A month flying between the river and the swamp.

Swamphen this aftenoon having a bath.

This picture was so contrasty that I cropped it like crazy to provide detail that wouldn't be shown otherwise. Magpie Lark (Pee Wee or Mudlark). Three babies in the nest.

That's a great pic of the magpie lark;love the baby grebe!

What a treat to see all of these birds - some wonderful photos here. Thank you!

Oh my golly what a feast of bird watching Margaret!!!!! All these unusual and beautiful birds. Thanks a million for sharing.

Thanks, Pelle.

You're most welcome, Galanthophile. It's good to be able to showcase some of the local birds.

Welcome back, OP. Wondering where you were. I'm glad you're enjoying them.

Awesome birds Margaret and that Magpie and babes is priceless!

Man, where was I, when you were posting all these wonderful creatures?
I'm so late. What a great variety of birds. Hard to pick a favorite out of all those. Great photography Margaret.

Thanks, Rose. I'm off the next couple of days so will see what they're up to. Will also head over to the Ospreys nest to see if any chicks have hatched. Possibly still a bit early.

Burn, I'm so glad you found the thread. It's really rewarding being able to share birds that people may not otherwise see.

This is a poor shot, but (hopefully) shows the plumes trailing from its head.

Wow !!! What a set of photos, Margaret .... a great variety.

Thanks, linthicum. I'm so enjoying sharing the locals.

Stilts from this afternoon. Those legs are amazing, even at rest.

The Nankeen Night Heron had just finished eating something. I missed that bit of the action, but its post-prandial expressions and gestures were hilarious.

A few seconds later.

Next one

It's like he was puffing up his cheeks.

I'm blown away by the clarity of this shot. I feel as if I should pay this guy, he's been such a good subject.

My attention was drawn to this Grey heron by the racket it was making. A Stilt was driving it crazy. I had to move from where I had been positioned and the action had stopped by the time I got there.

This message was edited Oct 20, 2008 9:03 PM

Ibis and Heron strolling the pasture together.

I know it's an Ibis but don't know which brand. ? Glossy Ibis.

Home from the swamp for a cup of tea, then over to the river. The Ospreys have a baby. If you can pick it out you're doing really well. I'd say it hatched today or yesterday. If you follow the mother Osprey's beak, you may be able to make out the tiny chick with its mouth open. If you can't see it, then please trust me, it is there. I'm going to start a thread devoted to its progress. I need a longer focal length lens.

I think we should pay you Margaret! Your photos are stunning. I'm so glad you're sharing them with us!

At least Mama Osprey knows where it is.

Beautiful pics Margaret! Their all great looking birds!

WOW Margaret!! What a trip!

This has been an extraordinary thread and a fantastic birding journey to the down under. Margaret, your photos have been exceptionally sharp. How many bird species are there in Australia ? And, how many have you photographed ?

You mentioned that you needed more focal length. What focal length are you using now ? The Osprey shots appear rather close.

Margaret~it's hatched; great. I was able to find it with your guidance. Thanks for this wonderful thread. Seeing the baby grow will be fun.

Thanks, kniphofia, Pelle, Iris, nanny, linthicum and kiska for your comments. Glad you're enjoying it.

Thanks for the ID Resin. Always very helpful.

Linthicum, I'm uncertain as to how many bird species are in Australia. Lots, though. I'll do a count of how many I've photographed and let you know. I'm using a 300mm telephoto. Today for the Osprey chick shots, I added a 1.4 extender, but the focus is never as sharp when I use it, so probably won't use it again.

Today's shot is again cropped to show some detail. Mother Osprey is holding a fish that her mate caught in her left claw. Behind the stick between the claw with the ring on it and her head and the other claw you may be able to make out the chicks head.

I'm working the next two days, but will try to drop in on my way to work tomorrow and on my way home the following day. I thought I'd seen two chicks, but I've got no evidence captured and I'm not 100% sure.

we need a satellite photo!!!

Perhaps you can rent a helicopter!

They'll get better. Good idea about the helicopter. I'd be able to start a new thread entitled "Great pics of Osprey nest in river".

"birds-eye" view of osprey nest.

I notice that she wears a band.

she's married. :-D

I'd get a clearer shot of the chick (or possibly chicks) if there wasn't such a pile of rubbish in the nest. Sheesh.

It's more than a month, but there's been so much happening I wanted to include some shots of the Ospreys with their two babies. In this one, the two babies are there, but only the one is easily picked out. Exciting times at the Osprey's nest.

This message was edited Oct 26, 2008 7:22 AM

Both chicks can be seen in this shot. One is slightly in front of the other and only the back of it's head is visible. The female is the one standing. Both parents have shared the incubation and now looking after them, although it seems as if the female does most of the feeding, although the male provides the catch of the day.

Willie Wagtails are possibly Australia's favourite bird. They are incredibly cheeky little members of the flycatcher family. They will relentlessly try to drive anything, man or beast, away from its nest and I'm pretty certain that this Willie Wagtail has chosen to build a nest close to the Ospreys, which have nested there for years. The WWT doesn't see it that way and views the Ospreys as invading its territory and I've been blown away by the antics of this tiny bird trying to shoo a large bird of prey from what it perceives as his own.

I'm going to start a thread devoted to the action I've seen over the last couple of days, but have to wade through a squizzillion shots before I tackle it.

"Go on, shove off"

"Pest"

I can't stand this any more. I'm outa here