Brown Falcon – Page 4 – Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER doesn't mean I'm LOST

Visiting Friends A day along the Beach at Point Cook

May 13, 2016May 13, 2016Posted in Black Kite, Black Swan, Brown Falcon, Flame Robin, Little Pied Cormorant, Pacific Gull, Point Cook, Whistling KiteTagged Brown Falcon, Flame Robin, PIed Cormorant, Point Cook, Whistling Kite3 Comments

Was chatting with a birder friend, and I mentioned the Point Cook Coastal Park, and he said, that he didn’t plan to go there much as most of the birds were pretty common, and only occasionally was a Plover or a Pratincole enough to take the trip down there.

When we relocated home a couple of years back, Point Cook was on the top of my list as a suitable place, and to be honest, it was second, third and a close run fourth on the list. And of course the logic was it was but a few minutes from the Coastal Park of the same name, and it would be neat to roll out of bed, and stroll on down to the park.

In the end, much wiser heads than mine (EE as it turns out) found us the place that ‘we’ wanted and Tarneit took on our new home address.
But every so often when the light is right, and sometimes when its wrong we venture down to the Coastal Park. And surprisingly, many of the common birds down there have become a bit like friends.
So today we went, not to count, nor to get our lists up, nor necessarily to capture the best bird photos ever, but to visit some friends.

Our friend the Brown Falcon was in the carpark area, and we enjoyed some time with it, as it hunted quite casually from the fence line. Also found a number of Flame Robins that have made the park their winter beach residence.

And of course the usual Pied, Little Pied and Great Cormorants down on the old jetty. They gave us some pretty impressive flight displays while we sipped on a fine cuppa.

Then the local White-faced Heron, and the pair of Pacific Gulls cruised by hunting on the out-going tide. And to our amusement, a pair of Black Swans how have obviously just coupled up were making interesting subjects as they hunted together on the gentle rolling outgoing tide.

As we walked back to carpark, the air literally filled with raptors.

At one point we had all up at the same time, Little Eagle, Black Kite, Whistling Kite, Brown Falcon, Australian Hobby and Brown Goshawk. I was hoping that the resident Spotted Harrier would make an appearance, but we had to be satisfied with those six.

We stopped along the road to look at some Flame Robins bathing in a tiny pool in a paddock, and some ‘new friends’, came over to say ‘hello’. So we spent a few minutes becoming acquainted with several chesnut horses.

We might not have added any ‘new’ birds to our list, but we had as the Sans Bushman said, “Recognised some birds,and built a tiny connection with them, that is growing into a thread”

Enjoy.

Pied Cormorant on landing approach

Open water, easy landing.

Flame Robin, I suspect the colours suggest a first year male moulting in.

Is that another photographer pointing a lens at me?

Time to go

Brown Falcon. I thought it was going to sweep along the fence. But it simple jumped down to take a lizard

The couple that eats together stays together.

After you. Oh no I insist, after you.

The always dependable Pacific Gull

White-faced Heron, racing to shore so as not to lose its catch in the water.

Flame Robin.

Flame Robin about to pounce

Brown Falcon on a turn

Yellow-rumped Thornbill.

Just came by to say hello. One of several horses that welcomed a thoughtful touch. EE was ready to oblige.

Setting the Scene: A Day at the Office

February 22, 2016February 22, 2016Posted in Black-shouldered Kite, Blogging 201, Brown Falcon, Little Eagle, Superb Fairy-wren, Werribee River ParkTagged Black-, Brown Falcon, Crested Tern, Little Eagle, Superb Fairy-wren, Werribee River Park, White Ibis3 Comments

Blogging 201 assignment for this week is Setting the Scene.
As it turns out, I was gearing up to reflect on a day at the Office yesterday.
The weather turned Kind. Really Kind. The kind of Kind, where the cameras practically pack themselves out of the cupboard and into the car, and sit there going, “Well…..” “Well…. are you ready to leave yet.”

