Welcome back from Lockdown.
While others have found all sorts of things to complain about, and decry the efforts of those in charge, I on the other hand, have gratitude and awe, not only for the people whose job it has been to try to contain the outbreak, but the general feeling of most Victorians to simply work in their own little way to help stop the spread.
That nearly 40,000 people lined up to be tested yesterday says something about the confidence we have.
As Dan said, “I am proud of all Victorian who have done their bit”. Seriously think we should be concentrating on the good things that have come out of the lockdown and stop nit picking over ‘he said, she said’.
Nuff said
How quickly Hobbies grow.
Just a few weeks out of the nest, and they had developed great strength and wing control. They were also hunting for themselves. And I didn’t see the adults in the area again. They might well have made visits, but certainly not like the first few weeks.
The nesting location is on a large river bank cliff and falls away to the Werribee Open Range Zoo on one side, and the old Heritage Orchard along the river flats.
Ideal training grounds for the young Hobbies, who were now flying rapidly almost out of sight over the Zoo, or disappearing into the trees way down river at the end of the Orchard. And. Just as quickly reappearing.
Early on, they were still playing aerial games together, but very quickly learned to hunt in the trees lining the river banks and much too hard for photography. Each success though was loud and sustained.
Think I have one more page in the Field-Notes left.
Enjoy
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
Such a relief to be free of lock-down later tonight David, you guys have certainly had a tough time compared to us, though compared to the rest of the world we are truly blessed so far. Love you Hobby shots and how they are developing so rapidly. The interesting importance of play as training for life is a recent research which I have drawn upon in my books. The importance of play in our lives is in the past not been fully appreciated as an important aspect to our normal development and application of our senses and physical, mental social and mental well-being. The endorphin effect also is very similar to ours. I love watching birds and animals enjoying harmless play together. Enjoy your returned freedom my friend, we are enjoying no masks again until the next time 🙂
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Thanks Ashley, all good.
past few days I’ve been (re)reading some of Lao Tzu’s works, I like some of the thoughts about respect for one another, a tolererance (that seems to be sadly lacking these days) for differing ideas, and leadership and teaching rolls.
I still like to look at the horsies and the duckies in the cloud formations. Simplicity of process appeals to me.
The young birds are I think, fortunate that a lot of the necessary is built into the gene pool and quickly develops. They stress and strain a bit early on, but that only builds determination and skills.
Like all young birds, the aerial chase games are both practical and fun I think.
We’ve not missed much from the lockdown, as most of the local birds are now preparing for the autumn moult or bulking up to journey north, or settling in for the cooler months.
Seems to me its an early seasonal change this year but that might just be the weather.
I for one am not bothered by masks, and I’ve found a huge advantage in the bush in the sunshine. I don’t get as sunburned no my face. 🙂
Best for the week.
Remain
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A super series of shots, and I couldn’t agree with you more about respecting all those who do the tough work and make the tough decisions, while all we have to do is sit at home for a few days. Of course it’s tough for people running businesses, but surely five days is a whole lot better to bear than leaving it and then needing a much longer lockdown later. You only have to look at the UK and the US to see what happens when you have someone who tries to be Mr Popularity in charge.
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Thanks Eleanor,
We have I am sure, been very fortuate. I really am tired of hearing only the ‘nay’ sayers. Even though I can agree with some of their more relevant points. (eg running a business), but I think much more acknowldedgement should be made of the ‘silent’ majority, who have no political affiliations, simply are concerned about their health and saftey and that of close friends and contacts and in a wider sense the community at large.
We stay home. We wear masks, we don’t gather in large groups.
Rant over. 🙂
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A wonderful series of images of the young learning the skills by play and hunting. Great to see.
It will be good to get out for a bit this morning, all a matter of choosing where to go!
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Hi David, hope your morning out is profitable. The interesting thing now is that with few exceptions, the majority of the spring/summer activity is over and the travellers are preparing for departure, while local birds are settling for their winter activities.
A few exceptions, like the grebes and the whitewinged terns at WTP, but we haven’t been able to find a time to go looksee as yet.
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With not a lot of time it was a profitable walk, David. From the Wedgie that flew over the Highway Paddock just as I was getting the camera out. (I got one shot but haven’t looked at it yet) to the Grebes and Pipits it was a very pleasant stroll.
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