourke Parrots in the area. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVuDEXglPA0/YV1zhT05jZI/AAAAAAAADII/57h7wvyQDXgxe_xD7EsX3_D2bdhdqk-EACNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/IMG_2907%2Bcopy-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hVuDEXglPA0/YV1zhT05jZI/AAAAAAAADII/57h7wvyQDXgxe_xD7EsX3_D2bdhdqk-EACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_2907%2Bcopy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Lisa's images of one of the Old Peake Station Bourke Parrots</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qBaH5CkwOc/YWJRJcEXjMI/AAAAAAAADJE/hzP0GDwMZ5UVli8sEC5KGQ7yEO-egPLTgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1800/IMG_6344%2Bcopy-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0qBaH5CkwOc/YWJRJcEXjMI/AAAAAAAADJE/hzP0GDwMZ5UVli8sEC5KGQ7yEO-egPLTgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_6344%2Bcopy-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and another I was photographing at the same time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Next we had around an hour to play with before we needed to leave to make Algebuckina Waterhole, which would be our campsite for the night. Yet again it was feeling like I would miss the said to be local Painted Finches in this spot. We decided on a couple of close spots to try as we made our way back out of the area. Pulling up near a soak near a steep rocky hill we searched the area then walked around a gorge with no luck. On the way back Lisa and I split up a little... I was almost back to the car near the soak so I thought one last try with some playback. At first I heard nothing... resigning to defeat again I shut off the playback and walked for the car. I'd taken not two steps when up high over head I heard a response! A single Painted Finch flew straight over and landed about 50m away! Woohoo!! At last a bird I'd wanted to see in the wild in SA for so long! I yelled out to Lisa but she was already on her way having heard the bird responding as it flew over from the direction she was. We set up in a good spot together and sent out another burst. Immediately the bird flew in and landed about four metres away! It was amazingly tame and spent the next twenty minutes with us just hopping around and feeding until it eventually flew a few hundred metres off. We tried to follow but didn't see where it landed. After about 15mins searching we gave up and walked back to the car. To our surprise there were another two Painted Finches sitting on the rocks above the soak! We tried to close the gap but this pair flew off over the hill not to be seen again. A lifer for both of us... this in itself made the trip a success! The road out didn't feel anywhere near as rough as on the way in ....being on a lifer high! Ok... maybe it did! It's bloody rough! </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgomLCeDjRs/YWJQmYyIFKI/AAAAAAAADIs/fg6UntWJcgYq_JBmo87uQI4k9Svec8fygCNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/IMG_6874-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgomLCeDjRs/YWJQmYyIFKI/AAAAAAAADIs/fg6UntWJcgYq_JBmo87uQI4k9Svec8fygCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_6874-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Finch magic!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mmOTf-1s4o/YWJQwzPqkuI/AAAAAAAADIw/2r4ediaI_Ik65HOpiOrCPHOJq8nHiE4SgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/IMG_3203%2Bcopy-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9mmOTf-1s4o/YWJQwzPqkuI/AAAAAAAADIw/2r4ediaI_Ik65HOpiOrCPHOJq8nHiE4SgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3203%2Bcopy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa managed some cracking shots of this cracking bird!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fipEpQ7xjOE/YWJQ6MhHLRI/AAAAAAAADI8/_alvTgtsKTQPytReGBbyCIVdrdNDAkBZgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6853%2Bcopy-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fipEpQ7xjOE/YWJQ6MhHLRI/AAAAAAAADI8/_alvTgtsKTQPytReGBbyCIVdrdNDAkBZgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_6853%2Bcopy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was so relaxed even really close to us... feeding and preening often in the twenty minutes we spent with it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhUVslkXfXc/YWJRalD-FXI/AAAAAAAADJU/Dbbl5DYyh9c4hml-a7NOpuoJwIzJEHVxQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210904_152033.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhUVslkXfXc/YWJRalD-FXI/AAAAAAAADJU/Dbbl5DYyh9c4hml-a7NOpuoJwIzJEHVxQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/20210904_152033.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The country of the Painted Finch</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shG0VhMQOzM/YWJRav0S96I/AAAAAAAADJY/5ce2d5jnXlwS_nz3lP2IpgKPAkRZWdf5ACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210904_152148.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shG0VhMQOzM/YWJRav0S96I/AAAAAAAADJY/5ce2d5jnXlwS_nz3lP2IpgKPAkRZWdf5ACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/20210904_152148.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mound spring soak at the base of the rocky hill</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkmsduT-XlU/YWJRauCe9QI/AAAAAAAADJQ/5cainDdmBKQqX7-Wu984gR5l_2KFPqbkACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210904_152245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkmsduT-XlU/YWJRauCe9QI/AAAAAAAADJQ/5cainDdmBKQqX7-Wu984gR5l_2KFPqbkACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h480/20210904_152245.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two pretty happy birders!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>As we neared the main Oodnadatta track we found our first Cinnamon Quail-thrush for the trip. A bird which had been conspicuous by it's absence as they're generally pretty common on the outback SA tracks. We stopped for this pair and got a few shots of them as well. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tSPmf3Nbk0/YWJSN-ip7wI/AAAAAAAADJ4/GmPZn95OEVsdNmCgjvJUN-JV8uB2NhKmQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6919%2Bcopy-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tSPmf3Nbk0/YWJSN-ip7wI/AAAAAAAADJ4/GmPZn95OEVsdNmCgjvJUN-JV8uB2NhKmQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h406/IMG_6919%2Bcopy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Cinnamon Quail-thrush</td></tr></tbody></table><br />We arrived at Algebuckina Waterhole in perfect time to set up camp and then kick back and watch the sunset after an amazing day of travelling and birding. More Bourke Parrots, Budgies, raptors and plenty of waterbirds were seen here both in the evening and again the next morning. It really is a lovely spot (although quite popular) to spend some time.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ8vBkzwOOU/YWJSWv13igI/AAAAAAAADJ8/o6DQ87viG8scPVD9oxQWu9q4oS-ONFJ8wCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210904_182343.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ8vBkzwOOU/YWJSWv13igI/AAAAAAAADJ8/o6DQ87viG8scPVD9oxQWu9q4oS-ONFJ8wCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h280/20210904_182343.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Algebuckina Waterhole sunset from our camp</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ds24ZUkniM/YWJSW_pvNUI/AAAAAAAADKA/tYoJWAI8j1sd39ovSVed4zIvXzP0XfOsgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210904_182734.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ds24ZUkniM/YWJSW_pvNUI/AAAAAAAADKA/tYoJWAI8j1sd39ovSVed4zIvXzP0XfOsgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/20210904_182734.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping at the Algebuckina Waterhole</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n20xHgIyOG4/YWJSoAYQpiI/AAAAAAAADKQ/Dq_vWuWWxSIWxSKElwGK61nncBFLgniGwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/IMG_6959-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1500" height="406" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n20xHgIyOG4/YWJSoAYQpiI/AAAAAAAADKQ/Dq_vWuWWxSIWxSKElwGK61nncBFLgniGwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h406/IMG_6959-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the local Black-tailed Native-Hens wandering around our camp </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Leaving the next morning a pair of Cinnamon Quail-thrush were the first interesting bird of the journey north to Oodnadatta. This pair were seen as we rose up the escarpment out of the Algebuckina waterhole area. The only other highlight along the way to Oodnadatta was a creek-line with plenty of trees along it and a leaking pipe near a windmill in among it. This water source had a small flock of Australian Ringnecks (Pt Lincoln form) and a pair of Cockatiels hanging around... with both being a first for the trip.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKn5OnXNQsY/YWJS0z13Q5I/AAAAAAAADKU/2LR6jg6IRhA8ZAXSFIlSeOEFq1heDcgPQCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_6265-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKn5OnXNQsY/YWJS0z13Q5I/AAAAAAAADKU/2LR6jg6IRhA8ZAXSFIlSeOEFq1heDcgPQCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_6265-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Yellow-throated Miner showing it's standard displeasure at the sight of anything coming into it's territory... this time it was a male Cockatiel copping it's wrath!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>A coffee break was had at Oodnadatta before heading south for the first time. The long stretch from Oodnadatta to Coober Pedy produced many good birds from Gibberbirds at a few places, Rufous Whistlers and Red-capped Robins in the creek line we stopped for lunch in, and even a very vocal Rufous Fieldwren as we neared Coober Pedy. </div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMCM6CLdcMw/YWJTDscPEoI/AAAAAAAADKc/CEDBtBwxeyMBBPohY6E8pHgPwY0BCECNwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/IMG_7144%2Bcopy%2B2-3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="910" data-original-width="1500" height="388" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XMCM6CLdcMw/YWJTDscPEoI/AAAAAAAADKc/CEDBtBwxeyMBBPohY6E8pHgPwY0BCECNwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h388/IMG_7144%2Bcopy%2B2-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rufous Fieldwrens this far north show much less streaking on the breast, compared to the more southerly birds I often encounter closer to home.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Fueling up at Coober Pedy, we headed to the William Hutchinson Memorial area to set up camp and chase another bird I hadn't seen for a long time and one Lisa hadn't ever seen. The Chestnut-breasted Whiteface is sweet little bird that lives in very isolated little populations. The memorial area is a known haunt and one I'd searched before with no luck. </div><div>Camp was set and then with around two hours of light left, we headed off north of camp to see what we could find. After walking about 100m Lisa said she could see a mixed flock of little birds in the distance about 150m away. We could make out Black-faced Woodswallows but everything else looked small and too hard to identify. So we slowly made our way over... stopping about 30m away I lifted my binoculars and the first bird I saw was a Chestnut-breasted Whiteface... Too easy! We stalked them and got a few shots before they flew a little east. We followed for a while but as the light had faded we headed back to camp. Satisfied in another quite successful day, we retired to the campfire and relived some of the cool encounters we'd had over the last four days. With a big day of driving ahead, we hit the swag relatively early hoping for another good session with the Whitefaces first thing in the morning.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCfPHvxlOiM/YWJTRzPgpwI/AAAAAAAADKk/5sMM96eD5SEOdC_tein_DYU3sVOg0LuLgCNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/IMG_3499%2Bcopy-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RCfPHvxlOiM/YWJTRzPgpwI/AAAAAAAADKk/5sMM96eD5SEOdC_tein_DYU3sVOg0LuLgCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_3499%2Bcopy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late afternoon lifer shot of a Chestnut-breasted Whiteface by Lisa</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdGSv3ZwKBA/YWJTZewXFSI/AAAAAAAADKs/g8XJQrGeiZYRmWW9PDwpBsm8Ab1e82UQwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210905_192352.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1600" height="370" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdGSv3ZwKBA/YWJTZewXFSI/AAAAAAAADKs/g8XJQrGeiZYRmWW9PDwpBsm8Ab1e82UQwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h370/20210905_192352.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always enjoy this part of any outback trip!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OH3a-MZpr7w/YWJTZgXwteI/AAAAAAAADKw/YceziWS38II3sP8ds1V-_v29FcV7bWleACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/20210905_194333.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OH3a-MZpr7w/YWJTZgXwteI/AAAAAAAADKw/YceziWS38II3sP8ds1V-_v29FcV7bWleACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h360/20210905_194333.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our camp at the William Hutchinson Memorial in Chestnut-breasted Whiteface country.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Rising early the next morning we headed to where we'd last seen the Whitefaces and relocated them within about 15 minutes. This time it was a flock of about eight birds including a juvenile. Whilst they're not the wariest bird they also don't stop moving often, so getting good shots was a challenge, but I think we did okay by the time we headed back to the car.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RT3_Dl6p53A/YWJTkwQWi6I/AAAAAAAADK8/7wpGuvZx50A0IuA2lWGfEY3CtlWPlYdXwCNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7405-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="1600" height="376" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RT3_Dl6p53A/YWJTkwQWi6I/AAAAAAAADK8/7wpGuvZx50A0IuA2lWGfEY3CtlWPlYdXwCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h376/IMG_7405-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of eight Whitefaces leading us on a merry dance in the golden early morning light.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K72jWfMtNdg/YWJTk_zpbEI/AAAAAAAADLA/A0Xhmt0P1jcwyrgj_zCgiZYFk1pvesdpACNcBGAsYHQ/s1600/IMG_7451-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K72jWfMtNdg/YWJTk_zpbEI/AAAAAAAADLA/A0Xhmt0P1jcwyrgj_zCgiZYFk1pvesdpACNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_7451-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Chestnut-breasted Whiteface</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0Y4s0ycCLg/YWJTklQAoCI/AAAAAAAADK4/kngvPI6T5usspFlFo8qahM8mJLEwqPiywCNcBGAsYHQ/s1500/IMG_7487%2Bcopy-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y0Y4s0ycCLg/YWJTklQAoCI/AAAAAAAADK4/kngvPI6T5usspFlFo8qahM8mJLEwqPiywCNcBGAsYHQ/w640-h426/IMG_7487%2Bcopy-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the last images I captured in the morning session and probably my best of this species to date</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>On the way home we tried another spot where Whitefaces are often seen but we found none... the best bird on the trip home would've been a Crested Bellbird at our lunch stop just north of Pt Augusta. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>In the end it was a great trip with great birds despite the issues with weather... tyres and CENTIPEDES! </div>Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-22031346801046386452021-09-12T05:55:00.069-07:002021-09-12T06:43:06.723-07:00Strzelecki Track 2017<div>
Rain... rain... go away!<br />
Yep.. after about six cloudless trips into outback SA over the past 7 years we finally came up against some precipitation during our outback run!<br />
Leaving Mike's place before dawn we were hoping to pick up an Owl or two before sunrise... One Boobook and two Barn Owl's later the sun rose. Well... I think it did but we couldn't see it because of the cloud and fog! Either way it was a good start to the drive picking up those two for our trip list.<br />
The trip list started slower than normal on this trip due to the fact it was so foggy we'd pretty much have had to hit the bird with the windscreen to actually see it! Eventually it cleared up but not until we got north of Orroroo! Best bird to that point would've been the Peregrine Falcon we could just make out up in the fog on the Orroroo silos!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMKzQnA441s/WXc6vm3TzAI/AAAAAAAACiE/QOZFSVo-VCcYV7bN9WQNBLusD9b7cyRxgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMAG0915.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oMKzQnA441s/WXc6vm3TzAI/AAAAAAAACiE/QOZFSVo-VCcYV7bN9WQNBLusD9b7cyRxgCLcBGAs/s640/IMAG0915.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a promising start..... Just south of Orroroo </td></tr>
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As the fog lifted slowly and the birds started to show... nothing too exciting until we got just past Eurelia where Mike saw an Australian Bustard feeding on the side of the road! How I missed it I don't know? Probably looking out in the distance for raptors! Either way we pulled up and managed a few record shots before it few about 500m out into the paddock.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMYzZzmVC5g/WWYMTQ7shyI/AAAAAAAACgs/pGh82Sei_VUEEjKRBBj8czZY12nhERmiQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2721-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMYzZzmVC5g/WWYMTQ7shyI/AAAAAAAACgs/pGh82Sei_VUEEjKRBBj8czZY12nhERmiQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2721-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian Bustard just north of Orroroo.</td></tr>
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Next stop was a new spot for Mike... it was a spot I found by chance back a few weeks earlier between Carrieton and Craddock on a trip to the Flinders. Then I had pulled over for what turned out to be a Songlark in the end but whilst there I heard the familiar musical trillings of a Rufous Fieldwren. On that first stop a great time was had with at least 4 Fieldwrens and a host of other cool birds... there were Zebra Finches, White-winged Fairy-wrens, Black-faced Woodswallows, White-fronted Chats and a pair of Black-shouldered Kites hanging around. The place was really buzzing that morning! This time it seemed a little more quiet when we emerged from the vehicle. We stopped and listened for a while and it seemed quiet but then after about 30 seconds right off in the distance was the same familiar song of a Rufous Fieldwren again... Leaving the car we made our way out to where it was calling but this time although we could see the birds at distance they wouldn't let us close the gap for decent images... Quite different to the first time I was there! Again we ended up seeing at least four birds, but there are probably lots in that area as it is excellent habitat for them.<br />
Moving on through Hawker we then stopped at our traditional Rufous Fieldwren spot north of Hawker and also found more there. In the end we probably found more Rufous Fieldwrens on this trip than on any other outback run that we have done before! We ended up hearing that great little song being sung at many points right up and down the Strzelecki track!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s9wrzDuJBbY/WcsVSZ2x7PI/AAAAAAAACiw/FJrWiycS2ksLIC2uD8UhWJUZsTag2SaqwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0792%2BPS-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s9wrzDuJBbY/WcsVSZ2x7PI/AAAAAAAACiw/FJrWiycS2ksLIC2uD8UhWJUZsTag2SaqwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_0792%2BPS-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shot was from the trip a few weeks earlier... but I wanted to put one up and it's from the same spot so here is one of the Rufous Fieldwrens from between Carrieton and Craddock.</td></tr>
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One of the problems Mike and I now have is we are building up quite the collection of "traditional stops" for certain bird species and now it's starting to impact on how long it takes to get to where we want to be by the evening! Need to work on that next time around I think...<br />
The next few hours were spent rolling over the kilometres of tarmac as we moved on north with the majestically beautiful Flinders Ranges just off to the east. No birds to note really until we were about ten kilometres short of Leigh Creek where I very nearly run over a kamikaze Cinnamon Quail-thrush! It came out of the roadside vegetation on the left hand side of the road and flew low but fast in typical QT style straight past the bull bar of the Triton over to the right hand side of the road and landed. Took me by surprise a bit... not because I nearly hit it but because I had never seen a Cinnamon Quail-thrush south of Leigh Creek before! So yeah.. not the best way to spot this species! Nevertheless we now had it on our bird list already before we'd even passed Leigh Creek!<br />
During this period of travelling we were constantly tuning into the weather reports for the North East Pastoral district on the radio. Unfortunately for us the reports weren't all that promising... with rain forecast in the evening and a prediction of anywhere from 5 - 30mm's a chance to drop! The issue we had was a large area of tropical moisture had moved down over the area from NW. Slow moving and a bit thundery we really had no idea what we were in for to be honest!<br />
Arriving at Lyndhurst we refuelled and made a bit of a plan... If we headed up the track to the crossing where we had planned our first night, there was a chance we would be stuck there for a while. Our turn around destination point for this trip was originally going to be Coongie Lakes north of Innaminka but with this forecast we really were having our doubts whether we would make it! So erring on the side of caution we decided to pull the pin and camp at Farina for the first night. This also freed up some extra birding time so we made dash out the the famous rusty car site on Mt Lyndhurst Station to look for Chestnut-breasted Whitefaces and Thick-billed Grasswrens.<br />
Mike and I have both seen these species before at this spot but in recent years the birds have been a bit thin on the ground. So we were preparing for it to be tough. As we arrived another 4WD was pulling in from the other direction, so we got out and had a chat. As is often the case with the world of internet and social media these days when we introduced ourselves the names were familiar! Irena and Hedley Earl were heading in for another attempt on the area as well. We knew their names from places like the Birding-aus forum... whether they knew of us I do not know but we had a bit of a chin wag for a while and then followed them in to pretty much the end of the track just before you get to the old mine site. After a little more chat they decided to head off up a side track looking for CBWF. Mike and I grabbed our gear and headed off... Mike took off up a little feeder creek and I went off along the main creek. I don't think I had gone 50m before I heard the faintest of calls, knew what it was straight away though... Thick-billed Grasswren! It was in the bush in front of me not 3m away. I stood and waited and eventually it popped up to get a look at me and in doing so I got a great look at it! Two seconds later it dropped back into the bush and I didn't see it again. Best part about that sighting for me was that I didn't even need playback to see it! Worst part was I had no hope of getting a photo and the fact that Mike had missed it. I was just hoping he might have found one somewhere else.<br />
Eventually we met back up and other than my sighting we spotted nothing but the more common species... Not a CBFW in sight anywhere. It's interesting as this used to be such a consistent spot for them... I wonder when the last one was seen here by anybody? Would be a while ago I think.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt Lyndhurst Station and what used? to be Chestnut-breasted Whiteface country.</td></tr>
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Eventually the light was starting to drop and we wanted to be back at Farina (50km's back) before it was too dark so we could find a camp site and set up for the night.<br />
It's a bloody top camp site with an amenities block, plenty of room and in a beautiful creek bed! There's always plenty of birdlife there too! From the nesting Buzzards to heaps of Fairywrens and allsorts inbetween. We have only ever used it as a overnighter on our way past but you could spend a good couple of days here and not get bored I think.<br />
So we whipped up our camp... got our fire going... smashed a fabulous open fire cooked "Surf & Turf"... drank a little too much wine around the campfire later and settled into the swags as the pitter patter of raindrops started falling on the tarp we had strung up above for just that reason! Hmm... what would the morning bring? At the time I didn't care... I was pushing out zzz's from the swag in no time! LOL<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our traditional first night big cook up! Surf and turf... gotta say it was bloody delish! It's hard roughing it in the outback haha</td></tr>
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Next morning when we finally stirred it was damp but not too bad. A refreshing 5mm had fallen overnight and if anything it was sort of invigorating!<br />
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We packed up the camp and headed on out... we had only gotten about 20m out the gate when the first photographic stop was made for a lovely little Red-backed Kingfisher. This had come after we had just been watching a Sacred Kingfisher feeding right near our camp when packing up. Always both cool birds to see.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhSKTD5tCNU/WWYMR-0vR-I/AAAAAAAACgk/LJBGqTBEEJU6Li17m_zFP8Z1soxGG9puwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2829-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhSKTD5tCNU/WWYMR-0vR-I/AAAAAAAACgk/LJBGqTBEEJU6Li17m_zFP8Z1soxGG9puwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2829-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-backed Kingfisher at Farina.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Working our way out onto the damp but not too slippery track we headed back down to Lyndhurst to fuel up and decided our next move...<br />
The weather report was still fairly iffy with the amount of rain still to come hard to predict but we thought bugger it we'd at least head for the Strzelecki creek crossing and if we got rained out in there... well...there could be worse places to be stuck! lol<br />
Stopping to check the Lyndhurst airstrip before heading up the track proved to be fairly quiet for all but an accommodating Cinnamon Quail-thrush... </div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VrGB_dqMvJM/WWYMR007TmI/AAAAAAAACgo/TuSvS6mXHfsZv_Mds_tU7eWRZzrbTL1kwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2999-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VrGB_dqMvJM/WWYMR007TmI/AAAAAAAACgo/TuSvS6mXHfsZv_Mds_tU7eWRZzrbTL1kwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_2999-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Quail-thrush at the Lyndhurst airstrip.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">*EDIT: This is a blog of two parts from here on... I wrote the first part just after the trip back in 2017. Then due to events in my personal life my blog became low priority for a few years. It's now 2021 and I have just come across this post in the draft stage but with all the photos done so I will do it justice as best I can and finish it off. Being four years ago now my memory of events has faded a bit but I will do the best I can using the images still here as reminders of the trip's events.</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I don't recall anything too exciting in the first part of the run through Mt Lyndhurst Station. This encounter with a beautiful "tame" Wedge-tailed Eagle was the first highlight of the trip north. It was sitting in the middle of the track on a truck killed Kangaroo. Pulling up it was surprisingly reluctant to leave it's prize. So I grabbed my camera and proceeded to close in as best I could. After a few shots it eventually flew a little way and landed on a nearby fence. I decided to follow and amazingly it let me to close within four metres of it! I've never had a Wedgie so trusting before! Being so close was a surreal experience and the resulting shots are still my best Wedgie shots I have taken.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedge-tailed Eagle after a good shake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You looking at me?</td></tr>
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<br />In 2010 Mike and I had our first ever encounter with Gibberbirds when we found a pair nesting just north of where the track crosses the dog fence. So with it now being a traditional spot to find them... we again stopped near the original sighting and went on the search. It didn't take too long to come across a single bird which was quite confiding as this species can often be.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gibberbird just north of the dog fence.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gibberbird.</td></tr>
