Birds of Mallacoota, Victoria

Bird life, Mallacoota, Victoria

Bird life, Mallacoota, Victoria

On our walk around Mallacoota we followed the edge of the estuary. In the inlet and on sand bars and small islands we could see many water birds. I was kept busy taking photos, checking them out through my binoculars and jotting down the species’ names in my notebook. During our stay of about 18 hours I made quite a healthy list, mostly water birds. A stay of a week or more would undoubtedly add considerably to this list.

In the photo above I have captured Australian Pelicans, Yellow-billed Spoonbills, cormorants (not sure but probably Little Black) and Silver Gulls.

Black Swans, Mallacoota, Victoria

Black Swans, Mallacoota, Victoria

The photos above and below show the numerous Black Swans feeding in the shallows of the estuary.

Black Swans, Mallacoota, Victoria

Black Swans, Mallacoota, Victoria

A walk in Lane Cove National Park

Lane Cove National Park, Sydney

Lane Cove National Park, Sydney

Several days after Christmas the family had another reunion, this time in the Lane Cove National Park. This park is about a ten minute drive from my son’s home in Artarmon, Sydney. we knew it would probably be somewhat busy because of the Christmas holiday break, so we went early. Before having lunch four of us went for an hour and a half walk through the park.

Members of my family going on a walk through Lane Cove National Park

Members of my family going on a walk through Lane Cove National Park

It was quite hot and humid with no breeze, so in no time we were all soaked from the effort. My son and I had our cameras and we were on the lookout for interesting things to photograph, especially birds. I think I may have converted him to being a moderate birder after he was pleased to receive a bird field guide for Christmas. Perhaps “bird photographer” would be a better appellation.

Lane Cove National Park, Sydney

Lane Cove National Park, Sydney

2008 Road Trip: Hay, western New South Wales

Caravan Park, Hay, New South Wales

Caravan Park, Hay, New South Wales

On the first day of our 2008 Road Trip to Sydney we stopped for the night at a caravan park in Hay, a large rural town in mid western New South Wales. As soon as we had arrived we booked into the cabin shown in the photo above. Because it was a few days before Christmas we made the precaution of booking ahead.

The day had been very hot and we were pleased that the car air conditioning made travelling very pleasant. The cabin, however, had heated up during the day and was very hot. The tiny air conditioner really struggled to bring the temperature down. Still, we were very pleased with the facilities and size of the cabin.

After dinner we went for a stroll along the banks of the nearby Murrumbidgee River. I made the mistake of not taking my camera nor my binoculars. The birding was very good and I added several new species to my trip list. You can read about the birds I saw here.

Caravan Park, Hay, New South Wales

Caravan Park, Hay, New South Wales