tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76994097508457246782024-03-13T17:26:15.541-07:00Dirk & Nancy Down UnderNancy and Dirk relocate Down UnderDirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-10781622939503049652017-03-18T02:53:00.003-07:002017-03-18T03:14:32.361-07:00272) In the Mallee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet-chested Parrot</td></tr>
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Three years ago we visited Gluepot and heard the Scarlet-chested Parrots were nesting. Despite two attempts to find them we had to leave without seeing these marvelous birds. So on this trip, when we saw a recent sighting on eBird, we decided to drive the extra kms and try again.<br />
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We arrived at the correct trail parking lot near just before sunset. A birding group heading to their car confirmed the SCPs were there and provided directions and a cheery - "its only about 2 km - you have 15 minutes of light!" So we ran, as much as one can run with big cameras and tripods. Left, right, is this the right clearing? The sun is a centimeter from the horizon.... Wrong clearing.... so on we rush. A larger clearing, an isolated tree and a faint "eeep.., eeep... eeep". There in the fading light was a splendid example of the smallest and one of the most enigmatic parrots of Australia. An answering '...eeep' from another tree and he was off - a pair flew into the spreading dusk.<br />
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That was absolutely worth the drive......<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut-backed Quail thrush (male)</td></tr>
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We love Gluepot - a Birdlife funded Reserve. Great camping, good access around to different habitats. Rain had fallen so the 60 km road in had some interesting standing pools. We had no real issues but were glad for the 4X4! Due to standing water in the reserve, some areas were inaccessible (driving was hazardous and would severely damage the roads).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chestnut-backed Quail thrush (male)</td></tr>
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When driving slowly with no other cars around we could spot birds (like this Quail-thrush) and leap out of the car to get a better look. This female and the male (above) we happy nosing about in the scrub near the road as long as there was a bush between them and us. After a brief period wandering in circles, I finally just sat down until they ventured out into the open. Although they are locally common and we have heard them call, this was a our first sighting - they are beautifully camouflaged!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-capped Robin</td></tr>
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The Red-caps are always a joy to find - they are alert and fast and yet their drops to the ground can be anticipated. Then its a matter of guessing which branch they will return to. This was a male hanging about in the area where the female and 2 young were feeding (previous post)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superb Fairywren</td></tr>
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As Superb Fairy Wrens come out of eclipse they look a bit confused and bedraggled. But you do get a sense of how wonderful their eventual brilliant colors will be - one feather at a time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet-chested Parrot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous Bristlebird</td></tr>
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I have a terrible time leaving places I like, not knowing I will ever be back. We knew this could well be our last chance to ever see the SCP - there are very few places they are seen and no place is predictable. So we waited until late afternoon and walked back into the clearing. We waited and waited. Finally Nancy spotted him through a dense section of Mallee. He eventually returned to the tree with hollows and we had the opportunity to just sit and watch as he called and wandered about the tree waiting for... someone. We did not want to leave for fear of scaring him off! He finally flew, again at dusk, to meet a barely glimpsed female and head somewhere for the night.<br />
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We left Gluepot in the face of impending rain - the Rangers said "leave now or plan to stay another 7-10 days! The roads will be impassable!". I decided the University would not accept 'stuck in the mud" as a reasonable excuse (there is no mobile reception anyway...). We dodged storms, stayed in hotels (serious rain) and headed to the Great Ocean Road.<br />
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There will be more in the next post but these Rufous Bristlebirds were special at Aireys inlet - we saw 12 of them at the lighthouse - they were having a good year!<br />
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-43888828448873712932017-03-08T01:37:00.003-08:002017-03-08T01:37:29.227-08:00269) Night Job<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masked Owl (F- juvenile)</td></tr>
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An encounter from last November when we heard the location of a breeding pair of Australian Masked Owls. We knew approximately where and upon arrival were fortunate to run into a local photographer who knew exactly where they came upslope from the creekbed. Right at dusk we heard them calling, and soon after they were in the trees right at te edge of the rock platform were were on. We had great views of the F juvenile until an adult, possibly with dinner ready, caled in the distance and off she went. </div>
Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-50013129384639777802016-10-17T03:17:00.000-07:002016-10-17T03:17:30.258-07:00270) Mallee Country and Back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous Fieldwren</td></tr>
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Spring is upon us --- meaning inquisitive and calling birds. We decided to take the new 4 X 4 out to desert-ish mallee country. Its only 1250 km to get there. Bit of a loop down south along the Great Ocean Road and back up through Chiltern... a walk in the park in the week I have for Spring Break.<br />
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What we had not counted on was the VERY wet year Victoria has been having. This is the Murray River at Deniliquin - though only some aras were severely flooded there was standing water everywhere. Including the paddocks we went to to find the Plains Wanderer. Though we had expert guidance and spent a long afternoon and evening, none were to be found - conditions were just too wet.<br />
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Other places were less inundated and we succeeded with the Rufous Fieldwren (above) at Lake Tyrrell (now slightly famous for the tourist 'walking on water' photos). <div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bluebonnet</td></tr>
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Bluebonnets in the lakeside grasses...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-fronted Chat</td></tr>
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..........and many chats with juveniles in tow flitting through the heath.</div>
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Lots of birds are actively nest-building. Here a Striated Thornbill strips bark</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Pardalote (F)</td></tr>
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One of my favorites - a pair were busily collecting grass for a nest - they made multiple trips between a nest site and this particular patch of grass.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgcC9fO0L3gmeE_qer_r6xmlYI8TKR6ZKMhyphenhyphenf9lVhaYLJR2YaLI55zR9c1xybBw1-PHdmFPerCnrG94_xJwC5V6YMtJ3bWyEhs5_PSFXIGeN3A6q4VU5Q-tTm1lPXr53aCVRrYKGv7oQ/s1600/DSC_2772_05769-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgcC9fO0L3gmeE_qer_r6xmlYI8TKR6ZKMhyphenhyphenf9lVhaYLJR2YaLI55zR9c1xybBw1-PHdmFPerCnrG94_xJwC5V6YMtJ3bWyEhs5_PSFXIGeN3A6q4VU5Q-tTm1lPXr53aCVRrYKGv7oQ/s400/DSC_2772_05769-copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-capped Robin</td></tr>
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We saw many juveniles out and about - here a robin brings a tasty grub to one of a pair of just fledged babies. The male was not far away.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing Honeyeater</td></tr>
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It has been a cold winter/spring so far so few trees were blooming. We did find a few honeyeater like this splendid Singing Honeyeater. But once it warms up Victoria may be the go to place.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galahs</td></tr>
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Galahs being photogenic.<br />
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We made a stop at Hattah-Kulkyne park specifically to find the elusive Striated Grasswren! Unfortunately no one told them it was spring so they were not calling. After much too-and-fro-ing along a specific track we finally spied this guy under some low trees.<br />
We also sighted the Mallee Emuwren but they were utterly indifferent to the options of photographic fame and eluded (again) my best efforts.<br />
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Next we continue to SA - an unusual sighting demands yet more western travel......</div>
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-36305032705462012542016-08-19T21:40:00.003-07:002016-08-19T21:43:58.267-07:00268) A few locals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Warbler</td></tr>
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One of our favorite spots in The Royal overlooks the ocean and is inhabited by these great chirpy Rock Warblers (genus Origma) - not to to be confused with new world warblers. They are endemic to the Sydney area and scoot up and down the cliffs in search of bugs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Warbler</td></tr>
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They were being positively inquisitive on this day likely because it was a Saturday and many folks picnics on the cliff edge overlooking the ocean<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled Warbler</td></tr>
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This Speckled Warbler (genus Pyrrholaemus) was quite to poser down in Mulligan's flat near Canberra. A pair was traveling with a mixed flock including robins, thornbills, firetails. The mixed flock phenomenon was something we observed a few times on the Canberra trip - so when you see (or hear) a thornbill - look hard for the other travelers!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond Firetail</td></tr>
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One of the birds I obsess about - the Diamond Firetail. He was part of the mixed flock mentioned above as the they traveled along the interface between the trees and the open fields at the edge of Mulligan's Flat. We were told they only recently returned to ML after not having been seen for a number of years! Yeah for predator proof fences!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Firetail</td></tr>
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Here is our local version - the Beautiful Firetail at Barren Ground. All the firetails have a lovely descending (and quite striking) whistle that is easy to recognise. This little ground was not making a peek - too busy chowing on the grasses!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gang gang Cockatoo</td></tr>
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Also at Barren Ground - a few pairs of Gang-gang Cockatoo. We usually find these guys by listening for their distinctive (and loud) feeding on these seed pods.<br />
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Some of my department and SOs' hiking while Ramiro's visit to OZ. This is the most photogenic point on the National Pass trail above Wentworth Falls. Remarkable trail first built in 1912 - it traverses a bedding plane across the cliffs - lots of steps and waterfalls!</div>
Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-50981629371997607722016-07-23T05:43:00.005-07:002016-07-23T05:56:09.503-07:00267) Winter Robins (yes - winter)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Robin (M)</td></tr>
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One of the pleasures of Australian Winters is the movement of many of the robins to lower elevations. As they move down from the hills the become more concentrated and somewhat easier to see. The Rose Robin above is at a picnic ground in our local Royal National Park - he stays in a fairly small area inviting an ambling photo session next to the river.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPPU986VMwiY2t0lQ-uHlkENjyRuMbPuZc1JEl5jVMCNpHXtdpKVemWv9CP7i969d1btAwZFGTtQqVt05nRjYQp7Ny_wJ9uBQCFd4Xk5c2t_xa8tItkc9-VMJqg2q8CnHDQN3jwv71js/s1600/DSC_0546_03276-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPPU986VMwiY2t0lQ-uHlkENjyRuMbPuZc1JEl5jVMCNpHXtdpKVemWv9CP7i969d1btAwZFGTtQqVt05nRjYQp7Ny_wJ9uBQCFd4Xk5c2t_xa8tItkc9-VMJqg2q8CnHDQN3jwv71js/s400/DSC_0546_03276-copy.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flame Robin (M)</td></tr>
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We had to go south (to Canberra) to find the Flame Robins at Mt Ainslie (a ten minute stroll from an office park building.) Canberra has done a respectable job of maintaining reserves and natural areas interspersed with development across the city. We had seen one Flame here 2 years ago and were excited to see 8 this trip. Their color is truly outstanding - you can see them from 100's of meters away without binoculars!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HfBqieBZBcrspbVdnKIhWx5Jke3khYTlxbNTYPEaBa9CO7tpY3tgQ0SCU6Y8PVcKpy28PdXjgYXD4dkzHNWEq1dYr91E59R8lQmrKjp8ljuJ9mXsKY9m6JLEwSYySji2zGMu92ipfNg/s1600/DSC_0708_03436copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9HfBqieBZBcrspbVdnKIhWx5Jke3khYTlxbNTYPEaBa9CO7tpY3tgQ0SCU6Y8PVcKpy28PdXjgYXD4dkzHNWEq1dYr91E59R8lQmrKjp8ljuJ9mXsKY9m6JLEwSYySji2zGMu92ipfNg/s400/DSC_0708_03436copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flame Robin (F)</td></tr>