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<br />The next major stop for us was an area just after you enter the swale country where Letter-winged kites have been seen in the past. We pulled up and went on 2km hike searching all the desert Coolibahs looking for birds or signs of birds having been there. We didn't find any but it's definitely a good looking area for them. </div><div>The day was getting on so we pulled into Montecollina Bore for lunch. An oasis in the area with the bore spilling into a small dam and then overflowing out into a marshland of reeds. After a bite to eat we went over and scanned the swamp to see what was around. Lots of the usuals like Grey Teal, Little Grassbirds, Australian Spotted Crakes, White-backed Swallows etc... Now I can't remember if it was this trip or the one I did later in 2018 with Lisa that we come across a pair of Chestnut-breasted Shelducks there too. Not one we'd expected to see out there!</div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward to now (2021) and this bore has been capped! No more water means the birds will be gone... disappointing but it wasn't there naturally so probs the right way for it to be! </div><div><br /></div><div>Pretty much anywhere from the bore area through to the Strzelecki creek crossing you are in with a chance of seeing one of our two really rare outback dwelling raptors... Letter-winged Kites often occur in this area and Mike and I have had them in a few spots through this area in the past. Checking these spots as we made for the Creek crossing two things happened. One we found a single Letter-winged Kite and two the weather was closing in around us! The sighting was brief of the kite as unusually it wasn't confiding at all! We have often found Letter-wings to be quite confiding. This one went against the grain and flew when we were about 50m away. Maybe had something to do with the weather which by this point was looking quite concerning!</div><div>With the Kite heading to the horizon and the grey clouds closing fast we decided to hightail it to the Strzelecki creek crossing and make camp for the night.</div><div><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Letter-winged Kite sitting in the 5pm gloom as the rain moved in! (Crested Pigeon photobomb!)</td></tr>
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<br />It looked like it was going to rain and rain it did! Luckily we were somewhat prepared and strung a tarp up over our camp between two Coolibahs. The next morning we woke up to a very wet looking desert after 15mm of rain had fallen! So for the first time in all our outback trips we were stuck where we were! The track was looking very wet so we had to call it... the Coongie Lakes were an unachieveable dream for this trip. We decided we would camp where we were for the next night as well. </div><div>So what this did was give us a lot more time to spend exploring the crossing area. </div><div>We headed off on a walk downstream along the creek... we found some pretty cool birds including a small flock of four Blue-winged Parrots at the most northerly point of their winter migration and also birds like Red-browed Pardalotes, Chirruping Wedgebills, Budgies etc.... The renmant cloud from the front which went through meant photography was a challenge but I was quite happy with the Red-browed Pardalote shots I managed.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UNV2bgmVIy0/WWYMhU7f2aI/AAAAAAAAChE/ovTKRcGYAp069BQbAe8nM0PIe50vlZfZwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3683.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UNV2bgmVIy0/WWYMhU7f2aI/AAAAAAAAChE/ovTKRcGYAp069BQbAe8nM0PIe50vlZfZwCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_3683.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-winged Parrot on the Strzelecki Creek under heavily overcast skies...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QI5Qeoz5Ccg/WWYMmdvT_7I/AAAAAAAAChI/w3PZqDGZXlIDGdOTgnclXuOijMjd5eUHgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_3827%2BPS-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="959" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QI5Qeoz5Ccg/WWYMmdvT_7I/AAAAAAAAChI/w3PZqDGZXlIDGdOTgnclXuOijMjd5eUHgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_3827%2BPS-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-browed Pardalote on the Strzelecki Creek.<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Later after lunch we decided to attempt the track carefully and head north about 9kms to a spot we'd heard was good for Banded Whiteface. After a little searching we found some feeding in the low claypan type area between the sandhills. I couldn't get a decent shot but it was nice to catch up with them on the Strzelecki after first finding them on the Birdsville track in 2015. </div><div>Another favourite bird of Mike and I is the Eyrean Grasswren. After a while spent pursuing the Whiteface we turned our attention to the Canegrass covered dunes all around us... this is the habitat of Eyreans and these dunes looked spot on for them. We headed to the closest spot and pretty much found a pair immediately! This pair were keeping their distance and were presenting no real opportunities for photos so we went looking for more. Crossing the flat to the next dune we decided to split apart and head to different parts. </div><div>We often bird like this... Mike and I have a pretty good understanding of each others birding styles with myself more often likely to spend more time with a particular bird in the hope of photographing it well and Mike more keen on moving around trying to find different types of birds. This works quite well in the outback with the only rule that we try to stay within earshot or sightline of each other when birding in remote areas like this. <br />
I moved to a likely looking area on the next dune and found another pair straight away. I could see they were more confiding than the last pair so I set up on a good spot and played a burst of callback and waited... it didn't take long before this pair came in to check me out again. Laying prone in the sand they seemed quite inquisitive and I had a great session with them. The cloud cover proved to be helpful for this session as it was the middle of the day which usually means harsh shadows and rubbish images... with the cloud filtering the light I ended up with some ok shots! Including one with both birds sitting up together on a low shrub! A shot I was pretty happy to get with this species! Mike also had luck on the part of the dune he headed too. So all up in 2017 Eyreans seemed to be around in pretty good numbers.<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fairly good bit of track the next day after the rain.... sloppy and slippery but still just drivable! Albeit very carefully...<br />
This was late afternoon after the session with the Eyrean Grasswrens and the cloud blanket had finally started breaking up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJ_vrltIPkU/WWYMphNgZ8I/AAAAAAAAChM/U7cnpfpp--wwtGdLG3xYz8U0DEBuU_dyQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4188%2BPS-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJ_vrltIPkU/WWYMphNgZ8I/AAAAAAAAChM/U7cnpfpp--wwtGdLG3xYz8U0DEBuU_dyQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4188%2BPS-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyrean Grasswren north of the Strzelecki Creek crossing...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFlBZXot4PA/WWYMqVbQFCI/AAAAAAAAChQ/9VJJ0xTNTw4DPkLUtVuIRX9ef8_JpU8wgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4259%2BPS-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFlBZXot4PA/WWYMqVbQFCI/AAAAAAAAChQ/9VJJ0xTNTw4DPkLUtVuIRX9ef8_JpU8wgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4259%2BPS-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyrean Grasswrens posing nicely for me.<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Heading back again carefully on the slippery roads we made it back to camp and cooked up another feast before heading out to a spot with the spotlight to look for Dusky Hopping Mice. A boom and bust native species which we'd seen here before. Stopping at a dune which crosses a small side road we got out and walked with our torches finding quite a few Hopping Mice and even some roosting Banded Whiteface! Managing some of my best shots of the mice I have to date we returned to camp quite satisfied with our day's birding and mousing considering the circumstances we were under.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vNyNG68foLk/WWYMuGfSDDI/AAAAAAAAChU/XUeQd8jH5csqCeuoo_ssjuqfQzcVN6pEgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4305-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1600" height="348" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vNyNG68foLk/WWYMuGfSDDI/AAAAAAAAChU/XUeQd8jH5csqCeuoo_ssjuqfQzcVN6pEgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4305-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dusky Hopping-mouse just south of the Strzelecki Creek crossing in the dunes.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The next morning the skies were starting to clear and we decided to start heading south slowly and carefully along the track. It was drying quite well by now and was certainly drivable with care so we felt comfortable driving. Searching all the usual areas for Letter-winged Kites again we unfortunately came up empty handed but we did stop at another likely looking Cane grass covered dune where we found many more Eyrean Grasswrens! These birds were all quite confiding and it was nice to get some photo opportunities in some nice early morning sunshine! </div><div style="text-align: left;">Again we stopped into Montecollina Bore and had a little fun with the locals in there. My best image was of one of the many White-backed Swallows hawking insects above the overflow.</div></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise from where we camped on the Strzelecki creek crossing second morning after the rain as the clouds broke up...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gs0pBLq5KTQ/WWYMx5gYQOI/AAAAAAAAChY/2LhGP3sguFYAA2sB2Gt5qI9ZS5XwkiRcgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4448-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gs0pBLq5KTQ/WWYMx5gYQOI/AAAAAAAAChY/2LhGP3sguFYAA2sB2Gt5qI9ZS5XwkiRcgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4448-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyrean Grasswren about 20km's south of the Strzelecki creek crossing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5bzq1FfBLf4/WWYMymW9SfI/AAAAAAAAChc/U4LaH34h6w0VSpkvv_YZpQ8GXUf9ymNrwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4616-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1600" height="366" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5bzq1FfBLf4/WWYMymW9SfI/AAAAAAAAChc/U4LaH34h6w0VSpkvv_YZpQ8GXUf9ymNrwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4616-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-backed Swallow at Montecollina Bore.</td></tr>
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<br />Pelican Creek was our camp for the last night of the trip always a good place to pull up for the night. By this stage we were pretty tuckered out from big days so no night searching or photography was attempted just a few drinks around the campfire enjoying outback camping in the million star hotel... hard to beat!</div><div>Rolling out the next morning we stopped at the first likely spot for Gibberbirds whilst the light was still good for photography. Right on cue we found an extremely confiding pair who really gave us an outstanding session with them. The male posing beautifully for us on many occasions. </div><div>Heading off again we had gone about 40kms south when Mike noticed he was missing his binoculars! After upending the car we guessed they must be back on the ground where we found the Gibberbirds! So heading back the 40kms we eventually came across the site where we found the Gibbies and yep right there sitting on the rocks was Mikes binos! Whilst there I could see many of the perches the Gibberbird had been sitting on... a particular rock the bird had sat on quite a bit caught my eye so I grabbed it as a souvenir. This rock would end up being a very, very special rock as I used it to propose to Lisa on christmas day in 2019! Every girl dreams of getting a big "rock" on their finger at some stage throughout their life! Well in Lisa's case she got an extremely large and very special Gibberbird stood on rock! (Yes I did get her an engagement ring later) Lisa loves birds and the natural world as much as I do so it went down really well. That rock now sits on a dresser in our bedroom and it means a lot to both of us! A little out of the ordinary but hey... welcome to the world of Chris! :-D </div><div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmKILl5hphE/WWYM1LIawtI/AAAAAAAAChg/asOAhQCoPDUUtgSmKEAoO5jSbYm3UNiGwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4724-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fmKILl5hphE/WWYM1LIawtI/AAAAAAAAChg/asOAhQCoPDUUtgSmKEAoO5jSbYm3UNiGwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_4724-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gibberbird perches nicely in front of Mike and I on a very special rock!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /></div><div>Back to the trip... Well this little 80km diversion caused us a little problem. We always carry plenty of fuel but with the track being so boggy we were burning way more diesel than normal! By the time we were 80kms from Lyndhurst we were starting to think we weren't going to make it! At this point we made the decision to head back a few kms to a road crew we passed on the track and see if we could buy some diesel off them to make sure we got back. Luckily they were all for it... Beer money for them I suppose and peace of mind for us! </div><div>Homeward bound we made it back to the bitumen then it was smooth sailing all the way back to Mike's place for a well earned beer and off back to home for me.</div><div>Writing this four years later I have enjoyed the trip down memory lane... there may be some bits I have forgotten but not to worry! </div><div>Since this trip Mike and I have done the Oodnadatta Track in 2019 and the Birdsville again in 2020. With Lisa I did the Strzelecki Track again in 2018 and then a run up the Birdsville Track in 2020 with a couple of mates... We also just got back from a very successful trip up the Oodnadatta Track again and that will be the next blog which I will start working on soon. </div>
Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-33040561334057480002017-04-17T18:55:00.001-07:002017-04-23T17:33:33.425-07:00Of Potato weed and Elegant Parrots....<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Over the last month I've been lucky enough to find an influx of a wonderful little Neophema parrot.. the Elegant Parrot into a local isolated mallee scrub about 15mins from my house. Over Summer it's not uncommon for this species to be in this scrub. As with most little mallee patches across the Adelaide Plains there's usually a few Elegants around mostly in small numbers. What's made the last month different here is a big patch of Potato weed coming into seed right in the middle of the scrub! This has in turn attracted larger than normal numbers of these beautiful little parrots! </div>
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In 2015 the Pinery bushfire which took out a fair chunk of the Adelaide Plains swept through Pengilly and devasted it, opening it right up! Since then regrowth has happened but in Mallee it is very slow and with the canopy gone the weeds have taken over. Eventually the trees will take it back over but for now it's the domain of the weed and whilst not good it has given the parrots a plentiful food supply! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elegant Parrot (male)</td></tr>
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I first noticed them around the scrub about two months ago... I drove past and saw a bunch out on the road edge. Not the numbers of a month later but enough to spark my interest. This got me thinking... it was still quite hot back then and these guys would be coming into water. I also knew of a water trough not far from the scrub in a farmers paddock. Guessing that's where they would be drinking I thought at some stage I would come back and give it a shot.<br />
I went back on the 9th of Feb which was a swelter of a day topping out over 40 degrees Celsius! I arrived late afternoon and sat there sweating profusely! It wasn't a lot of fun TBH! I did have one Elegant come in but that was all... the two photos below are of that bird. It came in and had a drink before then sitting on the fence for a while before leaving... it was just too hot for me also so I left as well. <br />
Before I left I did run into the farmer that owns the paddock with the trough. I had met him before as he keeps an eye on different cars stopping around the place as it's a common spot for people to come out and dump their rubbish :-( It was good for me as I got permission for access to the spot for any future visits as long as the paddock didn't have any sheep in it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elegant Parrot (female)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elegant Parrot (female)</td></tr>
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I didn't go back after that for a while and actually sort of forgot about trying to photograph at the trough as I got busy at work. Vintage always takes my time at this time of year and it had just fired up! Luckily for me I was on afternoon shift which meant I could do some birding in the morning if I wanted! <br />
One morning I thought I would head to Pengilly to suss out what was still around. To my surprise the Elegant numbers had built right up! Which immediately had me thinking about the water again. After wandering around in the scrub for a few hours I grabbed a few fallen branches to use as perches on the way out. I would use these for photography over the water and set them up at the trough ready for the next morning.<br />
Arriving at dawn the next day I set up under my camo throw hide and waited... it didn't take long! A steady stream of different birds where coming in for a drink with most using my perches! I had the perches set up so the wheat stubble of the paddock was in the background and got to the right level to get the horizon in the image as well! The Elegants started coming in and I managed the shots I was after. To be honest though... it was just a cool experience with all the species which came in from Singing Honeyeaters to Dusky Woodsawllows and allsorts of other cool species! The Elegants were still the highlight but it was very cool to get good shots of many different species! <br />
Below are some of the images taken form that session and about four mornings since! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pVHCC3feLvw/WPVf65gSxCI/AAAAAAAACfM/tHDylFEXLl0M1JnVqBdQqejDHmdbRbxRwCLcB/s1600/IMG_4741-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pVHCC3feLvw/WPVf65gSxCI/AAAAAAAACfM/tHDylFEXLl0M1JnVqBdQqejDHmdbRbxRwCLcB/s640/IMG_4741-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elegant Parrot (male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elegant Parrot (male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsIJdp4hieU/WPVf18_mOOI/AAAAAAAACfI/HaP4Q4Hv2tIFCH7Cr6_HgIxuacmNbq5FQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4969PS2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RsIJdp4hieU/WPVf18_mOOI/AAAAAAAACfI/HaP4Q4Hv2tIFCH7Cr6_HgIxuacmNbq5FQCLcB/s640/IMG_4969PS2-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elegant Parrot (male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_bFHHPYgSWo/WPVhDu2SLXI/AAAAAAAACfg/hWmv9DMx7tgVEL7ctdy5Lk6CA35x7TmZACLcB/s1600/IMG_4462-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_bFHHPYgSWo/WPVhDu2SLXI/AAAAAAAACfg/hWmv9DMx7tgVEL7ctdy5Lk6CA35x7TmZACLcB/s640/IMG_4462-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-plumed Honeyeater</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YTViYXANd9w/WPVhDP9zJ7I/AAAAAAAACfc/5MrMQPJRA6w2F9LM0_jZEFDbtOzbrhGjACLcB/s1600/IMG_4497a-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YTViYXANd9w/WPVhDP9zJ7I/AAAAAAAACfc/5MrMQPJRA6w2F9LM0_jZEFDbtOzbrhGjACLcB/s640/IMG_4497a-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-rumped Parrot (female)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xuiPnBKXw2Y/WPVg-P6L0pI/AAAAAAAACfY/9mPzEH5vGRAXCqB2OfxLnl6t4eX5um1oQCLcB/s1600/IMG_4511-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xuiPnBKXw2Y/WPVg-P6L0pI/AAAAAAAACfY/9mPzEH5vGRAXCqB2OfxLnl6t4eX5um1oQCLcB/s640/IMG_4511-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Willie Wagtail knew I was there! LOL</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWie7Ef2Rc4/WPVhFpgS1wI/AAAAAAAACfk/KUzA-u9cBRghQSEqqkpVdfZ4jO2JuGfhgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4624%2BPS-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWie7Ef2Rc4/WPVhFpgS1wI/AAAAAAAACfk/KUzA-u9cBRghQSEqqkpVdfZ4jO2JuGfhgCLcB/s640/IMG_4624%2BPS-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immature Dusky Woodswallow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsaiIMbUrJQ/WPViJ1LQzlI/AAAAAAAACf0/1OGQL0xWZqIVpkVcZYUDc_kqJG6fo15jgCLcB/s1600/IMG_7367-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsaiIMbUrJQ/WPViJ1LQzlI/AAAAAAAACf0/1OGQL0xWZqIVpkVcZYUDc_kqJG6fo15jgCLcB/s640/IMG_7367-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-rumped Parrot (male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7b75aWJGyg/WPViIQTVHtI/AAAAAAAACfs/w1eg5f0awYolneFihMuag4sQgOoioOKiACLcB/s1600/IMG_7467-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g7b75aWJGyg/WPViIQTVHtI/AAAAAAAACfs/w1eg5f0awYolneFihMuag4sQgOoioOKiACLcB/s640/IMG_7467-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galah (female)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6i2F-HD1Go/WPViIDiHBMI/AAAAAAAACfw/k-jM1ivL6zopy4q2U92IPvnxsoRlui-WQCLcB/s1600/IMG_7497-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T6i2F-HD1Go/WPViIDiHBMI/AAAAAAAACfw/k-jM1ivL6zopy4q2U92IPvnxsoRlui-WQCLcB/s640/IMG_7497-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-throated Miner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing Honeyeater</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elegant Parrot (female)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elegant Parrot (female)</td></tr>
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At the peak I estimate there would've been around 100 of these birds utilising the feeding source in the scrub... now the seeding has finished and the numbers have fallen away. There's still a few there... around a dozen I suppose so it's now back to the normal sort of numbers often seen there in summer!<br />
As the cool weather is now here the water point option becomes limited as the birds don't need to drink so much and will do all throughout the day rather than a peak period in the morning... so I now wont bother going back until maybe when the hot days return! <br />
Gotta say it was a lot of fun and I do look forward to finding a few other places to do this as well! Obviously this technique is not new but it's not a style of photography that I have done much of! The results show that it is quite effective though. <br />
Cheers <br />
ChrisChris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-89784866440570500622016-09-24T01:51:00.001-07:002016-09-25T00:59:34.587-07:00Three in a row.... Birdsville Track 2016, Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yep.... third time in a row! The lure of the Birdsville track seduced us again! We were a little undecided at first which had Mike and I going over quite a few options before deciding to three-peat the Birdsville... </div>
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In the end the reports from along the track just before we left were too much... with the desert in bloom we wanted to see it for ourselves along the track so the decision was made!</div>
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Rolling into Mike's place a little after 7am we certainly weren't getting away super early but it mattered not as we only planned to make it to Farina on the first night. The trip started clouded over and cold which has been pretty typical for our trips into the outback over the last few years... the bird list steadily grew as we made our way north. Stopping at our favourite bakery in Sevenhill on the way through the Clare Valley we grabbed some breakfast and lunch for the day and headed for our first stop near Hawker! The sun started shining as we made our way past Orroroo... then once we made it to Hawker we didn't know it at the time but we wouldn't see another cloud for the whole five days of the trip!</div>
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Our traditional favourite Rufous Fieldwren spot just north of Hawker was our first birding stop as always... It was midday and the sun was bright by this time and the birding was quiet... one of the few times we haven't found much in this spot! A little disappointing but this spot was to prove it's quality on the return leg... So it's still a little birding honey hole for us! </div>
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Eventually we made it into Lyndhurst with about three hours of light left. We headed out to the airstrip to see what was about.. Mike went one way and I the other. When we met back up after about 45mins we had both found lots of cool birds, highlights being both Black and Pied Honeyeaters in good numbers!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Honeyeater at the Lyndhurst airstrip </td></tr>
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Heading onto our stop for the night at Farina we checked the first tower of the trip for Grey Falcons but as is often the case it was vacant. Farina was busy when we eventually got there... surprising for mid week we thought but it is the time of the year lots go outback so understandable. Typically it was also full of birds! It's a really cool spot... we grabbed a couple of beers and the cameras and just went up onto the hill to the north of the camp and watched all sorts of birds flying about.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of Black-breasted Buzzards at Farina<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-breasted Buzzard</td></tr>
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Leaving before dawn the next day we were trying to get to Mungeranie and still bird on the way so we thought an early start would aid us in this venture. Between Farina and Marree we had a lovely encounter with a Wedge-tailed Eagle as it sat on an old fence post, the sun poked over the horizon and started flooding it's belly with it's warmth and it was quite content to sit and let us photograph it... Not that any came out much chop as the light was still a bit weak at this very early time of the morning!<br />
Not long after we rolled onto the start of the Birdsville track itself... We were back! It was so special last year Mike and I were both crossing our fingers it would not disappoint this time around? <br />
First stop was for a small dead branch with about 20 Black-faced Woodswallows on it. Not long after we pulled up at another previously visited spot we love to bird called Well's creek. Over the last two trips this spot has always had a plethora of different desert birds to watch and photograph. This trip was no different with birds calling everywhere! Species like Chirruping Wedgebills, Diamond Doves, Black and Pied Honeyeaters, Variegated and White-winged Fairy-wrens, Zebra finches in the hundreds and even an Emu with tiny chicks etc... I can't remember all the species now but there was plenty to see there as usual! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HmKPrnmAenQ/V-J5v3GTtBI/AAAAAAAACco/3J2YOohigTgzlo0Lv53x_rMOgtaq3A4IgCLcB/s1600/IMG_4806%2BPS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="404" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HmKPrnmAenQ/V-J5v3GTtBI/AAAAAAAACco/3J2YOohigTgzlo0Lv53x_rMOgtaq3A4IgCLcB/s640/IMG_4806%2BPS-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond Doves at Well's Creek</td></tr>
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Moving on our next stop was a spot which looked good for Gibberbird... we pulled up and couldn't spot anything with binoculars so we played a touch of call back, within about 20 seconds a pair flew in from not very far away! Excellent! Always good to find birds on the first attempt for the trip and even though this pair stayed into the sun on us and the photos were pretty average we were rapt to had gotten this sometimes difficult species so easily! <br />
A little way further on from the Gibberbirds there was a large flock of young Emu's... About a dozen in close about 100m off the track and more out about 300m away. Having done the 'upside down bicycle' trick on a bunch of young Emus a few weeks earlier and getting a cool response down near Salt Creek on the Coorong... I thought I'd try it again here! Finding a nice smooth looking piece of ground I started the pedalling and instantly every Emu within sight came bolting in to see what on earth this strange creature was lying on the ground! In no time there were about 30 very confused young Emus all around us! Always good fun :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrV4O6zbtSk/V-Y4egR9-pI/AAAAAAAACeY/9tuWENAd2q8ZHlRMowFesv5PWg7ibn55ACLcB/s1600/IMG_5691-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrV4O6zbtSk/V-Y4egR9-pI/AAAAAAAACeY/9tuWENAd2q8ZHlRMowFesv5PWg7ibn55ACLcB/s640/IMG_5691-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'Upside Down Bicycle' fun!</td></tr>
