Balyang Sanctuary and the Barwon River

With a public holiday today and reasonable weather, I was looking for somewhere local to go birding. There were a few too many people and dogs frequenting the beaches around home to make it worth looking for wading birds so I headed into Geelong to check out the birds at Balyang Sanctuary and the adjoining Barwon River. Balyang Sanctuary was the focus of one of my earliest posts in this blog but I have not been there with the camera for several years and there are usually cormorants and darters breeding on the river so I was looking forward to seeing what I could find.

As I was preparing the camera and tripod, an Australasian Darter took off from a branch on the other side of the lake and I managed to get one shot off hand-held with whatever settings I had on the camera at the time. Fortunately, I had the ISO up and aperture large enough to get a reasonably fast shutter speed (1/640) on Aperture Priority, though nowhere near fast enough to freeze the wings - I only really got them like this because they were at the top of the wing beat so not moving very fast. I was on single shot auto focus so I couldn't manage to get any more shots.

Australasian Darter, Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 800, f/8, 1/640

There were several species of ducks on the lake, including a pair of Chestnut Teals that cooperated long enough for me to get a shot of each.

Chestnut Teal (male), Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/8, 1/320

Chestnut Teal (female), Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/8, 1/400

However the most interesting birds on the edge of the lake were Red Junglefowl (Domestic Chicken), with this rooster foraging along the bank. There are frequently domestic ducks and geese around this lake but I've never seen chickens before and this male is pretty close to wild-type.

Red Junglefowl (Domestic Chicken), Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 800, f/5.6, 1/1600

The duck boxes that have been constructed in various locations on the lake also make great landing platforms for other birds to shake themselves dry after a bath.

White-faced Heron, Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/4, 1/1600

In addition to the lake, the sanctuary also has an area of open woodland and several species of birds utilise the holes in old River Red Gums for nesting.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/11, 1/400

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/11, 1/125

Rainbow Lorikeet, Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/11, 1/125

But not all the parrot action was in the nest holes...

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/2500

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/2000

and the highlight was this pair of Long-billed Corellas.

Long-billed Corella, Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/8, 1/400

Long-billed Corella, Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/8, 1/500

Long-billed Corella, Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/8, 1/500

Long-billed Corella, Balyang Sanctuary, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/8, 1/500

The sanctuary is adjacent to the Barwon River where there are often ducks and coots on the river - no ducks today but this Eurasian Coot was swimming close to the bank in lovely light and showing bow-wave ripples in the mirror-like water.

Eurasian Coot, Barwon River, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/1000

Cormorants and darters can be found perching along the river

Australasian Darter, Barwon River, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/800

Australasian Darter, Barwon River, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/1000

and nesting in the trees along the west bank.

Little Pied Cormorant, Barwon River, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/8, 1/1250

Little Pied Cormorant, Barwon River, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/11, 1/500

Little Pied Cormorant, Barwon River, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/1600

Little Pied Cormorant, Barwon River, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/5.6, 1/2000

An Australasian Darter nest was also in this cluster of cormorant nests

Australasian Darter (juveniles), Barwon River, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/11, 1/800

with four young darters squirming for room

Australasian Darter (juveniles), Barwon River, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/11, 1/320

under the not-so-watchful eye of Dad.

Australasian Darter (adult male + juveniles), Barwon River, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/11, 1/500

It's amazing how much difference there is in size within clutches like this.

Australasian Darter (juveniles), Barwon River, Geelong
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 (x1.4 adapter), ISO 400, f/11, 1/250

Stockton Breakwater

I arrived in Newcastle, NSW, this afternoon in readiness for a 'long weekend' of bird photography and workshops with Birdlife Photography. With a range of outings scheduled at a variety of locations and habitats over the next five days, I tried to find a different location for a quick trip this afternoon. One place I had not been to in the Newcastle area was Stockton Breakwater so it seemed as good a place as any. The breakwater forms the northern side of the entrance to the Hunter River and extends about 800 metres into the ocean providing good views of the beach, harbour and ocean.

A handful of juvenile Australian Ravens were foraging amongst the seaweed on the beach...not your typical beach birds but a good start to the afternoon...

Australian Raven (juvenile), Stockton Breakwater
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 x2 adaptor, ISO 400, f/8 1/250

Several storms passed by to the south-west so the light varied from bright sunshine (as above) to quite dull. The dull light made it a challenge to try and identify and photograph the terns flying past and plunging into the water. Subsequent examination of the photographs indicates they were Common Terns.

Common Tern, Stockton Breakwater
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 x2 adaptor, ISO 400, f/8 1/3200

They were fishing more than 100 metres away which made it tough trying to catch the action but I was pleased with this one...

Common Tern, Stockton Breakwater
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 x2 adaptor, ISO 400, f/11 1/500

As I was watching the terns, an Australasian Darter surfaced right in front of me.

Australasian Darter, Stockton Breakwater
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 x2 adaptor, ISO 400, f/8 1/800

and climbed out onto the breakwater

Australasian Darter, Stockton Breakwater
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 x2 adaptor, ISO 400, f/10 1/500

to 'hang out the washing'.