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The female Flame Robins are highly dimorphic - no bright colors here!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofMcucm5Ug2yDKM0BMLYHVAnK_X84idVmozABZbU7ccDJSkbmD9d9SiRQI3BespYCp03eczm-lD0p9Qy2OZWPru_zGiYSJMEprFAN3_VjhGGBtTqnP6Sv_mOIlSAYjKrnG49EoW28gTo/s1600/DSC_0728_03456copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjofMcucm5Ug2yDKM0BMLYHVAnK_X84idVmozABZbU7ccDJSkbmD9d9SiRQI3BespYCp03eczm-lD0p9Qy2OZWPru_zGiYSJMEprFAN3_VjhGGBtTqnP6Sv_mOIlSAYjKrnG49EoW28gTo/s400/DSC_0728_03456copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flame Robin (Juv)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JndNwSjvN3KAUZDhxc-Ny7k0uiV-keyAMe18rtOYY3OqEVd7t77xXLMK8MDrAOfcKrNwk1LpjHkXHpfYIgxzkFTNM_M20AMtvsR76CuvbmJRlHTp09VJAZmUiN9eseiPegFEtsB-pJI/s400/DSC_0609_03338-copy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Robin (F)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WvVnHddkLTiVT2WJIjj1lpYRrerKx0Z_XyiqcWadREECq9uld8wB9mR-glw6GAf3I8vJv8hUUaR-XiGAOT6D_QvFHXPf0xA_M0hOj6VOaUSM8pDRvM0CbX57-MTeEEL5Wv3aJia799c/s1600/DSC_1094_03818copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WvVnHddkLTiVT2WJIjj1lpYRrerKx0Z_XyiqcWadREECq9uld8wB9mR-glw6GAf3I8vJv8hUUaR-XiGAOT6D_QvFHXPf0xA_M0hOj6VOaUSM8pDRvM0CbX57-MTeEEL5Wv3aJia799c/s400/DSC_1094_03818copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Robin (M)</td></tr>
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The flock was moving back and forth between an open paddock (full of kangaroos) and the woodland. We were initailly confused by 2-3 birds with faint colors. Our trusty bird app revealed that these birds were juveniles - likely from last year?<br />
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Adding to the grandness of the day were many Scarlet Robins. Unlike the flock of Flame Robins we saw, Scarlets are usually found in pairs though we saw them both feeding on the ground with the Flame Robins and being quite aggressive to them.<br />
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Nancy has a remarkable knack to see these guys on fence wires and power lines even while we are driving at 100 kmh! In the woods she says she watches for them to 'drop out of trees'. They often find bugs on the ground so we see them plunging off branches and then flitting back up to low branches to snack.<br />
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They also have a distinctive 'wing flip' - a small twitch of the wings every few moments that is highly recognizable even at a distance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsD6UXNEyID5uVlr9UCPYrvTrjDc-8HJ5TabVPxwelM7bwbLw8kMybhJpJwqWizUPgR_1Wz9WONn6X6af0TrKbWAVnEeGCnCge2n36tWaH8p5MPMcmWegNu4pqb8yhT_06QIJr2oo_E-8/s1600/DSC_1465_04185copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsD6UXNEyID5uVlr9UCPYrvTrjDc-8HJ5TabVPxwelM7bwbLw8kMybhJpJwqWizUPgR_1Wz9WONn6X6af0TrKbWAVnEeGCnCge2n36tWaH8p5MPMcmWegNu4pqb8yhT_06QIJr2oo_E-8/s400/DSC_1465_04185copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-capped Robin (F)</td></tr>
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A lovely female Red-capped Robin at Mulligan Flat. Note the f-a-i-n-t red spot above her bill. She was an exciting find (4th robin species for our weekend) and they are not at all common this time of year. Nancy spotted her 'plunging off a branch'!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYk3XXf5YnkI8zgSMuX59OxL4idQ8RGoAAsGzIh-W9D5GG8c8NgugpShM4ZcfFjJg-QGnaWz7LSzNC7OMb9HiLuVqBNOBaboMzoA7iR4JxJPQhyphenhyphenRNoXxFqS2JvYzH_s6sed67T6nJfwA/s1600/DSC_1000_03725-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYk3XXf5YnkI8zgSMuX59OxL4idQ8RGoAAsGzIh-W9D5GG8c8NgugpShM4ZcfFjJg-QGnaWz7LSzNC7OMb9HiLuVqBNOBaboMzoA7iR4JxJPQhyphenhyphenRNoXxFqS2JvYzH_s6sed67T6nJfwA/s400/DSC_1000_03725-copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Yellow Robin </td></tr>
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We were pleased to find the Eastern Yellow Robin to fill out our robin card. They practically glow in the denser woods they prefer and are reliable photo subjects.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIJK1-zOlr_kOrHU4-3YonqNpkZhrWvxc7FbBQFbM5tndM5iOTvypWWtw1jBRHJMPd1ohKeSio4kJKm6BsSyfEJGYM91Ijm4ltMjPAxwf-UIgG0j0UhtjEZJdF30Ct7fkLrB8kxUKCLA/s1600/DSC_1302_04023copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIJK1-zOlr_kOrHU4-3YonqNpkZhrWvxc7FbBQFbM5tndM5iOTvypWWtw1jBRHJMPd1ohKeSio4kJKm6BsSyfEJGYM91Ijm4ltMjPAxwf-UIgG0j0UhtjEZJdF30Ct7fkLrB8kxUKCLA/s400/DSC_1302_04023copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flame Robin (M)</td></tr>
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-51223826172223927312016-06-06T04:49:00.000-07:002016-06-06T04:49:50.420-07:00266) B-days in Capertee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5b2T3WIYMJXlE9skEC-lRJsP8nXBzCRxMW-0-JK_-KmsLpXzXIxX_2PEa9ugAv6uzyPVSYxeE_OMCX2zdsL3Iwtt2x_SLNhTUo4kAp67AvIVLjOpDJ7q8WVgB7P4Y13A0kDzYpzmoO0/s1600/DSC_8744_01764-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5b2T3WIYMJXlE9skEC-lRJsP8nXBzCRxMW-0-JK_-KmsLpXzXIxX_2PEa9ugAv6uzyPVSYxeE_OMCX2zdsL3Iwtt2x_SLNhTUo4kAp67AvIVLjOpDJ7q8WVgB7P4Y13A0kDzYpzmoO0/s400/DSC_8744_01764-copy.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Robin (F)</td></tr>
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For my birthday this year, we happily re-visited one of our favourite local birding areas, the Capertee Valley in New South Wales. Capertee was one of the first places we went to when we decided we wanted to learn Australian birds and didn't know even know what a Honeyeater was. It turns out that Capertee is one of the premier locations in Australia to find birds, because of the variety of habitats and overlapping ranges of birds at their southern and northern extents. It was seven years ago when we flew from the Gold Coast to Sydney, hopped the train to the Blue Mountains, and hired fantastic bird guide Carol Probets to show us around Capertee and patiently point out the birds we have since come to know and love. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhypheng1_1w_WDPx6EWVtIF-MlpH4_lajXYH8E_mhIyKBLAhA6y4DnJVJq2THG1U6ZAaQUNTWZALfRFyMyW4l7anFxipkB-xZOditie3SVvNmvKdeykSlZON90J4_WExLhbCwvYwd1CKQEy4/s1600/DSC_8808_01828-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhypheng1_1w_WDPx6EWVtIF-MlpH4_lajXYH8E_mhIyKBLAhA6y4DnJVJq2THG1U6ZAaQUNTWZALfRFyMyW4l7anFxipkB-xZOditie3SVvNmvKdeykSlZON90J4_WExLhbCwvYwd1CKQEy4/s400/DSC_8808_01828-copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Pardalote (M)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwq4EDHWOJ00kWIWdR34-nK_QMTki6-KFaKAgmglNjF6eLsm5ks4b7WGtYryuxA5HxNuAn3kXkjlJTw-Yq-KlxczyslmJZyzdNu3vf6oI0Lk6-Q_opOUch80Dt_oKc8-uZrq28MlgQEj4/s1600/DSC_8940_01959-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwq4EDHWOJ00kWIWdR34-nK_QMTki6-KFaKAgmglNjF6eLsm5ks4b7WGtYryuxA5HxNuAn3kXkjlJTw-Yq-KlxczyslmJZyzdNu3vf6oI0Lk6-Q_opOUch80Dt_oKc8-uZrq28MlgQEj4/s400/DSC_8940_01959-copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-Rumped Parrots (M and F)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKFhuWSYqv4sNuU3HPw3VvcK1-2yEP-9TYK-ahHS8HVoH7pl5_f5Zojg3ueU_-gd5tx7FdpNRxL652pv__K6bF5IWvOjMVidhDy0HVdb-dl0_ojyV0XVhOv3O-B95-yOaWzFwHJXXbaE/s1600/DSC_9125_02143-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKFhuWSYqv4sNuU3HPw3VvcK1-2yEP-9TYK-ahHS8HVoH7pl5_f5Zojg3ueU_-gd5tx7FdpNRxL652pv__K6bF5IWvOjMVidhDy0HVdb-dl0_ojyV0XVhOv3O-B95-yOaWzFwHJXXbaE/s400/DSC_9125_02143-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diamond Firetail</td></tr>
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Robins and Pardalotes are still some of our favourite birds. Both have exquisite colouring and endearing personalities. Pardalotes are no bigger than a Eucalypt leaf, but are quick and zippy and have a piercing call that belies their size. Pardalotes are fueled by lerps--<span class="_Tgc">found on the undersides of leaves, lerps are dots of crystallized sugar produced by larvae of psyllid bugs as a protective cover, and they look like the dots on the head and wing of this handsome Spotted Pardalote. Or as John Woinarski says, they are wearing pictures of their food!</span><br />
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<span class="_Tgc">Not all Australian parrots are dimorphic, but these beautiful Red-Rumped Parrots are--females have more subdued colouring, males more gaudy. For quick identification in the field, this is one way to positively identify this species. We happily watched these parrots and many other species come in for a drink before sunset, as we relaxed after fine day birding in the valley. We were also pleased this pond was the new home for a wandering long-necked turtle we rescued from the road. The pond is on Binalong, the property where we stayed with delightful owner April Mills. We stayed with April the first time we came to Capertee years ago, and enjoyed every </span>minute of her joyful company. However, April is ready to move to town and needs to find a buyer to carry on her conservation goals, check out her listing: http://www.ecorealestate.com.au/2838066/<br />
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Capertee, and April's patio, was the first place Dirk spotted his favourite bird--Diamond Firetails. Dirk is particularly pleased with this picture, because the firetail is standing on an old log. Often when we see a firetail, it is on a barbed-wire fence, which isn't particularly aesthetic. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcuRW-adNZoJRI-l3Bo5SC4mEp32YiauOp1x_eHa9P-8sFQsA_8vK6ijW-dPCPkYdVwhVdGRQdPIqZlnUmBOtnpY9PDSTuwlpEzkM3I9yJegEgxCLLI6QqGqJdWIohMVjueT4MjhPuK8/s1600/DSC_9067_02086-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEcuRW-adNZoJRI-l3Bo5SC4mEp32YiauOp1x_eHa9P-8sFQsA_8vK6ijW-dPCPkYdVwhVdGRQdPIqZlnUmBOtnpY9PDSTuwlpEzkM3I9yJegEgxCLLI6QqGqJdWIohMVjueT4MjhPuK8/s400/DSC_9067_02086-copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-winged Chough</td></tr>
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Choughs are true characters with attitude. When you first spot them, they could be mistaken for a bunch of ravens. But watching them for a minute, you quickly see that their behaviour is uniquely chough-like. They strut around on the ground in big extended-family gangs, watching out for each other as they forage around for things to eat. When they fly low across the ground, you see their beautiful white wings, which are hidden unless they're extended. And those red eyes... I'd love to know the "why" of eye colour in birds. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmkKO_IEvih4gdbrd7vZR3zfSSzae0KyQAyu2giFF8pH0DWdN78AXeE16a9ICz8CJAXeCmd5poTCd55wFFgKPSRxaWaQwrCrUwQ1cDzGFiLURG-J1SCLnUnYEdKKkcmJyhoUcIfX8Sr4/s1600/DSC_9218_02236-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmkKO_IEvih4gdbrd7vZR3zfSSzae0KyQAyu2giFF8pH0DWdN78AXeE16a9ICz8CJAXeCmd5poTCd55wFFgKPSRxaWaQwrCrUwQ1cDzGFiLURG-J1SCLnUnYEdKKkcmJyhoUcIfX8Sr4/s400/DSC_9218_02236-copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Whiteface</td></tr>
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For some reason, we're always surprised to find Southern Whiteface birds. They're a little silly looking, but rather adorable too. Tiny and inconspicuous, they fly under the radar most of the time, so we were happy to see these guys hanging out with a bunch of other finches.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej3rcJJKVDIHPOTJqd5-MhdGpvJ6VFz4aK0WjM3gStCXUI5cuDc1qp51RBKM8nD5lBBJX3DDAtIN3xTM4VNM6cYZka-D_qIBLBt5enaRMlSG6soax1iticlcW30gT-Oh0brqvmspNM8E/s1600/DSC_9236_02254-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiej3rcJJKVDIHPOTJqd5-MhdGpvJ6VFz4aK0WjM3gStCXUI5cuDc1qp51RBKM8nD5lBBJX3DDAtIN3xTM4VNM6cYZka-D_qIBLBt5enaRMlSG6soax1iticlcW30gT-Oh0brqvmspNM8E/s400/DSC_9236_02254-copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zebra Finch (M)</td></tr>
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Who could not love a little Zebra Finch--they're so bright and cheerfully-coloured, with those bright orange beaks and legs, and collection of differently sized dots and spots! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItfgwmGEXD89iJWhz1A3dXq2iDITj-pMPYZvsjlwm8pNqc6X6hRMAw5d-qaFI4qDwadWLOX4-Xa-VNcLJr4sfauSsrZNWMVjvj532vJtMxNDC8ZVtZmLUSN0JsznfiohwxumRypadQaU/s1600/DSC_9214_02232-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhItfgwmGEXD89iJWhz1A3dXq2iDITj-pMPYZvsjlwm8pNqc6X6hRMAw5d-qaFI4qDwadWLOX4-Xa-VNcLJr4sfauSsrZNWMVjvj532vJtMxNDC8ZVtZmLUSN0JsznfiohwxumRypadQaU/s400/DSC_9214_02232-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plum-headed Finch (M)</td></tr>
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I think Plum-headed Finches are one of the most elegant birds. Very dignified and photogenic, they are vastly underappreciated. <br />
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We also stopped by Lake Marshall, where we saw these stylish Great Crested Grebes. Some of them had chicks!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcoJSBBLwTbvaO03jTO-N31wFeAC-zLmsYqL6qTD5XTFFgSXLcZwEvSgpxUHT2ClgXMFeX8iD0PjARqGE6bsqTHj-SJ3y5taaVnRWBAlX2rsB8ogVYrbC8kXc2dBDzCVlP0450XWUYB4/s1600/DSC_8651_01672-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVcoJSBBLwTbvaO03jTO-N31wFeAC-zLmsYqL6qTD5XTFFgSXLcZwEvSgpxUHT2ClgXMFeX8iD0PjARqGE6bsqTHj-SJ3y5taaVnRWBAlX2rsB8ogVYrbC8kXc2dBDzCVlP0450XWUYB4/s320/DSC_8651_01672-copy.jpg" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Crested Grebe (M)</td></tr>
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And King-Parrots chowing down on something good to eat. We still marvel at finding parrots simply flying about --wondrously fabulous birds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE29Fd7hxr5fx-6Xu5rgy27mXTvhGzLUQWWt1Zd3Il4jAztBhI4W0hir23ezGsc8EsBJEF7XODWW7fnfpKfnSNeNrZhzp-9bEf9eshUgw2_hNESLR_vPWfxzuYeX-ondsG_-_EjnL1PoQ/s1600/DSC_8719_01739-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE29Fd7hxr5fx-6Xu5rgy27mXTvhGzLUQWWt1Zd3Il4jAztBhI4W0hir23ezGsc8EsBJEF7XODWW7fnfpKfnSNeNrZhzp-9bEf9eshUgw2_hNESLR_vPWfxzuYeX-ondsG_-_EjnL1PoQ/s320/DSC_8719_01739-copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australian King-Parrot (M)</td></tr>
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-47685044658473721562016-04-08T04:21:00.001-07:002016-04-08T05:00:51.393-07:00265) A Dash to Chiltern, VIC<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swift Parrot</td></tr>