We left early, and decided to take the longer walk down to the river behind the golf course. This is really old river flat, and the river makes a distinct “U” for several hundred metres and then a fine “S” movement that provides for some great old river flat dissected by the flow of the water. Water bird can abound, and there is still some good grass and tree cover to make life entertaining for the smaller bush birds.

Its a long way for EE to walk, but stoically she lead on.

The Office for the uninitiated is an area along the Werribee River a few kilometres from the mouth at Werribee South. It cuts through the rich river soil and in places the cliffs are 30-40 metres high. The big birds – think raptors- enjoy the wind currents coming up the ramparts and I do believe a good case could be made that there are certain areas where its better, and a sort of ‘flyway’ or navigational line is drawn. They seem to favour coming and going along those locations.

You just know its going to be a good day when as you drive in a Black-shouldered Kite is hunting close to the carpark, and just inside the walking track, Bernie the Brown Falcon is loafing in a favourite tree.

Next up a Little Eagle made several passes along one of the ‘flyway’ paths. The Ibis, both White and Straw-necked use the same paths on the way to the feeding grounds along the river.

We sat with a family of Superb Fairy-wrens, and I will tell more of that tale on another blog, and were entertained by the feeding antics of a few Crested Terns. (another blog post methinks)

It was pretty awe-inspiring to be sitting by the river, dangling my feet over the river bank and sipping Earl of Grey, and enoying the time time in the sunshine with such a group of bids. And all less than 10 minutes from home. A most amazing place.

Easy day, easy photography, easy birds, and Just Another Day at the Office really.

How’s that for setting the scene!

Enjoy.

Berne the Brown Falcon — Bernie the Brown Falcon

A view along the sandy cliff face. The area we are heading is down toward the right hand side. — A view along the sandy cliff face. The area we are heading is down toward the left hand side.

Superb Fairywren. This is a helper bird. A male not yet left home. — Superb Fairy-wren. This is a helper bird. A male not yet left home.

Crested Tern, juvenile, on a wing sretch, while waiting for Mum to deliver food

Blogging 101 The beginning from the end.

January 27, 2016January 27, 2016Posted in Blogging 101, Brown Falcon, Werribee River ParkTagged Blogging 101, Brown Falcon, Werribee River ParkLeave a comment

Three weeks of Blogging 101 and it time to bid farewell to learning and launch out the barque of blogging on my own.

Have learned a thing or three about the blogging universe, but not sure a lot of it transposes into the page here.

We did “S-tra-ya” day, Mahhte (Australia Day to the uninitiated), yesterday. Instead of the usual burnt snags and fatty chops we had a spit-roast sitdown meal at the Villiage centre. And among other things were entertained by Susie and Mel. These bush poets and songsters took us on a tour-de-force (french on Aussie day mahhhte? )
They have a wonderful way of combining the old of the Banjo, Henry Lawson, The Breaker and other with modern music. Imagine, (if you will), The Man from Snowy River, sung to Morning Town Ride, or Waltzing Matilda, to Ghost Riders in the Sky, And then to top it all off an audience participation number of The Man from Ironbark, with several of the village doing the miming parts of said Man and Barber.

Hilarious. Rolling on the floor funny, and brought the house down, – as they say.

See their website here for a bit of a looksee at how Aussie, s tra ya really is.
Got me thinking of The Bards of the bush.

Somehow in this modern rush of life, their way of life and the stories they told are at best no longer relevant. Hard to talk of stock and dry paddocks, and horses and whip cracking to someone glued to their mobile fone, trying to get GPS directions or upload their latest ‘selfie’, or what is the latest You-tube viral nothingness. But, of course I digress.

Another thing that came to me about all this is that they didn’t deal with the deep emotional stuff. There is no connection here like T.S. Elliot’s The Waste Land. Nor the cutting insight of Dylan Thomas, nor… and the list goes on. Nor the fine interaction of the universe, sunlight and shadow of the classic Taoist poets. And the old Hebrew rhymers who gave birth to such inspirational works that whole religions grew from them.

