Tuesday, October 23, 2012

I'll make a birder yet.....!


This was the view from the Balgay bird hide at Herdsman Lake, it was late morning and the sea breeze had already come in whipping up the water! So here's the thing, I'm pretty sure that to successfully spy the many, more than I ever realized birds that live in this fabulous swampy environment, you would have to be here a heck of a lot earlier than we were...on saying this, and you will have to take my word for it, but I'm pretty sure this body belongs to the Purple Swamphen, there was definitely a flash of brilliant red before it disappeared into the reeds, truly!
 I was slightly more successful (?) at the Baumea hide..what a view across the lake....
I just missed this flotilla of Coots in a fantastic mass take off from the shore, they flew a little way out, landed, turned and I'm not sure if it was my imagination but they seemed to be mocking me with their pristine white beaks!
When P nudged me and pointed to the tree RIGHT outside the hide to this what I'm almost 100% certain is a Western Gerygone , well you can tell by the eye can't you! What do you mean you can't see the eye, it's right there ringed in white, which is a dead give away to it's identity. All jokes aside, one thing that became obvious on this trip, was that a lot of time and patience is required to become a good birder (maybe more than I have of either), but I think it must be incredibly rewarding to capture a good shot of these delightful creatures and it's something I might have to work on...although...haha!. Happy Tuesday, take care....

22 comments:

  1. I love your shots for the day!! What a beautiful place!! That bird in the last shot is really well hidden, but I can see that big eye!! Looks like a fun trip, thanks for taking us along! Hope your week is off to a great start!!

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  2. Funny post Grace! Time and patience are indeed needed for birding, but the rewards are certainly worth it IMO.

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  3. Wundervolle Anblicke einer tollen Landschaft...

    Lieben Gruß und ´ne Handvoll Sonnenschein...

    Cloudy

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  4. A fun post, Grace. Quite the contrast to Pul's Eagle post! ;-))

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  5. That's the only kind of hunt that I like : photo hunt!

    I like very much one of your yesterday's shots, the one with the trees above the road: I find it fabulous!

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  6. :-)) And what a wonderful place! So peaceful!

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  7. A lovely spot, Grace!

    I'd be lost trying to figure out bird names....

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  8. Oh Grace, that last shot is quite unassumingly brilliant. He is mocking you for sure! Your narrative gave me a good chuckle for the morning HAHA, rest easy - there's definitely "birder-potential" lurking in you...... :)

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  9. Yes, purple swamp hen. They are quite common on the lake near us.

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  10. There is an area in southern Arizona where an abundance of birds reside and people go there on their bird watching treks. I've been wanting to go but, I fear that I would have the same difficulties you did. I'd drive all that way and the birds would hide from me while they tease me with their twitters and tweets from the thick brush.

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  11. An environment like a dream.

    Please have a good Tuesday.

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  12. You are a humourist. I am, too. Notice how I spelled humorist?

    Funny. We were at Cedar Key one day and a bunch of folks were standing around with binoculars looking and pointing...I watched for quite awhile but never had any idea what they saw! :-)

    Love that last photo.

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  13. Honey, I enjoy EVERYTHING you shoot!



    Warm Aloha from Waikiki
    Comfort Spiral

    > < } } ( ° >

    > < } } (°>

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  14. That must be a great place to explore.

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  15. Grace, you can rest easily knowing that I am not going to correct you about Australian birds. I can't tell a flibbertywocket from an aardsingeroo.

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  16. Oh my gosh, once and if you start, things start to roller coaster....so be careful!!! But it's one of the most rewarding types of photography out there. PLUS....you've got so MANY different kinds of birds out there. It's addicting and every moment is different. I'd love to see more of your birds....Australia is a whole other world:) So I'd like to encourage you to definitely become a birder:) Your pics are exciting. I wish I were there with you. So many strange birds in this world.....and so many we overlook.

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  17. The nature in this lake is beautiful!Wonderful pictures!
    Léia

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  18. Outside feeding time it is hard to find birds.

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  19. I think that Western Gerygone was having a look at you! I would enjoy being a birder too. I have a great little book where I can find their photo when I am in Colorado.I have noticed that there are more song birds here in South Texas though!...Janey

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  20. SSHHhh.. don't tell anyone, but the qualities required to be a 'gun-birder' are insufferable pedantry, anti-social behaviours and massive ego. Are you SURE you want to be one??!!

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  21. don't you have to be quiet and walk softly? count me out ... noisy and klutzy .. but I do love the photos

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