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On my Easter Break (which is university 'common week' here) we took a dash to Chiltern VIC. It is the largest remaining remnant of the Box-Ironbark forest in Victoria and one of the top birding sites in the state. It had just started to flower the week before we got there and we were wonderfully excited to see the Swift Parrots had arrived on the mainland after flying from clear down in Tasmania, where they spend their breeding season!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Robin (M)</td></tr>
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Nancy was completely attuned to the robins - she could pick them out in the trees even while Dirk was driving 100kph on the highway! The dirt road system within Chiltern provides good leisurely access to most of the area and we had fine opportunities to see these guys more than a few times.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet Robin (F)</td></tr>
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Also in attendance were the female Scarlet Robins. Not as bold and brassy but much more accommodating of photographs.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Lorikeet</td></tr>
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The blossoms also attracted whole flights of Little Lorikeets. We normally only hear them as they pass by at just under super-sonic speeds but here they settled down to gnosh on flowers WAY up in the canopy....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-footed Antechinus</td></tr>
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The Yellow-footed Antechinus is a locally common marsupial (in)famous for its mating habits. The male becomes so frenzied that its immune system shuts down and males die before one year old. Not a good long-term survival strategy...<br />
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But they are wickedly cute and this one seemed quite happy to watch us from his brick pile in broad daylight.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whistling Kite</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Koala</td></tr>
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Cruising one of the local ponds<br />
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It is fun to occasionally be reminded where we are - this ain't Kansas Toto!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-capped Robin (F)</td></tr>
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Red-capped Robins were also out and about and the female entertained us for some time while she was finding bugs on the ground and flying up to a low branch. She was quite happy to pose.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-capped Robin (M)</td></tr>
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The male Red-capped was keeping an eye out - either for his girl or maybe just for bugs...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9DUmhDybIZabj6bU72rogfkwq4WiPT4Z6Po8V_HCp_-JihOaThXNrKrRIM7LVQDl2P-DALVyLya4FUVG5YrzdJpylkPsDaaGH7KLE9v_I7U8pN3mf_RSFhYnHRPUF8JmcEZNFuO64SU/s1600/DSC_7603_00634+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 12.8px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN9DUmhDybIZabj6bU72rogfkwq4WiPT4Z6Po8V_HCp_-JihOaThXNrKrRIM7LVQDl2P-DALVyLya4FUVG5YrzdJpylkPsDaaGH7KLE9v_I7U8pN3mf_RSFhYnHRPUF8JmcEZNFuO64SU/s400/DSC_7603_00634+copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Speckled Warbler</td></tr>
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Closely related to scrubwrens, these birds are "warblers" in name only (unrelated to Old World warblers) but are nevertheless a real treat to find. We have not seen them in NSW but they seem to like the habitat here in VIC. There were easy to find in Bartley's block - an old homestead now part of the park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyi-WBuz9sAYKyTAABzsZOjAfNBl90D_jtBXzo8TGq3Z3V65WQLbuHFcPn90OhXUZlOLBL6_9CFp4HngcrbxrptxMGOfVioH6GsVkWbTlRveGv_kVGZxxEgfnN8iGpbl8jumngRwbp7Y/s1600/DSC_8299_01324-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyi-WBuz9sAYKyTAABzsZOjAfNBl90D_jtBXzo8TGq3Z3V65WQLbuHFcPn90OhXUZlOLBL6_9CFp4HngcrbxrptxMGOfVioH6GsVkWbTlRveGv_kVGZxxEgfnN8iGpbl8jumngRwbp7Y/s400/DSC_8299_01324-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superb Fairywren</td></tr>
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It's a confusing time of year - flowers blooming, really dry, not quite winter and not breeding season - he just can make up his mind what outfit to wear!<br />
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We are already plotting our return after a bit more rain - some of the habitat here is very attractive to a few species we have not yet seen. And hey - a six hour drive is no-big-deal for a weekend in OZ!<br />
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-74549129970258002372016-03-06T01:11:00.001-08:002016-04-03T01:35:07.117-07:00264) Last Year's Return to Darwin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmMlMuA6HcDjkdMVOgVStSI_5Z3JhkF3yR_sLTNW4uuR1yxD-jdg8FLOqUp6agOrkGUrD_YOuLIdq81mbZdr03F-ea8-hKI-jXNUtv9Jz-yXcZN1pOm2BYKxJcuuAjYwEHcjvwamko7s/s1600/DSC_7705-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFmMlMuA6HcDjkdMVOgVStSI_5Z3JhkF3yR_sLTNW4uuR1yxD-jdg8FLOqUp6agOrkGUrD_YOuLIdq81mbZdr03F-ea8-hKI-jXNUtv9Jz-yXcZN1pOm2BYKxJcuuAjYwEHcjvwamko7s/s400/DSC_7705-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Buff-sided Robin</td></tr>
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While maybe not the most comfortable time to go to the Northern Territory (high temperatures and humidity like a wet blanket. Walk across the room and wring out your shirt), you go when you can. Especially when there are so many birds you've never seen that you can be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. Finches and Fairy-wrens, honeyeaters and parrots...wow, so many birds, so little time, and such *big* distances between them! We decided to go for it, and planned on less camping and more staying in accommodation with air-con and showers. We had a good time and saw lots of fabulous birds. One of the places we *did* camp was the known camping area where the Buff-sided Robins hang out. Sure enough, we heard their call early in the morning, and wow, there they were. We love all the beautiful robins, and these guys did not disappoint us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIZ0P_i3xFxcUXPntlaMoznBSUgYiQXWuua9vcCoT4YjBDmfpinj42zFoviGLRHooeyPt_krpkVbo9iGnvE9uZTd-jRTpQkpMDfpofS-f-WlWR5cF86bRzYvGMTZCdrhc7-yosjjon2s/s1600/DSC_5805-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIZ0P_i3xFxcUXPntlaMoznBSUgYiQXWuua9vcCoT4YjBDmfpinj42zFoviGLRHooeyPt_krpkVbo9iGnvE9uZTd-jRTpQkpMDfpofS-f-WlWR5cF86bRzYvGMTZCdrhc7-yosjjon2s/s400/DSC_5805-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar-Breasted Honeyeater</td></tr>
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A lovely little honeyeater, though a very inconspicuous one. We saw only a very few of these camouflaged well as they fed in the eucalypts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT-fF4-lDeX8vBbpMk2CohtyZ-ucMF_9O1I7QHAP0Z6sHXu9V_1LmAVvYladm6DppWnYgLkDFzdMjdPybeA2QZjX2T0t3cvF63W05NNcgFcjE6YBaebklspAxeVTywcWJPguo63L6dp8/s1600/DSC_6007-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJT-fF4-lDeX8vBbpMk2CohtyZ-ucMF_9O1I7QHAP0Z6sHXu9V_1LmAVvYladm6DppWnYgLkDFzdMjdPybeA2QZjX2T0t3cvF63W05NNcgFcjE6YBaebklspAxeVTywcWJPguo63L6dp8/s320/DSC_6007-copy.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy chasing tides in the mangroves</td></tr>
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We spent time - a LOT of time in an area of mangroves looking for a special White-breasted Whistler (never saw one). But the mangroves are fun as you can only go at low tide and the tides varies 4 meters! We were on the flats one afternoon watching it race across the mudflats - it was really hauling and the thought of fighting through 15' high mangroves in rapidly rising water is enough to give you nightmares! We high-tailed it out of there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgw2TwcTlTd3qaI-holnbmGL2Eox9Hctx8D6uPoSL2KpQx5bK6cfaYaap03VrnAvXa7pokd9Is9s9B8ruW3fz3iRGcSKKjTRlaqu7P5WNvO2e819MDdn5I6UsV8kHtiHFKAsJh0HOY2o/s1600/DSC_6268-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgw2TwcTlTd3qaI-holnbmGL2Eox9Hctx8D6uPoSL2KpQx5bK6cfaYaap03VrnAvXa7pokd9Is9s9B8ruW3fz3iRGcSKKjTRlaqu7P5WNvO2e819MDdn5I6UsV8kHtiHFKAsJh0HOY2o/s400/DSC_6268-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern Fantail</td></tr>
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Whereas Grey Fantails occur through much of Australia, Northern Fantails, well, are only in Northern Australia. The little light-colored streaks in this bird's breastband are diagnostic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t7sedAlvkRRxFhw-pfAseKl0BoQWmWR3-HZeuHHe08vTfAHEkfougIME9iz6atkGlBXcghxzD99BTStflfx7EnusMSShbg08g9DpHGEmm480Ejc8uEwztoVLnNN96eKVpzCDI6z04Z4/s1600/DSC_6398-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1t7sedAlvkRRxFhw-pfAseKl0BoQWmWR3-HZeuHHe08vTfAHEkfougIME9iz6atkGlBXcghxzD99BTStflfx7EnusMSShbg08g9DpHGEmm480Ejc8uEwztoVLnNN96eKVpzCDI6z04Z4/s400/DSC_6398-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baby Comb-Crested Jacana </td></tr>
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Where's Mom? Look carefully at those toes--if you can first imagine you have a beak, can you then imagine having toes that are almost as long as your head, neck, and beak combined and not stumbling over them while walking on lily-pads on top of the water?!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zitting Cisticola</td></tr>
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We like the name "Zitting Cisticola" so were happy to see these cute little guys hanging out in the grasses. Such a tidy little bird with a clean white bib and pink legs. In Australia, being tidy is a virtue. Dirk and Nancy have been told they are not up to Australian tidy standards. But there are tidy towns that proudly display the signs indicating they have won the highly coveted awards--good on ya! (Really--we do mean that, it's nice to see proud towns! There are ones not so much.....).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXqeVdnj3C7ZQRf7lvjwFk1ASJYhOl5VhraRENMDfTHs3ub3LzjQyfuVDvpvwTW1Tk2UNt5m4WsO82RCV0QJUNImGF4OxddMLTGJaWbZ2spTsJVB4nNMxCYkbCyf41w86T7VUdQDccTg/s1600/DSC_6428-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXqeVdnj3C7ZQRf7lvjwFk1ASJYhOl5VhraRENMDfTHs3ub3LzjQyfuVDvpvwTW1Tk2UNt5m4WsO82RCV0QJUNImGF4OxddMLTGJaWbZ2spTsJVB4nNMxCYkbCyf41w86T7VUdQDccTg/s400/DSC_6428-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Female)</td></tr>
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The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos are one of the most magnificent Australian birds. The essence of northern Australia is distilled in hearing the far-carrying calls of Red-Tailed Black-Cockatoos, and seeing flocks of these birds fly overhead with their majestic, slow rhythmic wingbeats. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_-TQFfWP03W0BCYe4gTWI0-8vzoFa1dMM-_6dA5NN64tKEt4v3Edsos7lJmV9MHhxEP-cpPm9YvvSk0J0Jr5BsdbdwmCkOW7lgIIrAfDn1Tf0-9rH1GRGBsu4qvSt8OSRA3XhBTS6Lo/s1600/DSC_6529-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_-TQFfWP03W0BCYe4gTWI0-8vzoFa1dMM-_6dA5NN64tKEt4v3Edsos7lJmV9MHhxEP-cpPm9YvvSk0J0Jr5BsdbdwmCkOW7lgIIrAfDn1Tf0-9rH1GRGBsu4qvSt8OSRA3XhBTS6Lo/s400/DSC_6529-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon-bellied Flycatcher</td></tr>
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These cute little flycatchers befuddled us the first time we went to the Northern Territory, but this time we were prepared and knew to expect them. They're more closely related to Jacky Winters and those mysterious Yellow-Legged Flycatchers than the more broadly distributed fantail and 'monarch' flycatchers.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8AewWyDtOqZAuJXVRqBnS0hjfPWp_3jdrEQijgv_34_1c2weg9d2Vnjew8QZ3BzHk3kMcStn33xGDRvk0JuQ0wVR4AClhSxRNfklBIfPryFuiybe06bYkw1LGL1rG7XE2ACwgWjGpTY/s1600/DSC_6620-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8AewWyDtOqZAuJXVRqBnS0hjfPWp_3jdrEQijgv_34_1c2weg9d2Vnjew8QZ3BzHk3kMcStn33xGDRvk0JuQ0wVR4AClhSxRNfklBIfPryFuiybe06bYkw1LGL1rG7XE2ACwgWjGpTY/s400/DSC_6620-copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grey-Crowned Babbler</td></tr>
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Our favourite babblers--yay! But these ones are a different race (race <i>rubeculus</i>) than their cousins to the south; apparently we could call them Red-breasted Babblers, but whatever name you choose they still yah-ahoo! to each other just like our good old friends.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVYRbaZco7iXc9g9hCmz1I7Co_lCyo9t1hRKhOQWy7xLU2T_bF8rFdXGxqkFWJz1kL23ru88c8lYKZtH7_8Urj6_njhS-f2BpK91PXyu2qsbRCyOTDTsGgtsDpYHc9NqvQ1bO9RhPe44/s1600/DSC_6649-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpVYRbaZco7iXc9g9hCmz1I7Co_lCyo9t1hRKhOQWy7xLU2T_bF8rFdXGxqkFWJz1kL23ru88c8lYKZtH7_8Urj6_njhS-f2BpK91PXyu2qsbRCyOTDTsGgtsDpYHc9NqvQ1bO9RhPe44/s400/DSC_6649-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooded Parrot</td></tr>
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Gorgeous parrots that are closely related to the beautiful Golden-Shouldered Parrots of Cape York (and the now-extinct Paradise Parrot). Both of these parrots have tiny localised distributions and specialised habits--like nesting in termite mound cavities. They both also feed on the ground. Incongruously, the most common place people see these parrots is perched on telephone wires in the tiny outback town of Pine Creek. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WMl7-iNJQQWhKUCNusFaJ0MJM84bFCqohJ6o-PTnFsBXZ4Et3e_hz5wEKbryr9g9egN2kJTjboDsqLYWoxWTiQA2b_f4u5A4UvdhOkpAYmR9YwGjKUOBXqfE49gmOyBHrjKCKu5V6ro/s1600/DSC_6777-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WMl7-iNJQQWhKUCNusFaJ0MJM84bFCqohJ6o-PTnFsBXZ4Et3e_hz5wEKbryr9g9egN2kJTjboDsqLYWoxWTiQA2b_f4u5A4UvdhOkpAYmR9YwGjKUOBXqfE49gmOyBHrjKCKu5V6ro/s400/DSC_6777-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-tinted Honeyeater</td></tr>
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Another northern honeyeater, these guys are blossom-nomads, always in search of the next flowering tree, so you never know where you'll find them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuciKXtd2vkzSinjgH4Asq0h4Hdu-gWC9IIu5QloNWglvZaa4nuw_gFbOKcnrJG1G6qBoDpjWB9iE4StFK1Y3GYkZw-qZ8n0qe07zHDvUwwEqFFVzTW-u2tUXz0VAzR-YxPhub4qcDfU/s1600/DSC_6830-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzuciKXtd2vkzSinjgH4Asq0h4Hdu-gWC9IIu5QloNWglvZaa4nuw_gFbOKcnrJG1G6qBoDpjWB9iE4StFK1Y3GYkZw-qZ8n0qe07zHDvUwwEqFFVzTW-u2tUXz0VAzR-YxPhub4qcDfU/s400/DSC_6830-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rufous Whistler (immature)</td></tr>