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Next birds to have the car stopping were Orange Chats... a bunch of them. At the time they were the first of the trip and we spent some time with them... not knowing they would be the most common bird of the trip by far! After this point we saw them constantly until we passed back past this point on the return journey! Picked up a few more White-winged Fairy-wrens here as well including this image below... (got a lot closer with this bird than the Chats! LOL)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-winged Fairy-wren</td></tr>
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Passing the Cooper creek we headed into the first section of the track with sand dunes running alongside. Stopping at another favourite spot to we easily found Eyrean Grasswrens in the canegrass, in fact we found 7 along about half a kilometre of dune top! Also in this spot we had Pied & Black Honeyeaters again, Budgies flying past in small flocks and lots of other usual desert sand lovers like White-backed Swallows etc..<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyrean Grasswren</td></tr>
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One thing was really starting to stand out now as we moved further up the track... the country was in real good shape! It was obvious rain had fallen in good amounts over the last little while as there was lots of green around and plenty of flooded swampy areas as we moved towards Mungeranie. <br />
We stopped and walked over a couple of dunes to a hidden waterhole we found last year. Again there was plenty of birdlife around... Diamond Doves by the dozens, lots of Pink-eared Ducks on the water, breeding White-necked Herons, a pair of nesting Wedge-tailed Eagles and plenty of other birds... we even flushed a Little Button-quail on the way back to the car from a grassy area between the dunes!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDq-ycrx4k4/V-PD-reNpfI/AAAAAAAACeI/st4zkyPJJE8NXUXbR1f7WScIZNJwksS2QCLcB/s1600/IMG_5277-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YDq-ycrx4k4/V-PD-reNpfI/AAAAAAAACeI/st4zkyPJJE8NXUXbR1f7WScIZNJwksS2QCLcB/s640/IMG_5277-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big female Wedge-tailed Eagle on her nest near our hidden waterhole... She was totally unperturbed as we passed over the dune about 30m from her! Also in this shot is around 7 Zebra Finches which were hiding in the big stick structure of the nest! </td></tr>
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The run up to to Mungeranie from there was punctuated by several stops near telecommunication towers looking for Grey Falcons and lots of the better stands of Coolabah trees looking for Letter-winged Kites. Unfortunately we hadn't found any by the time we pulled into Mungeranie to set up camp but that's birding! <br />
With two hours of light left we took off out on the road which heads to Kalamurina just to see what we could find... A friend of ours had seen Banded Whiteface out on this road not long before. Which has been one of two bogey birds for Mike and I since we have started doing these outback runs! A couple of maybe.. but not good enough views of Banded whiteface meant neither of us could definitely say we'd seen one! This all changed when we crested a small sandy rise and out of the corner of my eye I thought I saw a small bird which fitted the description on top of a small bush... telling Mike he turned the vehicle around and as we drove up we saw more of these small birds. We pulled up and straight away had a Banded Whiteface in the binocular view! Woohoo! A bogey broken! First lifer of the trip and a good feeling to have finally cracked this species! As is often the case we found another small flock before the sun set! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banded Whiteface</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and another Banded Whiteface! </td></tr>
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A few celebratory drinks were had first around the campfire and then in the Mungeranie pub that night before a good nights sleep ready for another early start and more no doubt fantastic birding as we rolled further north along the track! <br />
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Part two coming soon! <br />
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Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-65887288227053121512016-04-12T04:43:00.001-07:002016-04-12T04:43:06.257-07:00One day.... Five Birders/Photographers.... 542km later.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
About a month ago I got a message from a couple of fellow bird photographers from over in WA. They were coming over to SA soon and were keen to catch up and get out for a day's birding. Always keen to get out if I can we set about organising a day to get out! Luckily for me their visit coincided with my couple of weeks of long service leave I was taking at the time, so it worked out well. </div>
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An early start was mandatory and with a couple of quick stops to pick up my mates Lisa and Craig who were coming along as well... we pulled up in Heather and Shelley's driveway at about 6am! The weather didn't look like it would be our friend and it was drizzling as we loaded all the camera gear. It kept drizzling all the way to our first stop... Laratinga Wetlands! I would've never picked it... but as we pulled into the wetlands carpark the clouds parted and the sun shown through!</div>
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Laratinga proved to be fairly quiet and apart from a quick session for Lisa and I with a group of feeding Australasian Shovelers... and a backlit Little Pied Cormorant and some Superb Fairy-wrens for the whole group... the photographic opportunities were limited. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australasian Shoveler - Laratinga Wetlands</td></tr>
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Our next stop was a place new to me... The Browns Road Mallee block up at Monarto. We where heading there with the intention of finding Diamond Firetails... but as always looking for whatever we could find! We left the car in what had become fairly average light unfortunately... This would be the standard for the first half of the day with all four seasons being represented in that time! Frustrating a little when you have a camera in your hand! <br />
We spent around two hours in this spot and had some fun with quite a few species, highlights would of been finding the Diamond Firetails in fairly good numbers, a co-operative Australian Owlet-nightjar, a Restless Flycatcher, a Southern Boobook and plenty of other cool birds like Purple-crowned Lorikeets, White-winged Choughs etc...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-winged Chough - Browns Rd, Monarto</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immature Diamond Firetail - Browns Rd, Monarto</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Boobook - Browns Rd, Monarto</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond Firetail - Browns Rd, Monarto</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian Owlet-nightjar - Browns Rd, Monarto</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa, Shelley, Craig and Heather slowly sneak up on the little AONJ watching from it's hollow! </td></tr>
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We headed to Mannum for lunch at the pub and a discussion on where to head next. A nice meal and a refreshing drink and we were back on the road heading for Brookfield Conservation Park... a great mallee birding spot full of some pretty cool birds. It meant for a big day, but would hopefully be worth it with the clouds starting to disperse and a nice afternoon of photography looked promising!<br />
Once in the gate we had only gone about 150m in when we came across a female Hooded Robin sitting up high on an exposed branch.. We stopped as Shelley wanted a chance to photograph it. As I got out the car I spotted a bunch of Sittella's in another tree! Typically busy they were proving hard to photograph... but eventually we all managed some pretty reasonable shots :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbtwZzcga_g/VwyVgN6hbBI/AAAAAAAACbU/K1rKj0Y7lNMPEEdnYMS-OqvWpBe4Uws0wCLcB/s1600/IMG_5014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbtwZzcga_g/VwyVgN6hbBI/AAAAAAAACbU/K1rKj0Y7lNMPEEdnYMS-OqvWpBe4Uws0wCLcB/s640/IMG_5014.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Varied Sittella - Brookfield Conservation Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa, Shelley and Heather returning to the car after the Sittella session! By this stage as you can see the weather was lovely :-)</td></tr>
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A little further on we stopped at one of my favourite spots for Chestnut-crowned Babblers... we searched out to the west for about 20mins and saw nothing, so leaving the others to keep searching I doubled back to search another territory out to the east of the track. As always happens I found the birds when I was out by myself! I rang the others to come over and eventually everyone got views of these super wary birds. Image wise I only got some poor shots... but better than nothing I guess!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZDRdQvTZCk/VwyVg2tIb1I/AAAAAAAACbY/cn8aDm5uYjAPM08wPVvQsjyJ5dwnkDuhQCLcB/s1600/IMG_5049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ZDRdQvTZCk/VwyVg2tIb1I/AAAAAAAACbY/cn8aDm5uYjAPM08wPVvQsjyJ5dwnkDuhQCLcB/s640/IMG_5049.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut-crowned Babblers - Brookfield Conservation Park</td></tr>
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Next stop was an area where the proper Mallee joins the open country. I have birded in this spot for many years and it always provides something of interest. We all headed off in the same direction but started finding birds immediately and we all seemed to move off in different directions chasing one thing or another! I followed a pair of Mulga Parrots off to the west but failed to get close. Heading back in the direction of the others I came across Lisa trying to sort one Honeyeater out from another. Not far after we came across some lovely little Splendid Fairy-wrens which posed nicely for some shots!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xQl-9ZO8ZeM/VwyViwYGHuI/AAAAAAAACbc/ofU486PLDjgyU3MKk5-L9gt3W8IcE7JpACLcB/s1600/IMG_5091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xQl-9ZO8ZeM/VwyViwYGHuI/AAAAAAAACbc/ofU486PLDjgyU3MKk5-L9gt3W8IcE7JpACLcB/s640/IMG_5091.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splendid Fairy-wren - Brookfield Conservation Park</td></tr>
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More Mulgas were next... We came across quite a few pairs feeding in the midst of the trees. I crawled up to them over some pretty rough ground and eventually pinned a nice male in good light on top of a small bush... pretty happy with that as Mulgas are one of my favourite birds! Very beautiful!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mulga Parrot - Brookfield Conservation Park</td></tr>
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Whilst I was crawling after the Mulgas... Lisa was looking over my shoulder trying to work out what the mid sized grey bird was hopping around in the clearing up ahead. Once I had flushed the parrots.. Lisa showed me the bird and we set about getting close! It was a little difficult and we danced with it around little bushes for a while... eventually we got a few ok images before it got sick of us! It was a lovely male Gilbert's Whistler :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FcehZwaBq0M/VwyVpMQ06hI/AAAAAAAACbg/UZnNUrwoV_EPJj2vs2xdTw8v_PJkqs8AACLcB/s1600/IMG_5389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FcehZwaBq0M/VwyVpMQ06hI/AAAAAAAACbg/UZnNUrwoV_EPJj2vs2xdTw8v_PJkqs8AACLcB/s640/IMG_5389.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gilberts Whistler - Brookfield Conservation Park </td></tr>
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We found a few more species as we headed towards where we guessed the others were. But by now the light was fading fast and it was time to head back to the car. I put the call out to the others and we all got there about the same time! Everyone had found a few species in this spot and it had been a good way to finish the birding for the day! We drove around the Bluebush track just for the hell of it and watched an amazingly beautiful sky as the sun set on another day! Next was the long haul all the way back down to Hawthorndene where Shelley and Heather were staying... and then all the way back home to Freeling! It was a big day but totally worth it for the good fun birding and great company of four other like minded people! Hopefully everyone come away with some nice shots and I for one had a great time! I'm sure the others did too :-)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heather, Lisa, Shelley and me! image by Craig :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Craig missed the group shot so here's a shot of him trying to photograph White-fronted Chats :-)</td></tr>
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Thanks everyone for a good fun day full of birds and great company! Till next time :-)<br />
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Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-7588969761250013902016-01-02T01:30:00.000-08:002016-01-02T04:59:28.291-08:00Birdsville Track... Version 2015 (Part 2)<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Time for the second part of this trip...been a little slack! But thought I better get something up before I head off on the 2016 version!!</div>
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So continuing on from part 1.. we were making tracks down the track to get back in time to catch the last couple of hours of light at Mira Mitta bore. As usual we were on the lookout for birds on the way back and were pushing along but stopping if something of interest flew off the track or close by. I guess we had travelled about 30km's from the lunch spot when we saw a bird which could of well been a Gibberbird... (but was probably a Pipit...) scoot off the track. We pulled up as quick as we could in the middle of the track as usual and then started reversing back to the spot... at this point Mike actually looked in the rear view mirror... crap a car was behind! It got worse.... it was the cops! Oh no we thought we were buggered now... no seatbelts (as we were about to jump out after the bird) and driving like birders do! :-D The police car pulled up beside us and to our surprise were quite amicable and just checked we were ok and kept going! Phew.... not sure how we got away with that!? </div>
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Never did see what that bird was...... lol</div>
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So we kept on heading for the bore... a few more birds were seen like the Orange Chat below. We grabbed the opportunity as it was a little tolerant of us stopping for a photo... such a pretty species!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Chat (male)</td></tr>
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It was 5pm when we arrived at the bore again. Everything looked perfect for our plan... the light was heading towards gorgeous... there was nobody else around and the usual suspects were sitting in or around the waters edge: Pink-eared Ducks, Grey Teals, Red-capped Plovers and a lone Sharp-tailed Sandpiper. <br />
We headed to the waters edge to find a good spot to see anything which would fly in for a drink. We sat down and waited..... and waited.... half hour passed and nothing had come in at all. The flies were super annoying as usual and it was actually quite hard to just sit there. At about the 35min mark I decided to go back to the car and grab a couple of beers... it was beer-o-clock after all! We sat there for another 15 mins or so and still nothing. I was starting to wonder if anything would come in? Mike was thinking the same and was making noises about going for a walk through the bore overflow to see if he could find/flush anything... after a discussion we decided to put in another ten before he went. I just had a hunch something was about to happen.... then it did! About two minutes later we spotted two birds in the distance... We picked them as Flockies just from the speed they were coming in at! But even so I wasn't ready for just how quick they move! They bore down on us in no time threw on the brakes.. banked over the water and settled nervously on the edge right where we had hoped! Needless to say both mine and Mike's camera's were going flat out!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tU8yHvpUDiw/VoZoGYkblUI/AAAAAAAACWg/ury9EE1PvPE/s1600/IMG_2339-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tU8yHvpUDiw/VoZoGYkblUI/AAAAAAAACWg/ury9EE1PvPE/s640/IMG_2339-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first pair to come in! Male on left.. female on right</td></tr>
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Then it was on! For the next half hour Flock Bronzewings started pouring in from all directions... not in the massive flocks they are known for.. but in anything from pairs to groups of up to ten! It was hard to know where to point the camera as they were coming in fast.. whirling around the water once or twice to then settle nervously before drinking. Some would take off to do it all again... others would just sit for 5-10 minutes on the edge before heading down to drink and then take off and head for the horizon again. In all somewhere between 80-100 birds came in I estimated!<br />
It was just one of those moments you live for as both a birder and photographer! Everything had come together! The birds... the light... the location... it was all just surreal and amazing! A few times I put the camera down just to soak it all in! A moment I will never forget....! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming in with speed...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the brakes... looking for the landing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close fly-by</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YYJ2HETY3G0/VoZ5xvWJPFI/AAAAAAAACZY/ebEWnef2vxM/s1600/IMG_2428-3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YYJ2HETY3G0/VoZ5xvWJPFI/AAAAAAAACZY/ebEWnef2vxM/s640/IMG_2428-3-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shot was the highlight of the session for me photographically speaking! It all came together for this one! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JwcbUkbtyMU/VoZoJ6rr3yI/AAAAAAAACXM/TbRsco6xWoM/s1600/IMG_2490-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JwcbUkbtyMU/VoZoJ6rr3yI/AAAAAAAACXM/TbRsco6xWoM/s640/IMG_2490-2-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are beautifully coloured... Love the pastel look to the plumage!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LSani2W9zdE/VoZynhJ1zBI/AAAAAAAACZI/ntBf_3aQ2LA/s1600/received_10205340416497555.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LSani2W9zdE/VoZynhJ1zBI/AAAAAAAACZI/ntBf_3aQ2LA/s640/received_10205340416497555.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Below the Mira Mitta bore overflow this little dam is where the action happened... this is a phone shot taken just after all the action! The moon can be seen rising in the background and there is still a few Flockies sitting near the second bay on the far bank!</td></tr>
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Eventually as it does.. it got dark! We headed to the car all smiles and cracked a celebratory beer... Damn it tasted good too! <br />
40 odd km's back to Mungerannie and it was time to hit the pub for a meal! We had lucked it to be in there the same night a large outback cycling tour bus which was staying there and dining at the pub also! It made for a busy place and lots of people! We held the bar up for a while and eventually ate before heading off back to our swags for some well earned sleep! <br />
The next morning I got up before sunrise and watched the Moon set! A steady stream of Black Kites were flying low from their roosts along the creek line up towards the pub so I grabbed the camera and tried to capture it as best I could!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R52L2SGV5S0/VoZoKKKtjMI/AAAAAAAACXQ/HucmO5fP2-g/s1600/IMG_2594-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R52L2SGV5S0/VoZoKKKtjMI/AAAAAAAACXQ/HucmO5fP2-g/s640/IMG_2594-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A single Black Kite passes the Moon early in the morning! </td></tr>
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Our plan for this day was to bird the morning in the Mungerannie area and then start heading south mid morning and make camp wherever we got too on the way down. <br />
So straight after breakfast we headed out to check the Grey Falcon tower again... nothing again! Guessing they must be off breeding somewhere we decided to just go for a search in the general area for whatever we could find. We ventured a little further down the track and lucked upon a pair of Australian Bustards feeding in a patch of green on the side of the track! This time I wasn't going to miss the shot! They sat for about a minute, then first started to walk away before then taking flight back past us... this allowed the best photo chance with this species for the trip! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2SJb8zaIUvM/VoZoL5waZRI/AAAAAAAACXg/k21v0WONN1w/s1600/IMG_2690a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2SJb8zaIUvM/VoZoL5waZRI/AAAAAAAACXg/k21v0WONN1w/s640/IMG_2690a.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aussie Bustard slowly moving away</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SdMEZjCFhKY/VoZoMVoDZWI/AAAAAAAACXo/XufIkqVxX_o/s1600/IMG_2709-3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SdMEZjCFhKY/VoZoMVoDZWI/AAAAAAAACXo/XufIkqVxX_o/s640/IMG_2709-3-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the shot I was after! </td></tr>
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Moving a little further along we came across a couple of male Cinnamon Quail-thrush! We jumped out and played a little burst of call and got an instant reaction! The older of the two (one was in immature plumage) came straight in and gave us cracking views and photo opportunities! <br />
We stayed with them for about 10 mins before they grew bored of us and moved away...<br />
Pretty happy to get this close to this often wary species! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emvVGtlNFIU/VoZoMGCZNpI/AAAAAAAACXk/q1hewXPEpsM/s1600/IMG_2799%2BPS-3-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emvVGtlNFIU/VoZoMGCZNpI/AAAAAAAACXk/q1hewXPEpsM/s640/IMG_2799%2BPS-3-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Probably the favourite image I took on the whole trip! Male Cinnamon Quail-thrush.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhCOX3FsLEk/VoZoNgB2s2I/AAAAAAAACX4/acDQSIkHAMk/s1600/IMG_2888%2BPS-4-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jhCOX3FsLEk/VoZoNgB2s2I/AAAAAAAACX4/acDQSIkHAMk/s640/IMG_2888%2BPS-4-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nothing much else of interest showed in that morning run so we started heading south. Stopping to check all the towers on the way didn't produce any more Grey Falcons... just need to be lucky with those!<br />
We stopped at few different spots on the way down... we even found a hidden waterhole behind a dune with lots of Brolga, Avocets and Pink-eared Ducks! Also a few raptors were around with the highlights being a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles on their nest in a tree next to the water and a close fly-by from a Collared Sparrowhawk.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FoC86yMyBZE/VoeVVPfMH-I/AAAAAAAACaA/ihn0WiaEUiY/s1600/IMAG0409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FoC86yMyBZE/VoeVVPfMH-I/AAAAAAAACaA/ihn0WiaEUiY/s640/IMAG0409.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The secret waterhole we found with a Wedge-tailed Eagle nest in the middle of this tree! One of the pair was sitting in there when I took this phone shot!</td></tr>
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Further down we stopped at a dune where Mike thought he heard Eyrean Grasswrens on the way up... A bit of work and we found a pair hoping around in the Canegrass! Being typically hard to photograph! This was in the dunes just north of the Cooper Creek crossing and quite south for the species. Over the back of that dune we found another Wedgie nest this time with a week old chick in it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxRrR8sHjkU/Vod6_48HwUI/AAAAAAAACZw/G7PDU8EiKXg/s1600/IMG_3494-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pxRrR8sHjkU/Vod6_48HwUI/AAAAAAAACZw/G7PDU8EiKXg/s640/IMG_3494-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyrean Grasswren hiding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUv2rGn2B9k/VoeVWn0dQLI/AAAAAAAACaY/eMxUjqr64Cs/s1600/IMAG0417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dUv2rGn2B9k/VoeVWn0dQLI/AAAAAAAACaY/eMxUjqr64Cs/s640/IMAG0417.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The WTE nest over the back of the dune which held the Eyrean Grasswrens!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O56SqZPlYcw/VoeVWEWImyI/AAAAAAAACaU/P6MLTfevCG8/s1600/IMAG0416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O56SqZPlYcw/VoeVWEWImyI/AAAAAAAACaU/P6MLTfevCG8/s640/IMAG0416.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and it's contents :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WtOKiPqescM/VoZoPcPAgKI/AAAAAAAACYA/z-ZPyxvNWbE/s1600/IMG_3746%2BPS-2-2%2Bfor%2BF%2526P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WtOKiPqescM/VoZoPcPAgKI/AAAAAAAACYA/z-ZPyxvNWbE/s640/IMG_3746%2BPS-2-2%2Bfor%2BF%2526P.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I captured this image of a Pink-eared Duck whilst laying amongst the Cow crap on the side of a little roadside bore on Dulkaninna Station</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFKRAa5ntwY/VoZoPqap-gI/AAAAAAAACYE/RX4rNIW3l7c/s1600/IMG_3810%2BPS-3-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hFKRAa5ntwY/VoZoPqap-gI/AAAAAAAACYE/RX4rNIW3l7c/s640/IMG_3810%2BPS-3-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same Pink-eared Duck again</td></tr>
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We came across another cool little dry creekbed in the dunes south of Dulkaninna station which was crawling with all sorts of bird species! Managed my best Pied Honeyeater shot of the trip here of a female which landed near to me when I was trying to photograph Budgies. Unfortunately these days you can only camp in set areas when travelling along the Birdsville... otherwise this would of been a top spot to camp and wake up with all these birds around! We stayed for as long as we could but wanted to keep some light for when we reached Camp at Clayton.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RceITM0jj2E/VoZoRkmWmNI/AAAAAAAACYc/w0QBfpAiIVw/s1600/IMG_3866-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RceITM0jj2E/VoZoRkmWmNI/AAAAAAAACYc/w0QBfpAiIVw/s640/IMG_3866-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Honeyeater (female)</td></tr>
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About 5km's before we got to the Clayton campsite we crested a small rise to come across a Falcon hunting something about 100m off the road. We worked out it was a Black Falcon and Mike threw out the parachute again! We would of been sitting on 80km/h so it took a bit to stop... sensing the hunt was about to end I grabbed my camera and started bursting off shots as the car pulled up! The hunt was over by the time we stopped and the Falcon was unsuccessful.. I hesitantly checked what I had got on the back of the camera... not expecting much as they were all taken from a moving car I was stoked to find one shot in focus!! Not only was it in focus it was the best shot of the series for capturing the moment with the Falcon and the Orange Chat it was hunting both fully vertical! Needless to say I was over the moon! Always wanted a shot of a hunting Black Falcon like this :-)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-au0ca1-UwQs/Vod6nLCB-hI/AAAAAAAACZo/-7-as-8M2OI/s1600/Black%2BFalcon..%2BOrange%2BChat-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-au0ca1-UwQs/Vod6nLCB-hI/AAAAAAAACZo/-7-as-8M2OI/s640/Black%2BFalcon..%2BOrange%2BChat-2-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly got you! Or not.... the Chat escaped! Even though it looks like it's in a pretty dire situation here!</td></tr>
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The night was again perfect with calm weather and Brolga's calling periodically throughout. The next morning was the run home... <br />
