Here is a final "wrap" following a recent afternoon visit to Candlebark Reserve on the Yarra River in Templestowe, one of Melbourne's bushier suburbs.
The trail passes between the Yarra River and Petty's Orchards. I was surprised to find a large mob of wild Eastern Grey Kangaroo lounging among the rows of apple trees.
With the impressive scientific name Macropus giganteus Eastern Grey Kangaroo may feel they have every right to recline wherever and whenever they like!
iPhone shot of a wintry day in the orchard
"But where are the birds?"
"Yeah, where are the birds?"
"There are usually birds here somewhere."
"There's one over here mate!" pointed out a massive male roo gesturing towards a Magpie-lark
And there was certainly plenty to interest a birder on this slightly grey day (see also two other posts from this same afternoon featuring Rainbow lorikeets and Australasian darter). Rosellas in particular were providing some colour...
Eastern rosella (I suspect the male at right), also in Paddy's Orchards but taken from the Yarra Trail
Eastern rosella enjoying seeds from winter grasses
Crimson rosella. Unclear from this photo but "left-handed" is usually the case!
Crimson rosella developing adult plumage (will lose the green and become a magnificent crimson and blue parrot)
Australian king-parrot
Next are some images of the many Common bronzewings that I came across. I was getting frustrated as I kept inadvertently flushing these guys without seeing them first. Finally I started getting a few shots shown here. The last two are more in keeping with the adult male plumage (small thumbnails, but some nice colours here if you care to click for the larger versions).
Noisy miner on the orchard fence
A young-looking Grey butcherbird
I don't think I've held my camera to the introduced European starling before - but my, what colour!
Back to the river for some water birds. We have here Little black and Little pied cormorants, Wood duck and Dusky moorhen (swimming with the milk bottle).
A large feral domestic duck-thing and a Chestnut teal
This bend appears to be a favoured roost for cormorants and darter.
I have also seen Azure kingfisher here. I will be back!!
The remaining shots show a little of the locale. The trail is part of the Main Yarra Trail which caters for pedestrians, dog walkers and cyclists. Yes, there is company!
The views depict the good and not-so-good of suburban bushland. One continually comes across rubbish (particularly in the river), weeds, and erosion. On the other hand there is evidence of improvements to accessibility with good trails (including boardwalks) and areas with fresh plantings of native vegetation.
Wombat hole at left (there were many!). Yarra River at right
Music, great coastline, festival fun ....... and birds. Yes, this may become an annual post topic (see Mr Qwirk & the kestrels)!
We have just returned from this year's festival. Today I noticed this banner which captured all things good about the PFFF!
The festival can be as big or as intimate as you like. I am a big fan of the American folk-blues singer Eric Bibb (along with thousands of others). He easily filled the largest stage:
Highlight in this performance? "Don't you ever let nobody drag your spirit down". Youtube clip features an earlier performance (some other festival, some other person's camera).
But often it's the gems you take away from more intimate stages that you remember most. He we see Liz Fencham, April Verch (Canada) and the Australian-Irish duo Hat Fitz and Carla Robinson pictured here with Jeff Lang (right) adding a second guitar.
"But where are the birds?" I hear you complain! The images selected are those readily seen at Port Fairy and were captured within the town area.
Long-billed corella (Cacatua tenuirostris)
This Buff-banded rail (Gallirallus philippensis) wasn't sure whether it should cast a shadow or a reflection for the most interesting shot!
Singing honeyeater (Lichenostomus virescens)
I'm tickled when birds sit on television antennae. I like to think that there must be something good on! On this occasion it is the introduced European starling (Sturnus vulgaris). This Black-shouldered kite (Elanus axillaris) was hunting overhead as we walked to the festival arena.
Hoary-headed grebe (Poliocephalus policephalus)
I did that thing where you pretend you're not interested in the diving bird until he dives - then you scurry to a better position! When he pops up again you can see them think "Crikey! (ozzie bird) I thought you were way over there!" The Hoary -headed grebe can dive with an unnaturally large explosion of water for such a little bird "Pop!"
Black-faced cormorant (Leucocarbo fuscescens)
I have only seen this species twice - both times at Port Fairy
where they are readily seen
And yes Mr Quirk was a Port Fairy sighting again this year!