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While Rufous and Golden Whistler males have definitively beautiful markings, we're always perplexed when we see female and immature Rufous and Golden Whistlers. There aren't too many other non-descript Australian birds outside of thornbills and songlarks etc. Golden whistler females and immatures are much plainer--brownish with just a little lemon yellow undertail coverts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2QgPq_wKlvNoUA62YXyQKzldvMMRqRgN01GwIbRe9gRhs9vP3QKEdAC7gX6ShpRLjnlBZSJVj0AVKzKovbw_s_vk-CS18RGCji8_iqqYMg6S0UzQExIc1lvTjhFlMswnC6jaMGR70_U/s1600/DSC_6891-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_2QgPq_wKlvNoUA62YXyQKzldvMMRqRgN01GwIbRe9gRhs9vP3QKEdAC7gX6ShpRLjnlBZSJVj0AVKzKovbw_s_vk-CS18RGCji8_iqqYMg6S0UzQExIc1lvTjhFlMswnC6jaMGR70_U/s400/DSC_6891-copy.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pheasant Coucal</td></tr>
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The call of these pretty but oddly clumsy birds are also reminiscent of the outback. Pizzey describes their deep echoing 'coop-coop-coop-coop-coop-coop-coop' call as sounding like 'liquid glugging from a bottle.' We have heard them more than we've seen them, because their call is far-carrying and it is so distinctive. And when we do see them, it's like they're stumbling over themselves as they thrashily try to hasten out of sight.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUdSKeUKKNvoSThoxjzqwiE8FL1ndv5KbBi0199soVNffJW_-m9io7F8ln2Uuu3eDWDBfTCzUptdDPsZOsuaxsVcjuRL4EEo0U68CSnxAUpMws5XffQcdDWSymg9p3mxSnIxMGy8Gjts/s1600/DSC_7409-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUdSKeUKKNvoSThoxjzqwiE8FL1ndv5KbBi0199soVNffJW_-m9io7F8ln2Uuu3eDWDBfTCzUptdDPsZOsuaxsVcjuRL4EEo0U68CSnxAUpMws5XffQcdDWSymg9p3mxSnIxMGy8Gjts/s400/DSC_7409-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Masked Finch</td></tr>
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Never enough Masked Finches to get tired of seeing them, instead always a delight. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWUMuc7Hke6bVzyCUAlzIVyE-RkfNSt7EcSxDuwyrzrolOI2miDBiMaDrfnUUAcLnv2cnBmZhhStnsB_t2ewhCgpil5YGN4LJDVdpFX1fCW-rIBnMrwQi8glftbWwcXyIqgAYMfBclqs/s1600/DSC_7434+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWUMuc7Hke6bVzyCUAlzIVyE-RkfNSt7EcSxDuwyrzrolOI2miDBiMaDrfnUUAcLnv2cnBmZhhStnsB_t2ewhCgpil5YGN4LJDVdpFX1fCW-rIBnMrwQi8glftbWwcXyIqgAYMfBclqs/s400/DSC_7434+copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gouldian Finch</td></tr>
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The holy grail of our finch search, we were elated to find Gouldian Finches. We first unexpectedly spotted them at the end of a long, hot, searching day, just as the sun was going down. We were hiking back to the car, happy with who we had seen, but still searching desperately for these little jewel-like birds. Most of the colour had faded from the sky when we saw a row of little birds lined up on the top branch of a scraggly little tree. Lo and behold, it was two brilliant adults and about 8 juveniles not yet showing their colours. We gazed at them as long as we could before darkness fell, then bid them goodnight and safe travels. Happily, we saw a few more heart-stoppingly beautiful Gouldians in another locale, including this black-headed and a less common red-faced. Simply stunning!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple-crowned Fairy-wren (M)</td></tr>
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Purple-crowned Fairy-wrens have <u>very</u> local and highly restricted habitat, and we thought we were going to dip on seeing them. Lucky for us, they also have a highly distinctive call and we just happened to catch a riff as we were despondently turning away from a place we thought we might find them. Happily, they revealed themselves and we were able to watch them bouncing around in their bush. (Dirk walked the river bank trying to get a photo while Nancy kept watch for crocs - I think!) All the fairy-wrens are just gorgeous, these are the only ones that have that beautiful purple. We think everything will be ok as long as there are Fairy-wrens in the World. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple-crowned Fairy-wren (F)</td></tr>
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The female Purple-crowned is also a treat to find. While many of the female fairywrens have muted colors, these girls maintain wonderful patterns and colored tails.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5SC2pYSNcSYPIKrqHrXEUkBBpN3WvL_6VxA1H0lgvDEgZDj2hRvT6xgRrgeEJv850MBkno_w2ZEx-MdhIec7qDEDegSldS3lLh6rgpt0NJQeIz3uv6YsWUHFgscwFYdDToin31kWn6k/s1600/DSC_7623-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5SC2pYSNcSYPIKrqHrXEUkBBpN3WvL_6VxA1H0lgvDEgZDj2hRvT6xgRrgeEJv850MBkno_w2ZEx-MdhIec7qDEDegSldS3lLh6rgpt0NJQeIz3uv6YsWUHFgscwFYdDToin31kWn6k/s400/DSC_7623-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Finch</td></tr>
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A beautiful little star finch to finish the day. We were thrilled to see them as they are difficult to find. They did not stick around long and I will definately be seeking them out again. Doesn't it look like someone accidentally dipped his face in the cherry pie filling?!<br />
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-78364090416590916362016-03-05T18:48:00.000-08:002016-04-03T01:36:22.663-07:00262) Gluepot again<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorLm8cWqQVHYEPZldPO_mNhdc5jj-1tfiuTkLKfjMDPxmFrJtpW7-ewRp9FmfQbsqKv_ZvAFVOqexyxKpXD6JziYWUGaKDEr3VdJovja-HPAYtJiT9Wsx0-6EVe30I-LmIX2sgCaQyTQ/s1600/DSC_3726-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgorLm8cWqQVHYEPZldPO_mNhdc5jj-1tfiuTkLKfjMDPxmFrJtpW7-ewRp9FmfQbsqKv_ZvAFVOqexyxKpXD6JziYWUGaKDEr3VdJovja-HPAYtJiT9Wsx0-6EVe30I-LmIX2sgCaQyTQ/s400/DSC_3726-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musk Lorikeet</td></tr>
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Gluepot Reserve in SA is becoming a favorite place. The camping is good, the birds (and birdhides) are excellent and its somewhat convenient (5 hrs) from Adelaide. So I took a few days and went back before I was due in Adelaide at the Australian conference.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMQZkCT_1nn5SBrvAmBEf5IQaEuy4AnEg4N8k5R7z-2O-jsNIsqLFxaagJbO5Zw8vieshXnzxldPweHusb0r5-pIL6T44WGNmpcSmbBtaX3cQRm4iFr-VVaWePSxHxUkKANmcqSS6FmA/s1600/DSC_3987-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMQZkCT_1nn5SBrvAmBEf5IQaEuy4AnEg4N8k5R7z-2O-jsNIsqLFxaagJbO5Zw8vieshXnzxldPweHusb0r5-pIL6T44WGNmpcSmbBtaX3cQRm4iFr-VVaWePSxHxUkKANmcqSS6FmA/s400/DSC_3987-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-fronted Honeyeater</td></tr>
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One of my sought species was the White-fronted Honeyeater.While widespread in OZ they are an interior species so we don't see them near the coast. We found a few, including juveniles along a brilliant walk and found them skittish and hard to photograph.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-eared/Yellow-throated Miner Hybrid (maybe....)</td></tr>
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For some reason I took photos of what we assumed were Noisy Miners (common and pest-like). Only after returning to Sydney did we look closely and notice this photo was not quite right.<br />
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After some heated debate among the intelligentsia of the bird-world on a "bird-ID" site we now think this is a Black Eared Miner/Yellow Throated Miner hybrid. This is only significant because BEMs are endangered and live only in this area. Part of their species decline is inter-breeding.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variegated Fairywren (M)</td></tr>
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It was high season for Fairy Wrens. They were active and calling and great fun to follow around.<br />
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One of the great campsites in Glue Pot. After Day one I was the only person there - its was HOT! As a note, the area is named after the consistency of the soil in the area after any significant rain. Visitors w/out true 4x4s watch the clouds!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Apostlebirds</td></tr>
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While I was there I heard that the Apostle Birds (one of our favorite social species) were back. Not for the season but back to the area. They had not been seen for some years (?) but were again in residence. They offered much amusement at the water troughs at the birdhides.<br />
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A Common Bronzewing showing lovely colors.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown-headed Honeyeaters</td></tr>
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Brown headed Honeyeaters at the hide. They were in great abundance and given the December heat (30C+) were easy to find at water.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBho-sGujuidG9KKoXqVvneeC97HFdvEmhpc3GOj-_2DoP-Imnrf1dPUeC2FGIVGhUm1gRfSfjRUEAgspKP8h2xJKVUz4KXq1A20ONOOqYAPPZ1dYZVVuO4yLfPhmWJg4QbRzqj9Mtc9I/s1600/DSC_6288-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBho-sGujuidG9KKoXqVvneeC97HFdvEmhpc3GOj-_2DoP-Imnrf1dPUeC2FGIVGhUm1gRfSfjRUEAgspKP8h2xJKVUz4KXq1A20ONOOqYAPPZ1dYZVVuO4yLfPhmWJg4QbRzqj9Mtc9I/s400/DSC_6288-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a><br />
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A Red Wattlebird showing off his namesake red wattles!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-aUh7pC0qo5STV5k4-ldUlf7ybV9TnqvnXG1RbnH_Wn4x5-2REkUJxjQC78P9W4Ha2pj8dZcN-pI3024RA1J-oZ8-LRv4AttGAXGYcgextnqOHdIPKDvDLkg9wHjxVeCORaPfoH37v4/s1600/DSC_5825-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-aUh7pC0qo5STV5k4-ldUlf7ybV9TnqvnXG1RbnH_Wn4x5-2REkUJxjQC78P9W4Ha2pj8dZcN-pI3024RA1J-oZ8-LRv4AttGAXGYcgextnqOHdIPKDvDLkg9wHjxVeCORaPfoH37v4/s400/DSC_5825-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Grey Currawong</td></tr>
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A new bird for me - the Grey (or Clinking) Currowong. These are S and W species and so they were a good spot for me.</div>
Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-49668094026412404462016-02-07T02:01:00.000-08:002016-02-07T02:01:09.575-08:00261) Desert Parks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAowAsym-fy5RBV5JeL3mLOQ3lxCrfEzDzDKDinE0_7lyOojwgoyZqmzbCg8yoyhsbN0DcUmdPqLnpKtSq1hB03UL-EngPecCM1s-zmnCNf1FH_AQ7yTt3ugmmg-41s3Vv0aLXetnxyHw/s1600/IMG_9169-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAowAsym-fy5RBV5JeL3mLOQ3lxCrfEzDzDKDinE0_7lyOojwgoyZqmzbCg8yoyhsbN0DcUmdPqLnpKtSq1hB03UL-EngPecCM1s-zmnCNf1FH_AQ7yTt3ugmmg-41s3Vv0aLXetnxyHw/s400/IMG_9169-copy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and stars....Yeah!</td></tr>
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In September, we took a trip to the Mallee District of Australia. The Mallee includes an area that is east of Adelaide (South Australia), near the Murray River, and Northwest Victoria, south of the New South Wales border. Mallee is an aboriginal word for a group of Eucalypts that grow many stems from a basal lignotuber. So, the Mallee is a distinctive area defined by the presence of Mallee eucalypts. Much of the Mallee has been cleared for agriculture; it's estimated that around 25% of the Mallee in SA, and 35-40% of the Mallee in Victoria is left--and it doesn't cover a very big area. It's very flat, and dry, and sandy there, with delicate soil crusts of mosses and lichens (like cryptogamic soil). Its also an area that has been walloped by soil erosion caused by overgrazing by cattle grazing and lots of hungry bunnies. And lots of hungry foxes and cats (all non-native animals) have chowed on the native wildlife. A third of the Australian mammal species that did live in the Mallee have gone extinct since European settlement. All in all, it's a pretty hammered place, but complex and evolutionarily distinctive and well worth exploring. With GPS firmly in hand (it's notoriously easy to get lost in the mallee "scrub"!) we went there to explore because the countryside is fascinating, the birds are intriguing, and the stars are breathtaking. Though you can't see the countryside here, this headlamp-painting photo was taken at Pink Lakes, in the Murray-Sunset National Park.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SFdZe6ySRmF0bvZx0iDeM92-aiQ9_6p0gV-C_sUK5fvAqVNtrwx8T38Qe16YTtZXPgyNA7_2mPxkNZeo4ephoi2ZR64Nt4EY9WTQbtoU-LB5TT7ry-GPTAZ_ITtdwUl9X_lv3IGDawM/s1600/DSC_4131-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SFdZe6ySRmF0bvZx0iDeM92-aiQ9_6p0gV-C_sUK5fvAqVNtrwx8T38Qe16YTtZXPgyNA7_2mPxkNZeo4ephoi2ZR64Nt4EY9WTQbtoU-LB5TT7ry-GPTAZ_ITtdwUl9X_lv3IGDawM/s400/DSC_4131-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regent Parrot (harassed by miner)</td></tr>
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One of the main birds we wanted to find was the endangered Regent Parrot, beautiful birds that they are. Unlikely as it sounds, we're *sure* we saw Regent Parrots out back of the Pie Shop that is on the highway east of Waikerie. They were in the trees overlooking the Murray River. A kind soul saw us wandering around the neighborhood next to the river searching in vain for the parrots that had flown out of sight, rolled down his car window, and said hello. He offered to take us to where he always goes to find the parrots--but he had to go home first to drop his groceries, "just follow me." Huh?! Was he going to lure innocent birders into a trap to rob us of our earthly possessions and put our bodies in a trunk?! Turns out he really knew what he was talking about--his house was an island oasis of native plants that he had cultivated amongst a sea of agriculture. He then took us to his parrot area, but alas, no parrots, only more common yellow rosellas that could be mistaken for parrots for those with an unwary eye. The parrots need Red River Gums for nesting, and mallee for foraging. So on, we went, to Hattah-Kulkyne National Park, where happily we did find parrots, including youngsters (yay!). Regrettably, there were also nasty Noisy Miners harassing them, seen in the pic above. Although native to Australia, Noisy Miners are actually classified as an EPBC key threatening process due to their aggressive behaviour that excludes other birds from important habitat sites. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxY-t9qXs6DLrJncpped9hlQByBm0FV2WKMVWieWlh_Tr-D0g24Sph_eNhZPyrk5j-biY1uImqI-0uCkv_nuHGk1rqX50ygtF8PbuZUEE7UP619DsjQXdM8U9yL32OcvnMMSt5zcXqgLw/s1600/DSC_4382-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxY-t9qXs6DLrJncpped9hlQByBm0FV2WKMVWieWlh_Tr-D0g24Sph_eNhZPyrk5j-biY1uImqI-0uCkv_nuHGk1rqX50ygtF8PbuZUEE7UP619DsjQXdM8U9yL32OcvnMMSt5zcXqgLw/s400/DSC_4382-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td><td>Yum! Those big bugs are good eatin'!</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-capped Robin</td></tr>