We pushed it most of the way to get home in good time but did pick up a flock of about 30-40 Inland Dotterels near the dog fence and then came across a flock of about a dozen Gull-billed Terns sitting on the track in this area too! Not one we were expecting... but the sort of thing the Birdsville track throws up occasionally...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KEROVrS81bk/VoZoRor0SyI/AAAAAAAACYY/QechPsKZCMc/s1600/IMG_4857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KEROVrS81bk/VoZoRor0SyI/AAAAAAAACYY/QechPsKZCMc/s640/IMG_4857.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gull-billed Terns beside the track</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LTOyPvh2_BI/VoZoR5BTsTI/AAAAAAAACYg/3omWIeshnxc/s1600/IMG_4915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LTOyPvh2_BI/VoZoR5BTsTI/AAAAAAAACYg/3omWIeshnxc/s640/IMG_4915.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and on the track! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aXpLCUf_LRY/VoZoTBCp9sI/AAAAAAAACYw/2j1ct_wF3mA/s1600/IMG_5026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aXpLCUf_LRY/VoZoTBCp9sI/AAAAAAAACYw/2j1ct_wF3mA/s640/IMG_5026.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just to show it's not only birds I photograph! :-D Found this Gecko under a steel plate south of Marree on the old disused railway line... not sure what species it is! </td></tr>
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Then it was back onto the bitumen and powering home... we stopped at our favourite Rufous Fieldwren spot just north of Hawker and rustled up one without too much trouble! A flock of Cockatiels here was good to see fly past too! <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pJhX8nHcDHM/VoeVW4WmXhI/AAAAAAAACac/FeUKHv9nmRM/s1600/IMAG0427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pJhX8nHcDHM/VoeVW4WmXhI/AAAAAAAACac/FeUKHv9nmRM/s640/IMAG0427.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Rufous Fieldwren spot just north of Hawker rarely fails! :-)</td></tr>
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So there we have it another outback trip done with plenty of highlights as usual! <br />
Can't wait to do it all again next.... err... this year ;-)Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-12647208108329283942015-09-25T06:01:00.000-07:002015-09-25T06:01:18.970-07:00Birdsville Track... Version 2015 (Part 1)<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Sturt National Park... or the Birdsville Track? This year Mike and I faced a dilemma about which way to go for our annual outback birding adventure! Since doing the Birdsville last year we had been looking towards some new ground and going to some parts of the Sturt NP that we hadn't been too before! This was the plan up until the Mungeranie area on the Birdsville copped a couple of big rain events in the first half of the year... </div>
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So we had a decision.. chase the rains... or hit some new ground! We were about five days out when we finally made the call to chase the rains and head back up the Birdsville! Only this time we wouldn't push it like last year and make Mungeranie our most northern camp rather than pushing all the way to Birdsville and beyond! Our reasoning... less driving more birding time! I mean that is the reason we are up there! Well one of the reasons anyway! :-)</div>
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It was nearly 8am by the time we left Mike's farm on the 27/8... a bit later than usual... but I had just driven the 900km back from Wagga the day before so needed a little extra rest compared to the other trips we had done! First stop was a great little bakery in the Clare Valley then it was time to put km's under the wheels! </div>
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One of our favourite stretches of road along here is from Orroroo to Hawker! There's always a few interesting birds along here... and it's where the southern end of the Flinders Ranges start to come into view! We were treated to a carpet of wildflowers this time.. which with the Flinders in the background made for a good photo opportunity! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYXMAYNkA2Y/VfqqLaCdW0I/AAAAAAAACVI/-FysdHLwrHo/s1600/IMG_4690-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VYXMAYNkA2Y/VfqqLaCdW0I/AAAAAAAACVI/-FysdHLwrHo/s640/IMG_4690-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike trying to find a flower to photograph!!!! </td></tr>
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About 10km out of Hawker we decided it might be cool to go through the Flinders rather than skirting up the western edge. So when we left Hawker we took the road towards Blinman! Our plan was to go through the Brachina gorge and try for a Grey-fronted Honeyeater which is one I haven't seen yet! <br />
Along the way to the gorge turn-off we stopped a couple of sites just for a look around... the Flinders really are very pretty!<br />
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We failed to find any Grey-fronted Honeyeaters when we ventured through the Brachina... but we did find quite a few Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies feeding in the bottom of the gorge! <br />
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Leaving the gorge.. we headed pretty much straight to Lyndhurst from there. This is where the bitumen ends and in my opinion the real outback starts! </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eV4YubRopKo/Vfqq69NQZXI/AAAAAAAACV4/ztsJzbtB9SI/s1600/IMAG0380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eV4YubRopKo/Vfqq69NQZXI/AAAAAAAACV4/ztsJzbtB9SI/s640/IMAG0380.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Lyndhurst.....</td></tr>
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We had decided to camp at Farina for the night which is about 20km north of Lyndhurst... in-between these two spots is the first telecommunication tower! A favoured hang out for the rare and elusive Grey Falcon! We stopped and checked but didn't have any luck on this one!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3woq8cPKvVM/Vfqq7dFBNPI/AAAAAAAACWA/C9xtqFH9Jqo/s1600/IMAG0381-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3woq8cPKvVM/Vfqq7dFBNPI/AAAAAAAACWA/C9xtqFH9Jqo/s640/IMAG0381-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike checking the for a Grey Ghost! :-)</td></tr>
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We pulled into Farina at about 5pm and were greeted by the same nesting pair of Kestrels we had seen there last year! Whilst having a quick look around a Daddy Emu and a bunch of very cute chicks came wandering out of the creek! I managed a shot of the adult in the late light.. but the chicks being shorter were in the shade.. still got an ok shot of them though! Super cute at this age!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nankeen Kestrels doing a display flight over the Farina campgorund</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy Emu and below are his chicks!</td></tr>
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Next we got camp set up so we could sit down and relax around a nice warm fire! It would've been about two or three beers later when we thought we should get some grub happening! We eat pretty poorly on these trips :-D Haha no chance of that with head chef Mike organising food for the trip! We eat like Kings... these Scotch fillets below were about half a kilo each and were scrumptious! Needless to say after all that driving it wasn't long before the swag was looking inviting and it was time to put my head on my pillow and enjoy the beautiful outback sky at night!</div>
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The morning brought about another beautiful cloudless sky and birds calling everywhere! The Kestrels were displaying still and there were flocks of Budgies passing through... We went for a quick walk before breakfast... but wanted to keep moving now as today the real trip started! So we headed back towards camp... Mike was a fair way in front as I was busy still looking for things to photograph! Eventually I headed back towards the car.. just as I was about 50m from the tree line a Bronzewing flew through low and fast! I had no chance of a shot.. but was fairly confident it was a Flock Bronzewing! This is pretty south for them and I can't be sure so I didn't call it! For now it was placed in with the possible one we saw on the Strzelecki track in 2010! I was a little annoyed I didn't get a shot off... but such is life! Hopefully there would be more on this trip!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farina Creek looking back towards the campground from a little north on our morning walk</td></tr>
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Leaving Farina fairly early we started off towards Marree. It took a while as we kept having to stop for cool birds! But we eventually got there mid morning! </div>
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Below are some of the birds we saw throughout that area! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-breasted Buzzard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Eagle leaving it's nest tree! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I rarely see this species perched... so was happy to come across this one! It was quite confiding too! <br />
Black-breasted Buzzard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same bird when it eventually flushed! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-faced Woodswallows were everywhere! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one spot this Wedge-tailed Eagle actually flew over to check us out! Giving good photo opportunities! </td></tr>
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We fuelled up at Marree and headed onto the Birdsville track itself! Heading north we wanted to reach Mungeranie by nightfall so for the first part we kept motoring fairly well.. only stopping at a dry creek to chase a few birds we saw in the trees! Here we scored our first of lots of Pied Honeyeaters for the trip! <br />
A quick stop at the creek at Dulkaninna Station increased the trip list by adding a few waterbirds.. including the first Brolga for the trip! <br />
Just north of here last year we got a Gibberbird... so we kept our eye's peeled this time but it wasn't to be!<br />
Not long later we got to the Cooper Creek.. lunch was had under a shady tree whilst watching a water trough which was about 50m away get visited by lots of Budgie's, Honeyeaters and Galahs! Also saw some Diamond Doves and Zebra finch here drinking on a leaking pipe as well! <br />
Leaving the Cooper we headed into the first sand dune country for the trip... Poached Egg Daisies (technical term! lol) covered most of the dunes as is often the case in the outback and there where plenty of birds feeding all over the place! We stopped in one spot and easily picked up Crimson Chat, Chirruping Wedgebill, Pied Honeyeater, Cinnamon Quail-thrush and more Budgies!.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Honeyeater</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Budgerigar's in the dunes</td></tr>
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It was about mid afternoon when we came across another of the many telecommunication towers along the track. The only difference this time... was it was occupied!!! A Grey Ghost was there! Cool! As usual.. just like the other two which we saw last year.. it was right up at the top!! So high! We watched it for a while and then it decided it had seen enough and took off! It circled really high a couple of times and then headed to the east and over the dunes! Once it took off we saw it had just been successful hunting as it still had half of the unfortunate bird in it's talons! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey Falcon with kill</td></tr>
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We briefly looked over that sand hill in the hope of finding it landed in a tree or somewhere... but it was not to be! </div>
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By now it was mid afternoon and the next stop was Mungeranie! We got there by about 3.30 and went and checked for a good spot to camp! After sussing that out.. the 'to get there' travel was done! Now it was birding full on time! We had two hours of light left.. we spent it searching for whatever we could find! Deciding to head to another tower! The one we got the Grey's on last year! We found it empty when we got there so spent the next hour just out looking for other birds! We spied a group of trees on a sand dune which looked worth a look! Leaving the car about 150m away we walked in... not much there other than more Pied Honeyeaters! (They were in really good numbers this trip!) So we headed back to the car... when we were about 30m from the car a huge bird rose off the ground out of nowhere! An Australian Bustard!! Where the hell was that when we pulled up 15mins earlier!!! Must have been lying flat I guess? Not complaining though! Having never seen one before I was blown away by how big they are! I guess especially because this bird took instant flight and those wings just looked huge that close!! I was spewing though as I managed no decent shots of it! Of course Mike got some which made me even more frustrated at myself! lol First official lifer of the trip for me though... so I was pretty darn happy really! </div>
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We headed back to the tower for the last hour of light in the hope the Grey's would come in and roost like they did last year! This time no grey's showed but it was compensated by the stunning spot we were in! The late light was golden, warm and beautiful.. a full moon was rising.. we both had a beer in hand and there was still plenty to see as a pair of Kestrels did a few display flights near the tower! A pair of Australian Ravens which were nesting on the tower had to deal with a pair of pugnacious Corella's trying to cause whatever mischief they could as well which was quite funny to watch! Then to top it off Mike spotted a pair of birds flying sort of away from us about 200m away... I lifted the camera and clicked off a few shots.. brought them up on the LCD screen on the back of the camera to see Flock Bronzewings!!! Woohoo finally a confirmed sighting of this hard to find species! Lifer number two for me and number one for Mike! Not quite the views I was hoping for.... but better than nothing! </div>
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Satisfied it was time to head back whilst there was still a smidgen of light! We even managed a pair of Cinnamon Quail-thrush on the return leg which was pretty cool! :-)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tower where we spent the hour waiting for the Falcons which never came! </td></tr>
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The weather so far for this trip had been nothing short of sensational! With cloudless blue sky days with temps around 25 degrees.. and mild star filled nights complete with a full moon! We couldn't have asked for anything more! </div>
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The next morning we started before sunrise and packed the car as we had a big day planned to head up to the Goyder Lagoon and try for Grey Grasswrens! Before we left I walked the twenty metres or so from the camp to the Mungeranie lagoon and grabbed a pic as the sun was just about to rise!</div>
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The first 25-30kms were every quiet and I don't think we saw a bird! But then as often happens on these tracks out of nowhere a couple of Inland Dotterels scooted off the track! The parachute was thrown and we jumped out to try and find them again! We saw a pair of birds about 80m away chasing each other low down and then they dropped into the tiny sand hills in this spot... Mike thought he would chase them and I started off towards one of the Dotterels which was down the track! Mike was half way out to the birds in the sand when he yelled out Flockies! The chasing birds were Flock Bronzewings! I instantly forgot about the Dotterels and headed in a direction to cut off the Flockies as Mike was coming in from my right behind them! We took it fairly slow and were rewarded with good close views as the male followed/chased the female in some sort of courting move! I managed a couple of shots and then eventually they saw us and flew! Now that was a better sighting than the night before! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Flock Bronzewing in the sand pursuing the female! Check the camouflage! Great colour matching! :-)</td></tr>
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Mira Mitta bore was the next point of interest another ten or so kms up the track.. so we pulled in and had a look. There wasn't much at the bore itself... but most of these outback bores have an overflow! This bores overflow is quite large and about a kilometre further up the track there was a small dam right next to the track! We pulled up and saw the usual Red-capped Plovers and Pink-eared Ducks... and another new bird for the trip in the form of a Sharp-tailed Sandpiper! Then a single Flockie cam in and landed back behind some Ducks on the far edge! Interesting... then two more came in and banked right in front of us! They didn't hang around... but gave us a chance at some flight shots as they passed! I burst off a bunch of shots... had a look and most where soft! D'oh! Then Mike showed me his best shot on the back of his camera.. what I saw was a sensational shot! I wont repeat what I said but it was something along the lines of "grumble... grumble..." haha<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The two Flockies as they passed the dam! This was when they were still distant... the only shots I got of this pair in focus!</td></tr>
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I said to Mike with these sightings happening around us now... this would have to be a good spot to stake out on our way home! With that in mind we kept going.. Stopping at another bore where last year we got a Freckled Duck.. This year it was fairly quite with just some Black-fronted Dotterels, Zebra Finches and more Budgies! In the distance a dozen Camels where feeding at the base of a low dune.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feral Camels.....</td></tr>
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We kept on moving only stopping for a pair of Brown Falcons in a small batch of trees on the side of the track! Other than those it was off up to the inside track! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A confiding Brown Falcon which let me get to about four metres from it! </td></tr>
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The inside track had just been re-opened not too long before we were up there so this was our access to the Lignum of Goyder's lagoon. Grey Grasswren can be found throughout this large mostly dry lagoon and where the inside track crosses it is where we would try! We turned onto the inside track and made our way across the 13km of really rough gibber stone track to reach our destination! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gibber country just up off the edge of Goyder's Lagoon beside the Inside track</td></tr>
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It was the middle of the day and quite warm by the time we started walking... not perfect or conducive to finding any species of Grasswren... let alone one of the supposedly toughest! But we tried and failed last year in some different areas... this time we were hopeful! It is a desolate place when dry... and it just looks so lifeless... it would of been very easy to just give up and say too hard! After about 15mins though we came across a Variegated Fairy-wren which at first got us excited until we worked out the call was wrong for a Grey! Eventually it showed itself so we moved on... more and more Variegated FW's followed... until I followed one little female towards a single Lignum bush before she darted away! I was just about to head back towards where Mike was when I heard a different call from this bush! I called Mike over who came in from the other side and we tried to see what it was... It's pretty thick in these bushes and we had worked out it was definitely a Grey Grasswren from the calls before we saw it! Eventually it showed just enough for some average views and a few shots! Nothing more then ID shots but I was pretty stoked! Lifer number three for the trip! We searched some more and heard at least one more which we failed to see before calling it quits... It was now pretty hot and draining, plus it was time for a beer to celebrate another lifer! :-)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The very elusive Grey Grasswren keeping a close but obscured eye on me! </td></tr>
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Time was disappearing so we though we better start heading back! We wanted to get back to the Mira Mitta bore overflow again with a few hours of light up our sleeve!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The inside track was pretty rough in this section! </td></tr>
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We pulled into the first creek crossing once back on the main track for lunch and watched White-backed Swallows hunting as we ate.. then a Red-backed Kingfisher came in and had a look at us on the other side of the creek so I stalked it and got some shots as it was the first opportunity with this species for the trip! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-backed Kingfisher</td></tr>
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After lunch it was all about getting back to the Mira Mitta bore! Read all about how we faired in part two of this blog post coming soon! Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-30785266772513211342015-01-13T05:22:00.004-08:002015-01-13T23:29:26.924-08:00A tale of two Wrens....<h4 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u>Striated Grasswren</u> </h4>
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The Striated Grasswren is one of my favourite birds! They live in a harsh hot environment... they can be hard to find and then can be even harder to see well! They are one of the top birds to find in the Mallee/Spinifex regions of South Australia! </div>
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Since I started photographing them about 5 years ago I have had some good sessions and many.. many.. frustrating sessions with them! Back about 4yrs ago we had a few good seasons in a row out in the Mallee and they could be found fairly easily! Although still difficult to photograph with their great ability to zip between Spinifex clumps at super speed! Back then I was using my old camera set up and I gained a few shots but in reality nothing all that flash! </div>
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Jump forward a couple of years and I had upgraded to a better gear and sharpened my camera skills... so with it came a desire to get some decent shots of these little rufous beauties! So for about 18mths every time I went to the Mallee of Gluepot Reserve here in the Riverland of SA I searched for this species! Unfortunately by this time the Mallee had gone back to being dry... so with it the birdlife dropped off to an extent! I went for a long time without even seeing a Grasswren... and as such found it a little frustrating!</div>
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Then in Spring last year a pair of even harder to find Scarlet-chested Parrots nested in an easily accessible section of Gluepot. This was an opportunity not to be missed so I was back up there again photographing them. Once I had my fill of the parrots I decided to try and find my nemesis of late and head off into a decent patch of Spinifex and see if I could be lucky!</div>
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Playing a little call to see if there would be a response... for the first five minutes I heard nothing! Then faintly off in the distance the familiar squeaking call of a Grasswren! Finally I had found a pair! Unfortunately I couldn't manage any decent shots and walked away happy to have found them but with unfinished business!</div>
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About a month later I went back to the parrots and so tried the Grasswren spot again... this time nothing! Which made me wonder if they were a pair just passing through... </div>
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I never got back again till the new year when I met up with some young birders who had ventured over from the eastern states to see some of our Mallee birds! I was initially a little sceptical as I took them to this spot in the middle of a 40+ degree heatwave but it turned out to be a blessing as their was no one else around! Rolling up at daybreak to beat the heat we headed to the spot I had seen the birds back in Oct 14. Again I played a little burst of call and then after a few minutes we got a response! This time both birds came right in and gave us all superb views! Not sure how many images I snapped.... but it was a lot! Finally I had the images of these cool birds I was after! Happy days! </div>
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So it's good to know there's at least one pair of Grasswrens still in-habiting the Spinifew of Gluepot! Although I'm sure there must be more out there! On the way in we saw a little bird run across the track in front of us about 100m up in front whilst checking out a Chestnut Quail-thrush! I'm 95% sure it was a SG! Might have to check that spot next time! </div>
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Here's some of the images from that day! </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ptI4wEI6Kg/VLUMcHN9y4I/AAAAAAAACQo/cn7MDUNi_9M/s1600/IMG_7618%2BPS2-4-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ptI4wEI6Kg/VLUMcHN9y4I/AAAAAAAACQo/cn7MDUNi_9M/s1600/IMG_7618%2BPS2-4-2.jpg" height="380" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><u>Mallee Emu-wren</u></strong></div>
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The Mallee Emu-wren is another small wren of the Mallee/Spinifex country and another I have been real keen to see! They live in a few spots in SA although they have been decimated by bushfires knocking out their prime habitats of late! Which has put them into the critically endangered category here in SA mainly due to the fragmentation of the population caused by land clearing around and through their habitat! So when a fire wipes out a block of Mallee... there's no birds to spread back into the regrowth! As these guys are tiny and not strong flyers! Quite a sad situation in my eyes!</div>
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So three days after getting back from the Grasswren trip... I had to drive over to Wagga to pick up my son who was staying with his Nan & Pa for a while! As this drive would take me fairly close to the last stronghold of this species... a place called Hattah Kulkyne National Park in Victoria, I thought I may as well head off a night earlier and have a shot at seeing if I could see these little ones! </div>
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Driving over I arrived at about 11pm at the park and just slept in the car as it was raining quite a bit! Waking up at first light... the weather was still rubbish! With consistent light drizzle and rain periods it certainly wasn't conducive to good birding and photography! Too bad basically I was there and had to try! My first walk resulted in me back in the car after 10mins as the rain got too heavy and I didn't want my camera getting too wet! Waiting it out for an hour it wasn't getting any better so I wrapped my camera in a towel and put another over my head and went off searching! After walking half hour listening carefully I had found nothing! I was getting wet so I thought bugger it I am going back to the car! I thought I would head back a different way and still didn't see much till I got within 50m of my car where I tried to stalk a pair of Mulga Parrots... I managed to flush them! But not before I heard a tiny little squeak call coming from over the back of where they were! I waited and squeaked back and BINGO there was a lovely little male Mallee Emu-wren hoping up to look at me! Woohoo! I was pretty excited by that and took what shots I could but by now was getting real wet so I left it there and went back to the car! </div>
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Heading off I went to another spot at the back of a truck-stop on the way out of the park and found two more! A few more shots in the rain and I was done! Well satisfied with the finding of these little gems! Gotta get back in good light now and try for some better pics! :-)</div>
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So two cool little Wrens of the Mallee in three days! Certainly can't complain about that! </div>
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Thanks for reading.... :-)</div>
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Chris</div>
Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-46151387272211748122014-11-02T23:32:00.000-08:002014-11-02T23:54:44.475-08:00October in feathers....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Spring is always an exciting time for birding around my area! Most birds are breeding so they are usually in full voice and the summer migrants are turning up too! So all in all September.. October... and November are pretty fantastic months to be out and about searching for our feathered friends!</div>
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As I haven't posted for a while I thought I would today and now that October has just finished put together a snapshot of some of the better bird images I have taken during it!</div>
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So below is a bunch of images all taken in October 2014! </div>
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Enjoy!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Rainbow Bee-eater: </strong>The Bee-eaters started arriving in early Oct... this is one of my first shots of the season of one! Not the best image but a colourful start!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Australian Owlet-nightjar: </strong>Always a favourite of mine! There's a couple of little Mallee scrubs in my area where I can pretty much be assured of a sighting! This one flushed from a hollow on a mates property and sat nicely for his pic to taken!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Nankeen Kestrel: </strong>Sitting in the entrance of her nesting hollow this beautiful little female Kestrel was quite content to just sit and watch as I approached with my camera!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Blue-winged Parrot: </strong>Another of the spring time visitors to this area! My mate Michael and I flushed a couple one morning whilst searching through a new little patch of scrub near Salter Springs!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Dusky Woodswallow: </strong>This image was also from the scrub where we found the Blue-wings! Sitting on two eggs this attentive mother to be was quite confiding and stayed on the nest till I was about two metres away! When she flushed I moved back and she was back on the nest within 30 seconds!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iIy0QeNEdxI/VFceoxDIYyI/AAAAAAAACOE/QburQtSCi-s/s1600/IMG_1055-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iIy0QeNEdxI/VFceoxDIYyI/AAAAAAAACOE/QburQtSCi-s/s1600/IMG_1055-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Hooded Plover: </strong>A sad story this one... this pair had decided to make their nest on the foreshore of Victor Harbor SA right near a playground and skatepark! The area was fenced off to try and keep the dogs out... although it wasn't super effective! I didn't give them much hope of successfully raising chicks! In the end it wasn't people or the dogs which wrecked the nest but a super high tide! Disappointing....<strong> </strong><br />
In this shot she is sitting on the doomed nest!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Peregrine Falcon: </strong>Next three images are of the female Peregrine defending her eyrie at a secret spot I know of near Victor Harbor! I have known these birds for about 20yrs now (maybe different birds) and try to visit it once a season to see how the are going! Always a thrill!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5NVPAA6Bbzc/VFcerCpz4NI/AAAAAAAACOY/HC30jqO7__I/s1600/IMG_1334%2BPS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5NVPAA6Bbzc/VFcerCpz4NI/AAAAAAAACOY/HC30jqO7__I/s1600/IMG_1334%2BPS-2.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Whiskered Tern: </strong>Decked out in breeding plumage... this delicate little guy was fishing around the Goolwa Barrage with about 30 of his kin!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVRcg4XeiRo/VFceuQ2sZkI/AAAAAAAACOw/Nos4X4IFtTo/s1600/IMG_1502-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JVRcg4XeiRo/VFceuQ2sZkI/AAAAAAAACOw/Nos4X4IFtTo/s1600/IMG_1502-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Nankeen Kestrel: </strong>Found this little male one day whilst driving a dirt road out Reeves Plains way! He was quite tame and didn't fly even when another car passed as I photographed him!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr_e4rSVPSQ/VFcevWDCYQI/AAAAAAAACO8/g4kVW8bq5ow/s1600/IMG_1540-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr_e4rSVPSQ/VFcevWDCYQI/AAAAAAAACO8/g4kVW8bq5ow/s1600/IMG_1540-2.jpg" height="640" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Whistling Kite: </strong>Photographed near Pt Wakefield... they are a fairly plain looking raptor.. but I still like to grab images of them! Still haven't got one I am totally happy with yet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkFkG2eTZBk/VFceu0FXdNI/AAAAAAAACO0/n3MpMMCJDwA/s1600/IMG_1547-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkFkG2eTZBk/VFceu0FXdNI/AAAAAAAACO0/n3MpMMCJDwA/s1600/IMG_1547-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Black Falcon: </strong>Also taken when I took the Whistling Kite shot! Always a good day when one of these turns up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTCFD0glGA4/VFcev064j5I/AAAAAAAACPE/TE_jVM6JFuY/s1600/IMG_1591-2%2BPS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KTCFD0glGA4/VFcev064j5I/AAAAAAAACPE/TE_jVM6JFuY/s1600/IMG_1591-2%2BPS-2.jpg" height="340" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Eastern Barn Owl: </strong>The Barn Owls have been pretty far and few in this area at the moment! As the weather warms hopefully more will start to show up! Found two on this night and managed to capture a few flight shots! Also unfinished business for me... haven't quite nailed the shot I'm after yet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XVa_UGZd99w/VFcexZ2wTCI/AAAAAAAACPQ/JAUEoX6HMJg/s1600/IMG_1634%2BPS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XVa_UGZd99w/VFcexZ2wTCI/AAAAAAAACPQ/JAUEoX6HMJg/s1600/IMG_1634%2BPS-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Scarlet-chested Parrot: </strong>Highlight of the month was seeing a pair of these beauties nesting up in the Mallee at a place called Gluepot Reserve here in SA! Been three years since my last sighting of this species! Such beautiful little gems these! The first image is of the male.. second is the female then the male again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Little Eagle:</strong> This great bird flew over low when I was photographing Striated Grasswrens also at Gluepot! I clipped the bottom of the wing a touch as it was so close... so I thought I would try a different comp for this one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBcg64i9zj4/VFce3M7RqjI/AAAAAAAACP4/hPadFODMCos/s1600/IMG_1783-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dBcg64i9zj4/VFce3M7RqjI/AAAAAAAACP4/hPadFODMCos/s1600/IMG_1783-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Striated Grasswren: </strong>SO good to see a pair of these after a period of nearly two years without a sighting! Still no easier to photograph though! LOL</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Brown Treecreeper: </strong>This I photographed from a hide near a water-point in Gluepot also! Often hanging upside down on tree trunks... somehow I managed to get a shot of this one upright!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Tawny Frogmouth: </strong>Starting to get out a little more chasing our night birds now the weather is warming up! The TF's are always a year round staple here and always a joy to find! Funny looking things they are! They can be very individual in the way they react... with some freezing and trying to look like branches whilst others just go about their business and don't seem to perturbed by my presence!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Eastern Barn Owl:</strong> This shot and the next are of a pair which nest in my mate Michael's house yard on his farm! The first shot is of one of the pair near the nest hidden in the tree on the right (out of sight) The one below is the other of the pair which was hunting low of this perch about 200m away!</td></tr>
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<br />Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-75665784827110904202014-10-03T06:41:00.000-07:002014-10-04T01:04:02.942-07:00A dream come true!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As a teenager back in high school I was a dreamer! (still am!) I always sat near windows if possible and spent way too much time staring out of them looking to the skies! Just hoping to see something fly past! Needless to say... I probably didn't put enough effort into my schoolwork as I should have!! One life changing event which did come out of my school years though was to be found in the library! One day in there I came across a book... a book which would become an obsession for me... and in the whole five years I was at that school I don't think anyone else ever got the chance to borrow it as I always had it! The book was "Hawks in Focus" by Jack and Lindsay Cupper! It is a book about their amazing journey photographing all of Australia's 24 diurnal birds of prey at or near the nest! They travelled thousands of kilometres and from memory about eight years to see and photograph all of them. Setting towers and hides at them and then spending time photographing, filming and just observing these amazing birds! To me it was inspirational... I spent many an hour pouring over the wonderful images and reading the text over and over again! I also spent nearly just as much time dreaming of one day being able to do the same thing! To not very long ago that's where it remained... just a dream! Two weekends ago that all changed!!</div>
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A little while back I was contacted by a fellow raptor lover... David Gemmel. Sharing a lot of the same interests David and I have become good friends! He makes some wonderful videos of our raptors and has done a bit of work with towers and hides! What also came along with David was his extensive network of fellow raptor lovers! He has a lot of contacts in the world of Australian raptors and Lindsay Cupper was one of them! Through this I ended up meeting Lindsay and some other great raptor loving people when they were on their way up the Strzelecki track about six weeks ago! It was very cool to meet the person who wrote the book of which I was such a big fan!</div>
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Anyway a few weeks later I was told of a possible nesting attempt by a pair of Spotted Harriers by a good friend out at Reeves Plains. He said he had seen a Harrier carrying and placing a stick into a low tree on a track next to his property! A few weeks passed before I could get out there but when I did.. straight away a bird was up and circling around over my head! Awesome! I guessed she was on eggs and I left. When I got back I rang Lindsay and he said he was keen to come down and place a hide at the nest when the chicks hatched! A week later I ventured out again and could hear chicks! Must have been on eggs a little earlier than I had originally thought! As they were actually quite big and probably about two-three weeks old!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the female from when I originally flushed her off the nest!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQ3h64utY6Q/VC6MPHKIyzI/AAAAAAAACLo/GV0tP9uOTqQ/s1600/IMG_9611ps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mQ3h64utY6Q/VC6MPHKIyzI/AAAAAAAACLo/GV0tP9uOTqQ/s1600/IMG_9611ps.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nest site</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chicks which were more advanced than I originally thought!</td></tr>
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I rang Lindsay again and he decided the time was now! About four days later we were erecting a hide at the nest! <br />
With the light angle and the position of the tree we had to get permission from the neighbour to place the hide in his paddock! Happily he was fine with it! Which was very much appreciated as it was the only angle which would work!<br />
Lindsay camped nearby and spent the next two days with them before I could get back. Lindsay kindly said I could spend some time in the hide whenever I had the chance! An offer I couldn't refuse!<br />
It was a beautiful crisp Saturday morning when I entered the hide at 6am! The chicks were still huddled in the nest and not much was happening! I was so amped! I had dreamed of this for years and now I was doing it! The excitement was dimming just a tiny bit when an hour later still nothing other then a lazy wing stretch by one of the chicks.. had happened! Watching out the peep holes in the hide a Kangaroo slowly bounced past and it would be another half hour before something happened!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the chicks in sweet light before the parent arrived!</td></tr>
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Then out of the blue the female was on the nest! Not sure how I missed it but in my excitement I instantly burst off a heap of shots and she flew again almost straight away! Cursing myself for not letting her settle... it was ten minutes before I saw her again! This time it was both parents flying in! They did a food pass just out behind the nest and then the female with the prey landed on a nearby fence post and the male in a tree above! Lots of calling ensued which was then followed by a mock mating session on the post! Amazing! The male then flew off... and the female sat there for a short while longer! All this time the chicks were calling... eventually she flew up and landed on the nest and begun to feed what I think was part of a small rabbit to the older two chicks! Super excited but restrained this time I held off shooting any frames till I was sure she was settled and then spent the next half hour photographing, filming and just watching her feed the chicks! Awesome!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The female when she flew in to feed the chicks! Interestingly the chick on the right although yonnger than the one on the left was the dominant one and ruled the nest! It always had first go at the meals!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here the female protects her eye whilst feeding the chick!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jY19ErSg4to/VC6NG0uQC6I/AAAAAAAACMQ/nOOzjHPJAjo/s1600/IMG_9995-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jY19ErSg4to/VC6NG0uQC6I/AAAAAAAACMQ/nOOzjHPJAjo/s1600/IMG_9995-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a thrill! I was in awe to watch this stuff up close!</td></tr>
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The meal fed the two older chicks and they returned to snoozing! The little guy which was about five days I guess behind the other two went hungry! The female stayed for a while then decided to do a little housework and started collecting sprays of leaves to reline the nest with... she took off about a dozen times to rip off some nearby leaves and then fly back and place them in the bottom of the nest! Then she disappeared again!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking off to collect leaves!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yoenWPdPhRE/VC6NZ1dV4gI/AAAAAAAACMw/xkkqFjTQvAE/s1600/IMG_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yoenWPdPhRE/VC6NZ1dV4gI/AAAAAAAACMw/xkkqFjTQvAE/s1600/IMG_0118.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and bringing them back!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IFccgAAjj2s/VC6NZHkL60I/AAAAAAAACMo/qUCBKoYNW7E/s1600/IMG_0160-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IFccgAAjj2s/VC6NZHkL60I/AAAAAAAACMo/qUCBKoYNW7E/s1600/IMG_0160-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three chicks! Guess which is the dominant one! LOL</td></tr>
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It was nearly another hour before the female returned... this time without prey! The little guy was going crazy by this stage and after looking at him for about 30 seconds she flew again. I watched her fly off behind the hide and into the distance... when I could only just still see her I saw another food pass with the male! She returned this time with a blue-tongued Lizard! This time the older two didn't even look at her and the littlest chick got the whole thing! <br />
Just loved watching all this! So interesting to see how they lived their lives! Something without the hide you would never see!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z-lLcpBjqPo/VC6gwVkMs3I/AAAAAAAACNQ/0X_QhFaoWVk/s1600/IMG_0542-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z-lLcpBjqPo/VC6gwVkMs3I/AAAAAAAACNQ/0X_QhFaoWVk/s1600/IMG_0542-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing in the Blue-tongue Lizard</td></tr>
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I spent about another half hour with them! The female had retired to a branch behind the nest and the chicks did a little flappercise!<br />
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I messaged Lindsay and he came to relieve me from the hide! I was a little sore from being crouched for four and a half hours! But it was oh so worth it! I saw some stuff up close of which I had only ever dreamed about! Taken some cool images and some nice footage! But most of all spent some quality time with a most wonderful bird and it's little family! Something I will never forget!<br />
Now a HUGE thankyou must go to Lindsay for letting me do this! Without his gear and expertise I would never have been able to do it! We had some great chats about all things raptors! and I hope to do a lot more stuff with him! David too for being the main reason this all happened! If he hadn't got in contact with me... I would never have had this chance! So thanks guys it is much appreciated! My mate Nigel too for finding the Harriers and organising access to the neighbours paddock!<br />
I am just stoked to have been able to do this! It really was a dream come true..........<br />
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<strong><u>A week later</u></strong><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JpcrSyboHbY/VC6NvX49_iI/AAAAAAAACNA/v18cHjr6Si0/s1600/IMG_0488-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JpcrSyboHbY/VC6NvX49_iI/AAAAAAAACNA/v18cHjr6Si0/s1600/IMG_0488-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I came back a week after Lindsay had left to check the chicks after we had a really strong north wind! Thankfully they were still there! Boy do they grow quick though! Wont be long till they are flying! Must get back there this weekend and check on them again!</td></tr>
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<br />Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-1462510260543443212014-07-08T06:18:00.004-07:002014-07-09T18:30:45.204-07:00Birdsville Track Pt 2 - Southward Bound...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waddi Tree</td></tr>
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Waking up before dawn.. the same? (I guess so!) White-necked Heron had beat us up and was down hunting in the half light in the tiny pools which characterise the Diamantina River in this area when not flowing. It's extremely turbid... how this Heron could see anything in that water was beyond me! But it was there when we arrived and it was there when we left!<br />
Making our way into the town of Birdsville and our next stop was to re-fuel and buy a couple of touristy trinkets for the family back home! Bought a Birdsville beanie for the wife and nothing for the kids! Harsh I know but they all had been promised some rocks from the desert! So their presents were a lot cheaper! and put big smiles on their little faces when I got home! Sometimes it's the simple things :-)<br />
We headed north next towards Bedourie with the intention of finding not birds... although happy to see any along the way! but to find a group of endangered trees found nowhere else in the world! Waddi Trees only occur in this area about 20km north of Birdsville and are quite interesting! They are a rare and ancient species which when dry it is near impossible to drill or chop as the wood is so hard! In times gone by it was used as fence posts and these posts a hundred years later show no signs of wear or decay! Now that's tough wood!<br />
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The Waddis were the most Northern point for our trip! From here it was all heading back! Although I don't like putting it that way as it sounds like you are gunning for home when in reality we still had two days left!</div>
Back into Birdsville it was a quick stop at the Bakery... then down to the lagoon and then wetlands to see what was hanging around in there. A productive spot with Musk Duck, Pelican, Red-necked Avocet, Pied Cormorant and Hoary-headed Grebe being new species for our trip list seen here.<br />
A pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles circled over us at the wetlands and the local pair of Whistling Kites were not impressed and gave them a hurry up!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IrzDAvAZN9M/U7qWPx2IIKI/AAAAAAAAB-s/DObTzI0x_-0/s1600/IMG_4146-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IrzDAvAZN9M/U7qWPx2IIKI/AAAAAAAAB-s/DObTzI0x_-0/s1600/IMG_4146-2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Get out of my territory!" Whistling Kite giving a Wedge-tailed Eagle the once over!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musk Duck and Pink-eared Duck friend at Birdsville</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy Martin were common around Birdsville...</td></tr>
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Leaving Birdsville our next stop was at an area we had looked over on the way up as a potential area for Banded Whiteface. We were unsuccessful in finding them although we did have a little bird fly across the track right in front of us at one stage which had a very chestnut coloured back and looked the goods to me... but when we stopped and searched we couldn't turn it up... so that one didn't go into our book. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4sogxYrQ74/U7qWQ-y7BhI/AAAAAAAAB-w/92Y4dAPpwxI/s1600/IMG_4156-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E4sogxYrQ74/U7qWQ-y7BhI/AAAAAAAAB-w/92Y4dAPpwxI/s1600/IMG_4156-2.jpg" height="336" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure of the species... but this Dragonfly was huge! We found it in a very plain dry uninviting looking spot along the track when we were searching the area for Banded Whiteface!</td></tr>
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93km south of Birdsville was the next stop at a spot known for Grey Grasswren... when we got there it was pretty dead looking... sparse areas of the driest looking lignum! We instantly didn't like our chances! But remembering back to reading The Big Twitch... Sean Dooley found these birds in some of the most uninviting looking Lignum possible! So we thought we better give it a go! You wont know if you don't try! Leaving the car it was now about 12pm and certainly not the 'prime' time to be looking for this species... the flies were crazy and hearing any calls would be tough! We did find a few families of Variegated Fairy-wrens! But not what we were after... retreating back to the ute to escape the flies we grabbed our lunch out and kept driving.<br />
Somewhere around this area... I cant remember exactly! We came across another small waterhole about 100m off the track. We drove out and found a group of about a dozen Red-necked Avocets sitting in the middle of it! Not what we were expecting... but always a cool bird to see!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXwLvdPk438/U7qWR4wAzUI/AAAAAAAAB-8/X78Poi1ashA/s1600/IMG_4188-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DXwLvdPk438/U7qWR4wAzUI/AAAAAAAAB-8/X78Poi1ashA/s1600/IMG_4188-2.jpg" height="388" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-necked Avocets which were on a tiny little dam about 80km south of the QLD border!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OINnX5Ex8hE/U7qWUoG33LI/AAAAAAAAB_M/U4dtQeF2X60/s1600/IMG_4294-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OINnX5Ex8hE/U7qWUoG33LI/AAAAAAAAB_M/U4dtQeF2X60/s1600/IMG_4294-2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not often you get a pair of Gibberbirds in frame!</td></tr>
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The next part of the drive went by fairly uneventfully until we saw another Gibberbird cross the road in front of us. We pulled up and turned the engine off and waited... in our many encounters with this species now we have found they usually don't go very far when flushed and can be found relatively close by! This one was no different and we found him about 10m off the track! Not long later another joined him which gave an opportunity to photograph the pair together! Very cool! At one stage they both crossed the track around behind the ute and Mike got a photo of one in the side mirror.... as you do!! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-68a8fAIY8do/U7vs5aum20I/AAAAAAAACDA/GQUrBZvLKI8/s1600/IMG_5871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-68a8fAIY8do/U7vs5aum20I/AAAAAAAACDA/GQUrBZvLKI8/s1600/IMG_5871.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There he is! just checking our suspension! (photo: Michael Warnes)</td></tr>
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A little further on we reached the point where the inside track comes back out to re-join the main track again. Right there another Gibberbird crossed the road! We stopped again and got out as this time it had flown about 50m out onto the gibber directly into the sun! Mike and I managed to get around to a more favourable photographic position without this bird moving and we got a few more shots... then another joined it! Another pair!! Eventually they both flew off into the sun again.. not too far, but we had spent some time with this pair so we let them go. Walking back to the car we stopped to get some drinks out of the esky when we heard another Gibberbird calling on the otherside of the road! With the sun in a better direction Mike moved out about 20m into the gibber and started imitating the call. In no time this bird flew in and landed about 2m away from him!! I couldn't believe it and started moving out towards them with my camera... The bird had now moved out about 6-7 metres from Mike but there it stayed! For the next 15mins we had the most amazing session you could ever have with this cool little desert bird! It even let me go back to the car and get my tripod so as to film it! This was one of the my highlights of the trip! Good light, great bird in the middle of the gibber along the Birdsville Track! Fantastic!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Twa-C2Rudls/U7qWW80ij0I/AAAAAAAAB_k/njrFxLjvYqg/s1600/IMG_4461-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Twa-C2Rudls/U7qWW80ij0I/AAAAAAAAB_k/njrFxLjvYqg/s1600/IMG_4461-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back of a Gibberbird!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlsgttLX7GY/U7vtornPctI/AAAAAAAACDI/4VVVjsLkoQU/s1600/IMG_4445+PS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FlsgttLX7GY/U7vtornPctI/AAAAAAAACDI/4VVVjsLkoQU/s1600/IMG_4445+PS-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of a Gibberbird</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H6sK36zyHDg/U7vq2u4irfI/AAAAAAAACC0/TMe9s1o2cvg/s1600/IMG_4615-2+PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H6sK36zyHDg/U7vq2u4irfI/AAAAAAAACC0/TMe9s1o2cvg/s1600/IMG_4615-2+PS.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side of a Gibberbird!</td></tr>
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We pulled into Mungerannie just after sunset very well satisfied with our days birding and sat back with a couple of beers around the campfire and just enjoyed being where we were!<br />
Getting up early the next morning we walked out to the waterhole to watch the sunrise and see what birdlife was around as usual! The sunrise was pretty cool and I managed a few shots of a White-necked Heron and also another pair of Brolga as they flew along the waterhole and out of sight in front of the sunrise! Nice way to start the day! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVfW9PaQsqE/U7qXDYLGFQI/AAAAAAAAB_0/msCA1gs4tWE/s1600/IMG_4771-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gVfW9PaQsqE/U7qXDYLGFQI/AAAAAAAAB_0/msCA1gs4tWE/s1600/IMG_4771-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A White-necked Heron at dawn above the waterhole at Mungerannie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vgc6B3HskWw/U7qXEHUUgWI/AAAAAAAAB_8/YRk9CdkC_ys/s1600/IMG_4789-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vgc6B3HskWw/U7qXEHUUgWI/AAAAAAAAB_8/YRk9CdkC_ys/s1600/IMG_4789-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brolga's flying off into the sunrise! Mungerannie</td></tr>