Australasian Darter, Stockton Breakwater
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 x2 adaptor, ISO 400, f/10 1/1600

I reached the end of the breakwater and watched a steady stream of shearwaters fly past, too far away to identify, until the weather finally caught up with me when a storm declined to pass by to the south and headed directly towards Stockton. I retreated back to the beach and managed to photograph some of the terns sheltering amongst the seaweed

Little Tern, Stockton Breakwater
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 x2 adaptor, ISO 400, f/8 1/160

Common Tern + Little Tern, Stockton Breakwater
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 x2 adaptor, ISO 400, f/5.6 1/500

and this Australian Pelican posing on a power pole,

Australian Pelican, Stockton Breakwater
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8 x2 adaptor, ISO 400, f/8 1/500

and managed to get back to the car just as the deluge hit.

Kerang Lakes - Part 2 Reedy Lakes

Following a morning at Lake Tutchewop, I head for Reedy Lakes Ibis Rookery. Reedy Lakes, is a three-lake complex (part of the Kerang-Swan Hill irrigation system) just north of Kerang. It is Ramsar listed and home to the largest ibis rookery in the world with more than 100,000 ibis (Australian White Ibis and Straw-necked Ibis) nesting there. Middle Lake is the easiest to access (only a few hundred metres off the Murray Valley Highway, via Pratt Road, about 10 km north of Kerang) and includes most of the rookery and a bird hide close to the car park.

If you follow Pratt Road (cross the bridge over the channel opposite the car park) around the lake to the north-west corner where the channel exits Middle Lake draining into Third Lake, there is a colony of Australasian Darters that breed in summer-early autumn and you can get relatively close while remaining behind vegetation (and so avoiding too much disturbance of the birds...they were obviously aware that I was there but none of the birds photographed were flushed from nests or perches).

Australasian Darter, Reedy Lakes, Kerang
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/5.6 1/60 (Polariser)

Australasian Darter (female), Reedy Lakes, Kerang
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/5.6 1/125 (Polariser)

Australasian Darter (female), Reedy Lakes, Kerang
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/5.6 1/200 (Polariser)

Australasian Darter (female), Reedy Lakes, Kerang
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/5.6 1/125 (Polariser)

Australasian Darter (male), Reedy Lakes, Kerang
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/5.6 1/800 (Polariser)

Of course, it wouldn't be right to be here and not photograph ibis...these Australian White Ibis were reasonably cooperative (photographing out of the car window from the road) but all of the Straw-necked Ibis flew off as soon as I slowed down. Believe it or not, the front bird in the first photo below did not take off...it reminded me of my childhood days being dared (and daring others) to jump off piers and cliffs into the sea...a toe over the precipice but, in the end, no...

Australian White Ibis, Reedy Lakes, Kerang
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/5.6 1/800 (Polariser)

Australian White Ibis, Reedy Lakes, Kerang
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/5.6 1/640 (Polariser)

The surrounding woodlands, wetlands and channels are also home to many other species of birds. I didn't have much time to search for many birds today as I wanted to get back to Lake Tutchewop but a family of Noisy Miners was very busy right next to the car park.

Noisy Miner, Reedy Lakes, Kerang
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/5.6 1/200 (Polariser)

A quick trip into Kerang to resupply (fuel for the car and water for me) provided the opportunity for a brief stop at the Kerang Bushland Reserve on the Loddon River, immediately west of the town. There was lots of activity there with at least 5 species of honeyeaters seen but mostly on the island in the middle of the river (so inaccessible for any photography). This male Superb Fairy-wren did make it worth the stop though as he displayed actively from within a small clump of lignin.

Superb Fairy-wren (male), Loddon River, Kerang
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8
ISO 400, f/5.6 1/125 (Polariser)

On the road north (heading back to Lake Tutchewop) I spotted a Black Falcon in a dead tree beside the road. A quick U-turn and I drove back past it and stopped behind a clump of trees giving me enough cover to get one record shot off before it flew away.

Black Falcon, Murray Valley Highway, Kerang
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8, ISO 400, f/7 1/800

Not sure if I spooked it or the clown driving the car who tooted the horn as he drove past me (it never ceases to amaze me how some people think this is clever or funny) but it was gone before I could attempt to get closer. I did manage to capture this shot of particularly ragged individual from a handful of Australian Pelicans circling over the nearby pasture, exploiting the thermals to gain some altitude.

Australian Pelican, Murray Valley Highway, Kerang
Pentax K-3, Sigma 300mm f/2.8
ISO 400, f/7 1/2000

Tyto Wetlands (Part 2)

...more birds from Tyto Wetlands (see Part 1)

I was lucky enough to capture a basking freshwater turtle and a male Australian Darter in the one image.

Australasian Darter, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

After the turtle departed, the Darter remained, in all his glory.

Australasian Darter, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Comb-crested Jacanas were seen in several places and this one allowed close approach while it hunted among the lily pads.

Comb-crested Jacana, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Red-winged Fairy-wrens were seen in many places but their perpetual motion and proclivity for remaining in the centre of bushes made them difficult to photograph.

Red-backed Fairy-wren (male), Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Red-backed Fairy-wren (female), Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Both Varied Triller and White-winged Triller calls were heard and this male White-winged Triller in breeding plumage cooperated nicely for some close-ups.

White-winged Triller (male), Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Willie Wagtails were seemingly everywhere and this one posed nicely so I couldn't resist a quick snap.

Willie Wagtail, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Several pairs of Masked Lapwings had small chicks and this adult was captured uttering the "duck and cover" call.

Masked Lapwing, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld

Pied Currawongs could be heard in many places around the wetlands but it wasn't until I was back in the car park that I managed to find one close enough to photograph and, in this case, I almost had too much lens needing to take several steps backwards to get the whole bird in the frame.

Pied Currawong, Tyto Wetlands, Ingham Qld