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Redthroat</td></tr>
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We were happy to find Redthroats, lovely birds that they are. They are one of the sweet singers among the Aussie birds. That’s how we found these birds in a little forest patch in Wyperfeld National Park—Dirk merrily followed them around as they would sing from an exposed perch. They are uncommon birds, so it’s a thrill to spot that red throat on a little brown bird. When we last saw them in the Flinders Ranges of SA a few years ago, it was totally unexpected. This time, we went specifically to this are where there is a known population.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shy Heathwren</td></tr>
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Dirk would not rest until he found a Shy Heathwren. These birds are very timid
(who'd of thunk?!) and hard to find and even more difficult to photograph, so this was a
grand adventure and hard-won success. This bird was hanging out with some foraging Fairy-wrens, birds who always catch our eye because they are such "cheeky" characters. They bop about and chitter amongst themselves and are very prone to curiosity at our "pishing" attempts (although people also look at us oddly if they come across us making smooching noises at the bushes). Dirk noticed somebody was 'different'--and lo and behold, after much to-ing and fro-ing within the bush, he emerged triumphant. This Shy Heathwren lived in Wyperfeld National Park.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-browed Babbler</td></tr>
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Dirk went back to the Mallee in South Australia in December prior to the Australia IS conference. He returned to the Gluepot Reserve in search of Gilbert's and Red-lored Whistlers. While there, he found Babblers--yay!! The babblers are still one of our favourite birds here in Australia. They just have such huge personalities. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-browed Babbler</td></tr>
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Cooperatively building a communal nest, everybody chips in on the action. Dirk just stayed and watched them forever--these birds are endlessly entertaining with their antics. They don't seem to fly real high and direct. Instead, they like to stay under cover. These birds were flying in low to a tree, and hopping up from branch to branch to transport sticks up to the nest. Lovingly labour-intensive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splendid Fairy-wren (male and two females)</td></tr>
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Splendid Fairy-wrens, indeed! Here's the matriarch of the flock, accompanied by who looks to be her best guy dressed in his finest blue suit, and one of her female offspring. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shy Heathwren</td></tr>
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Dirk managed to track down another Shy Heathwren at Gluepot! It was another case of watching fairy-wrens and noting a bird who tail was 'not quite at the right angle'. I bit of 'phishing' and walking and this guy popped onto a branch in front of me and sang away! Not shy at all.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEr-lrDrb5dnqmY3dyL-OhbOeZy0NWWJgQ9q41pGrfLrT-K9bLkaPEeS9F9t8DeUAaB8yiH1rdN_ON5dkUU5mi3F6uPE1O6tZ9Zu1bDQEcUeU5qP_ZMLEz8PPuncZA08nfBlCpv8qA3I/s1600/DSC_6268copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEr-lrDrb5dnqmY3dyL-OhbOeZy0NWWJgQ9q41pGrfLrT-K9bLkaPEeS9F9t8DeUAaB8yiH1rdN_ON5dkUU5mi3F6uPE1O6tZ9Zu1bDQEcUeU5qP_ZMLEz8PPuncZA08nfBlCpv8qA3I/s400/DSC_6268copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td><td style="text-align: left;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regent Parrot</td></tr>
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Wow, what gorgeous birds! This portrait is of a female. How did we let
these parrots get so endangered? The world is a poorer place without
them as our companions...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5qefksqy_0Msskru3eNJleuso-aYVYB1brgMvg-amiVafCiAQuoWB6cxT6-j1Ccjd_xrgq8iSicU1IEhpYUzErKhKYVoFDw0RG3OC7kQHQo6yOnPqC9lWIhQ82QX9oNfgUWh3-uwArs/s1600/DSC_6425-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5qefksqy_0Msskru3eNJleuso-aYVYB1brgMvg-amiVafCiAQuoWB6cxT6-j1Ccjd_xrgq8iSicU1IEhpYUzErKhKYVoFDw0RG3OC7kQHQo6yOnPqC9lWIhQ82QX9oNfgUWh3-uwArs/s400/DSC_6425-copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gilbert's Whistler (Female)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Finally! A Gilbert's Whistler! We've been trying to find these birds for years... they're very elusive.<br />
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-30674955205497560572016-01-31T01:55:00.000-08:002016-01-31T01:55:24.569-08:00260) Bright and Brilliant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaVfbNSKXmuplKIkMc9YE4k-5uFmqc3gMsy88KQ2kn4vWZyKZkdR7Lcq2S9q2Oaeoc8rFvkyzOPm8zlZQaPUApb9N_Pz_m8NmSkzUMrG-sCbeJ7eS0mSV9zEApAMREj9dabBQ-1HMvpA/s1600/Nancies-Loriket-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpaVfbNSKXmuplKIkMc9YE4k-5uFmqc3gMsy88KQ2kn4vWZyKZkdR7Lcq2S9q2Oaeoc8rFvkyzOPm8zlZQaPUApb9N_Pz_m8NmSkzUMrG-sCbeJ7eS0mSV9zEApAMREj9dabBQ-1HMvpA/s640/Nancies-Loriket-copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow Lorikeet</td></tr>
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Yes - I am looking at you.......</div>
Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-2313717412326604512016-01-26T02:31:00.001-08:002016-01-26T03:47:52.774-08:00259) A few Odds and Ends to start 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P8-bZhMPMG9aq-p-vuvsH0xvdabuVuQe0gh5AjzXe5ghjUTs0jdPDtI-2Fu7UudTHtqwUoU3pWQkrt1TI7hIcVGY5GmC4SpqL26lA0aweRWcrwDPAq2-Mm_QZRPRwdVnp9wutYeT3fg/s1600/DSC_3165-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6P8-bZhMPMG9aq-p-vuvsH0xvdabuVuQe0gh5AjzXe5ghjUTs0jdPDtI-2Fu7UudTHtqwUoU3pWQkrt1TI7hIcVGY5GmC4SpqL26lA0aweRWcrwDPAq2-Mm_QZRPRwdVnp9wutYeT3fg/s400/DSC_3165-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Bristlebird</td></tr>
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Summer is here and the temps have descended out of the 40s. Phew! As the Australia Day fireworks go off (5 displays visible from our deck) we thought we would celebrate with a few odds and ends from the busy end of 2015. There will be many more as we have not yet posted from some really old trips...<br />
The Bristlebird is always a great sighting at Barren Grounds. This is the stronghold of the larger southern population and we frequently hear or see one in the heath on that plateau. That is mostly because its a small area - there are not that many left.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKCbQ7FMbXkRnZ2ECj-H_zPEu0-Ty46KtTv_7RaxO6-BVI-mCZiRw5MlPOTrTVSNdWy10cdOC2uLdRJuYjcs6Gh8ExrOTKPphgdg7FPs8sPy8befvFppK7cveqPwRZMFAQULpKPGRVUM/s1600/DSC_3248-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKCbQ7FMbXkRnZ2ECj-H_zPEu0-Ty46KtTv_7RaxO6-BVI-mCZiRw5MlPOTrTVSNdWy10cdOC2uLdRJuYjcs6Gh8ExrOTKPphgdg7FPs8sPy8befvFppK7cveqPwRZMFAQULpKPGRVUM/s400/DSC_3248-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-cheeked Honeyeater</td></tr>
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Great to see White-cheeked Honeyeater over in Royal. Not what we were looking for but it meant the beginning of summer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiES8AWA25THt6lK12yLSyCEKPKmqLP0Xy5FnroO1SW3kGSE_UG_7g42NGViciTTy-qVep175fwFd9IB8fdFbW2TgysxNijgyFLIjzvCQ6O-bcKpSNtdicbrNVN_SOk2YF2oGKGScKipsY/s1600/DSC_3474-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiES8AWA25THt6lK12yLSyCEKPKmqLP0Xy5FnroO1SW3kGSE_UG_7g42NGViciTTy-qVep175fwFd9IB8fdFbW2TgysxNijgyFLIjzvCQ6O-bcKpSNtdicbrNVN_SOk2YF2oGKGScKipsY/s400/DSC_3474-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-browed Treecreeper</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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An unusual place to see a treecreeper, but he is happily foraging in the litter over in the Blue Mountains<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Sz8PiDL90iGvKE9W1wpi1xO7yQN8mI9Tp6MIcj02eV-qZgi_jdcY3ZnhOghcP3X6Ed762LbKvQg5ZCbE6V663z2CfiBdGA8pLaPD1-Sm51HBu_5VK_UpVlopmcXiZsGCp3ooo96NFTs/s1600/DSC_3499-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Sz8PiDL90iGvKE9W1wpi1xO7yQN8mI9Tp6MIcj02eV-qZgi_jdcY3ZnhOghcP3X6Ed762LbKvQg5ZCbE6V663z2CfiBdGA8pLaPD1-Sm51HBu_5VK_UpVlopmcXiZsGCp3ooo96NFTs/s400/DSC_3499-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pilotbird</td></tr>
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We can hear these guys at the edge of a trail in the Blue Mountains, but they are reticent to appear--except to dart across the trail. The call is a LOUD whistle but then they stay well under the ferns. We did resort to playback to get this guy to pop out. Thanks buddy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8SOFCDc9DoTS_lgdiErX1RCcnyo45XhG3zKZpTaqYsF877ePxTfpi4lnX1eqbvELqf-jf1Z0R92wd1nVBnbx82QYwXmd-16iqlbOOFvJk3VO3NShptV3t76ze7eieUFiNAyuiQIVFog/s1600/DSC_4985-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8SOFCDc9DoTS_lgdiErX1RCcnyo45XhG3zKZpTaqYsF877ePxTfpi4lnX1eqbvELqf-jf1Z0R92wd1nVBnbx82QYwXmd-16iqlbOOFvJk3VO3NShptV3t76ze7eieUFiNAyuiQIVFog/s400/DSC_4985-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Emu-wren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Small, fast and very high-pitched call - perfect storm to get a great picture. These guys are still on my list of birds to find over in the heath in Royal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSvxmYAzgTxp6UiQJJho3XEJGfrDA5DoYoM7ZmTpDtkP8S9oMf47lkszSOWz6ooji37MGFTg4AObcbJiZXfDifTLn-vHYR_FGLY3UgOYx8OIQJBZcO7b5OvKMrZblPK4fKh1cQHGtuVc/s1600/DSC_5212-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSvxmYAzgTxp6UiQJJho3XEJGfrDA5DoYoM7ZmTpDtkP8S9oMf47lkszSOWz6ooji37MGFTg4AObcbJiZXfDifTLn-vHYR_FGLY3UgOYx8OIQJBZcO7b5OvKMrZblPK4fKh1cQHGtuVc/s400/DSC_5212-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pallid Cuckoo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A quick trip to Capertee Valley yielded these Pallid Cuckoos in a courtship feeding display. At first we thought it was an adult feeding a juvenile, but as cuckoos are most often parasitic on other species (laying eggs in another species' nest to let them raise the young) it seemed somehow odd. So our research shows this is a male feeding a female.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8G0CtB5L0s6qGIcerEKzGJc1ZJ38atipAIHR6AJuKJoqsg_Y1yPPiInD5CM1hM3EmsOmVM-OXsGbN1_QGEgYjSA8HiPpSjh8ce5pb9EKMewhvd7NOUWuJWwKhG3yUtVFur3pGU1alv0/s1600/DSC_5286-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8G0CtB5L0s6qGIcerEKzGJc1ZJ38atipAIHR6AJuKJoqsg_Y1yPPiInD5CM1hM3EmsOmVM-OXsGbN1_QGEgYjSA8HiPpSjh8ce5pb9EKMewhvd7NOUWuJWwKhG3yUtVFur3pGU1alv0/s400/DSC_5286-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superb Fairy-wren?</td></tr>
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We get in trouble if we don't keep track of who we take pictures of... we think this is a female Superb Fairy-wren because of the rufous lores and eye-ring, but if so, she's holding her tail oddly and it's shorter than it should be... Still a pretty bird picture!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccMcX4lDL6NMAc-1p3mByy7azM_myH4TN5Rhyhyphenhyphen_3qm_ZTCjE3RPAc5Ef1Axs-LLGR9c3BTwNZvudhYlEUKshDSK2lTUhyphenhyphenGpdzW9YjyHPKlqJ5TObR9dERQLtdzi6OadN0DGCtjk7q5M/s1600/DSC_3150-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjccMcX4lDL6NMAc-1p3mByy7azM_myH4TN5Rhyhyphenhyphen_3qm_ZTCjE3RPAc5Ef1Axs-LLGR9c3BTwNZvudhYlEUKshDSK2lTUhyphenhyphenGpdzW9YjyHPKlqJ5TObR9dERQLtdzi6OadN0DGCtjk7q5M/s320/DSC_3150-copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Eastern Yellow Robins are always willing to pose when other birds are making themselves scarce. Hard to resist snapping away....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5h3Xhvxi2TaFZDx1UrXk2pWt5nnFxgxSF-QZMFKa8vjJBDmxCAj98icnFEjIK6Rn_3VOypOHT1yuVQqJMflxx2eefmhnFopVHH9sq9lHr7xtZ-a-5eAm5QN7ZO4VmtEbS3ttty2JlSY/s1600/DSC_5423-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5h3Xhvxi2TaFZDx1UrXk2pWt5nnFxgxSF-QZMFKa8vjJBDmxCAj98icnFEjIK6Rn_3VOypOHT1yuVQqJMflxx2eefmhnFopVHH9sq9lHr7xtZ-a-5eAm5QN7ZO4VmtEbS3ttty2JlSY/s400/DSC_5423-copy.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plum-headed Finch</td></tr>
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Capertee is a great place for finches and although he posed wonderfully we really hope he had some friends around!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SAQKibNLa2XdDEzpESAMxNPS1xztt2E2HWUOEfpN7HJiALXa_wL1Z15P4p_FqCR55GDpwk7Ol6aGnCZrBgpGUn9_08PBxxoLBM97ryGYeRpfc6o9u8vaAXodnOa_X7M7xp_oGUa27jg/s1600/DSC_5428-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1SAQKibNLa2XdDEzpESAMxNPS1xztt2E2HWUOEfpN7HJiALXa_wL1Z15P4p_FqCR55GDpwk7Ol6aGnCZrBgpGUn9_08PBxxoLBM97ryGYeRpfc6o9u8vaAXodnOa_X7M7xp_oGUa27jg/s400/DSC_5428-copy.jpg" width="306" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Bearded Dragon</td></tr>
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Basking in the early sun in Capertee....</div>
Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-63775890603654069182015-12-25T20:13:00.000-08:002016-01-26T03:17:50.637-08:00258) Merry Christmas!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splendid Fairy-wren, VIC</td></tr>
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-76094196679000509452015-10-05T03:50:00.000-07:002015-10-05T03:50:57.369-07:00257) Leapin' Lizards!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Nephrurus levis</i> (Smooth knob-tailed gecko) in the Simpson Desert, AU</td></tr>