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Off south again this was our last day for the trip and we were hoping for a few more highlights on the run down the bottom half of the track! We had travelled about 30 or 40km when we almost run over a small bird on the track! We stopped jumped out and found a pair of Inland Dotterels! Cool! As is often the case with this species... closing the gap proved almost impossible! I managed a few ok shots and then we left them too it. Conscious of time as we had a fair distance to travel on this day! Around 20 more km's were under the tyres when Mike spotted a Cinnamon Quail-thrush on the side of the road. We pulled up and again like the Dotterels there was a pair sitting a little way off the track. Knowing these birds could be even harder then the Inland Dotterels to get close too we decided to sit down and use a touch of playback to see if they would come to us! Come to us they did and a great short little session was had with these stunning birds! The morning was going very well! Two great desert species in the first 60 odd kilometres!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wBNMMhMIS8/U7qXGQlr0RI/AAAAAAAACAI/ezO4Q-Fq-10/s1600/IMG_4836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wBNMMhMIS8/U7qXGQlr0RI/AAAAAAAACAI/ezO4Q-Fq-10/s1600/IMG_4836.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing proud and tall to attention! Inland Dotterel South of Mungerannie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8CC3czWZQU/U7qXF5fruUI/AAAAAAAACAE/n8sQqz5heW4/s1600/IMG_4910+PS-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K8CC3czWZQU/U7qXF5fruUI/AAAAAAAACAE/n8sQqz5heW4/s1600/IMG_4910+PS-3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Quail-thrush also south of Mungerannie</td></tr>
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One of our targets for the trip was to try and get all the Chats! So far we had managed to see all bar the Crimson Chat! Normally an easy bird to find in the right habitat in the outback... this trip both they and the Orange had been very thin on the ground! We had seen a small flock of Orange right up near the top of the track.. but the Crimson had been eluding us! Being a nomadic species it was most likely they were all in another area where better rains had been falling? but we were clinging to hopes that we would jag one somewhere along the way! <br />
After crossing the (dry) Cooper Creek the end of the track was getting closer and our chances of finding a Crimson Chat were fading.... then as we passed through another dry creek bed we flushed a bird which looked bright red in the right areas as it flew off! Slamming on the brakes we jumped out and searched. It turned out to be quite a birdy spot with many species seen but not the Crimson we were after... we would have to find one further down in the Flinders if we were going to get the set!<br />
The highlight of this stop though was a pair of Pied Honeyeaters which sat up for a photo! A species we had been looking for and had almost given up on! So a nice bonus to the stop!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nuh3NePeRII/U7qXG7ILUxI/AAAAAAAACAU/Krt4Bg2UXyk/s1600/IMG_4935-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nuh3NePeRII/U7qXG7ILUxI/AAAAAAAACAU/Krt4Bg2UXyk/s1600/IMG_4935-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pied Honeyeaters</td></tr>
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The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful as we made our way down the track through Marree and down to Lyndhurst and then Leigh creek for lunch again. <br />
We stopped at our little honey-hole just north of Hawker again and saw pretty much the same birds as on the way up! I spent most of the stop photographing the Southern Whitefaces... I think Mike may have been rolling his eyes at me as he was wandering around trying to find the Rufous Fieldwrens that inhabit this area! From there we made our way home to arrive just on dark and happy to be home after a big haul all the way from Mungerannie in the morning!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Whiteface back at our favourite spot just north of Hawker!</td></tr>
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<u>Grey Falcons</u></h3>
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One of the main species we always target on our trips into the outback is the elusive Grey Falcon! Having done numerous trips over the years and coming up empty handed other than a couple of maybe sightings of fast flying raptors scooting by without long enough views to confirm or deny! We were hoping our time had come on this trip! </div>
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One thing the Birdsville track has plenty of is communication towers along it... as these are prime perching spots for Greys so we decided to check every single one we could find on the way up! Just hoping to get lucky! Unfortunately when we pulled up into Birdsville on the third day of our trip.. despite lots of tower searching we saw nothing but a few Kestrels and Magpies occupying the towers!</div>
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Oh well... there's always the trip back I guess and as you do.. we checked every tower on the way back down too! This time BINGO we came across a pair of the Grey beauties sitting high up on a tower! AWESOME!!! I have been obsessed with finding this species ever since I first read about them in Jack and Lindsay Cupper's book 'Hawks in Focus' back when I was about 12yrs old! So this was a special moment for me and Mike also! </div>
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To be honest they didn't do much... just sat there and looked at us! Would of loved to see one fly! It wasn't to be... but what a bird! Yes!! I'm a little obsessed :-)</div>
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Now I just want to get closer! and as much as an itch has been scratched.... it hasn't completely stopped itching as now I want more! So the fire is still there... now to find a nice low one within decent camera range! Still happy as can be for now :-) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My holy grail of Australian birds... The Grey Falcon!!</td></tr>
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So in summary it was as most outback trips are a lot of fun! The birding was good without being spectacular! Maybe a little quiet due to time of year and the fairly dry conditions... but it's a superb place to go and I will be very keen to get back up there sometime!</div>
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As always I have to thank my good mate Mike for doing a lot of the organising of the trip and for the use of his 4WD! Not forgetting his great camp-oven cooking skills as well! Also for sharing the passion for our beautiful outback and the fantastic birds within!</div>
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Last but never least to my wonderful wife who holds fort at home with our three young children! If it wasn't for her understanding of my bird obsession I would never be able to do a trip like this!</div>
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I will be posting a full bird list for the trip on this post in the coming few days!</div>
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Till next time!!</div>
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Chris</div>
Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-61747572694113725482014-06-24T05:41:00.000-07:002014-07-07T05:55:10.462-07:00Birdsville Track Pt 1 - Northward Bound....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After two trips up the Strzelecki track in 2013 this year the Birdsville Track was calling...</div>
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This year Michael and I decided to do an earlier trip than usual and we were packing the Hilux on the evening of the 6th of June! Ready for an early departure the next morning!</div>
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The alarm went off at 4am and it was on the road in the dark... about 15 minutes later we came across our first bird of the trip a cute little Southern Boobook! Which was closely followed by a couple of Eastern Barn Owls. Light was on the Horizon as we were making our way along north of Clare and with a patchy fog around the area the birding was fairly slow... The next highlight bird didn't come until we were north of Orroroo in the mid north in a spot where some low hills rise off a plain. Back in September last year we had a Peregrine buzz us as we were cresting one of the hills! This time whilst crossing the plain, we mentioned that Peregrine as we neared the spot, this time no Peregrine showed on that hill... a slight disappointment.. which turned on it's head only a couple of km's further north where a beautiful big female Peregrine was sitting low on a dead branch right beside the road! We turned around after whizzing past to try for some shots but she must have flew whilst we were turning.. so it was not to be! Always a great bird to see though! and pretty cool to see it on our way up north again like last year... a good omen we thought!</div>
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Hawker was our first stop for refuelling and up to here other then the mentioned raptors the birding had been pretty slow... not that the weather had helped being fairly foggy! All this would change when a few km's north of Hawker we stopped at a great little spot we had found by accident one day and found all sorts of birds! This quite uninspiring looking spot has never failed to deliver some great birds every time we have stopped there! This time true to form we found quite a few different species in a 20 minute search including Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo, White-fronted Chat, Redthroat, White-winged Fairy-wren, Zebra Finch, Australasian Pipit, Southern Whiteface and White-winged Triller! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-winged Fairy Wren at one of our favourite little stops north of Hawker</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our spot north of Hawker looking beautifully green! The rains have been kind to the Flinders of late!</td></tr>
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Lunch was had at Leigh Creek as usual and then it was onto Lyndhurst before heading north towards Marree. There's a great little spot called Farina about 20 km's up the road from Lyndhurst we dropped in to have a look and found it pretty busy with it being a long weekend! We still managed our first Budgerigars and Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters for the trip but with so many people around and plenty of km's to go... we didn't spend much time here. Would be a lovely place to camp in quieter times though! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Australian Kestrel on the edge of what is most likely it's nesting hollow!</td></tr>
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One of the trip highlights was spotted by Mike as we were about two thirds of the way to Marree when out to our right he spotted a pair of Black-breasted Buzzards circling low about half a kilometre away over the plain! Unmistakeable with their big white windows in their wings and short tails... this was by far the furthest south we had ever seen them and it was nice to tick them off the trip list nice and early!</div>
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Another fuel stop at Marree and it was onto the track proper!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found our first White-breasted Woodswallows on Frome Creek a creek we had once camped on back in 2010 on the Strzelecki Track.</td></tr>
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First major stop on the track was at Clayton wetlands on Clayton Station... this was the first of many bore drains to come! To be honest this spot was a little disappointing in regards to birdlife... we saw more bird species in the surrounding sand hills than we did at the water! So we didn't hang to long here and kept moving north up the track!</div>
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Evening loomed and we needed to find a camp.. with camping only allowed in designated areas along the track now we ended up staying at a great camping area set up on Dulkaninna Station right near another bore drain!<br />
After a big day driving it was good to sit down with a beer beside the campfire as we watched the last rays of sunshine disappear below the horizon! <br />
After a classically bright starry outback night... the type only seen when your hundreds of miles from the nearest man-made light! We awoke to the very cool sound of Brolgas calling from somewhere further down the wetland! A quick breakfast and pack-up ensured and it was off to find the Brolgas! We walked down the wetland for a while but found it fairly quiet at the end we were... so we decided to go back and drive to the other end. On our way back Mike spotted the Brolga's out in the dry country about 200m away from the water! We approached quietly and carefully as to not flush them but found them to be quite confiding so a decent photo session ensured! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brolga </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Displaying Brolga on Dulkaninna Station</td></tr>
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We spent about 15 minutes with the Brolga before they decided our session with them was finished and so flew off to the other end of the wetland! On our way out we found an obliging pair of Wedgies sitting on an old power-pole...they also let us get out of the car and quite close before taking to the wing! So all up it was a good little start to the day! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedge-tailed Eagles... a young male on the left and an older female on the right! The male is in the middle of a rouse... always a cool look when they do that! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The same pair after taking off! The male had launched a little earlier and here the female had just left the pole when the male came down to 'greet' her!</td></tr>
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The day had started well.. but then it took a turn for the worse! About 30km further up the track I looked for my binoculars... and they weren't there! So I thought back to where I had last seen them and remembered placing them on the car fridge on the back of the ute when we saw the Brolga's! We pulled over and as expected they were nowhere to be seen. So we turned back to try and find them... which we did but not until we were pretty much back where the Brolga's were! Luckily they had fallen off into soft dirt and were ok! Phew!! Plus on the way back to get them we got our first Gibberbird!! So the time lost to going back wasn't all lost! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pink-eared Ducks were on a lot of the waterholes we came across!</td></tr>
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Mungerannie was the next major stop to fuel up, have lunch and check out the waterhole! Apart from many Little Corellas and another pair of Brolga as well it was fairly quiet! This place has bucket loads of potential but it was the middle of the day and not much was happening... we decided to keep moving as even with five days for this trip... the days at this time of the year are short and we had to make the most of them! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brolga's at Mungerannie... these two were also quiet approachable!</td></tr>
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All the way up the track so far we had been coming across waterholes and bore drains and in most of these there were invariably some ducks usually Grey Teals or Pink-eared but with an occasional Pacific Black of Hardhead. A Freckled Duck made a nice change at another bore north of Mungerannie!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lone Freckled Duck seen among many Pink-eared Ducks and Grey Teal</td></tr>
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Our next camp was at a camp area was called Tippipila, we found ourselves a nice sandy area to roll out the swags and set about getting a campfire going as the sun was setting. It looked quite plain.. but was a surprisingly birdy place! As we set camp we had a flock of about 30 Budgerigars wheeling around in their last flight for the day before going to roost, a pair of Blue Bonnets flew over us as well and flew into a Coolabah on the other side of the creek to roost for the night! (We saw them leave the next morning!) and to top the days birding off in a big way... when there was only a glimmer of light left in the evening sky a Spotted Nightjar did a couple of low passes over our campfire trying to catch moths! A bird I never tire of seeing! Very cool!</div>
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After a windy sand-blown night the morning started with more Budgie action and some White-breasted Woodswallows hawking above as well as we ate breakfast! </div>
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After packing up it was off again... first interesting sighting for the day was a big male Dingo in beautiful condition! Easily the best looking one I had seen! on the roadside. We stopped to photograph him, he looked at us for a moment before slowly trotting off towards a distant creekline!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dingo - a fine specimen! </td></tr>
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Our next find was a pair of Gibberbirds on the side of the track as we made our way into Pandiburra bore to try and see the Yellow Chats which reside there! This pair of Gibbers gave us a bit of a run around and liked to sit into the sun from where we were! We tried to get some good shots of them but it wasn't to be this time... </div>
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The bore really was a highlight and in here we got two juvenile Yellow Chats! Would of liked a bright male but it wasn't to be! This was a lifer for me and Mike so that was very cool! The list of birds unseen by me in SA is getting quite small! So it's always pretty special to find a new one! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile Yellow Chat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and again</td></tr>
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This little oasis in the middle of nowhere also produced many other waterbirds such as Caspian Tern, White-necked Heron, Red-capped Plover, Straw-necked Ibis, Brolga, Black Swan, Black-winged Stilt and Swamp Harrier!<br />
Dingos were also in abundance around this area feeding on the many carcasses lying about! Often joined by both Australian Ravens and Little Crows! </div>
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On our way out we also came across our first Inland Dotterel of the trip! He was a wary little dude and with a little heat haze coming off the gibber I didn't manage any decent images of it! Also not far from here we got an Eyrean Grasswren on top of a dune and from the same spot we came across a sight I would rather we didn't see which is what you can see below... Feral cats must do some serious damage to our wildlife and nowhere is this more in your face then in the outback! Where the cats are big and often seen resting in raptor nests! </div>
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The rest of the day was spent driving up to Birdsville with many stops on the way whenever we spotted something from the car! The only new bird for the trip in this section was a small flock of Orange Chats. We tried a couple of spots for Banded Whiteface without luck and then rolled into Birdsville with about an hour of light left!</div>
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We set up on the banks of the Diamantina River and kicked back with a beer watching both a beautiful sunset and a lone White-necked Heron slowly stalking the muddy waters of the river below! </div>
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The next day would be a short trip north of Birdsville and then turn around and slowly head back south!</div>
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Stay tuned for 'Birdsville Track - Pt 2, southward bound...' coming soon :-)</div>
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Also I will write a full bird list from our whole trip at the bottom of part 2!</div>
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Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-88899794241003879592014-06-02T20:31:00.000-07:002014-06-18T16:11:00.550-07:00Australian Pelicans thermalling & fishing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A short little video I made last year of a big flock of Pelicans thermalling and fishing below Lock 1 near Blanchetown on the River Murray here in South Australia.</div>
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It's a little shaky... but it was filmed handheld through a 400mm lens so it's not too bad considering I reckon!!</div>
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Hope you enjoy :-)</div>
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<br />Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-34208143437793562052014-04-28T05:41:00.000-07:002014-04-28T05:42:10.701-07:00The Raptorfest continues....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Actually I could probably call this a Falcon-fest! :-)</div>
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In the past two weeks since I posted my last blog, I have had some wonderful encounters with some of our beautiful Falcons!</div>
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Started with a drive one afternoon just to see what was around... after driving about 8km and missing a chance at a pair of Brown Falcons! I came across my favourite local bird... a Black Falcon sitting preening itself on a fence-post! The best bit though... was it didn't fly until I had taken about 20 images! Rapt! These guys can be a little flighty so any chance to get some perched shots is always a bonus! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xyNWqKl-AlE/U15EakciIoI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/SrB8U4gIZGI/s1600/IMG_0250+PS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xyNWqKl-AlE/U15EakciIoI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/SrB8U4gIZGI/s1600/IMG_0250+PS-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The accommodating Black Falcon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and then after a few images it thermalled up straight above me until it was out of sight!</td></tr>
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After the fun of the Black I was on my way home and came across one of the Brown Falcons I had flushed earlier! This time I got a little closer... but it was still a flighty one for this species and the shots were only just ok!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Falcon looking relaxed whilst I was still a distance away!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95bCPdaIuBY/U15EcHSLR6I/AAAAAAAAB3k/3drJFYnKHpI/s1600/IMG_0417-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95bCPdaIuBY/U15EcHSLR6I/AAAAAAAAB3k/3drJFYnKHpI/s1600/IMG_0417-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and then when I got too close!</td></tr>
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Like in my last blog post I pulled up to my house and found the male Hobby from my local pair feeding on his favourite perch just out the front!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian Hobby feeding on some poor unfortunate unidentified little bird!</td></tr>
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The next day I went back out to where I saw the Black Falcon. This time there were no Falcons but I did see a Little Eagle fly past about 150m away!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw-fxMJit2w/U15EgX2M1kI/AAAAAAAAB38/z8Qa4AtAcfk/s1600/IMG_0651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw-fxMJit2w/U15EgX2M1kI/AAAAAAAAB38/z8Qa4AtAcfk/s1600/IMG_0651.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Eagle... it was a little distant for a decent shot! But always nice to see one in the area as they are not common here!</td></tr>
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Next was a trip to Gluepot Reserve. Raptors weren't really my focus for this trip... but when a young Peregrine Falcon came rocketing in out of nowhere when we were checking out a flock of ducks at an ephemeral lake at Old Gluepot I wasn't going to complain! </div>
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This was quite surprising as I had never heard about Peregrines occurring in the area! Whether this was just a young one passing through... I'm not sure? </div>
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Anyway it was there and thumped a Wood Duck right in front of us too! Luckily for the Duck the strike wasn't fatal... and when they both were falling to the ground the Peregrine pulled out as they were about to fall into an Acacia bush! The Duck fell into it and survived! About 20minutes later it flew out looking none the worse for wear! Can't imagine how the thump was amazing!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBt-ZHg9YWA/U15EgOZjNYI/AAAAAAAAB30/MLRJPiccUNM/s1600/IMG_1133-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBt-ZHg9YWA/U15EgOZjNYI/AAAAAAAAB30/MLRJPiccUNM/s1600/IMG_1133-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locked onto it's target!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vOp4l3plIc/U15EiDPSgxI/AAAAAAAAB4M/hkwCX5vjbmw/s1600/IMG_1149-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4vOp4l3plIc/U15EiDPSgxI/AAAAAAAAB4M/hkwCX5vjbmw/s1600/IMG_1149-3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The unsuccessful hunter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--1Zh9Jrm-R0/U15EiMOopPI/AAAAAAAAB4I/PujeR86DIXw/s1600/IMG_1152-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--1Zh9Jrm-R0/U15EiMOopPI/AAAAAAAAB4I/PujeR86DIXw/s1600/IMG_1152-2.jpg" height="316" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are very beautiful in their spotty immature plumage I think :-)</td></tr>
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So here's hoping for many more raptor filled weeks as we progress through 2014! </div>
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Cheers for now</div>
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Chris</div>
Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-1550463042025416662014-04-16T17:51:00.000-07:002014-04-28T05:59:03.619-07:00A four day Raptorfest!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As many of you probably know I'm a big fan of the birds of prey! In the last few days I have been treated to some amazing encounters with some of our southern Aussie raptors!</div>
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<strong><u>Peregrine Falcons</u></strong></div>
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I was lucky enough to spot a Peregrine sitting up on a power-pole whilst on my way home from work the other day... As this pole was quite close to the Tanunda Sewage Ponds most likely it had been hunting the some many ducks which frequent this spot! Luckily the pole was next to a road so I could slowly drive in closer to try for a shot! As I got closer I noticed another Falcon sitting about 25m out into the adjacent paddock... this was the female sitting on a Pink-eared Duck kill! She immediately flew up and joined her mate on the power-pole, which gave me the opportunity for this shot below showing the big difference in size between the male on the left and the female on the right!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vu39u_WJA_g/U08Vn09eLOI/AAAAAAAAB1s/S5KtgsSTch0/s1600/IMG_9686+PS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vu39u_WJA_g/U08Vn09eLOI/AAAAAAAAB1s/S5KtgsSTch0/s1600/IMG_9686+PS-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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After a short period of watching me sitting in the car the female decided I posed no threat and flew back down to the kill...</div>
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Meanwhile the male watched on! So lucky to encounter this scenario in beautiful late light too :-)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUv6JVSwAaQ/U08YT5xdmiI/AAAAAAAAB2I/CZn3Ufa7QmQ/s1600/IMG_9930+PS-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUv6JVSwAaQ/U08YT5xdmiI/AAAAAAAAB2I/CZn3Ufa7QmQ/s1600/IMG_9930+PS-3.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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After she had had her fill she flew off up the fence-line and landed on the fence to digest her meal and watch the day slowly fade! </div>
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The male thought this was the chance to get a feed so then flew down for his turn for duck dinner and I tried for some images of him... he was a lot more flighty and I couldn't get close enough for a decent shot... so I turned to look at the female and saw this fantastic scene in front of me! The light was gorgeous and the silhouette it created gave a super photo opportunity! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JBMY8ewncx8/U08Yb2FA82I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/F0YXkOo5PsM/s1600/IMG_9977+PS-2A-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JBMY8ewncx8/U08Yb2FA82I/AAAAAAAAB2Q/F0YXkOo5PsM/s1600/IMG_9977+PS-2A-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><u>Australian Hobby</u></strong></div>
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On the same trip home as I encountered the Peregrines above I also came across my local pair of Hobby's sitting out the front of my house! The light was almost spent but I managed a couple of images of the female...<strong><u></u></strong></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-YkfzeqFfo/U08Y5sh91eI/AAAAAAAAB2c/UifS_dsonvc/s1600/IMG_0070-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W-YkfzeqFfo/U08Y5sh91eI/AAAAAAAAB2c/UifS_dsonvc/s1600/IMG_0070-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><u>Black-shouldered Kite</u></strong></div>
