Wild Bird Wednesday 457 - Crested Pigeon

Finally, I manged to get away for a birding trip last weekend.  I took the long drive to the NW of Victoria and visited the Mallee region of Victoria.  I stayed near a town called Patchewallock (!) and had a great time.  The area is very dry, and even has red sand soil that reminded me of Central Australia.

There will be more details to follow: but these are some Crested Pigeons (Ocyphaps lophotes) that I photographed around a watering point just outside the front door of my accommodation.  Not at unusual bird, but nice to see them in an area which was more like their natural environment - at home I tend to see them on sports ovals!

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Wild Bird Wednesday 456 - White-bellied Sea Eagle

When I was down at Werribee Sewage Works a few weeks ago I happened upon this White-bellied Sea Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) sitting on a post.  Unfortunately, it did not do much but fly off in all the time I watched it!  Later in the day there were two individuals at the same spot.  Wonderful birds, and the first ones I have photographed in my neck of the woods.

This eagle has a wingspan of up to 2m and can weigh up to 3.7 kg, making it only slightly smaller than the Wedge-Tailed Eagle, which is Australia's largest bird of prey.

All things considered, the White-bellied Sea Eagle is an impressive bird.

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Wild Bird Wednesday 455 - Little Black Cormorant

The Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris) is a reasonably common species found over all of Australia - most typically in freshwater habitats.  This individual was no exception, and was drying / thermo-regulating om a log at my local wetland.

As you can see it a classically black cormorant, but it does have wonderful green eyes.

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Wild Bird Wednesday 454 - White-headed Stilt

This is another bird that has undergone a number of taxonomical revisions, but at present I think its called the White-headed Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus) which separates into into a full species away from a number of other similar birds.

These birds were feeding in the area of Werribee Treatment Plant where the treated water is released into the bay.  Due to somewhat elevated nutrient levels in the water this area can be a bit of a hot spot, there were a number of other waders (too distant to identify with much confidence) and a couple of a very small terms (Fairy/ Little?) feeding in the area as well.

The birds with the pale heads are younger birds.  This species really does have remarkably long legs!

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Wilsons Prom 3: Skull Rock

Skull Rock - or Cleft Island - is one of the best know, and least accessible, landmarks of Wilsons Promontory National Park. It sits 5 km off the south west corner of the park, and if local legend (and our tour guide) are to be believed, more people have walked on the Moon than on this island!  When you see the near vertical cliffs that fall into the water all around it, you can see why this may be true.

There is a huge natural cave on one side of the island was carved by the prevailing wind and waves when the sea level was higher than it is now.  The whole island is bigger than that more well known Australia landmark, the Sydney Opera House.

These picture were taken from a boat tour that starts from Norman Bay beach - and if you ever get to The Prom I think its a worthwhile trip.

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