Yet. The Bards of the Bush give us an insight into the life and times of a generation or two who lay the foundation of S-tra-ya as it is in its multi-cultural kaleidoscope. And, well, I could go on, but its a photo blog isn’t it.

The Banjo it seems wrote little of the birds of Australia. Much of the human condition as he found it. So I’m going to take a bit of poetic licence with his and other works over the next few weeks. Never know where it will go.

Now when it comes to Bush. Nothing quite says it like Brown Falcon.

These amazing birds so bronzed and upright. Here’s one of the young from the Office. That rich colour of deep brown and brilliant tan are always a winning combination.

Blogging 101 Week 2 Day 4

January 14, 2016January 14, 2016Posted in Black Falcon, Blogging 101, Brown Falcon, Western Treatment PlantTagged Black Falcon, Blogging 101, Brown Falcon, Welcome Swallow, Western Treatment Plant, WTP2 Comments

Impressionist, Pictorialist, opportunistic or just too late.

Yesterday after a spin around the block, I came upon the site Hoof Beats and Foot Prints and today Emily has posted a few shots and a bit of musing on “Impressionistic” results. When sometimes the wrong settings are the right settings. See Here A Friends Filters

Which is as it turns out fortuitous as today’s Blogging 101 assignment was to write a post on thoughts that linked from yesterday’s visits. As coindicene goes, I’d put this picture of a Black Falcon in flight up on Flickr.

And one of the comments from Peter pointed out that sometimes we do indeed become over emphatic about getting the clinical result. I follow Ming Thein, and he too from time to time explores out beyond the formal result.

My thoughts on gaining an impressionistic feel or a “pictorial” atmosphere is that its just as difficult to get a great artistic alternative, as it is to make the clinical shot.
Sometimes even more difficult as we have balance, subject movement, shutter speed selection, composition, lighting and exposure. It’s why it’s easier to stick it into ‘photoshop’ and mess with the controls there. Or look through the blurry shots destined for the waste bin and rescue one, tart-it up and try and pass it off as really a Strong storytelling impression of the movement and mood.

Or plan for it!

One of the elements I always think make it work is it approximates what we would have seen had we been standing there. The motion. That fleeting glimpse of the bird as it passes.

Further pondering lead to really thinking of two possible opportunities. One is panning with the bird. At least part of the bird should be sharp, and depending on the shutter speed, the backdrop should be streaky to milk smooth.

The other is the bird movement. And again the street smarts would say that part of the subject area should be sharp to highlight for the eye the impression of movement.

Well my Black Falcon doesn’t fall into much of any of that. The ugly truth is that we were simply too late, too late too late.

Had we entered the WTP in our usual way from Paradise Road, we’d have encountered the birds, the harvesting, and the right evening light. I’d have had a bit of a chance to work out the bird’s movements, where they turn with the tractor, where they perch between flights, and would have set up to get the best from that. But, we were too late.

The sun was setting as we drove by. Birds were all over the sky, Black Kites, Whistling Kites and one lone solitary aerial speedster.
“A Black Kite” she called. “Yes,” said I, slamming on the brakes and opening the door and grabbing the camera and trying to find the streaking black dot in the gloom.

Oh, 1/50th at ISO 400. Who am I kidding?

It sped past, dropped onto a branch nearby, and glared at some Black Kites. Slowly I advanced, knowing it was futile. But. I wanted at least one record shot to show that Black Falcon is in WTP over the summer.

So did it make the waste bin? It is just a dolled up average shot. Or does it give an impression of the beauty of this bird of speed.

Over to you.

Another photographer who has struggled and succeeded with the impressionist approach is William Neill check out his work here.

William Neill

And I’ve included a couple of shots from other days. Welcome Swallow at high speed wingflap.

Brown Falcon a few weeks back, in about the same sort of light “We might have had!!!!”. And about 2 km from where the harvesting was taking place and about an hour earlier so the light was ‘golden’.

Such powerful direct flight.

Might have missed the light, but the old dude can still manage to pan successfully!