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Nancy is back from 3 weeks in the Simpson Desert being a research field assistant with the Ratcatchers (University of Sydney Desert Ecology Research Group). I have a new appreciation for herps (that's reptiles and amphibians) like this wonderful gecko--what a smile he has! When threatened, they lunge their tiny bodies (10 cm!) at their aggressor with a loud wheezing bark (Wilson and Swan, 2010, reptiles of AU). Isn't it amazing such creatures exist?! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Delma butleri </i>(flap-footed lizard)</td></tr>
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We were in charge of surveying several areas to keep track over time of who is where, when. This is done using a set of grids across the landscape that are comprised of pitfall traps. Basically, we see who falls into our holes overnight. We rescue everybody in the morning, measure and weigh them, and set them free again. I recovered this guy from one of the traps that I searched. I hadn't guessed that though he looks like a tiny snake, he is actually a lizard with little vestigal hindlimbs. They flee with rapid wriggling leaps when approached (Wilson and Swan, 2010).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ctenophorus nuchalis</i> (Central netted dragon)</td></tr>
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Yep, dragons do exist, but bet you didn't know they were as lovely as this one. No fire-breathing from these guys. They were the second most common dragon in our area, always a joy to spot. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gehyra variegata</i></td></tr>
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Some of the reptiles didn't fall into our traps, but we were lucky to see them anyway despite their cryptic colouring. These two (a gecko and a dragon) were in the trees right in our camp area.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YXVZUx8_BlYWMCO7jqtKlBupPJ9jkmtGvYBw1CiSpyKEKp9g8Fhi3xyPGf3CyX1g0Hi3kaUFf37koAIEyCygygcudS2CQk42jeB9FN_t2A0v1qEWt1M0PYc-zsroP-u501Lt-cE5WmQ/s1600/IMG_8649-sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5YXVZUx8_BlYWMCO7jqtKlBupPJ9jkmtGvYBw1CiSpyKEKp9g8Fhi3xyPGf3CyX1g0Hi3kaUFf37koAIEyCygygcudS2CQk42jeB9FN_t2A0v1qEWt1M0PYc-zsroP-u501Lt-cE5WmQ/s200/IMG_8649-sm.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Gowidon longirostris</i> (Long-nosed dragon)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tracks</td></tr>
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Not sure who made these tracks, but so nice to see signs of life in the soft sand of the dunes. On dune crests, there were often myriad tracks of snakes, lizards, mammals and birds. Fun to imagine the activity when we're not around.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measuring a Dunnart </td></tr>
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We saw great little mammals, too. Here, Dave Nelson is measuring either <i>Sminthopsis youngsoni</i> or <i>S. hirtipes </i>(Hairy-footed or Lesser hairy-footed Dunnart).<br />
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Here's a little sandy inland mouse (<i>Pseudomys hermannsbergensis</i>), otherwise affectionally known as P. herm, emerging from a collection bag, ready to be released to run back to home under a spinifex clump.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main camp</td></tr>
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Our camp was comfortably situated under a patch of Gidgee trees, an acacia of arid environments. The trees provided nice shade during moderately warm days. While it was hot during a few of the days, some nights were cool--springtime in the desert is fine. We stayed in '5 million star accommodation'--tents between the dunes under the starry starry sky.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">baking bread over the coals</td></tr>
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Dave was a superb cook, dinners were fantastic and included delicacies like freshly cooked bread!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">betting at the races (mealworm races!!)</td></tr>
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And everyone on the trip was fantastically fun--it didn't take much to entertain us, we had a good time when work was done for the day and we could relax and laugh at ridiculous things.<br />
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-35316149021426419342015-06-14T05:59:00.002-07:002015-06-14T05:59:44.841-07:00256) More reports from NZ<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Time passes and the real world intrudes - the stories fade as do the memories of those places. I had see a picture of this gorge somewhere and we spend a good morning searching for the entrance. Magical place - so I'm not sayin'......<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kokako</td></tr>
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The Kokako on Tiri Tiri was great to find. Very few breeding pairs anywhere and many of those in really deep forest, We saw them on our first day and again as we explored the island. This pair came too close for my big lens!!<br />
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They have the most marvelous song..<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hihi (Stichbird)</td></tr>
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The Hihi was found around feeders which supplement their food. The revegetation on the island (a former cow pasture) is not mature enough to support the nectar feeders -- so sugar water stations are located around. The entrance holes are quite small to keep the larger birds away.<br />
Note the leg bands - most of the endangered species are banded for identification - many even have names!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kakariki (Red-crowned Parakeet)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North Island Robin</td></tr>
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This is one of the three NZ parakeets. All are endanger in the wild but this species breeds well in captivity. They are doing well on the island and are seen in long looping flights near the ocean.<br />
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The robin are great fun - like Ozzie robins they are quite curious - if you scuff up the trail they come in to see if you have found lunch!<br />
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Very serious sailors in NZ. There were quite a few pretty high-end racing yachts around.</div>
Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-28977540095814516402015-05-17T04:50:00.002-07:002015-05-23T22:42:48.332-07:00255) More New Zealand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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At Te-Reinga - the place where spirits enter the underworld on the N tip of NZ- is a lone kahika tree - Te Aroha. The spirits descend to the water on the tree's roots and continue to their spiritual home - Hawaiki</div>
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Dirk contemplate the lighthouse at Cape Reinga overlooking the meeting between the Tasman and the Pacific Ocean.<br />
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One of the eclectic cottages at Pagoda House in Kerikeri on the east coast. Each cottage is unique, from a truly tiny tree-house (where I stayed) to lavish platforms tents, an old tugboat, these gypsy-caravan themed cottages, and a refurbished 1950's trailer.<br />
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No trip up the East coast would be complete without a stop at the bathroom in Kawakawa designed by the 20th century architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Note the wine bottles forming the entrance wall.<br />
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The Saddleback is another of the NZ conservation success stories. From a population of 500 birds on one island there are now an estimated 7000 birds relocated on 11 islands. The related huia was last seen in 1963 so its not all good.<br />
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A Whitehead with breakfast on Tiri-tiri<br />
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Ah -- there are things in the deep here!</div>
Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-42146550176510982342015-03-15T15:06:00.001-07:002015-03-15T15:06:57.811-07:00254) Land of the Long White Cloud<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tui dispersing pollen from NZ flax flowers</td></tr>
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My major academic conference was in New Zealand so December was an opportune time for us to return. Post conferencing Nancy came down and we toured the sanctuary 'islands' (both literal and figurative) of the N. Island. Once populated with many amazing species, NZ has seen 25% of its native species go extinct and many more at on the edge. Although human impacts play a role, one of the biggest contributors are introduced species - rats, mice, stoats, Australian possums. As they attempt to slow the loss of birds, conservation-minded kiwis (that is, inhabitants of New Zealand) have taken to extreme measures (see "The Big Kill" <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/12/22/big-kill">http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/12/22/big-kill</a>) and have miraculously created "pest free" islands off-shore and fenced sanctuaries on the mainland.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Reinga Lighthouse</td></tr>
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I headed to the far north point of the Northern Island while waiting for Nancy's arrival. Point Reinga is a wonderful place where spirits depart the land. The history of the area weighs heavy as the cleared fields attest to the timber and Kauri Gum industries which the residents depended on.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Takahe</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitehead</td></tr>
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A number of NZ bird species went to the wire. Once thought extinct, a relict population of Takahe was"rediscovered" in 1948 high in the mountains at the extreme of their range. At one point their population dropped to 118 birds - current estimates are about 250 adult birds. This is one of a breeding pair on Tiri-tiri Matangi, an amazing predator-free island just a 30 min ferry ride from Auckland. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kereru (New Zealand Pigeon)</td></tr>
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The little Whiteheads (Popokotea) were a bit hard to spot sometimes, but they had cheerful little chirps and whistles and moved about in sociable flocks.<br />
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The Kereru are big beautiful birds. A bit clumsy, they often gave themselves away when thrashily flying through the forest and landing heavily on bendy boughs. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqfbj6yGHiUS4ZuGzcwUb13YeS29qXlnToittxrh3TyFG4jMOJveM8ntv4Q712CIbbOfXPrEWFej62VqJanLZb_M5iignsLEQz4coLkDuNkhVB7s00dTTAyptVnpw1ScwRxmXQWLq2Sc/s1600/DSC_1250-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqfbj6yGHiUS4ZuGzcwUb13YeS29qXlnToittxrh3TyFG4jMOJveM8ntv4Q712CIbbOfXPrEWFej62VqJanLZb_M5iignsLEQz4coLkDuNkhVB7s00dTTAyptVnpw1ScwRxmXQWLq2Sc/s1600/DSC_1250-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Korimako (Bellbird)</td></tr>
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The Korimako have a lovely clear bell-like song. Like the Tui, they have a noisy whirring flight. We would have loved to hear the songs of the forest when the New Zealand birds were plentiful--they have such beautiful songs. This is a bird on Tiri-tiri - note the banded legs for identifications)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silvereye (pollen on forehead)</td></tr>
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Silvereye are relative newcomers to New Zealand, they get around and about. They're also present in Australia. This one is feeding on flax flowers - thus the pollinated forehead!<br />
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-23597186449446236502014-11-30T20:08:00.005-08:002014-11-30T20:08:58.533-08:00253) Festival of Fairywrens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7e1jaToOYh57GTfTzLqR1Us3A1Sit_TnNXFEQHB7h_0CsiyteT4h_IcnvcJ7MPNl_B5AGpRmza1Z8YE5sdeJ1OUwWtdJgOC_rrS9KG93BNo6gc05fznlK2EFTf-kodfF-_DANoMcPC8/s1600/DSC_9639-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA7e1jaToOYh57GTfTzLqR1Us3A1Sit_TnNXFEQHB7h_0CsiyteT4h_IcnvcJ7MPNl_B5AGpRmza1Z8YE5sdeJ1OUwWtdJgOC_rrS9KG93BNo6gc05fznlK2EFTf-kodfF-_DANoMcPC8/s1600/DSC_9639-copy.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splendid Fairywren</td></tr>
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We finally made time to head to Round Hill - an ecological island 500 km inland. It is an island in that there are some endangered species there which are geographically separated from the rest of their range (as if they were on an actual island). We were pleases to find a good number of Splendid Fairywrens in their breeding-plumage glory.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1pXU-Lw6HVrAHmz2-o1hVEo1peLK6z90VCN9o96uyFeY9Q2DAWXA53ufH7L85fyGw_BesPvqhkaXdtFrps8Vl4bKwiUX1ak7pV7XZIyMxJlHYSM4WIrjouoPnYlZnh4R91TY7pSvJyo/s1600/DSC_9678-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1pXU-Lw6HVrAHmz2-o1hVEo1peLK6z90VCN9o96uyFeY9Q2DAWXA53ufH7L85fyGw_BesPvqhkaXdtFrps8Vl4bKwiUX1ak7pV7XZIyMxJlHYSM4WIrjouoPnYlZnh4R91TY7pSvJyo/s1600/DSC_9678-copy.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splendid Fairywren (Female)</td></tr>
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The females were delightful, flitting about with their tails swishing to and fro.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze4uB3L_NRsoe2zCEsZms3ndOJnVtxO3gjNxshHAyN57uBWWDvgZ4exS4mFQEvVH6Fhs2eogURmBrYhO_igKjti7oqXRJ7YtbS7cE0u_Cl4XjtmMo7KtRZ9k1wuby2husLIts63HV3WE/s1600/DSC_9705-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze4uB3L_NRsoe2zCEsZms3ndOJnVtxO3gjNxshHAyN57uBWWDvgZ4exS4mFQEvVH6Fhs2eogURmBrYhO_igKjti7oqXRJ7YtbS7cE0u_Cl4XjtmMo7KtRZ9k1wuby2husLIts63HV3WE/s1600/DSC_9705-copy.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Splendid Fairywren</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHQCBPj_HOUmUYdIYDJkeBaaeQzbutoEY6186iPRcR_5uvRciSnYEA6msffqGah9pEIHZ4oeC_4JGHHhlbqzUk94YnyBU_AgmoRe85QnVvi1LpVJ3s9y1FEXiEl4MlTplOyceAinFugs/s1600/DSC_9060-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHQCBPj_HOUmUYdIYDJkeBaaeQzbutoEY6186iPRcR_5uvRciSnYEA6msffqGah9pEIHZ4oeC_4JGHHhlbqzUk94YnyBU_AgmoRe85QnVvi1LpVJ3s9y1FEXiEl4MlTplOyceAinFugs/s1600/DSC_9060-copy.jpg" height="400" width="291" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variegated Faireywren</td></tr>
