Butterfly at Pangarinda Arboretum, Wellington
No Comments »27th December, 2009; Category: Photos
Australian Admiral (Vanessa itea), Pangarinda Arboretum
Earlier this year we visited Pangarinda Arboretum at Wellington, about a half hour drive south of Murray Bridge in South Australia. This collection of native Australian plants has been set up and maintained by local plant enthusiasts. It is a great place for flower photography as well as birding. On this occasion I managed to get several photos of a beautiful butterfly.
The butterfly in question is an Australian Admiral Vanessa itea, and is relatively common in this area. we often enjoy seeing them fluttering through our garden.
On this occasion the birding was rather slow, so I took delight in taking flower photos. This butterfly was a bonus.
Australian Admiral (Vanessa itea), Pangarinda Arboretum
Baby Willie Wagtails come out to feed
Baby Willie Wagtails just out of their nest
I never did find where our resident pair of Willie Wagtails were nesting recently. Yesterday, however, I found the three lovely babies huddled together on a fence post. They looked as if they were just out of the comfort of their nest.
Baby Willie Wagtails just out of their nest and being fed.
Of course – the parents didn’t like me getting too close and so I received a severe telling off as I was taking their photo.
Next time I probably should get the parents to sign a model release form – then they might be happier.
Adult Willie Wagtail warning me to keep my distance from the babies.
Happy bird-day to me
7 Comments »16th November, 2009; Category: Photos
Yes – it’s that time of the year again.
IT’S MY BIRTHDAY TODAY.
Had a very quiet day and didn’t do much. Bought a couple of novels to read as a treat and had a few friends visit in the evening. Didn’t go out birding despite a much cooler day after our unseasonal heat wave of the last 8 days. So I thought I’d treat everyone to a few of my favourite bird photos of the last year.
Laughing Kookaburra, Lane Cove National Park, Sydney
Australian Pelicans, Mallacoota, Victoria
Male Gang-gang Cockatoo, Botanic Gardens, Canberra
Male Flame Robin, Mt. Macedon, Victoria
Brown Falcon at Monarto Zoo
7 Comments »28th October, 2009; Category: Eagles Hawks and Kites, Murray Bridge, Photos, Raptors, Zoos
Brown Falcon, Monarto Zoo
A few weeks ago we went with our family to visit Monarto Zoo near our home town of Murray Bridge. This open range zoo is a part of the Adelaide Zoological Gardens and being only a few kilometres down the road from our home we like to visit often. Being a Life Member I like to visit often.
One of the features of the zoo is the large tract of untouched mallee scrub where visitors can walk on the numerous walking trails leading from one enclosure to another. The regular shuttle buses moving around the zoo make this a very attractive part of the visit. All tracks are easily negotiated, even by wheelchair.
Walking through the mallee scrub is a good way to observe many of the local bird species abundant in the area. On this visit I had great views of this Brown Falcon. Normally a reasonable shy bird, this individual decided to pose nicely for a few photos.
Brown Falcon, Monarto Zoo
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Pangarinda Arboretum, Wellington, South Australia
1 Comment »26th September, 2009; Category: Camera, Favourite Birding Spots, Flowers, Good Birding Sites, Photos
Pangarinda Arboretum, Wellington, South Australia
A few weeks ago I took off a few hours from my writing to take my wife to Pangarinda Arboretum at Wellington East, about a half hour drive south of our home in Murray Bridge, South Australia. This is one of our favourite picnic spots, so we packed a lunch and the makings for a cuppa.
The arboretum has been set up by the local residents in conjunction with the local council. Many thousands of trees and shrubs have been planted over the last decade or so. Many of these plants are now flowering. I enjoy taking photos of the native plant flowers as well as the birds. ON this occasion the birds were rather quiet and were not being very cooperative about posing for my camera, so I turned my attention to the flowers instead.
Pangarinda Arboretum, Wellington, South Australia
Pangarinda Arboretum, Wellington, South Australia
Pangarinda Arboretum, Wellington, South Australia