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Another encounter I had over these four days was this one with a pair of Black-shouldered Kites! I was driving to a friends place when I saw one sitting typically on the top of a dead branch of a Sugar Gum near Wasleys here in SA, as it wasn't too high I thought it a good photo op! When I got out and grabbed a few shots another unseen bird took off... closely followed by the original bird! Both flew high and I thought the chance of a decent shot was done! But then one of them came back down at good speed for a Kite and landed again on the branch! The other bird then started coming back down displaying on the way down in typical Elanus Kite fashion fluttering it's wings in the process. When it landed as well they both took off and played a game of chasey right in front of me! Gotta be lucky sometimes :-)</div>
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Here's the second bird coming down during it's display!</div>
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and the aerial chase is on!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uYmVLS2-E4/U08Y5K3h3AI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/IAwkdli79H8/s1600/IMG_0139+PS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6uYmVLS2-E4/U08Y5K3h3AI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/IAwkdli79H8/s1600/IMG_0139+PS-2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong><u>Brown Falcon</u></strong></div>
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Last but not least was this Brown Falcon which was hawking flying ants the other day! At this time of year in the right conditions we often get flying ant hatches here! and the birdlife certainly know how to fill their bellies up with them! There were Magpies, Ravens, Starlings and Wattlebirds all enjoying the easy feast! But for me the highlight was photographing this cool Brown Falcon catching the tiny insects! It was cartwheeling around all over the place and was a lot of fun to watch :-)<strong><u></u></strong></div>
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With the nice light now falling for longer during the day now the sun is heading north... Here's hoping for plenty more cool ops with our wonderful birds of prey! </div>
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Cheers<br />
Chris</div>
Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-1641153148015466912013-10-14T05:41:00.000-07:002013-10-14T05:41:59.261-07:00Strzelecki Track and Sturt National Park, September 2013... Pt 2<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After our nice count of marsupials found with the spotlight our second day came to an end... I remember laying in my swag under an amazingly bright Milky Way... there was no moon.. but it was really bright! bright enough to throw shadows.... only when over a thousand kilometres away from the nearest capital city will that happen! or so it seemed at the time anyway!</div>
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We were up early the next morning to the sublime? sounds of an Australian Raven digging through our rubbish box before first light!! we tried to hustle this morning so we didn't waste any of the nice cool morning conditions... somehow we still only got out of camp by about 7.45am!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Rubbish raider! </td></tr>
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Oh well.. didn't matter after yesterdays superb birding we were amped for what this day would produce and we didn't have to wait long!</div>
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We made our way to the actual Strzelecki creek crossing, just as it came into sight.... we spotted a couple of Letter-wing Kite's sitting on-top of a tree sitting on the floodplain! Far-out! THAT'S how you start a mornings birding!</div>
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This is what I had been hoping for! LWK's in nice sweet morning light! At first we were careful so as not to spook them... but they quickly became accustomed to our presence and other than circling a few times to land back in the same group of trees... they pretty much just looked at us with a sort of bemused look on their faces! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how we found them when the creek came into view!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Letter-winged Kite</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Circling nice and close above</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite happy to have gotten a few images showing off the letter nicely.</td></tr>
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In the end we found five in this spot and spent about an hour with them, which allowed for plenty of photo opportunities! To be honest I would of loved to have stayed longer as they were completely ignoring us by the time we left... but we had to keep moving if we were going to get over into the Sturt National Park by sun-down!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one stage these three took off only to return back to where they were!</td></tr>
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As is often the case... when there's one lot of good birds there's often another! As we got back into the car we spotted a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles sitting low in a small tree on the other side of the road! Not sure how we hadn't seen them earlier! Blinkered by Letter-wings I guess! Anyway we managed to get on the right side of them for a few shots and found them to be quite confiding which was very cool!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Wedgie pair which were sitting on the other side of the road to the LWK's</td></tr>
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So we left the crossing well happy with the start to the morning's birding! Next site we thought we would check out was a Banded Whiteface site about 13km's north of the crossing. When we got there we split off onto different sides of the road and went searching... some nice birds were seen including: Chirruping Wedgebill's and White-backed Swallows but no Whiteface. It was getting hot by now too.. so we decided it was time to put some kilometres under the wheels!<br />
A little further up we turned right onto the track which runs from Merty Merty Station through to Cameron's Corner. Sandhill crossing time! for most of the drive up the track we had been running up in-between the sandhill's but now heading east we were going up and over them! Good for a change and a little more interesting too imo! As it was now the middle of the day we basically just kept driving through to the Bollards Lagoon site for Eyrean Grasswrens. We found the dune that everyone talks about with a stack of Canegrass up on top and went for a look. We had only been there maybe five minutes max when we heard an Eyrean call! Too easy! I played a little playback and it was instantly up on top of a bush! I tried for a few images (harsh light unfortunately) while Mike went off along the dune to search for more... No more were found but he did come across a small group of Cinnamon Quail-thrush! Always a nice pick-up! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyrean Grasswren on the 36km dune from Cameron's Corner!</td></tr>
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After this nice encounter we got going again to try and find a nice shady spot for lunch... didn't go to far till we found some so we pulled out the camp chairs under the nice shade in the middle of nowhere and ate lunch whilst watching Black-faced Woodswallows hawking around us!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-faced Woodswallow image I took whilst eating lunch!</td></tr>
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Cameron's corner was the next stop! The Hilux was getting thirsty and so were we! The Hilux's thirst was quenched first... and an expensive thirst it was! Then we went in and spent 20minutes holding up the bar having a nice cold beer and spinning a few yarns with the publican.... a nice little stop!<br />
Through the gate and it was into Sturt National Park! <br />
One of my target birds for this trip was to photograph the Black-breasted Buzzard.. I had seen them a few times before but didn't have any photos of them! I had hoped to have seen some already by this stage... but it wasn't until we pulled into the Fort Grey Campground that we saw our first.. an immature! But still great to see one! Lake Pineroo is only a five minute walk from the campground so we grabbed our camera's and headed off. As the lake came into view we looked up and saw more Buzzard's! A quick count revealed eight mostly immature Buzzards thermalling above us! Awesome! Only ever seen them in ones and twos! But 16 white windows floating around above!! Couldn't believe our luck! Then to top it off there were two perched in dead trees over the lake! 10 BBB's!! WOW!!! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESyoo2Ne3gg/UlfqpenqNjI/AAAAAAAABuw/71vV9jwKhNI/s1600/IMG_0373+PS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="562" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ESyoo2Ne3gg/UlfqpenqNjI/AAAAAAAABuw/71vV9jwKhNI/s640/IMG_0373+PS-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-breasted Buzzard watching us from above!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAruUwPCNzM/UlvT2uOLbEI/AAAAAAAABw0/yIrM8zzIJzw/s1600/IMG_0396-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAruUwPCNzM/UlvT2uOLbEI/AAAAAAAABw0/yIrM8zzIJzw/s640/IMG_0396-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immature Black-breasted Buzzard sitting over Lake Pineroo! This is what I was really after... a Buzzard perched! As I had only ever seen them flying!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immature and adult Black-breasted Buzzard</td></tr>
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This trip just kept getting better! Another target was also found at the lake. Australian Pratincole was a bird I had hoped to see on this trip and get an image if I could. After scanning the ducks and waterbirds on the lake we noticed a group of birds flying in fast and then landing on the edge of the lake not too far away... lifted the binoculars... Pratincoles! Fantastic! So I left Mike scanning the lake whilst I when into army crawl mode over near the AP's... Had an annoying Emu get in the way a few times! But came away with some nice images so I was pretty happy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-903jsuBwOdI/UlfrBpsWTvI/AAAAAAAABu4/2vazafzJFww/s1600/IMG_4530-2+PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-903jsuBwOdI/UlfrBpsWTvI/AAAAAAAABu4/2vazafzJFww/s640/IMG_4530-2+PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like I am stalking the Emu!! But if you look real carefully you will see the Australian Pratincole a couple of metres towards me from the Emu! Here I was just about to go down prone and close the gap on my guts! The lake edge was like sandpaper... and I carried quite a few scratches for quite a few weeks after!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64bffTKV2Ro/UlfrNWA-wiI/AAAAAAAABvE/ayhlOY_LfIw/s1600/IMG_0503-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-64bffTKV2Ro/UlfrNWA-wiI/AAAAAAAABvE/ayhlOY_LfIw/s640/IMG_0503-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pratincole which you can see me stalking above!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and again!</td></tr>
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Just south of Fort Grey the road leads out of the park but turns east and hugs the boundary along the bottom! We pulled up at a creek crossing after Mike spotted a Woodswallow that looked different! White-breasted Woodswallow! One we don't see very often so I grabbed a few pics and then it was off again!<br />
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Driving along below the park we slowly moved out of the dune country and out onto some gibber plains. Gibberbird's were mentioned between us as something to look out for along this stretch... so I keenly searched the edges of the track! I spotted a little bird dart off not too long later so we pulled up to investigate... No Gibberbird... think it was a Pipit! But what we did find were Inland Dotterel's! Woohoo! A lifer for both of us and in late afternoon light I couldn't have asked for more! These were special little birds and I really enjoyed my time with them and I know Mike was pretty stoked on these too! If anything I only wish they weren't so wary... had a lot of trouble closing the gap! But not complaining! Just wonderful to see them!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inland Dotterel pair</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike in the background with an Inland Dotterel moving between us! I really like this shot as it gives a real sense of how we saw them I think :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The light was beautiful when we found these fantastic little birds!</td></tr>
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After 20mins or so we left them to their peace in this amazing place and moved on in search of somewhere to camp. It was a fantastic 40 or so km's till we found a nice creek-line to camp in... the sun was behind us and real low on the horizon and the gibber plains were just a beautiful warm orange colour and it was a marvellous time to be where we were! Australian Pratincoles flying off the road in small groups here and there all the way through this stretch just topped off the day nicely! It was a highlight of the trip for me!<br />
Just as the sun set we pulled into a lovely campsite with Kangaroos all around and settled in for the night!<br />
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The next day dawned and we ate breakfast with the local Apostlebird family going about their business around us. Love this species no matter where I find them... so much character!<br />
We did the last 20km's into Tibooburra pretty quickly and had a little stop there to make contact with our families! Took a drive out to an area of scrub near the airfield to look for Bourke's Parrots! The Bourke's were a no-go! But on the way back into town Mike spotted a big old Wedgie sleeping on a rock up on a small rise! O-yeah! This is the Wedgie shot I had been looking for! Now just to hope it stayed long enough to allow me some images! In the end this beautiful old girl was quite accepting of me as I slowly stalked my way up as close to her as I could get... In the end I closed the gap to about 10m! Easily the closest I have been to an adult wild Wedge-tailed Eagle! Double rapt! :-)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing country... amazing bird....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O9E-WS45TkE/UlfrWEuI8GI/AAAAAAAABwI/Emzm0YScvyM/s1600/IMG_0840-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O9E-WS45TkE/UlfrWEuI8GI/AAAAAAAABwI/Emzm0YScvyM/s640/IMG_0840-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cLcZrt6yhoo/UlfrXLp0KFI/AAAAAAAABwQ/emv8a0Fw-3M/s1600/IMG_0854+PS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cLcZrt6yhoo/UlfrXLp0KFI/AAAAAAAABwQ/emv8a0Fw-3M/s640/IMG_0854+PS-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a powerful looking bird!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOyYEkQVnn4/UlfrXS4zBKI/AAAAAAAABwU/w32fFAoLXrI/s1600/IMG_0860+PS2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tOyYEkQVnn4/UlfrXS4zBKI/AAAAAAAABwU/w32fFAoLXrI/s640/IMG_0860+PS2-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After this encounter it was onto the reality of the drive home! We had a lot of kilometres to do and it was time to move!<br />
The drive down the Silver City Highway was fairly uneventful... highlights were another two Black-breasted Buzzards and a lot of waterbirds and a couple more Pratincoles on a big lake halfway down!<br />
Lunch at Broken Hill broke the drive a little then it was back into SA and other then a small flock of Cockatiels somewhere near Hallett... the birding for this trip was fairly well done!<br />
Pulled into my driveway at about 7.30pm that night spent.. but pumped on all the wonderful birds we had seen for the trip, the beautiful country we had been through and the great time had with a great mate who shares a passion for native birds and the outback!<br />
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Hope you enjoyed the ride too! :-)<br />
Chris<br />
Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-39612649186692835452013-09-24T00:03:00.002-07:002013-09-24T04:34:29.268-07:00Strzelecki Track and Sturt National Park, September 2013... Pt 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Back in 2010 my good mate Michael Warnes and I decided to do a drive up the Strzelecki Track which can be found <a href="http://chrissteelesbirding.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/strezlecki-track-and-flinders-ranges.html">here</a> & <a href="http://chrissteelesbirding.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/strezlecki-track-flinders-ranges-pt-2.html">here</a>. We had been up that way a few times before but always with mates who don't bird... so birding opportunities were limited! This time it was pure birding all the way! It was a wonderful trip and we came across many new species including the highlight bird for me the Letter-winged Kite! A bird I had wanted for a long time! What this trip also did to me was light a fire inside me that always had me wanting to go back and experience more! So when we got home from that trip we both agreed that we should make a run like this an annual event! Well with both of us having real young children... it would be another three years before we could attempt it again!</div>
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So with the fire still burning as bright as ever.. sometime around May I mentioned to Mike I wouldn't mind trying to get up into the outback again sometime this year! I didn't have to do any arm-twisting as I think the fire was burning on Mike's side as well! With that in mind we decided September would be a good time of the year to go and we set about deciding where to go and working out the best way to tell our wives of our plans!! This time we thought rather than redo the same run as last time, the Birdsville track was calling... Plans were starting to come to fruition with about three weeks to go when Mike worked out the Birdsville races were being held on the same weekend! Now Birdsville's population reportedly goes from around 600 to 6000 over this weekend... Hmm... that meant a lot of traffic up the track... not quite the birding serenity we were after! So alternate plans to go back up the Strez were made. Although this time to make it feel a little different we decided to go across to Cameron's Corner and through the Sturt NP and come home through Broken Hill for something different. </div>
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It was about 7am on the Friday morning when we got underway... buzzing with excitement as always when undertaking a trip like this! We headed up through Clare and Jamestown on our way to Hawker, our first fuel stop on the way up! We picked up some nice birds along the way including a paddock which had seven Wedge-tailed Eagles sitting in it feeding on dead sheep, a single Peregrine Falcon, a few White-winged Trillers and a White-backed Swallow being the highlights of this first part of the run!</div>
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After Hawker we made our way towards Parachilna.. along this stretch of road is a spot where on the last trip we had pulled up to photograph some Chirruping Wedgebills and found a Rufous Fieldwren and a Little Button-quail! These sightings from our last trip made a stop this time mandatory... so we made our way to the spot, which looks quite un-interesting... and got out to see what was around. Within no time some White-winged Fairy-wrens were calling, so I thought I might try for a few images and let Mike walk around and see what else he could find?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An eclipse male White-winged Fairy-wren at our little golden spot about 20km's up from Hawker.</td></tr>
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Next was a few Zebra Finches buzzing around... followed by a pair of Crimson Chats chasing one another around the immediate area we were standing in. Some White-fronted Chats also showed up and it was looking like this spot was producing again! After getting a few shots of the WWFW's I crossed back over the road to photograph a pair of Redthroats which were calling constantly! Also whilst with these two a Black Kite passed over and a Wedgie with a pesky Australian Raven circled around overhead for a while!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh_kd6TtF08/Uj2VmuRdXmI/AAAAAAAABpw/vJemDa3hXJU/s1600/IMG_8858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh_kd6TtF08/Uj2VmuRdXmI/AAAAAAAABpw/vJemDa3hXJU/s640/IMG_8858.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They would have to get sick of this!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Air support!</td></tr>
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Then this stop in the middle of nowhere proved it's worth! Mike was about 300m away across the road when he had a flock of 12 birds landed in the only tree within coo-ee of him which was right in front of him! Pied Honeyeaters!! They came out of nowhere... landed just long enough for him to get a few images and then vamoosed just as quick! I saw and knew nothing of it until he came over and showed me the images... happy for him! but bugger... I would of liked to have seen them too!<br />
Moving along it was lunch at Leigh Creek and then onto Lyndhurst to fill up with fuel for the last time before Cameron's Corner. On the last trip just as you head out of Lyndhurst along the Strezlecki Track we had a Falcon fly low and fast across the front of our 4wd and crest a hill and go out of sight towards the Lyndhurst dump... we chased it but never saw it again... at the dump were many Little Crows and Black Kites but no Falcon! Can't be sure what it was.. but I feel it may have been the closest I have come to the elusive Grey Falcon and yet didn't get a good enough look to confirm it! We went in again on this trip.... not a bird to be seen this time... it really was just clutching at hope!<br />
Not too much further up the track we found another Wedge-tailed Eagle sitting on the ground so we stopped so I could try to photograph it... typically it flew pretty quick and all I got were flying away shots! A bonus of this stop though was a pair of Chirruping Wedgebills on the opposite side of the road which allowed me the closest approach to them as I have had with this normally tough wary species.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k0GyFprF0jk/Uj2Vt5LMfII/AAAAAAAABqA/Gj_W0H7br5A/s1600/IMG_8907+PS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k0GyFprF0jk/Uj2Vt5LMfII/AAAAAAAABqA/Gj_W0H7br5A/s640/IMG_8907+PS-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easily my best image I have of this wary species - Chirruping Wedgebill</td></tr>
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Further along we stopped quickly to see if we could spot any Chestnut-breasted Whiteface at the rusty car site on Mt Lyndhurst Station from the side of the road... got another White-winged Fairy-wren but not much else! So disappointing access has now been denied to this most wonderful of birding locations... lets hope this situation changes and we can once more bird this fabulous spot!<br />
After that our next stop was at Yeralina Creek further up the track just to see what was around. We went for a small walk along the edge of the creek, a few of the birds we saw here were: Variegated Fairy-wrens, Zebra Finches, nesting Little Corella's, a Rainbow Bee-eater and nesting Elegant Parrots! One of the adults came in and fed the unfledged but nearly fully feathered youngsters right in front of us! Very cool to see Elegants right up there!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dO3kxIHSBaM/Uj2VulRpVBI/AAAAAAAABqI/fTFNDXtO-nU/s1600/IMG_8943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dO3kxIHSBaM/Uj2VulRpVBI/AAAAAAAABqI/fTFNDXtO-nU/s640/IMG_8943.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian Raven at Yeralina Creek... I think it was carrying something in it's throat heading back to it's nest. I know they have long hackles but this one when zoomed right in looks like there's something in it's not quite closed beak and down into it's throat?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7323w_V1hC8/Uj2VxoupzBI/AAAAAAAABqQ/WHQTe7q6uDs/s1600/IMG_8955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7323w_V1hC8/Uj2VxoupzBI/AAAAAAAABqQ/WHQTe7q6uDs/s640/IMG_8955.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the male Variegated Fairy-wrens at Yeralina Creek</td></tr>
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We had decided earlier in the day Pelican Creek would be our camp for the first night. Just before we got there we noticed a small bore 200m or so off the track within sight of the creek. It was late in the day so we thought we would have a look and see if anything was coming in to drink... When we got to it and had a look there were just a few Zebra Finches drinking and a few Little Corellas feeding out in the surrounding shrubs. As it was getting late we needed to find a camp.. but I didn't want to waste the opportunity of waiting at the dam and see what came in... so Mike kindly... volunteered!! to go and find camp and then come back and get me in half hour or so! In that half hour a procession of Galahs, Little Corella's, Zebra Finches, Crested Pigeon and the highlight of my session there a small flock of Cockatiels which came in.. whirled around in front of me for a bit then dropped down for a quick drink and were off! Fun stuff :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7SJAP_6g-Y/Uj2V2Um95MI/AAAAAAAABqY/UJbzbXgLtNQ/s1600/IMG_9006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j7SJAP_6g-Y/Uj2V2Um95MI/AAAAAAAABqY/UJbzbXgLtNQ/s640/IMG_9006.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galah's come in to drink</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Corella in the warm evening sun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oIdTS98O3ns/Uj2WBALAPkI/AAAAAAAABqo/h9oE4mM9wlY/s1600/IMG_9092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oIdTS98O3ns/Uj2WBALAPkI/AAAAAAAABqo/h9oE4mM9wlY/s640/IMG_9092.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cockatiel (male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKn15VSfdGQ/Uj2WFZpfFqI/AAAAAAAABqw/2r6vSGERsA0/s1600/IMG_9097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fKn15VSfdGQ/Uj2WFZpfFqI/AAAAAAAABqw/2r6vSGERsA0/s640/IMG_9097.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cockatiel (female)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5VBDsGPqI7w/Uj2WJJ4kQvI/AAAAAAAABq4/QH92IarWM_M/s1600/IMG_9104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5VBDsGPqI7w/Uj2WJJ4kQvI/AAAAAAAABq4/QH92IarWM_M/s640/IMG_9104.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cockatiels - two pairs</td></tr>
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After a fantastic camp oven roast cooked by master camp chef Mike (gotta eat well on these trips!) We hooked up the spotlight and went off down the track for half hour to see what was around.... not much barr a Barn Owl typically sitting on a fence post! and a few cows! So we kept it pretty short as we were pretty spent after the long drive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Js426cGhxF4/Uj2WM_lG1WI/AAAAAAAABrA/8FZr31gQwYY/s1600/IMG_9176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Js426cGhxF4/Uj2WM_lG1WI/AAAAAAAABrA/8FZr31gQwYY/s640/IMG_9176.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn campfire at Pelican Creek</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wXzHRJyhKCs/Uj2YBvIQDZI/AAAAAAAABs4/TuowPSZ75ug/s1600/Pelican+Creek+sunrise-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wXzHRJyhKCs/Uj2YBvIQDZI/AAAAAAAABs4/TuowPSZ75ug/s640/Pelican+Creek+sunrise-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn over the Strezlecki Track, Pelican Creek</td></tr>
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Up before sunrise the next morning.. and a lovely one it was! over breakfast we were treated to the musical styling's of the local Chirruping Wedgebills and had a visit from a friendly Sacred Kingfisher to get the morning underway! So we packed up and were on the road by about 7.30am. We only got about 10km's up the road and saw something interesting fly off the side.. Orange Chat! Out with the camera.. these little beauties glistened in the morning sunshine against the dull background! They are very beautiful and quite wary... so getting good images was a challenge... but you can't complain!<br />
We stopped at a site near the dog fence where we got Gibberbird last trip.. none there this time but we did pick up more Orange Chats and a pair of Little Button-quail which was cool!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p2aR3wvWsPU/Uj2WP5lBV5I/AAAAAAAABrI/OE1ywvzGKwY/s1600/IMG_9276-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p2aR3wvWsPU/Uj2WP5lBV5I/AAAAAAAABrI/OE1ywvzGKwY/s640/IMG_9276-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orange Chat (male)</td></tr>