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We also had good views of beautifully plumaged Variegated Fairywrens<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mRCio8SNjcnHafVsrtF3JhhNWbAS9zJaGW5QjEEE-G3wqi6J8d2jtnr7XN-NBp7XW3i7TqGo0BBBXZ62XwnxeuT2HAlwqZQIj-gHYETJnpmnG6EPEfbgILa4DZt1iiHV7nSdTBunvbw/s1600/DSC_9486-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mRCio8SNjcnHafVsrtF3JhhNWbAS9zJaGW5QjEEE-G3wqi6J8d2jtnr7XN-NBp7XW3i7TqGo0BBBXZ62XwnxeuT2HAlwqZQIj-gHYETJnpmnG6EPEfbgILa4DZt1iiHV7nSdTBunvbw/s1600/DSC_9486-copy.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variegated Fairywren</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslFKbUcjH9NrCM55LRuupIWG3M7NMRn7LopZccqvJkzG5r92Ny7_Oo63u01nDi8aIVe2O_sqVa6hxhtwRvR1Z5uyBH4hpahshF4LXGoZIiASt-j6d0ExVMVmJU4ACiVz8mq1nJ1YK0cM/s1600/DSC_9919-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslFKbUcjH9NrCM55LRuupIWG3M7NMRn7LopZccqvJkzG5r92Ny7_Oo63u01nDi8aIVe2O_sqVa6hxhtwRvR1Z5uyBH4hpahshF4LXGoZIiASt-j6d0ExVMVmJU4ACiVz8mq1nJ1YK0cM/s1600/DSC_9919-copy.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a>A wonderful find in some roadside saltbrush was a family of White-winged Fairywrens. With some patience I finally got a reasonably close view of one of the males - they are quite shy and keep their distance.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAsGV7jtiTZS9UUJTevNpzKJNoHY_owGq1A65GOW2MrOeVRPd2Rrk9lpP5hgUrsLIWlvuK4kIWwg609v3SEvP_TPcKFX6ljOZM_BKRElKUO55E_-16kmd18riMJIigQmQloO5v9ViSo4/s1600/DSC_0093-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyAsGV7jtiTZS9UUJTevNpzKJNoHY_owGq1A65GOW2MrOeVRPd2Rrk9lpP5hgUrsLIWlvuK4kIWwg609v3SEvP_TPcKFX6ljOZM_BKRElKUO55E_-16kmd18riMJIigQmQloO5v9ViSo4/s1600/DSC_0093-copy.jpg" height="400" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inland Thornbill</td></tr>
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We also spend some time determining the differences between the Inland Thornbill (here)...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoO3smFxhyTqVSMteTwdTUEAibHXFZ_DVyII7ajubi9LUnyvKaB8X8Ugio2O67qMW5aW1VTpIPL-M0Ggl2zDHuzrci7U8PkudGDcPwYJ28eCNkTunmV7TqgKTH2lBiVZ83r5eBKlq2aE/s1600/DSC_9753-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoO3smFxhyTqVSMteTwdTUEAibHXFZ_DVyII7ajubi9LUnyvKaB8X8Ugio2O67qMW5aW1VTpIPL-M0Ggl2zDHuzrci7U8PkudGDcPwYJ28eCNkTunmV7TqgKTH2lBiVZ83r5eBKlq2aE/s1600/DSC_9753-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;">...and the Chestnut Rumped Thornbill. Fast, twitchy flyers and really really similar!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0olIKQxi2UHW0kpBKBrRzX0dEs7OTR8X_gd00EqBgR61xt5UKTaS-qEZEeNFHzHApEO1uQPoApNbwe6prdbqIMAV41PYgbM6X_oq03fKg5LE_MZ9EJymCk944YMn-4-ikcVwOI-_fBc/s1600/DSC_9932-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0olIKQxi2UHW0kpBKBrRzX0dEs7OTR8X_gd00EqBgR61xt5UKTaS-qEZEeNFHzHApEO1uQPoApNbwe6prdbqIMAV41PYgbM6X_oq03fKg5LE_MZ9EJymCk944YMn-4-ikcVwOI-_fBc/s1600/DSC_9932-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown Songlark</td></tr>
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Brown Songlark in full breeding plumage. What was striking was the size difference between the males and females (below)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYzGr8boluHt2GLVNYki9gawJiGIHrLnRuD17gj7VtAYBfNzUeIN3bcy90ZPral7yTAOv9zr91tG-2gnC64l_NlQLeYO9tu4N9PWnPZClr3Tjz8kjOYbmWGgVRjxkDrLTSR6quQhOzj4/s1600/DSC_9927copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYzGr8boluHt2GLVNYki9gawJiGIHrLnRuD17gj7VtAYBfNzUeIN3bcy90ZPral7yTAOv9zr91tG-2gnC64l_NlQLeYO9tu4N9PWnPZClr3Tjz8kjOYbmWGgVRjxkDrLTSR6quQhOzj4/s1600/DSC_9927copy.jpg" height="120" width="200" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvZbsx2dnaadxzyjVgW1fnybBALK4aRaNyDVeePlLE9KJnz3uyTKWQbvzZnwTQL9Kjfvwd4qVQ9jRjWhfKpmQW8U-wO2p0ANe9KbDrM1alGb13LRLbeD76kfYVZZA5V8tTSBi05bfB6s/s1600/DSC_9576-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvZbsx2dnaadxzyjVgW1fnybBALK4aRaNyDVeePlLE9KJnz3uyTKWQbvzZnwTQL9Kjfvwd4qVQ9jRjWhfKpmQW8U-wO2p0ANe9KbDrM1alGb13LRLbeD76kfYVZZA5V8tTSBi05bfB6s/s1600/DSC_9576-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Scrub-robin</td></tr>
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We were happy to find a few scrub-robins who were happy to lead me on a merry chase out into the malee (always an issue when you can't see the car and can't see anything but endless dry trees. No landmarks at all!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-capped Robin (female)</td></tr>
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The female Red-capped Robins were happy to pose - the males were about but far skitchiyer..<br />
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On returning to camp we were pleased to find a small flock of Southern Whitefaces around our tent. We have seen them (rarely) singly before but never in a flock.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS7PLbL5rqdl39qiLXRMwvP3rmJKqb19sQY9ZpmmoEytFYnbpuqB4wOD2bWqcMcnrGADRPbrqLBo4lC2Muf7YLuBJwhDGC0UCyikTmru4A3huJWDZ5R48luSd36wsYb_fDdJIpL68qoA/s1600/DSC_0128-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcS7PLbL5rqdl39qiLXRMwvP3rmJKqb19sQY9ZpmmoEytFYnbpuqB4wOD2bWqcMcnrGADRPbrqLBo4lC2Muf7YLuBJwhDGC0UCyikTmru4A3huJWDZ5R48luSd36wsYb_fDdJIpL68qoA/s1600/DSC_0128-copy.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a><br />
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Nancy also found this amazing Shingback - prehistoric! This is his threat-posture as Nancy crouched to take a picture (as I sensibly stood 10 feet away ready to rescue her!)<br />
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Unfortunately our choice of weekends could have been better. We didn't find any of the unusual species we had hoped for - it has been really dry in the region and we picked the hottest weekend on record (for November - 43.7 C (110 F)!<br />
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So we will return come cooler temps to search, once again, for the our desired list....<br />
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-64825517811757242332014-11-11T03:37:00.002-08:002014-11-11T03:37:25.650-08:00252) A Quick Jaunt Down South<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLrSxEtcmfERVD7D6s_J6CCHdh793vYGlXPCUCoAnNjmxiRAfPNOzOtroE3FDrjs8OxC5eVY530sbUENFUT6zQDVAQafOXN3llWImkvIiBSkt2h_O-nO-Z7TZy7lLmY4VLSvnOKGaXhY/s1600/DSC_7766-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLrSxEtcmfERVD7D6s_J6CCHdh793vYGlXPCUCoAnNjmxiRAfPNOzOtroE3FDrjs8OxC5eVY530sbUENFUT6zQDVAQafOXN3llWImkvIiBSkt2h_O-nO-Z7TZy7lLmY4VLSvnOKGaXhY/s1600/DSC_7766-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flame Robin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I had a workshop in Canberra (Australia's capital - 3 .5 hrs south) and Nancy took the bus down to join me to explore some new terrain afterwards. We enjoyed the Rose Robins in Brisbane as we left, the Scarlet Robins in SE QLD and finally had some good sighting of the Flame Robin in one the great 'urban' birding areas just outside Canberra (a woodland right next to a large office park).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyVkA5A6lGX_oDakkR-TILp4gGz2OmBnCADJaqNV-kt9PPQGJe6cAkguGeK5hm5jbrH2OaQ84dD_FRGakSqxjU3qS43akWQs7vLS6j0GnSDSiUU4izIzoXpCarWbzFl_YW6uzyvIMpOI/s1600/DSC_8384-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyVkA5A6lGX_oDakkR-TILp4gGz2OmBnCADJaqNV-kt9PPQGJe6cAkguGeK5hm5jbrH2OaQ84dD_FRGakSqxjU3qS43akWQs7vLS6j0GnSDSiUU4izIzoXpCarWbzFl_YW6uzyvIMpOI/s1600/DSC_8384-copy.jpg" height="320" width="314" /></a></div>
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For comparison, here is Scarlet Robin we saw in Buderoo National Park near Sydney two days later. More black than grey and less red on the chest.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPDwWddTaj7wkR5_w_IUghmu-Qc2u4XYAAZ6a-6G52fm_bXnCNK6zC5yQTQ7d9cnWcTz9KJP9GbIUEVly3UMCZsS_VKjujmHyYk0cQYIa6sgvVCO9Se_SO0BrWmZuX9xgO17FOeAkAUY/s1600/DSC_8163-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTPDwWddTaj7wkR5_w_IUghmu-Qc2u4XYAAZ6a-6G52fm_bXnCNK6zC5yQTQ7d9cnWcTz9KJP9GbIUEVly3UMCZsS_VKjujmHyYk0cQYIa6sgvVCO9Se_SO0BrWmZuX9xgO17FOeAkAUY/s1600/DSC_8163-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superb Parr</td></tr>
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Another major draw were the Superb Parrots that are doing very well in the green areas of the city. We had met Canberra locals Tony and Cathy on a wildflower hike in N. Sydney and they graciously took us to the Olympic Training facility (parrots in the trees in the parking lot) and then to a green belt in the 'burds where blooming trees were a draw for a heap of Superbs. Australia parrots are just amazing.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JO44brc1DSrUYl2Ya1y4TPTCDaDkiZXMRY7eTdUxeF6eUXL0_q1QGxLeTEPSEGINFl6SrS1j0tA5XJyKRTghFqUkcvI5O2f3ixzvITkwdiSy39nlFk3w8jAcT4MdQLeVEFHON8TPwzI/s1600/DSC_8317-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JO44brc1DSrUYl2Ya1y4TPTCDaDkiZXMRY7eTdUxeF6eUXL0_q1QGxLeTEPSEGINFl6SrS1j0tA5XJyKRTghFqUkcvI5O2f3ixzvITkwdiSy39nlFk3w8jAcT4MdQLeVEFHON8TPwzI/s1600/DSC_8317-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-winged Choughs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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They also took us out to Mulligans flat - a predator-proofed (fenced) nature reserve N of town. It was pretty dry but we did did find this group of 8-10 White-winged Choughs fighting over who got to sit on the nest! They are communal nesting birds who share duties but it was quite a raucous ritual!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDkBhii1lvofFakU8YbXz5o-G6Lpp1WpJhoZ-6dhgfDmcXqiOXeR2i57cyt-oPWT33K69sGInRoloLp9zF_q0N_Qk78jtb3Dx_WAedyWmCU70BD969zoi7VkgPja0stEO8t7LDC-ENCs/s1600/DSC_8544-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDkBhii1lvofFakU8YbXz5o-G6Lpp1WpJhoZ-6dhgfDmcXqiOXeR2i57cyt-oPWT33K69sGInRoloLp9zF_q0N_Qk78jtb3Dx_WAedyWmCU70BD969zoi7VkgPja0stEO8t7LDC-ENCs/s1600/DSC_8544-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Emu-wren</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Back in Royal National Park I made another pilgrimage to Watamolla (a beach with good heath on the cliffs above) and got a slightly better photo of a Southern Emu-wren. This is one of Australia's smallest birds if you consider the tail is 2/3 its total length! They are quite shy and I am still on a mission to obtain a better photo.<br />
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-48634696826010470642014-10-06T19:18:00.000-07:002014-10-06T19:18:04.813-07:00251 Everyone is twitter-pated in the Spring!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ocrv2MBFEpVp9zqsEj96BsdmGMtlVSSaGhr4kxdKoP5GXDbX-idoZt6Cmuz9I2wRvIFdfWVlSXlZwiLvfVjm1Us66xsVUQrmSrLcZ7-6QR71Wb4X8OuzglxQwNa02mFJafBjXVYyH08/s1600/DSC_7332-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ocrv2MBFEpVp9zqsEj96BsdmGMtlVSSaGhr4kxdKoP5GXDbX-idoZt6Cmuz9I2wRvIFdfWVlSXlZwiLvfVjm1Us66xsVUQrmSrLcZ7-6QR71Wb4X8OuzglxQwNa02mFJafBjXVYyH08/s1600/DSC_7332-copy.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Yellow Robin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Springtime is in the air! And the birds are a-nesting. We've seen more nesting birds this year than ever, probably just because we're looking for them in habitat where we can spot the nests. We've been observing the birds for a few minutes to see what it is they're doing as they go about their lives, and so get some glimpses into all their hard work. This pair carefully camouflaged their nest with lichens and pieces of bark. We wonder how in the world they cleverly got the bark strips to stick onto the outside of the nest like that!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA99WsUWUopsIFOGxQaN740Qj_ZaeO3TuKDHc_nRl6Tr-ohm_vfwgNqpLj2x3_vHUNtzFTGJOLTmxbwc0-LULzxGXJBiu2jVh3sQJZIAAWvT-Cc8iC6wmoaKT8vTDuT1NnkBON8pGuHc/s1600/DSC_6996-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMA99WsUWUopsIFOGxQaN740Qj_ZaeO3TuKDHc_nRl6Tr-ohm_vfwgNqpLj2x3_vHUNtzFTGJOLTmxbwc0-LULzxGXJBiu2jVh3sQJZIAAWvT-Cc8iC6wmoaKT8vTDuT1NnkBON8pGuHc/s1600/DSC_6996-copy.jpg" height="400" width="375" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted Quail-thrush</td></tr>
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We heard this quail-thrush calling to his mate before we saw him, then carefully followed them around the forest as they nosed about foraging for their afternoon snack</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrU9gwRd3wR1SkdZQcaxBCzHbLaQHCwWmOtjXkNczvmDtWCRNSXBcAZ7XOgboleeQ5pXG0ZmnYCRhoPNdjab1FGVbl_N1XL2eaKISasekuFAy5aQ2ZFFzBoybmoVjSyWs2Vuv-92cwQDo/s1600/DSC_7121-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrU9gwRd3wR1SkdZQcaxBCzHbLaQHCwWmOtjXkNczvmDtWCRNSXBcAZ7XOgboleeQ5pXG0ZmnYCRhoPNdjab1FGVbl_N1XL2eaKISasekuFAy5aQ2ZFFzBoybmoVjSyWs2Vuv-92cwQDo/s1600/DSC_7121-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny-crowned Honeyeater</td></tr>
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Home for this pretty honeyeater is on windswept heath atop a
coastal cliff. They have an astonishingly beautiful flute-like contact call to keep
track of each other. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfZdyWFT_d_jOApTcyj46Qu5uiMIlziZOtgWSicYbt5RnN8yEwhZHIJfsliS5oUaWkB6u_1u8Wic2T8Y0L_gkWPucAp3GhCRftgcj0csc0Yhc9M0-W0CWOSrks9zMdg1sqOyKoTwG_8Q/s1600/DSC_7216-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsfZdyWFT_d_jOApTcyj46Qu5uiMIlziZOtgWSicYbt5RnN8yEwhZHIJfsliS5oUaWkB6u_1u8Wic2T8Y0L_gkWPucAp3GhCRftgcj0csc0Yhc9M0-W0CWOSrks9zMdg1sqOyKoTwG_8Q/s1600/DSC_7216-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Variegated Fairy-wren</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqWr5e08NgJt78zvNd_n4i4b2-hMJ3RT-rCUBGzg92273yhuOu1lC1P4KK5llRdESeTF6DdPcS-e7NyeVrdl3jWMWLlfcmHRJt3M7jmsqeZcbqduz9Tme06S3GFW1nsFFEiF-SxEYCdA/s1600/DSC_7164-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqWr5e08NgJt78zvNd_n4i4b2-hMJ3RT-rCUBGzg92273yhuOu1lC1P4KK5llRdESeTF6DdPcS-e7NyeVrdl3jWMWLlfcmHRJt3M7jmsqeZcbqduz9Tme06S3GFW1nsFFEiF-SxEYCdA/s1600/DSC_7164-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