Approach for landing in a resting perch.

Now imagine what the light might have been like.

Really, my favourite of the unfortunate series. The wonderful milky smooth backdrop is delicious.

They are flying in and picking insects of the flowers. As the light deteriorated as the sun set, I watched the shutter speed disappear. — They are flying in and picking insects of the flowers.
As the light deteriorated as the sun set, I watched the shutter speed disappear.

What might have been. Brown Falcon in that light about a week earlier.

No matter what, the fun of experimenting is one of the great challenges and true joys of our medium.

Blogging 101 Week 2 Day 2

January 12, 2016January 12, 2016Posted in Brown Falcon, Harris Gate, Silver Brumby, Western Treatment PlantTagged Brown Falcon, Harris Gate, Silver Brumby, Western Treatment Plant, WTP8 Comments

Dah dah, An easy one today. Add a Header Image.

So I’ve chosen a new header image, and it will be static for a few days, then I’ll add it back into the random set.

Falcon at the Harris Gate

A mentor of mine John Harris by name, well he was both a mentor, torMentor, inspirational creative, and all round great bloke, came down to the Treatment Plant with me one day. We drove around and he was more impressed by a gateway than perhaps anything else. “Always look at the details, look at the obvious as there is always a highlight there somewhere, that others aren’t seeing. That is the diamond. Look for it always.” to somewhat paraphrase a long lecture.

On the way home he discussed a Gateway he’d seen and wanted at some stage to make another trip down in late evening light to photograph it, in his inimitable manner.

But, life didn’t play him that card, and he passed on to finer scenery not long afterward. In his honour, I’ve searched out that gate and named it the “Harris Gate”.

The other night on the way back home we passed the Harris Gate and lo and behold a Brown Falcon was enjoying both the gate, and the evening sunshine.

So John, it might not be the series that you saw in your minds eye, but old mate, here is the best I could do.

Define 2 output. — Brown Flacon Sitting Pretty on Harris Gate

DWJ_6972 — Typical Brown Falcon Exit. Low ground hugging and fast

DWJ_6974 — The Absolute Master of the bush top Flying

Another Master at Work. John Harris at WTP. The handkerchief is to remove nasty lens flare from backlighting. “It’s all in the details, look closer, that is where the story is. It’s all in there” OnyaJohn

Blogging 101 Day 2

January 5, 2016January 5, 2016Posted in Birdsaspoetry, Blogging 101, Brown Falcon, Werribee River ParkTagged Blogging 101, Brown Falcon, Werribee River Park8 Comments

A Chip of the old block

Been holding off on this series as I was hoping for a few better days. But, no, seems to fit in here now.
The past few months at The Office a pair of Brown Falcons have been at work on their nest and resulting offspring.
You’ll have met Bernie before on here or Flickr. I only ever see or find the female occasionally. She is a much lighter colour, and I named her Bernice, – easy ah?

We were going in to look for the young Black-shoudlered Kites and found the two young falcons hunting of the fence line near the road. Only got a brief look and some pretty average pictures, too far away and too much heat haze.
Then the other morning we found one of them on the same fence. But the light was better.
So here is Chip. (as in off the old block).

It has certainly inherited Bernie’s distinguished, handsome looks. We stayed in the car, didn’t want to frighten it, and in the end, it just lifted off the fence and floated away to hunt in the long grass.

This is how its done. That really distinctive pose from the tree top vantage point

Bernie in the sunshine. Rich browns and gold — Bernie in the sunshine.
Rich browns and gold

First sighting of "Chip" — First sighting of “Chip”

Day two Blogging 101

What is the Title and Tagline saying?

When I set up Birds as Poetry on WordPress I bought along with it some already set ideas. One was the title. And I’m still happy with that. Says it all.

The small tagline I added I have to confess simply because in the setup page there was a blank box to be filled in. And its stayed that way till now.
Today’s challenge was to make it part of the blog and help readers gain a snapshot of the blog in 30 words or less.

