Birding around Mannum, South Australia part 2
Murray River at Mannum, South Australia
A few weeks ago I spent a pleasant Sunday afternoon birding in and around Mannum, about a 20 minute drive north of home. The Murray River and its environment are the dominant feature of this town, an old paddle steamer port in the 1800s. I went for a walk along a walking trail on the riverside opposite the town. The trail starts just south of the ferry crossing.
I was delighted with the birding on that fine, pleasant spring day. One of the best species I saw was the Superb Fairy-wren. This stunning bird is always a good sighting and that can come up quite close in picnic areas. This family was just a little wary and it took quite a while and some patience to get several good shots of the male in all his colouful splendour.
Male Superb Fairy-wren, Mannum
Male Superb Fairy-wren, Mannum
They are a delightful bird. I’m very lucky and have daily visits from a superb fairy wren family- they either live in the yard, or very close by. They are nearly impossible to take pictures of though. But I get to see and hear them all the time.
I know – they move so quickly that it takes quite a developed skill to actually get them in a photo. I don’t know how many shots of empty bushes or vacant branches I’ve taken. Pleased I’m not using film!