Australian Grebe in breeding plumage

Posted on 21 November 2024 by E Y

The Australian Grebes have shed they winter coat and put on they breeding plumage. In past years, the Grebes have built their nest at the Oak Street Wetland and produced a few chicks.

This year, the Grebe number seemed to be lower. At one point, I observed 3 Grebes but, recently, only 1 Grebe had been seen. Hopefully, there is at least another Grebe hiding in a nest in the midst of the reeds.

These photographs of the same Grebe is taken on 3 November 2024.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO5600

Eurasia Coot in a windless morning

Posted on 19 November 2024 by E Y

This photograph of an Eurasian Coot was taken on 3 November 2024. As I recalled, the wind was light but weather was cloudy. The pond at the Oak Street Wetland was clam. This provided me with an opportunity to capture a fairly low key image of this Coot.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO6400

A most difficult subject: Little Wattlebird

Posted on 17 November 2024 by E Y

I often find the Little Wattlebird very difficult to photograph. It is always in dense bushes or trees that made it difficult to get a clean shot.

On 27 October 2024, this Little Wattlebird was spotted to top of a tree. While it was not a great photograph (it had the sky as the backdrop and I was shooting from lower ground), it was probably the best photograph of this species I have taken so far. Hopefully, better opportunities will arise in the future to allow me a better shot at this bird.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO360

Laughing Kookaburra appears again at Trin Warren Tam-boore

Posted on 15 November 2024 by E Y

Kookaburras, when they decided to appear, are usually seen at the White’s Skink habitat near the drain. This Kookaburra was observed at this location on 27 October 2024.

It was rather quite that morning but it sat on the branch without even trying to obscure itself. For some reason, it is always a delight to spot a Kookaburra at Trin.

This photograph does not have the best background but the light coloured Kookaburra and the darker background seems to make this photograph worked.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO1250

Hardheads at Oak Street Wetland

Posted on 13 November 2024 by E Y

Hardheads are native Australian ducks. Although not always present at Oak Street Wetland, they can be found there most times.

On 27 October 2024, about 6 of them was observed at the Wetland. This male Hardhead posed for me by swimming across the break in the reeds as I held the camera low close to the edge of the pond. The sun was behind the cloud, so I wasn’t fortunate enough to have light like this photograph. Perhaps next time one of these Hardheads can pose for me again with better light.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/640s f/6.3 ISO2000

A Masked Lapwing returns to Trin Warren Tam-boore

Posted on 11 November 2024 by E Y

It has been some weeks since we have had a Masked Lapwing at Trin Warren Tam-boore. On 24 October 2024, I observed a lone Masked Lapwing at the oval next to Trin.

As with other times a Masked Lapwing appears, its main pre-occupation was feeding. In the short very minutes, I saw it caught quite a few earthworms and efficiently devoured them.

This particular Lapwing seems to have a rather small circle of fear unlike other Masked Lapwing that I have encountered else where.

This particular Mask Lapwing are a sub-species that can be identified by it back shoulder. The other sub-species (Masked) are usually found in Northern Australia. I have only ever seen the black-shoulder sub-species. If I ever go north, I will be sure to look for the other sub-species.

First: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO560

Second: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO560

Third: First: Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO640

Second Tawny Frogmouth chick has hatched

Posted on 9 November 2024 by E Y

On 21 October 2024, a second Tawny Frogmouth chick was observed at Trin Warren Tam-boore.

On the morning this day, the chicks and a parent posed for the photograph. Rightly or wrongly, the adult seems to exhibit what we humans would consider pride. Looking forward to seeing these chick grow up in the next few weeks.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO800

Spotted Doves: A successful introduced species

Posted on 7 November 2024 by E Y

The Spotted Dove is an introduced species to Australia. Since their introduction, they have been successfully assimilated. They can be found in most places where humans are found. Most importantly, they are food for the native raptors.

This photograph of a Spotted Dove was taken in the morning of 21 October 2024 at Trin Warren Tam-boore.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/500s f/6.3 ISO640

A Little Pied Cormorant in flight

Posted on 5 November 2024 by E Y

I have not seen any Cormorants at the Oak Street Wetland for some time. We normally have the Little Pied Cormorant, Little Black Cormorant and, on occasions, Great Cormorant at the wetland.

On 21 October 2024, this Little Pied Cormorant was spotted. It circled the wetland a couple of times which gave me an opportunity to capture it in flight. I like how it was back-lite by the sun which gave it highlights on the outline of its body and wings.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/3200s f/6.3 ISO5600

Portrait of a Tawny Frogmouth chick

Posted on 3 November 2024 by E Y

This tiny Tawny Frogmouth chick was spotted at Royal Park Trin Warren Tam-boore on 21 October 2024. When I first walked past the nest, I though that the Tawny Frogmouth was still incubating the eggs. The second time I walked past the nest, I spotted a fluffy fur ball. Then this disheveled looking chick raised it head to have a look at me.

I have been told that the Tawny Frogmouth chick grows really quickly. I will have to make a point to visit Trin often to check its progress.

Nikon Z 9, Nikkor Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S @ 1/800s f/6.3 ISO160

The Yeo Family

What are they up to?