WIld Bird Wednesday 453 White-faced Heron

This will be a short post this week.

These are some shots of a White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae).  It was hunting in the wet grass at Jells Park in Melbourne.  Just as I saw the bird it seemed to swallow a large worm - or possibly a small snake!  It did not catch anything else in the time I was watching.

This is a common - possibly the most common - heron in my part of the world.  I think they are rather smart.

 

 

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I'm having a few issues here at present - so I hope you will forgive my lack of visits to your blogs.  I'm going to catch up one day.  SM

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Wilsons Prom 2

Last month I did an overnight trip to Sealers Cove at Wilsons Promontory National Park.  Its a walk of about 20 km there and back.  It's a walk I have done more than once or twice.  It was nice to get back outside and not feel like I should not be there.

Here are some pictures from Sealers Cove where I camped.

You can find more pictures from around the world at Our World Tuesday and image-in-ing Cheers:  SM

Wild Bird Wednesday 452 - Rainbow Lorikeet.

The Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) is a remarkably colourful bird that I see most days.  They can often be seen in our street trees or flying over my house.

On a recent walk around a local lake I found a large group of these birds - maybe about 40 - feeding very low down on a series of gum trees.  Many of the birds seemed to be pecking at the bark of the trees.  There was no evidence that the birds were collecting artificial food (like bird seed), and I was unable to work out what they were doing!

Such are the mysteries of the birding life.

I have some time away from work over the next few weeks, so I hope to be able to catch up on blog visits and many other tasks.

As ever, to join in with WBW just click the link below.  SM

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Wild Bird Wednesday 451 - Tawny Frogmoth

The Tawny Frogmoth (Podargus strigoides) has undergone some taxonomical changes in recent weeks - but I think that the species name is still the same. This means some of my books are now out of date - which means only one things - more books!

These are old images, taken of birds in the roof of a barbecue shelter at the campsite near Katherine in the Northern Territory.

I did actually see one of these birds this week, sitting on a lap post outside my house, as I came home from a rather unexpected hospital visit.  

Even in the midst of a pretty crap week, I'm thankful the birds are still there for me.

Stay safe and keep well.  Join in with WBW by clicking the link below.  SM

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Wild BIrd Wednesday 450 - Red-tailed Tropic Bird

For week 450 of WBW I give you one of the more amazing birds I have seen - the Red-tailed Tropic Bird (Phaethon rubricaudra).

These pictures were taken on one of the more amazing places I have ever been - Lord Howe Island, which is off the coast of New South Wales, on the East coast of Australia.

The island has just been through a major rodent removal scheme which seems to have been a great success.  So a place that was already amazing may now be more so.   When (if?) things even get back to the way they were pre-covid I will be very keen to go back there.

So, here are some amazing birds from an amazing place.

 

 

 

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Cheers SM (450!)

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Wild Bird Wednesday 449 - More Feeder Birds

This is really a continuation of last weeks WBW - here are a selection of other pictures from the bird feeders at Whinlater in The Lake District, UK.

Coal Tits

Coal Tits and a Chaffinch

Great Tit

Great Tit

Great Tit

Great Tit

Chaffinch

Chaffinch and (hidden!) Blue Tit

Chaffinch

As ever, you can join in with WBW by clicking on the blue button below.  SM

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Wilsons Prom: 1

Those of you who are regular visitors here will have already worked out that one of my favourite places in Victoria is Wilsons Promontory National Park.  Generally just called The Prom it is splendid in all seasons - but because it is very popular I like it most in the winter when there are far fewer people around.

However, after being locked down - or at least restricted in movement - for much of last year, when I had the chance to go back to The Prom I took it.  Crowds be dammed! 

I actually booked onto a boat tour so I could have a look at The Prom from the sea, which is something I had never done before.

I arrived in good time and we immediately reminded of why I love the place!

 

After a short walk by Tidal River I went off to join the tour.  We were all given waterproof jackets - which were not the most tailored garments I have ever seen!  (By the way this is not me!)

 

The boats were parked on the beach, about 100 m from the ocean.  Once on-board we drove into the sea! It was rather strange.

 

Once out at sea the landscape of The Prom opened up for us.  It was great to look back at places I had only looked out from.

The last picture is of the southern most part of the Australian mainland - and (shockingly) it's called South Point!

 

 Not to be outdone, part of the state of Tasmania was also on show.  This is Rodondo Island, which is only 10km south of The Prom, but is part of Tasmania.  It is an uninhibited nature reserve.

There will be more pictures to follow!

 

You can find more pictures from around the world at Our World Tuesday and image-in-ing Cheers:  SM