Well, in reality, I don’t think anyone coming to the sight is going to be affected one way or the other. Let’s face it, you log on, look at the pics, cursorily scan the text,”Maybe this time he said something worthwhile, (we all live in hopes!)”. See a shot or two of some -interesting- birds, and get on with the amazing thing called life.

So I decided seeing as how change is in the air, that I’d update it. First time round a small piece of Haiku from a Chinese master.

Was going to ramble on about a factoid, but decided that “Chip” was the ideal model. What a great looking bird.

Snake Hunting with Brown Falcon, Alfred

October 25, 2015October 25, 2015Posted in Brown Falcon, Werribee River ParkTagged Brown Falcon, Werribee River Park2 Comments

I just about know this bird well enough now to give him a name, so Alfred it is. I haven’t really met his lady as she is quite hidden amongst the tree with a nestling.

Alfred has a tree at the end of the Office carpark, and will often be seen looking out over the paddocks. Such was the case on Friday afternoon.

He is pretty dismissive of the human kind and simply sees them as passing traffic. So its not to hard to move around to get a good angle on this lovely bird’s rich coat. Almost from the moment he landed, twas obvious that something had his attention. No preening, just a constant scanning. At first I thought it might be he was a bit wary of the resident Black-shouldered Kites.

However after about 10 minutes or so, he dropped quietly off the tree and whiffled down on to the bike track opposite. After standing on the track for a few minutes, he stepped into the grass and again seem engrossed in an area just near him.

Then.

He struck.

And immediately lifted off with a small snake as prize. Off to the nearest perch, the fence line, and a few minutes to enjoy his meal.

I am pretty certain that I can conclude that not long after he landed in the tree that he spotted the snake, and then worked out a best place strategy for his attack. Then again once he landed on the biketrack there was some fine tuning of his planned approach and then finally the single stroke attack.
As Mr An Onymous said, “What incredible eyesight to spot it from that distance.”

Alfred just sat in the afternoon sun, grinning.

Alfred and his lovely markings. Looking out over the paddock, I think he has already spotted the snake.

One single movement. Strike, grab and lift off.

Now to settle down for a well deserved meal

Time for a pose for a photo from his adoring fans and then a break for a little rest

Golden afternoon light with a Brown Falcon

October 2, 2015Posted in Brown Falcon, Werribee River ParkTagged Brown Falcon, Werribee River Park2 Comments

Just too much, fine light, a great afternoon and a Brown Falcon that seemed to relish the warm weather.

This is the bird that is one of the pair at one end of the paddock from Kitty and Kalav.
The rich evening light really seems to make your average Brown Falcon glow, and this bird is not average.

But, the Kites, Magpies, Wagtails, Magpie-larks and Ravens all take exception to its presence.

The pair were hunting for mice and had developed, I think, a strategy to deal with the harassment.
While one bird hunted on the ground, (Browns are good at this), the other flew slowly up and down to attract all sorts of attention. Leaving the bird on the ground free to hunt. And, successful she was.

Enjoy

Wagtail sliding down Falcon's back. A pretty well co-ordinated attack. — Wagtail sliding down Falcon’s back. A pretty well co-ordinated attack.

Two Wagtails were among the team of harassing birds

She gets to leave with her nice mouse dinner. She has just transferred it from beak to leg for the journey back to the nest. — She gets to leave with her nice mouse dinner.
She has just transferred it from beak to leg for the journey back to the nest.

Working in the early morning mists

September 30, 2015September 30, 2015Posted in Black-shouldered Kite, Brown Falcon, Werribee River ParkTagged Black-shouldered Kite, Brown Falcon, Werribee River Park2 Comments

Last Sunday, the weather people, correctly, predicted foggy morning. That was enough to send us to the Office.

Not only did we get some grand misty moody shots, but caught up with Kitty and Kalav – the Brave.
Kitty now has settled on the nest and he is still bringing food on demand.