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Variegated fairy-wrens are sociable birds, living in a group with a dominant female and male, such as these two. The hard-working matriarch constructs the nest and incubates the eggs, while the male and the younger females and males help feed the hungry chicks. </div>
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-73471917365285165442014-09-14T15:51:00.000-07:002014-09-14T16:10:00.009-07:00250) Where Song Began<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiSuHGNMKGUktEFtlOjq8PEyID7FxQX-cotcfPjqpy0s3nEaOov5qSV6ah_NrOBs9NFpSjYdcOKjPUiIyqpa7VerGuXcY2pejlTJQPLDOG2ysFZIUVCnOBa9vpoFcm3b9sEc-tfRrSoY/s1600/DSC_6368-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCiSuHGNMKGUktEFtlOjq8PEyID7FxQX-cotcfPjqpy0s3nEaOov5qSV6ah_NrOBs9NFpSjYdcOKjPUiIyqpa7VerGuXcY2pejlTJQPLDOG2ysFZIUVCnOBa9vpoFcm3b9sEc-tfRrSoY/s1600/DSC_6368-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Southern Emu-wren<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The Emu-wrens are Dirk's new nemesis bird for photographing. They live
in rare, specialised habitat (heathlands), they are tiny and hard to
find, and they are speedy about ducking for cover and disappearing
before you can even raise your camera. Notice his tail that he is
holding perpendicular up from his back (they do this when excited); it
is filamentous like an emu, and twice his body length (it extends out of
this picture). Out of 15 cm-worth of So Emu-wren, 5 cm is bird and 10 cm is of tail! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnKzZavt4tNigUHBsl40coUpLkQOWB14AzKaaAIdMaMNDzy05aFedkmY5fj_R9R8AZvHYYjNELo9z8M4RV1Sbgxgyx-rzQ8qEJR0jmjk4pP8eXG2UI14zHBOVMXTv2fGiL7x3XL501oc/s1600/DSC_6448-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnKzZavt4tNigUHBsl40coUpLkQOWB14AzKaaAIdMaMNDzy05aFedkmY5fj_R9R8AZvHYYjNELo9z8M4RV1Sbgxgyx-rzQ8qEJR0jmjk4pP8eXG2UI14zHBOVMXTv2fGiL7x3XL501oc/s1600/DSC_6448-copy.jpg" height="355" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superb Lyrebird<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Lyrebirds have the most divergent DNA of any bird in the World,
indicating their evolutionary distance from all other birds. We have
just learned from Tim Low's new book 'Where Song Began,' that along with
Australian scrub-birds, they are the 'sisters' of all the other
songbirds in the World! The conclusion is that birdsong began in Australia, and radiated outward. This is something northern hemisphere ornithologists have had difficulty coming to grips with (after all, birds could not have originated in a place as backward as OZ!), though it was first revealed by American geneticist Charles Sibley.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPSBuEIMDmU_9i37yZA1fRrRGq7l_WC8-jXyxtCht0pY4QfBTHPxAHQh4Zj0A4s5RS-L4udW5GMjc1FNp3fUNhZaGjj5MH_Zb6fLq22TzQOt4yzfLOJ0CKpV_hwpXZ52Z3VR8iUrMzLY/s1600/DSC_6566-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPSBuEIMDmU_9i37yZA1fRrRGq7l_WC8-jXyxtCht0pY4QfBTHPxAHQh4Zj0A4s5RS-L4udW5GMjc1FNp3fUNhZaGjj5MH_Zb6fLq22TzQOt4yzfLOJ0CKpV_hwpXZ52Z3VR8iUrMzLY/s1600/DSC_6566-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">White-bellied Sea Eagle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This juvenile Sea-Eagle was cruising over the crashing waves along the shore of Royal National Park. Affectionately known locally as 'Nasho' or 'The Royal,' Royal is the World's second national park. We're attempting to locate a house to live in close to here; it is about 12 km from where we're currently staying.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUboXYuOZ022woQQaUs1KrIK4-biH_nK_m_eMfWwDRkRdRNkzS1_rtkfzfnOx_qClafWmjn7QR8DMowXVUpS9N5EyeFiG_6DZ5qHZDMmSmH01Rarput2rXWYsUZk4pOt8x0Jlvj_JCuM/s1600/DSC_6392-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUboXYuOZ022woQQaUs1KrIK4-biH_nK_m_eMfWwDRkRdRNkzS1_rtkfzfnOx_qClafWmjn7QR8DMowXVUpS9N5EyeFiG_6DZ5qHZDMmSmH01Rarput2rXWYsUZk4pOt8x0Jlvj_JCuM/s1600/DSC_6392-copy.jpg" height="320" width="228" /></a><br />
Wombat<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mammal-spotting at 80 km/hour, this wombat was nosing about in a paddock, visible below the highway we were travelling on late in the arvo (afternoon). His characteristic blocky form elicited an excited 'STOP!! WOMBAT!!'. We are thrilled to see him, because he is our first sighting of a live wombat in the 'wild.' We have seen a number of roadkill wombats, mostly in Tasmania. A Tassie local suggested that, like the Tassie devils (who are quickly approaching extinction due to facial tumour disease), the number of roadkill sightings indicates animals that are 'doing ok' (a sentiment we don't agree with). </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwxHd_4OovYcl1CqsMqK_V8qHbQwrcJwxvPa-8AN-TUZ9JJ_fSWKfmygcQEJ9cSkEnqQPRzSkC3nN6ATrOTuAWuPv9yb1XOKvmy90PezXvE43zxbFoapyuPI2GVAtCML42tGoMmMgE_E/s1600/DSC_6467-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwxHd_4OovYcl1CqsMqK_V8qHbQwrcJwxvPa-8AN-TUZ9JJ_fSWKfmygcQEJ9cSkEnqQPRzSkC3nN6ATrOTuAWuPv9yb1XOKvmy90PezXvE43zxbFoapyuPI2GVAtCML42tGoMmMgE_E/s1600/DSC_6467-copy.jpg" height="400" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fitzroy Falls<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Another pretty local attraction, this waterfall is 81 m high. This park is where we saw our lovely lyrebird scratching about in the duff in the late afternoon light of the forest. </span></td></tr>
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-50461886987137660112014-09-01T21:30:00.002-07:002014-09-01T21:30:26.849-07:00249) Our Locals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibelR8vKt5BN2EupKTfQ76F2SP_ScivKFe2UYtm10x_iUXQX5qk2iNrkhlXhdpmfp7wF_T7jVufUG-Lj-Gr0FxM9SW2W_AySe7_1veOt1zvbmeDGmUcpCLqeIEpweWqjd6_0QHzg2fJfQ/s1600/DSC_6217-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibelR8vKt5BN2EupKTfQ76F2SP_ScivKFe2UYtm10x_iUXQX5qk2iNrkhlXhdpmfp7wF_T7jVufUG-Lj-Gr0FxM9SW2W_AySe7_1veOt1zvbmeDGmUcpCLqeIEpweWqjd6_0QHzg2fJfQ/s1600/DSC_6217-copy.jpg" height="400" width="285" /></a></div>
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Chestnut-rumped Heathwren</div>
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Just south of our current abode in Sydney is Royal National Park - an expanse of forest and heath, some good trails an the site of many trail-running events! It also boasts some hard to find species such as the tiny (and fast) heathwren.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Holland Honeyeater</td></tr>
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Not everything is rare - I counted 9,987 of these guys (exactly!). It had been raining for a week so on this sunny day the bugs were out and the honeyeaters were happily feeding<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tawny-crowned Honeyeater</td></tr>
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Royal is one of the best locales to find Tawny-crowned Honeyeaters. They have a beautiful morning song and their call is quite distinctive - it was the best key to locating them among the far more common New Hollands.<br />
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There is a pair of Kestrals at a lookout - one local told me to look out for them to be nesting on the cliffs soon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock Warbler</td></tr>
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Another park regular is the Rock Warbler - a ground dweller, they happily cling to cliff faces snapping up bugs.</div>
Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-63958740986912352472014-08-27T19:07:00.003-07:002014-08-27T19:12:51.425-07:00248) The new neighborhood - Sydney NSW<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Nancy has arrived in Sydney!</div>
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After much to-ing-and-fro-ing between Sydney and Brisbane we have finally moved to Sydney (mostly). We have rented a 'sabbatical house' while we figure out where in Sydney we actually want to live - in the hustle-bustle of the city or out on the fringes and commute (via train - driving is a nightmare!) Here we are on the ferry with the CBD, Opera House and the Harbour Bridge as a selfie backdrop.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-qL6vEYIDkASERq3L2lvZo47J2KG1QSMVI7bORJ1a2jTxxQZ5bWCJFddRxEhjpexlCZ2WQ2G5Yr5bIHk5apLMkOQrUw2KkCfXbYV6tBMUwdhYh1yjlic_9ZHu-NGBUOioqCV8B6kZnk/s1600/IMG_3566-copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-qL6vEYIDkASERq3L2lvZo47J2KG1QSMVI7bORJ1a2jTxxQZ5bWCJFddRxEhjpexlCZ2WQ2G5Yr5bIHk5apLMkOQrUw2KkCfXbYV6tBMUwdhYh1yjlic_9ZHu-NGBUOioqCV8B6kZnk/s1600/IMG_3566-copy.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a>Molly on the drive from Brisbane to Sydney - long way to go with a crammed car. </div>
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The Harbour Bridge (and Opera House) from the air.<br />
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For a little while my commute was 30 by ferry from Manly to the city proper. Quite lovely way to start the day. Read a bit - check email, watch the ocean go by. Although Manly is great, it's hard to leave (as in drive anywhere else) because you have to traverse the city - this adds a LOT of time and angst. Given our desire to explore we will not be locating in Manly. Though now that I am a train-rider I miss the ferry.<br />
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It is still winter so its always dark on my way home - pretty though!<br />
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Every night a group of gulls rode the "bow-wave" of the wind off the ferry. They would simply glide until they spotted something in the water - then peel away and pick it up. Pretty interesting learned behavior!<br />
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The harbour is a bustling place - cruise ships, ferries, horde of people at the Opera House (the botonic garden is right behind it.)<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;"> The Sydney Opera House - I use this as an example in one class - it is a large $$-drain with interesting questions regarding how long the NSW gov't will continue to fund it!</span></div>
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The barista at the local shop (on the walk from the station) is an artiste' !!!!!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">My new hangout..- Its a REAL university!!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He-man at the Beach!!!!</td></tr>
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-24350220683158163092014-08-26T23:17:00.000-07:002014-08-27T19:09:01.998-07:00247) Rarities<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swift Parrot</td></tr>
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We made another trip out to Mulgoa Reserve as a group of Swift Parrots had been sighted numerous times. The Swifts are another endangered species with the latest survey reporting 1200 birds. Their population has declined by ~30% in the past 8 years so making the effort to see them is a special event.<br />
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We encountered a research group from ANU who were banding them for study. The Swifties breed in Tasmania (like the Orange Bellied Parrot) and distribute up the east coast of OZ (a group has been seen recently near Brisbane). They indicated that this photo is a young(ish) bird.<br />
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This species has posed a bit of an enigma. The eucalyptus they prefer is reasonably abundant but their population is falling precipitously. The ANU group recorded footage from a breeding site in TAS showing a 100% mortality rate - from Suger Gliders! (see http://theconversation.com/sugar-gliders-are-eating-swift-parrots-but-whats-to-blame-19555). Parrot predation by gliders increases in disturbed forests (read - the old growth forestry still going on in TAS). So the logging removes breeding habitat for parrots and also makes predation by gliders more likely (Gliders were likely introduced to TAS from the mainland in the early 1900's -they are OZ natives but not on TAS) .<br />
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This has no easy fix.......</div>
Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7699409750845724678.post-28405655538187294252014-08-15T00:34:00.001-07:002014-08-15T00:36:57.519-07:00246) Further New Birds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Firetail</td></tr>
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I headed south of Wollongong to a campground near the famed Mystics surf area. Cold and blustery weather in the morning as I drove up to Barren Grounds - a complete misnomer for a remnant patch of heathland. Barren it is not. I was thrilled to find a pair of firetails chowing down in some casarina trees - they are indeed Beautiful Firetails!</div>
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A small patch of rainforest creeps up the hill into the reserve. Among the standard birds I got a great look at two Red-browed Treecreepers. We have seen them - rarely- before so it was great to have them hang out for a while.<br />
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Another of the iconic species of this remnant patch is the Eastern Bristlebird. We have seen 2 birds of the northern range and here I saw three in a few hours. They would blithely pop out of the grass and stroll down the track. This is rather an amazing sight given their critically endangered status - an estimated < 2000 left in the world. A look at the heathland they inhabit and I realized their tenuous existence. One bad fire here and a large part of the population is gone.<br />
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I headed back up to the Irrawong Reserve to see if I could show Nancy the Powerful Owl.. Others have found him with a recent possum lunch - I was pleased to get him facing the camera. I took a few pics and let him get back to sleep - he must get tired of the parade of visitors to his roost.<br />
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We made a foray out to Mulgoa Preserve out west of Sydney. One highlight was a good capture of a Weebill - another of the tiny fast birds.<br />
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A profusion of blooming banksias meant for many Eastern Spinebills. Also numerous honeyeaters - Fuscous, New Holland, White-eared, Yellow-tufted and White -naped. A good show.</div>
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Dirk & Nancyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11618238159856529679noreply@blogger.com1