Australasian Grebe at Mt Annan Botanic Gardens
Australasian Grebe
On our recent visit to the Mt Annan Botanic Gardens in Sydney we went on a drive along one of the roads through the gardens. At one point we passed a small lake or dam and as we drove along I saw a few birds on the water. I stopped, backed up a little and walked across to near the bank, despite the light drizzle.
The Australasian Grebe shown in today’s photos came swimming towards me, obviously not at all concerned about my presence. I guess that with so many visitors to the area every day, they are used to humans being around quite close. Normally this species is quite timid, diving under water at any approach to the water.
Interestingly, this individual bird is in full breeding plumage, but I was unable to locate a nest.
Australasian Grebe
Australasian Grebe
Australasian Grebe
White-faced Heron, Victor Harbor
White-faced Heron, Victor Harbor, South Australia
I was recently sorting through some photos taken at Victor Harbor nearly three years ago and came across these lovely shots of the White-faced Heron.
This species of heron is common in our region, and is also found in many parts of Australia. It is instantly recognisable and cannot easily be confused with any other species of heron or egret.
I like birds like that. Makes their ID easy.
White-faced Heron, Victor Harbor, South Australia
White-faced Heron, Victor Harbor, South Australia
Pacific Gulls at Victor Harbor, South Australia
Pacific Gulls, Victor Harbor, South Australia
Despite being a popular beach with both locals and tourists, the shoreline at Victor Harbor is remarkably rich in birdlife, particularly shorebirds. On most occasions the observant visitor will be able to see several Pacific Gulls, either on the beach or resting on the rocks near the rocky outcrop known as The Bluff.
A short distance from where I took these photos there is a popular fishing spot. This spot always seems to have a few hardy anglers present, regardless of the weather conditions.
Pacific Gulls, Victor Harbor, South Australia
Pacific Gulls, Victor Harbor, South Australia
Now that’s an interesting hairdo
Pied Heron, Adelaide Zoo
When I look at the photos I am posting today I cannot but help being amused. That’s one very interesting hairdo. I’m not sure if one can draw that conclusion, however, seeing birds have feathers, not hair.
Still, the arrangement of the feathers on this Pied Heron amuses me and I hope my readers also have a little chuckle.
Let me know what you think by leaving a comment or two.
The bird featured in today’s photos is a part of the collection of birds in a walk through aviary in the Adelaide Zoo here in South Australia.
Pied Heron, Adelaide Zoo
Pied Heron, Adelaide Zoo
Pied Heron, Adelaide Zoo
Royal Spoonbill
Royal Spoonbill in Adelaide Zoo
Spoonbills would have to be one of my favourite of all of the wonderful birds we have here in Australia. It was another species, the Yellow-billed Spoonbill that was , in part, responsible for me becoming a birder. I was fascinated to see one feeding in the rock pools of Chambers Gorge in the Flinders Ranges. This was in the mid 1970s. Because it is in the harsh, arid far north of South Australia, this gorge only has water intermittently.
I didn’t have a far to travel to see the bird shown in today’s photo, a Royal Spoonbill. It was taken in one of the walk through aviaries in the Adelaide Zoo, a mere hour’s drive from my home.
Royal Spoonbill in Adelaide Zoo