The Brown Falcon came and gave us quite a lovely half hour or so sitting and preening waiting for the sun to break through.
And some fine little Superb Fairy-wrens stopped by to entertain us.
Art Morris has been writing a bit of late on High Key portraits, and the mist gave both an ideal light and an excellent backdrop to play the little birds against.

Enjoy

A party mouse, bringing its own streamer decorations to the event

The dramatic pose as the sun broke through

Whistling Kite, waiting for the fog to lift

Close Encounters of the Brown Falcon Kind

June 16, 2015June 18, 2015Posted in Brown Falcon, Werribee River ParkTagged Brown Falcon, Werribee River Park3 Comments

Was down at the Werribee River Park, otherwise known euphemistically as “The Office”.

Happened to wander, (not necessarily accidentally), while looking for a quartet of male Flame Robins, into a Brown Falcon territory. This pair worked around the area last year and were able to fledge two fine looking young birds.

I first heard this one off in the distance, but then noted it was making a run along the tree line directly toward me. Whether intentionally or not, it used the cover of the tree line to get quite close before launching out into the open straight toward me.

Early on in my bird photography career, I used to have the opportunity to photograph a very comfortable pair of Brown Falcons out on the Cumberland grasslands at Woodlands Historic Park. Often they would sit while I approached, or come in for a closer look as I traversed the grasslands. However all that changed when she went to nest, and I’ve some pretty awesome photos of a Brown Falcon that passed overhead so close I could hear her go by. She also on another occasion fly down behind a stand of trees, picked up speed with the wind behind her and belted out of the treeline about head height,(mine not hers), and I have visions still of a brown streak coming at me at around 70+kph. I took the hint and retreated.

Yet once the young were fledged they again went back to being quite relaxed.
So as this one bore down on me, I had a as Yogi Bera was wont to say, “Here comes that De Ja Vu feeling again.” As it approached I was impressed with the bird’s ability to turn its wings and body in the air, and to keep her head level.

It passed by gaining height as it went over my head, turned and I thought for a moment it might ‘stoop’ me as that is their way of dealing with intruders. But, it was a simple one time pass, and the bird streaked away across the paddock.

Awesome.

As I left I found it sitting on a wire fence, completely ignoring me it went about its hunting business. I’m happy with the ignore, and I hope that it might mean a beginning of working with the bird a little more closely. Time will, as they say, will tell.

Inspite of the huge turn forces, it manages to keep the head level

Re-adjusting its trajectory with some body twisting, but the head stays horizontal.

Still working its way down the tree line

Out of the tree line and running directly toward me.

A quick wing adjustment to keep the trajectory speed

Already its looking for the next move out of the dive.

Pulling up to gain some height

Job done, across the paddock for the next adventure

A feast of Raptors.

July 13, 2014Posted in UncategorizedTagged Black Kites, Black-shouldered Kite, Brown Falcon, Brown Falcons2 Comments

Been awhile since I’ve posted, but its been lack of good weather more than anything.
The area close to home, on the Werribee River Park, that I’ve taken to euphemistically calling ‘The Office”, has an amazing number of raptors, and I thought I’d introduce them and what they are up to.

On the roadway in, just over the Geelong Freeway, there is a fence line and a few old pines. Here a pair of Black-shouldered Kites have just flown their two orange and cinnamon young. In the same tree line a pair of Black Kites appear to be setting up house, if not already at work on brooding. Next tree or three down, is a pair of Brown Falcons. Not nesting yet, but certainly staking out their claim to the territory. Much to the anger of the Black-shouldered Kites.

Down the road a little just before the carpark off in the paddocks a second pair of Brown Falcons are at work on territorial rights. Also regularly in the area a pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles, although the moment, it probably is just a convenient perching location.

At the carpark proper, a pair of Black-shouldered Kites and their recently fledged three teenagers. Not more than a dozen trees down from them is a pair of Black Kites and a nest that is work in progress. I’ve not checked up close, but there is either brooding or feeding going on. The male seems quite adept at pursing a laden Black-shouldered Kite and getting it to release its mouse capture.

