It has been about a month since I have visited my favourite stretch of the Swan River and as with everything the scene has changed. The vegetation has dried right off, the little white flowers are gone, the piles of washed up stringy green algae have rotted away and the birds are different. It is a place that is wonderfully peaceful and always interesting.
Read moreRegard Life as a Dream
Lama Atisha Dipamkara lived from 982 to 1040 and is credited with re-vitalising the Buddhist traditions in Tibet and compiling wisdom from several different lineages together in his text Lamp to the Path of Enlightenment. This text outlines the stages of the Buddhist path as originally taught by Buddha and effectively forms a road map for spiritual practice.
Read moreRaptors
This morning I headed to Point Peron again, hoping to see the juvenile Black Shouldered Kite I photographed last week. As I exited the Freeway heading toward Rockingham, I caught sight of some large raptors in a dead tree.
Read morePoint Peron - Black Shouldered Kites
On Friday I left home very early and drove to Point Peron. I have not been there in years and thought it may be a good spot for some different sea birds. Secretly I hoped to see a White Bellied Sea Eagle!!
Read moreD1 & D2 Have Really Grown!!
I first saw baby Darters in the nest on Xmas eve. Since then I have visited the nest a couple of times a week to check on progress. Not long after Xmas I discovered there were three babies. I had initially thought there were only two so it was a wonderful surprise.
Read moreHerdsman Lake
I spent my morning at Herdsman Lake. It is a wonderful island of nature in the middle of our busy city with an incredible array of birdlife. I always find something interesting going on to photograph. Spent an hour and a half there this morning and this is what I saw.
Read moreBaby Darters - D1, D2 & D3
A few days after Xmas I visited the Darter nest. I spent about half an hour watching and photographing and then..........a tiny head popped out, too small and too far away to get any clear shots. It was over a week before I made it back, this time two heads.
Read moreThe Lorax - Dr Suess - 1971 - Ahead of its Time!!
“I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. I speak for the trees for the trees have no tongues.”
Read more2014 - Oesophageal Cancer & Our Wedding
2014 has been the most unusual in my life................ Divergence from the norm started in January. For some time my husband had not been well. He had been having chest pain, tiredness, general malaise and dizzy spells.
Read moreNew Years Resolution
Last year I decided to give up alcohol. I was drinking for the wrong reasons and it had spiralled out of control and was causing significant problems. There was an obvious risk of life descending into something ugly which I didn't like the look of, so I stopped and am happy that I did.
Read moreDarter Nest Update
Fortuitiously the Darter nest is about twenty meters from the Kingfisher nest so it has been easy to see what is happening. So far nothing. When I visit either Mr Darter or Mrs Darter is sitting on the nest.
Read moreKingfishers Out of the Nest
I have been watching a Kingfisher nest for about three weeks. Every morning Mum and Dad catch a diverse array of tiny creatures and ferry them into the hollow tree trunk to feed their babies. As they fly into the hole with their prey the squawking of the Kingsfisher babies rises to a desperate pitch.
Read moreKingfisher Breakfast Menu
Entree; Fat Juicy Spider
Main; Delicate Green Tree Frog with Skink Lizard on the Side
Dessert; Crispy Crunch Dragonfly
Green Eyed Bumble Bee
I was sitting on the river bank waiting for something to happen when I spotted this unusual bee. He was collecting pollen, hovering over each flower for a few seconds before diving into the petals. His green eyes caught my attention.............
Read moreReflections
I was going to photograph Kingfishers this morning but it was very cloudy. The Canning River where they live is overgrown and shady and to get good shots the sun has to be out. So I changed my plan and headed to my usual spot on the Swan River.
Read moreMr & Mrs Kingfisher
I got up early this morning to go back to the Kingfisher nest. When I arrived there was nothing happening so I walked down to the river to have a look at the Darter nest. Mr Darter was sitting on the nest with his head tucked under his feathers asleep. Mrs Darter was not home.
Read moreRainbow Bee Eaters In Flight
I spent late yesterday afternoon photographing Rainbow Bee Eaters. The colours in the sun are stunning! Recently I heard these birds described as resplendent, it is a very fitting description. Here are a few of my best shots.
Mr & Mrs Darter
Introducing Mr & Mrs Darter who occupy a little piece of prime real estate overlooking (literally) the Canning River. Mr Darter is extremely handsome in his suit of black feathers with a tan trim and Mrs Darter is very elegant in her light tan dress feathers. Mrs Darter is kept busy sitting on their nest in the fork of a tree while Mr Darter scours the foreshore for appropriately sized sticks to improve their home. We are hoping to soon hear the flip flop of little webbed feet.........
Kingfishers & Bee Eaters
Always looking for new spots this week I happened across two wonderful finds.........
Read moreMud
This morning I headed back to my usual spot. I had driven past yesterday and there was a flock of Red-Necked Avocets so I was hoping they would still be around. I arrived to find two pairs wading in the small tidal pond.
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