The Watershed-Another Glimpse of Australia

Glimpses of Australia-Pelicans and Cormorants and a few seagulls.

Glimpses of Australia - Australian Wood Duck and young.

Goolwa South Australia Part 1.

 We have earlier this week stayed at Goolwa in South Australia with our good friends Anne and Dave.We were in Port Elliott having lunch yesterday when we were alerted to the fact that Adelaide and South Australia was in a full Covid 19 lock down from 12o'clock last night.We called in at a supermarket on the way home where chaos reigned  because of the rush from shoppers.

Nonetheless we had a marvellous 3 days away and here are some pics.

We visited Port Elliott, Milang,Victor Harbor,Clayton and Goolwa.

We were last here 3 years ago.

Port Elliott

"Plum Pudding", Port Elliott

Tern,Port Elliott

Horseshoe Bay,Port Elliott

Horseshoe Bay,Port Elliott

Pied Oystercatchers, Goolwa Beach,

Australian Reed Warbler, Goolwa

Dead Tree, Port Elliott

 

Photowalk at the Local Wetlands

We are fortunate to live only a short drive from a local wetlands.
A few years back it was an open area where our kids and others had driving lessons.
Now it is a beautiful wetlands and park.
During the pandemic and social isolation it is ok to get out and exercise as long as we keep our distances correct.
So this afternoon I went there for a walk and took a few pics.

This is a juvenile Nankeen Night Heron seen today 15/4/20 at another local nearby wetland.

Photo walking in the Pandemic

As we are in various restrictions in Adelaide and Australia because of the Coronavirus pandemic it is till possible to do some things.
I can go for a walk for exercise as long as I practice the distance restrictions when out and about.
I normally walk at least once a day.
So today, Friday 3rd April I went for a walk to and along a nearby linear park.
I took my camera as I know there are some beautiful flowering gum trees on the walk.
Various birds including the multi coloured Rainbow Lorikeet are active in these trees at present.
So here are some shots from my walk.
I also put into practice what Sean Dooley of Birdlife Australia is recommending.

https://www.networkbirdlife.org/home/2020/3/25/birdwatching-this-is-your-time-to-shine

All pics taken with a Canon 600d with a 75-300mm Canon Zoom lens.

Birdwatchers. Your Time to shine says Sean Dooley

Crimson Rosella

King Parrot

New Holland Honeyeater

Black Collared Dove.)( Juvenile)

Willy Wagtail

See the link below to a beautifully written piece about how we can enjoy our backyard birds in this time of isolation because of the virus pandemic.

Sean Dooley is from Birdlife Australia and author of the famous birding book, the Big Twitch.

https://www.networkbirdlife.org/home/2020/3/25/birdwatching-this-is-your-time-to-shine

An important message.

The Birdman's Wife-- A book Review

I have just finished reading a delightful book on the life of Elizabeth and John Gould.

John Gould is the well known Ornithologist and bird artist and his wife the lesser known real artist behind his reputation.

He was the sketcher but Elizabeth and also Edward Lear were the main reasons for his Bird Books success.
Many other accomplished  artists also contributed to his work.

John Gould was a very driven man intent on success and with a passion for birds and knowledge.
He was a very clever marketer and successful businessman.

This book concentrates on the life of the Goulds as told through the eyes of Elizabeth.

She was dedicated to her art and birds but was torn between her occupation and her role as a mother.
She was devoted to her husband and his work but sacrificed much as a mother.

Please note the link under is an article by Melissa Ashley.
It is not the text of her book.

https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/exhibits/show/gould/about/elizabeth_gould

If you like birds, and you are intrigued like I am, by the many connections between the leading lights of the day in wildlife and bird art you will find this an engrossing book.
Here are some other titles where you can cross reference the material in "the Birdmans Wife".

 

This book was also put together by Maureen Lambourne

Maureen is the great great grand daughter of John Gould.

Balranald- A good place for a relaxing holiday.

Pentax Kx Film Camera

We have just this last week had a 3 day holiday in Balranald NSW.

Our holiday was a meeting of 3 families.

From Adelaide, Renmark and Canberra.

The idea was that we could all drive there within a day from our home location.

Balranald is in NSW and located on the Murrumbidgee River.

Murrumbidgee River

It is a quiet peaceful town with excellent places to stay and many local attractions.

Fishing, Boating, Birdwatching,Historic Places are some of the attractions.

Here are some pics from our stay.

Inside the historic Yanga Park Station woolshed.

Yours truly inside the historic Yanga Park Station woolshed.

Inside the historic Yanga Park Station woolshed.

Inside the historic Yanga Park Station shearers dining room.

Inside the historic Yanga Park Station shearers dining room.

Balranald is home to an endangered frog species.

Wedgetailed Eagle metal sculpture at the Balranald Information Centre

Vic our guide at the Southern Cross aeroplane museum.

Myself and a friend

A few years earlier. 2007

Inside Yanga National Park Bird Hide.

Kookaburra in Caravan Park

Feeding Kookaburras in Caravan Park

Kookaburra in Caravan Park

Yanga Park Woolshed

Emus near the Yanga Park Sation homestead

Kookaburras in the Caravan park

Kookaburras in the Caravan park

God guided us there with His rainbow for several kilometres.