A pair of Brown Falcons are constantly in the trees just off the river cliffs line, and I’d be tempted to say its a likely spot for a nest.

Further out in the field and well away from my prying lens is a pair of Australian Kestrels, and again they are too early for nesting, but are certainly building good pair bonding.

Combine that with the regular visits by any number of Whistling Kites and the area is certainly busy. A few days back an arrow shaped bird sped through the trees and caused quite a stir among the smaller birds and the one really good look suggested Peregrine Falcon, and I’ve seen one briefly on the fence line on the way in.

So here are a few of the birds at work. The food in the area must be exceptional to support such a range of nesting and preparing birds.

One of two Brown Falcons that are using these trees in the river flats.

Wedge-tailed Eagle, fences make good perches.

The wind was much to strong for this trio to practice their hunting skills.

Dad with a mouse, but he's waiting for a chance to deliver without losing it to the Black Kite — Dad with a mouse, but he’s waiting for a chance to deliver without losing it to the Black Kite

A Black Kite circling, hoping to take a mouse from a Black-shouldered Kites.

Territory is everything. This is a pass on a Brown Falcon to get it to move away from the fledglings.

Posts make ideal perches when there are so few tall trees.

Western Treatment Plant: Timing is everything

August 3, 2012August 22, 2012Posted in Australian Kestrel, Black-shouldered Kite, Brown Falcon, PhotographersTagged Australian Kestrel, Black-shouldered Kite, Brown Falcon, Western Treatment Plant3 Comments

There is no doubt about it, timing in the bird photo world is just about everything. You can come back from the Camera Exchange with some of the best goodies on the planet,(and a severe bend in the credit card), and walk about for days and not see much at all.

You can turn up with your old gear, not well prepared and not expecting much, and it suddenly all happens around you.

We, Dieter, Dorothy and I, took an early morning mark down to the Western Treatment Plant on Thursday.
Weather was supposed to be cloudy overcast, and we mostly went for the cups of tea, the chats, the play with the cameras (two of us are breaking in new kit from Camera Exchange), I had to make do with my ‘old’ technology stuff. Feel almost antiquated now.

We strarted out on the river on the road to Ryan’s Swamp. A female Nankeen was in the dead trees in the creek, and was pretty happy to let us get close enough for some good shots in the early morning light. A good start, but it got better.

As it turned, the sun burnt of the soft mist clouds by mid-morning and we had some decent sunny-breaks.

Down near the outflow at the end of 15 East Road ( I Bet it has a name, I just don’t know it), we were greeted by a small flock, yes, a flock of Black-shouldered Kites at play, or mating, or territorial. Bit hard to work out when they don’t put up signs.

Anyways, these four birds were engaged in aerial combat right over our heads, some times coming alarmingly close. What a great sight. What a great picture opportunity. A couple of unfortunate Silver Gulls found themselves the target of this aerial mayhem, and were hopelessly out gunned.

The main feature of the event was birds that locked talons and then spiralled down. I wonder if the bird who gets to turn head-first wins? while the other has to be unceremoniously twisted backwards? No one I guess seems to know.
A female sat on a post on the beach, and offered lots of screaming encouragement , and then too joined in the foray.

At that point we would have been satisfied for the day.

We drove back along the track past the Bird-hide by the beach, and found a Brown Falcon (think it be the same bird from a previous post.) It sat while the team inched up toward it, and then the magic line was crossed and it was airborne. All of about 5 metres. And again, and again. Good stuff.

I drove the car up to where it was perched on a box-thorn bush on the side on the road, and it didn’t flinch. Needless to say the team got some good pics, while I positioned the car. We moved on. About two minutes later it passed by the driver’s side window of the car about 3 metres off the ground and about 5 metres away. It paced us for a few seconds then sped up, and sat on another box-thorn bush. This time I assembled the camera kit and edged the car up to where it was. Again it held its ground.

So there we were, me and the bird. It was so close, even a vertical could not get it all in, so I opted for head and shoulders portraits. We are thinking of name it Elvis, as it just didn’t want to leave the building.

