Follow my Tweets
A visit to a native garden part 3
Australian native plants in an Adelaide Hills garden (Hardenbergia)
Over the last few days I have been sharing photos of flowers and plants in the garden of a friend. Today I feature the last of these photos, plus a bonus.
Our friends told us that a pair of Tawny Frogmouths had been resident in a tree just over the fence for some years. These birds had even raised several broods of young in recent times. It just happens to be one of my favourite birds too – and so easy to photograph!
Tawny Frogmouth
Australian native plants in an Adelaide Hills garden (Grevillea)
A public display of affection
Galahs at Lake Hattah, Victoria
While we were having lunch on the bank of Lake Hattah in north west Victoria earlier this year, I spotted these two Galahs indulging in a very public display of affection. Well – it was not all that public; the only observers were the two of us. I can only assume that these birds were a pair and this was part of their bonding ritual; they mate for life.
The area around the lakes in the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park have large, old growth River Red Gums with many hollows. It certainly is a great place to see parrots like the Galahs. Other parrots species include
- Little Corella,
- Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo,
- Regent Parrot,
- Red-rumped Parrot,
- Mallee Ringneck,
- Yellow Rosella
- Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.
Murrumbidgee River, Balranald
Murrumbidgee River, Balranald
Sydney Trip June 2011
On the second day of our return visit we stopped briefly at Balranald for lunch. We visited the tourist information centre, then drove down to the picnic area on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. During and after lunch I did a little birding and captured a nice shot of the White-faced Heron shown below.
White-faced Heron, Balranald
Emus on parade at Stenhouse Bay
Emus, Stenhouse Bay, Yorke Peninsula
On our recent holiday on the Yorke Peninsula we had lunch at Marion Bay, visited the visitor centre of the Innes National Park and then continued on driving through the park near Stenhouse Bay. We stopped many times to admire the scenery, take photos of landscapes and seascapes and check out the bird and plant life.
One species of bird virtually came to us. A small flock of 5 juvenile Emus wandered along the side of the road quite unconcerned that we were only metres away. They are certainly unafraid of vehicles passing by as this happens many times every day in parks like this. They just went about their business finding their lunch.
This group consisted of juveniles probably about 18 – 24 months old. The female Emu lays up to about a dozen eggs in a shallow nest on the ground. The male then incubates the eggs and looks after the young for up to 2 years after hatching. The birds we saw were over half grown and independent of the father, so I’m guessing they’d have to be at least 18 months old.
Emus, Stenhouse Bay, Yorke Peninsula
Emus, Stenhouse Bay, Yorke Peninsula
Innes National Park, Yorke Peninsula
Innes National Park Visitor Centre, Yorke Peninsula
On the second day of our recent holiday on Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, we drove to the Innes National Park Visitor Centre. All visitors and campers in this national park are required to buy an entry ticket before going into the park, either from the centre staff, or from the self-serve kiosk outside.
We briefly had a look around in the centre before heading off into the park for the rest of the day.
You can find out more information about the park and the area here. This site includes links to species lists of flora and birds, as well as details of camping sites, entry fees, suggested activities and more.
Rhino Head from Innes National Park Visitor Centre, Yorke Peninsula
In the carpark of Innes National Park Visitor Centre, Yorke Peninsula