Hanging at the Beach (Onkaparinga River, Part 2)

In addition to the birds feeding in the estuary of the Onkaparinga River, there were many birds fishing and otherwise occupying themselves on the beach and rocks at the river mouth.

Island Sandbank, mouth of the Onkaparinga River, SA

Cormorants are always a favourite

Little Black Cormormorant, mouth of the Onkaparinga River, SA

Little Pied Cormorant, mouth of the Onkaparinga River, SA

but highlight of the morning was this Eastern Reef Egret, initially spotted from the steps down the cliff

Eastern Reef Egret
mouth of the Onkaparinga River, SA

but it allowed me to get amazingly close (these are nearly full frame shots (just cropped a little to tidy them up). Herons and egrets are usually fairly flighty but when they are concentrating on finding a meal...

Eastern Reef Egret, mouth of the Onkaparinga River, SA

Reflections on the Onkaparinga River

I spent Friday and Saturday at a seminar in Adelaide and took the opportunity of doing some sightseeing and birding on a slight detour via the Fleurieu Peninsula on the way home. 

The Onkaparinga River drains into St Vincent's Gulf at Port Noarlunga about 30 km south of Adelaide so it was not too early a start to get there as the sun was breaking over the hills that run down the spine of the peninsula.

Mouth of the Onkaparinga River, South Australia

There are several places along River Road, Commercial Road and the Esplanade that provide easy access to the estuary (see map).

The combination of the early morning sunlight and still air made for some great reflections of many of the birds feeding in the shallow side stream of the estuary.

Black-winged Stilt, Onkaparinga River, SA

Eastern Great Egret, Onkaparinga River, SA

Little Egret, Onkaparinga River, SA

Royal Spoonbill, Onkaparinga River, SA

Yellow-billed Spoonbill, Onkaparinga River, SA

along with a couple of close fly-bys

Australian Pelican, Onkaparinga River, SA

Royal Spoonbill, Onkaparinga River, SA

Part 2: On the beach