It flinched when I started the car, but held its nerve and we drove on leaving it in peace. A nice day’s work.

A little further on, I spotted a female Nankeen Kestrel on a post near the road, and at first thought she must have damaged a leg as she was having difficulty on the post top, but she flew to the next post, and lo and behold, she was holding a mouse in the foot, and couldn’t get a grip on the post. Then she settled herself and enjoyed the mouse from one end to the other. Lots of mouse fur flying in the strong breeze.

Black-shouldered Kite aerial combat — A couple of over enthusiastic kites who locked talons and twisted about in the air. The noise of the talons scraping was like fingers down a blackboard.

Nankeen Kestrel Restaurant — This female Nankeen Kestrel made short work of her mouse-takeaway

This Brown Falcon was hardly camera shy. We think he might be Elvis in disguise.

Sunshiny day at WTP

July 19, 2012July 24, 2012Posted in Australian Kestrel, Brown Falcon, Spotted Harrier, Swamp HarrierTagged Brown Falcon, Spotted Harrier, Western Treatment PlantLeave a comment

At last the weather gave a bit of relief, and with an onshore breeze, a resonably low tide at around mid-day, it looked like a good time to re-visit the WTP.
So we loaded up the car, picked up Dieter early in the morning and progressed to see what was happening.

We found a Brown Falcon that has mastered the art of hovering. Mostly Brown Falcons hover like a house-brick, but this one has been able to figure out the technique. We’ve seen it down around the Kirk Point area before exhibiting its skills. A Swamp Harrier had made a kill and had been pursued by a number of Ravens, and had dropped the victim. This Brown Falcon had been somewhat in the middle of it all and was pretty certain that a free feed was waiting somewhere in the grass. It was completely oblivious to our presence and hunted quite close going over Dieter’s head at only a few metres. It was a great few minutes to watch.

Further along we came across a Spotted Harrier, ‘Languidly- that’s how its described in all the books’ making its way along one of the small channels. It passed quite close to the car and seemed un-preturbed by us. It has a primary feather that is loose, perhaps its moulting.

A second Spot turned up with what looks like a Eurasian Coot as its lunch. The coot can weigh upwards of 1 kilo, so it must have been quite an effort to get airborne, and maintain a steady course.

All in all a good day out with the birds and with plenty of Black-shouldered Kites and Nankeen Kestrels on the wing there was always something to be photographing.

Dipped on the Oriental Pratincole, which is always too far away to get great shots anyway.

DWJ-1207-19-DSC_1949 — Hovering Brown Falcon. It skimmed over the waters edge looking for the prey dropped by a Swamp Harrier. It didn’t have any success in the few minutes we watched. Perhaps the mouse or rat escaped for another day.

DWJ-1207-19-DSC_2087 — Spotted Harrier casually making its way along a water channel at WTP

DWJ-1207-19-DSC_2318 — Another Spotted Harrier, this time with takeaway lunch.

Raptor evening at WTP

January 25, 2012January 27, 2012Posted in Brown FalconTagged Brown Falcon, Spotted Harrier, Swamp Harrier, Western Treatment PlantLeave a comment

I am really beginning to like the light at the Treatment plant in the late afternoon. Sun sets way round to the south west and it gives a great cross light along many of the access roads. Particularly where there is a line of trees.

For some reason this evening, the raptors seemed to be at every turn and on just about every tree, post, or fence. Here is a youngish brown falcon, but click the link, for some Spotted Harrier, Brown Falcon, Swamp Harrier and Whistling Kite shots as well.

Many of the young falcons seem to be hanging around together, and we found 5 in just one corner on Paradise road.

We both are pretty certain that a Black Falcon was in a clearing down along 29 Mile Road past the access gate 1. But by the time we had: 1. Noticed it, 2. Stopped the car, 3. got over the oohs and aahs, and then 4. Got serious, it was but a mere black spec in the sky speeding toward Avalon.

More here.