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From here it was onto Montecollina Bore and our first site to try for Eyrean Grasswren... We pulled in and the place was a hive of activity with Corella's all around, lots of raptors including Wedgies, Black Kites, Whistling Kites and a Black Falcon thermalling above! We headed out to the west of the bore where the EG are usually found. It was hot and tough walking through unforgiving country but after a lot of White-winged Fairy-wrens we eventually got fleeting views of an Eyrean... although it was all too quick and no photos could be captured of this one... but at least we had seen one! <br />
This bore really is like an Oasis in the outback and when we got back to the car the binoculars and cameras were put back in the car and Mike and I were straight in that bore... and wow did it feel good! In the shrubs along one corner of the bore there were many Corella's sitting in the branches over the waters edge... when approached on land they would fly at about 20m but swimming up to them slowly like a Croc... well they just didn't seem to care! and they let me with 2m of them... very cool!<br />
Refreshed and with one target species in the bag.. we headed off in the direction of our next target.. the Letter-winged Kite!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oy8FIEwEca8/Uj2WWvGL8dI/AAAAAAAABrQ/TLPltxf__zE/s1600/IMG_9337-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oy8FIEwEca8/Uj2WWvGL8dI/AAAAAAAABrQ/TLPltxf__zE/s640/IMG_9337-2-2.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Corella's hiding from the suns midday heat..</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6KSVIeih8B8/Uj2WY4QkoKI/AAAAAAAABrY/nVlp-OfcDYE/s1600/IMG_9338-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6KSVIeih8B8/Uj2WY4QkoKI/AAAAAAAABrY/nVlp-OfcDYE/s640/IMG_9338-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stand-off...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mzZfAqfitwA/Uj2WeQq5_vI/AAAAAAAABrg/X-bvg5_lcR0/s1600/IMG_9439-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mzZfAqfitwA/Uj2WeQq5_vI/AAAAAAAABrg/X-bvg5_lcR0/s640/IMG_9439-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I photographed this Wedge-tailed Eagle just north of Montecollina Bore</td></tr>
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Our next stop would be at the site we got LWK's last trip, it's got a small turn off into a road rubble quarry and as we neared the spot on the GPS we saw another turn in to one of these quarries, so we went in for a look hoping for maybe a Banded Whiteface... not much in there but as we were pulling back out onto the track I noticed a small bird in the corner of my eye under a shrub so we turned around and puled back in.. the bird was still there! Eyrean Grasswren!!! not just one but FIVE!!!! So cool! I followed them off onto a low sand hill to try for some images and Mike went off up a neighbouring dune to see if there were anymore? He found another three! plus a Rufous Fieldwren as a great little bonus! We stayed with them for about 20 mins then left them too it! Rapt! 8 Eyrean Grasswrens, got some nice images and great views, both of which were missing from our Mont bore encounter! Also here a Dingo came out of it's den right in front of us and trotted off! Always like seeing Dingos! <br />
Now for the Letter-wings....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxxH25XlR10/Uj2WtgSK_eI/AAAAAAAABrw/TWlCRthuFAA/s1600/IMG_9500-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dxxH25XlR10/Uj2WtgSK_eI/AAAAAAAABrw/TWlCRthuFAA/s640/IMG_9500-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyrean Grasswren</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-N_CbwiVZE/Uj2WtsoHr4I/AAAAAAAABr0/qF0WI7fc92s/s1600/IMG_9522-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U-N_CbwiVZE/Uj2WtsoHr4I/AAAAAAAABr0/qF0WI7fc92s/s640/IMG_9522-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyrean Grasswren</td></tr>
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Next we drove into the site of our first LWK sighting from our last trip... walked the last few hundred metres and found nothing barr a few Black-faced Woodswallows and a Brown Goshawk cruising from tree to tree. Feeling a little disappointed... we moved our hopes onto the other spot we got this species last time and failing that searching every other tree we could find on the way to the crossing! Our next spot also failed to deliver... starting to worry that they may not be around... we headed on towards the crossing. Scanning every tree I could on the way we were not too much further when right there in a roadside tree I spotted a single Letter-winged Kite in under the canopy! FANTASTIC!! Pretty sure we deployed a parachute out the back of the Hilux as we pulled up pretty darn quick! On further inspection we found seven LWK's in this spot and they put in quite a show too! Typically flushing only to return to the same tree after circling for a while! At one stage I had four land almost within my camera's minimum focal distance (3.5m)!! My camera barely stopped including plenty of chopped wing and tail shots when they came so close! At one stage I had to move slowly away so as to be able to fit the birds in the frame! Not often I'm doing that! Double Rapt! Target bird number two done!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cQW3JcvTHMk/Uj2WtYBf6hI/AAAAAAAABro/5dI5fmvr0yg/s1600/IMG_9582-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cQW3JcvTHMk/Uj2WtYBf6hI/AAAAAAAABro/5dI5fmvr0yg/s640/IMG_9582-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Letter-winged Kite in full banking pose</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jiSPYZaCK18/Uj2WwH39dXI/AAAAAAAABsE/CSMiEXKpd3U/s1600/IMG_9611-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jiSPYZaCK18/Uj2WwH39dXI/AAAAAAAABsE/CSMiEXKpd3U/s640/IMG_9611-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my real close chopped shots.... D'oh!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MkKAihQaPBk/Uj2WwCpBzqI/AAAAAAAABsA/GKfZysBXtZc/s1600/IMG_9617-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MkKAihQaPBk/Uj2WwCpBzqI/AAAAAAAABsA/GKfZysBXtZc/s640/IMG_9617-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqpYkdccduc/Uj2WyDoDkJI/AAAAAAAABsQ/slzqbBwZeI0/s1600/IMG_9650-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aqpYkdccduc/Uj2WyDoDkJI/AAAAAAAABsQ/slzqbBwZeI0/s640/IMG_9650-2.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another from when they landed mega close!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9P3Ve6WSdSc/Uj2WyW-4ivI/AAAAAAAABsU/ieATIfHzhjE/s1600/IMG_9687-2+PS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9P3Ve6WSdSc/Uj2WyW-4ivI/AAAAAAAABsU/ieATIfHzhjE/s640/IMG_9687-2+PS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such fantastic birds to encounter!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xqv7iLItoHo/Uj2Wzis5I-I/AAAAAAAABsg/_E1FzYvDDeI/s1600/IMG_9695-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xqv7iLItoHo/Uj2Wzis5I-I/AAAAAAAABsg/_E1FzYvDDeI/s640/IMG_9695-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Letter-winged Kites X 4 </td></tr>
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After a fantastic days birding we headed in to our campsite near the Strzelecki creek crossing picking up a few Cinnamon Quail-thrush on the track on the way in. Then set up camp and kicked back with a beer and a great curry cooked up in the camp oven by chef Mike! <br />
By around 8pm we were starting to think about spotlighting again. Mike mentioned we should probably clean up a little just in-case a Dingo came in to see what it could find! I said nah I wouldn't be too worried about it... don't reckon they will come in.. their pretty skittish around here! So we hooked up the spotlight and of course there not 50m from where we were was a Dingo staring straight at us! You have got to be joking!! Damn you Michael Warnes... proving me wrong again! Ha-ha...<br />
This dog ended up doing a half circle around us then headed off towards the crossing... luckily it never came back and our camp stayed intact whilst we were spotting!<br />
Plenty of Dusky Hopping mice were about and we also picked up another small marsupial about the size of a tennis ball... we think was either a Fan-tailed Dunnart or Ampurta? Not quite sure as the sighting was fairly quick and I didn't manage a photo.. As you will see by my image below the DHM were tough little critters to photograph too! <br />
What a fantastic day! Seven Letter-winged Kites and nine Eyrean Grasswrens! Plus lots of other outback delights! Slept well that night!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ud1S5Yn4fJ4/Uj2W0HJzRsI/AAAAAAAABsk/lwXMbGEoqME/s1600/IMG_9876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ud1S5Yn4fJ4/Uj2W0HJzRsI/AAAAAAAABsk/lwXMbGEoqME/s640/IMG_9876.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dingo that came in and proved my theory wrong at our Strzelecki creek crossing campsite! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uZ_k5VKBXXg/Uj2W2B-4zRI/AAAAAAAABsw/krnRpXh0Bdk/s1600/IMG_9891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uZ_k5VKBXXg/Uj2W2B-4zRI/AAAAAAAABsw/krnRpXh0Bdk/s640/IMG_9891.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My only half decent Dusky Hopping Mouse image from the night!</td></tr>
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Two days done... two to go....<br />
Part two coming soon! :-)<br />
ChrisChris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-66677586589357858682013-08-02T08:23:00.000-07:002013-08-02T16:15:38.402-07:00South Aussie Raptors (part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Been a little quiet on here lately... too many birds.. not enough time! So I thought it's time to throw up a post showing some of the wonderful birds I have been chasing with the camera. </div>
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Now where I live is.. compared with other parts of the country quite lacking in native birds... plenty of ferals... but the bush loving natives aren't so keen on the sea of cereal crops which I live amongst! There is one group of native birds which do thrive in this area though... the raptors! From the Wedge-tailed Eagle through to the Nankeen Kestrel nearly all of raptor species which can be found in the southern half of South Australia can be found here!</div>
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Also this family of birds is my favourite... I spend more time chasing them than any other group of birds! So I thought I would start a series of blog posts to show some of these fantastic hunters as best I can! Hope you enjoy...</div>
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Not all these shots are from my local area... but all species shown can be found in my local area :-)</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCXUnm0IGKg/UfvBK1ey2HI/AAAAAAAABog/mkrD6OxU7ss/s1600/IMG_7675-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mCXUnm0IGKg/UfvBK1ey2HI/AAAAAAAABog/mkrD6OxU7ss/s640/IMG_7675-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Spotted Harrier is especially a favourite of mine... love to watch them working their way back and forth across the paddocks as they search for Quail, Lizards, Rabbits etc...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cYQPDXwSnQs/UfvBWtqcIuI/AAAAAAAABoo/TDu0iiv9rmA/s1600/IMG_7113+PS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cYQPDXwSnQs/UfvBWtqcIuI/AAAAAAAABoo/TDu0iiv9rmA/s640/IMG_7113+PS-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The uncommon Black Falcon is the bully of the skies in these parts! A super effective hunter in it's own right, it's also a very successful pirate and I have seen a few instances where other raptors have been alleviated of their catch when these aggressive Falcons want what they have got!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p4BGHPyP4NM/UfvBeMQVjTI/AAAAAAAABow/F6lu3Y7UpUQ/s1600/IMG_5766-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p4BGHPyP4NM/UfvBeMQVjTI/AAAAAAAABow/F6lu3Y7UpUQ/s640/IMG_5766-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Peregrine Falcon is always a joy to see... there is a few of these around these parts! They can often be seen trying to catch the ducks at the local sewage ponds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oagyt6pDUWg/UfvBl94iqBI/AAAAAAAABo4/Rb9CtslsF7o/s1600/IMG_5767+PS3-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oagyt6pDUWg/UfvBl94iqBI/AAAAAAAABo4/Rb9CtslsF7o/s640/IMG_5767+PS3-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peregrine Falcon about to land next to a Pink-eared Duck it had caught earlier</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3pOtgzUxD4/UfvBx-Cc2VI/AAAAAAAABpA/yEeD6linOLU/s1600/IMG_6522+PS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3pOtgzUxD4/UfvBx-Cc2VI/AAAAAAAABpA/yEeD6linOLU/s640/IMG_6522+PS-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nankeen Kestrel is with the Brown Falcon our most common raptor of these parts. This one here had cached a mouse sometime earlier then whilst I was watching it from my car it dropped down retrieved it flew up onto this post and had a good feed right in front of me!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpTaLXrcsLI/UfvB5V0wPPI/AAAAAAAABpI/Q6PwHNVKj8M/s1600/IMG_4266-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tpTaLXrcsLI/UfvB5V0wPPI/AAAAAAAABpI/Q6PwHNVKj8M/s640/IMG_4266-3.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and here's the aforementioned Brown Falcon... a bird which loves to perch on the powerpoles and lines then occasionally drop down to the ground to catch a Skink, mouse or something like that</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GRCIVn0boNk/UfvCAFTiw-I/AAAAAAAABpQ/Dxq1mSYvbew/s1600/IMG_5828+PS-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GRCIVn0boNk/UfvCAFTiw-I/AAAAAAAABpQ/Dxq1mSYvbew/s640/IMG_5828+PS-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The majestic Wedge-tailed Eagle often patrols the skies in this area! Always wonderful to see... I was rapted to have found this young first year bird on the ground not too long ago!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oVUb6cbtDgs/UfvCNOuOkUI/AAAAAAAABpY/blwDk5KpIDc/s1600/IMG_7781-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oVUb6cbtDgs/UfvCNOuOkUI/AAAAAAAABpY/blwDk5KpIDc/s640/IMG_7781-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Swamp Harrier is probably the most rare raptor to be seen locally... I only have one record of one which stayed at my local sewage ponds for a few days about three years ago... I didn't manage any decent pics of that bird so here's one from about a week ago near Milang down south east of Adelaide. This shot was taken halfway through a three second hover which it performed during a hunt I was lucky enough to be watching!</td></tr>
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Hope you enjoyed these pics and I will post the second installment soon :-)<br />
Cheers for now..<br />
ChrisChris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-35070964632081814842013-04-23T05:31:00.001-07:002013-04-23T05:31:37.498-07:00Canon 400mm 5.6 L my new baby!Long time no post... but not to worry... I'm back and with a new lens! Not much to say... just lov'in it! Had it about a month now... here's some of the images it has produced!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--G8hin9vaco/UXZ73wS394I/AAAAAAAABlk/rPWKtgkNgr0/s1600/IMG_9319-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--G8hin9vaco/UXZ73wS394I/AAAAAAAABlk/rPWKtgkNgr0/s640/IMG_9319-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crested Shrike-tit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hlrx-9joBz0/UXZ8GkHiy7I/AAAAAAAABls/Xz7WTQMVjtQ/s1600/IMG_9217-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hlrx-9joBz0/UXZ8GkHiy7I/AAAAAAAABls/Xz7WTQMVjtQ/s640/IMG_9217-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crested Shrike-tit</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0c_iRjKkr8c/UXZ8OR79SAI/AAAAAAAABl0/CgD8whbo6C4/s1600/IMG_7003-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0c_iRjKkr8c/UXZ8OR79SAI/AAAAAAAABl0/CgD8whbo6C4/s640/IMG_7003-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New-holland Honeyeater</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ44bn2pa8g/UXZ8VEm_6CI/AAAAAAAABl8/pQ1hzEONPvo/s1600/IMG_8149-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PJ44bn2pa8g/UXZ8VEm_6CI/AAAAAAAABl8/pQ1hzEONPvo/s640/IMG_8149-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Harrier</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bxgNfuWaVVM/UXZ8fgzXiZI/AAAAAAAABmE/ZQOVv4FV8LA/s1600/IMG_8513-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bxgNfuWaVVM/UXZ8fgzXiZI/AAAAAAAABmE/ZQOVv4FV8LA/s640/IMG_8513-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Lorikeet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_HjrRNSOPI/UXZ8p62TZFI/AAAAAAAABmM/8WIiAtfmKO4/s1600/IMG_8457-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_HjrRNSOPI/UXZ8p62TZFI/AAAAAAAABmM/8WIiAtfmKO4/s640/IMG_8457-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Lorikeet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbEj0AL8ecg/UXZ80OeSiJI/AAAAAAAABmU/8L6jlN_Ro9w/s1600/IMG_8310-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbEj0AL8ecg/UXZ80OeSiJI/AAAAAAAABmU/8L6jlN_Ro9w/s640/IMG_8310-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoary-headed Grebe</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bkv-L_NK3xc/UXZ88EaMqiI/AAAAAAAABmc/oT2W1jPL8bw/s1600/IMG_7203-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bkv-L_NK3xc/UXZ88EaMqiI/AAAAAAAABmc/oT2W1jPL8bw/s640/IMG_7203-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian Hobby</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mbUVkAHnQY/UXZ9Hh2xoGI/AAAAAAAABmk/BY_gEtk_fYg/s1600/IMG_8189-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0mbUVkAHnQY/UXZ9Hh2xoGI/AAAAAAAABmk/BY_gEtk_fYg/s640/IMG_8189-2-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New-holland Honeyeater</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_b0vpBfeztM/UXZ9QnroQeI/AAAAAAAABms/e6t48yeMl3A/s1600/IMG_7454-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_b0vpBfeztM/UXZ9QnroQeI/AAAAAAAABms/e6t48yeMl3A/s640/IMG_7454-4.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galah </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_2kO-_1V_k/UXZ9aGBGCCI/AAAAAAAABm0/d4ELu9BSS-4/s1600/IMG_8812-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y_2kO-_1V_k/UXZ9aGBGCCI/AAAAAAAABm0/d4ELu9BSS-4/s640/IMG_8812-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-backed Swallow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f58bBBBDDXI/UXZ9mrr_iBI/AAAAAAAABm8/XIqisTaOz70/s1600/IMG_9102-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f58bBBBDDXI/UXZ9mrr_iBI/AAAAAAAABm8/XIqisTaOz70/s400/IMG_9102-2.jpg" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fan-tailed Cuckoo</td></tr>
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So far I am pretty stoked with my purchase! :-)<br />
Keep Smiling!<br />
ChrisChris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-27048837191224877682013-01-13T03:47:00.002-08:002013-01-13T03:51:31.463-08:00A Quail and it's enemy...The Stubble Quail is a common bird in these parts at this time of the year! They run the gauntlet of many harvesters bearing down on them during the the months of November and December! Where undoubtedly many will and have met their end... The lucky ones who manage to escape the metal jaws of death often do so by bursting up and flying as fast as they can away from the danger... the problem they often face is... their being watched... as the Black Falcons who follow the movements of the Quail often follow the Harvesters as well in readiness for one of the Quails to burst into flight! Then they make spectacular dives in an attempt to snatch a feed! A few get taken this way... although I think the Harvesters take more lives over the season!<br />
One day I will get a shot or video of these spectacular Falcon/Quail showdowns till then the photos below will have to do! These have all been taken in the last few months!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C91knIzMajs/UPKY4m0rTsI/AAAAAAAABlE/CKnDEayco94/s1600/IMG_7495-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C91knIzMajs/UPKY4m0rTsI/AAAAAAAABlE/CKnDEayco94/s640/IMG_7495-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stubble Quail (male)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPt3NU6KgUM/UPKY6sRo22I/AAAAAAAABlQ/ICFgr8faKog/s1600/IMG_7531-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPt3NU6KgUM/UPKY6sRo22I/AAAAAAAABlQ/ICFgr8faKog/s640/IMG_7531-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the same bird again</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-dvJHxeknc/UPKY6aiZMeI/AAAAAAAABlM/zG84cpYd2qI/s1600/Owl+and+Quail+026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u-dvJHxeknc/UPKY6aiZMeI/AAAAAAAABlM/zG84cpYd2qI/s640/Owl+and+Quail+026.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stubble Quail (female)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--iGzGOt7sFU/UPKYzHTdqII/AAAAAAAABks/kxXPj2TnSlA/s1600/IMG_2545-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--iGzGOt7sFU/UPKYzHTdqII/AAAAAAAABks/kxXPj2TnSlA/s640/IMG_2545-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Falcon resting in the shade </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgbiZ0sMjSE/UPKYwW1E6FI/AAAAAAAABkk/Y32v7DhrRtE/s1600/IMG_2553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fgbiZ0sMjSE/UPKYwW1E6FI/AAAAAAAABkk/Y32v7DhrRtE/s640/IMG_2553.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The usual view of the Black Falcon on the wing... a Stubble Quail's worst nightmare!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MPEiY0fv9J4/UPKYzfZDmDI/AAAAAAAABkw/381er9vKoYY/s1600/IMG_6717-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MPEiY0fv9J4/UPKYzfZDmDI/AAAAAAAABkw/381er9vKoYY/s640/IMG_6717-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Falcons are the largest of Australia's Falcons and often pirate prey off other raptors often larger than themselves! I have seen them push Spotted Harriers down into the stubble with repeated dives.. when the harriers are carrying prey!</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1609337979"></span><span id="goog_1609337980"></span><br />Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-43848016771335557382012-12-11T02:58:00.001-08:002012-12-11T03:02:33.531-08:00Feathers in the night....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The nights have warmed.... the crops are off and the Owls are back! Gotta love this time of year!</div>
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As can be seen from a few of my later posts.. I have been enjoying birding under the cover of darkness just of late! </div>
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The stunningly beautiful Barn Owl has been the subject to mostly be found in my viewfinder... </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYp5zCDAqvg/UMcNjXq4dXI/AAAAAAAABjE/Zh4R6rPhXuA/s1600/BOF+and+FGM+020-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wYp5zCDAqvg/UMcNjXq4dXI/AAAAAAAABjE/Zh4R6rPhXuA/s640/BOF+and+FGM+020-2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Just for something a little different I have been trying to take flight shots of these Owls! I really am poorly set-up for this kind of shot... with only the on-board camera flash I need the bird to be pretty close to get a reasonable shot! The two below are from my first attempt at OIF shots!! Fairly happy to at least get some... but with a decent external flash they could be so much better! <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TzW6G802VKc/UMcNtP9j9GI/AAAAAAAABjM/ZQd2WD5cxYU/s1600/BOF+and+FGM+025-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TzW6G802VKc/UMcNtP9j9GI/AAAAAAAABjM/ZQd2WD5cxYU/s640/BOF+and+FGM+025-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CqGlzbF1Ojw/UMcN2DBg4II/AAAAAAAABjo/RlV0IS2lz4Q/s1600/BOF+and+FGM+024-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CqGlzbF1Ojw/UMcN2DBg4II/AAAAAAAABjo/RlV0IS2lz4Q/s640/BOF+and+FGM+024-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thought I would also add this photo... it's of good friend Kay Parkin having a 'who's going to flinch first' stand off with a Tawny Frogmouth on the post! It shows how close you can get to these great birds! On many occasions I have been to within a metre of them and they don't even fly! Very cool!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rNqPrc9jrAQ/UMcN9zHLarI/AAAAAAAABj8/UKLhVeRFF24/s1600/BOF+and+FGM+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rNqPrc9jrAQ/UMcN9zHLarI/AAAAAAAABj8/UKLhVeRFF24/s640/BOF+and+FGM+063.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cheers<br />
ChrisChris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-85619735880177676072012-11-30T03:18:00.001-08:002012-11-30T03:18:19.461-08:00Flying Falcon.....Relaxed Owl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just a quick update to add a couple of photos taken in the last week! The Brown Falcon was originally perched up high in a dead tree.. took a few shots that haven't turned out so well! but the take off flight shots came out not too bad! </div>
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The Barn Owl shot is of one of the first birds to arrive around Freeling this season! Love it when they hold their foot up like this! Looks cool! Wouldn't want to be grabbed by those talons though!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpmlXfeifg8/ULiSzgafj3I/AAAAAAAABho/9yR42RVSWjQ/s1600/Brown+Falcon+flight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpmlXfeifg8/ULiSzgafj3I/AAAAAAAABho/9yR42RVSWjQ/s640/Brown+Falcon+flight.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Falcon - Pengilly Scrub, South Australia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9dZTepi3Mt0/ULiTzFkyYfI/AAAAAAAABiM/gBmCTrOSSwU/s1600/Freeling+Barnies+and+pipit+066-2-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9dZTepi3Mt0/ULiTzFkyYfI/AAAAAAAABiM/gBmCTrOSSwU/s1600/Freeling+Barnies+and+pipit+066-2-5.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barn Owl - Freeling, South Australia</td></tr>
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Cheers<br />
ChrisChris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-35102263573220405092012-11-22T04:40:00.002-08:002012-11-22T04:40:43.846-08:00"Froggie" a wonderful subject!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the last couple of weeks I have been getting out with the spotlight a bit looking for our local creatures of the night! So far I have mainly been targeting Barn Owls on a couple of mates farms out on the Adelaide Plains... this time I thought I would stay local and target the resident Tawny Frogmouths and if I was lucky a Boobook Owl or two! Didn't find any Boobooks but did come across a couple of Tawnies... including this ripper below! Beautiful Birds Tawny Frogmouths... with some amazing plumage! </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-li_eaE46Qto/UK4aZR1RneI/AAAAAAAABf0/eQUDh_tqnqQ/s1600/Tawny+Frogmouth+043-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-li_eaE46Qto/UK4aZR1RneI/AAAAAAAABf0/eQUDh_tqnqQ/s640/Tawny+Frogmouth+043-4.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
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ChrisChris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3230874315507610684.post-16676316959503439842012-11-05T05:04:00.000-08:002012-11-06T12:00:59.297-08:00Owling fun Had a great night out spotlighting last Friday night! Went up to a mates farm about 20min away near Owen in SA's lower north, hooked up the light and took off in search of creatures of the night!<br />
The first Barn Owl was found after only driving about 200m from the shed! Looked like luck was going to be on our side this night! Little did I know that the highlight wouldn't be the 6 Barn Owls we came across and photographed but a very confiding Little Button-quail which we came across in a paddock which had been cut for hay. This meant ankle deep stubble which works well for keeping a eye on these little guys and made it possible for me to get a few images of a species I haven't been able to photograph before! <br />
The Owls were great but the Quail made it even better! Top night out! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ua22-6kjyUg/UJlsLt-vLVI/AAAAAAAABdo/cj_bdwLmdSM/s1600/FP+less+yellow+tinge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ua22-6kjyUg/UJlsLt-vLVI/AAAAAAAABdo/cj_bdwLmdSM/s1600/FP+less+yellow+tinge.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Barn Owl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NTxlYWHTi1E/UJe2JSEt4RI/AAAAAAAABco/WTDdMrdlLBg/s1600/Little+BQ+and+Barn+Owl+145-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NTxlYWHTi1E/UJe2JSEt4RI/AAAAAAAABco/WTDdMrdlLBg/s640/Little+BQ+and+Barn+Owl+145-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Button-quail</td></tr>
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Must also thank my mate Michael for driving me around and holding the spotlight while I took way too many images!! Thanks Mike!<br />
Cheers<br />
Chris Chris Steeleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02774372003786186885noreply@blogger.com7