Tuesday 20 October
This week for various reasons, I was the only Gaiter Girl with the time to walk. With camera in hand I set forth.
It was a fabulous morning for walking. Birds of all sizes and breeds were also enjoying, or trying to enjoy, the beauty of the dawn. Many tranquil moments were shattered by the onset of territorial wars. It seems it's not easy to stake your claim in the bird world. The strangest moment took place in the driveway of a home. I looked up and noticed a kookaburra sitting between two magpies. They appeared to be chatting, when suddenly the kookaburra took off with a small snake in it's beak. The magpies gave frantic chase. It all happened too quickly for any photo.
There was noone on the golf course, so my walk initially took me around the ponds.
Spot duck family 1, resting beside the gum tree trunk. Sadly, duck family 1 had been a family of six, several days prior.
Time for a swim.
As they approached the lone duck, this peaceful scene rapidly changed, when the lone bird tried to chase the family way.
Pond 2 family were a little older and avoided any hiatus as they went for their morning swim.
The single ducks were totally chilling out.
How grand is this Striated Heron, keeping watch over the pond? Alas, my approach sent him flying across the pond to a tree, where he was made very unwelcome.
This was the confrontation with a butcher bird, who didn't appreciate his visit.
The tree.
Leaving the golf club, I continued on my regular, very enjoyable suburban walk. I couldn't
see what was happening in this bird feeder, but the parrot on the left was extremely unhappy about whatever was occurring.
The Albert River - such a peaceful scene, but rapidly deteriorated.
It was awesome to see Corellas and Galahs grazing contentedly together. I had only gone a further 100 m when mayhem errupted. The Corellas were severly reprimanded by a passing Corrella flock.
Another section of the Albert winding its way passed the Windaroo Golf Course. Jacaranda trees now in bloom, making a splash of colour.
The little Red Backed Fairy Wren never sits still long enough to be in trouble. I 've just read however, that he is among the least faithful of birds. A nest will have eggs of more than one father.
Flowering trees as I walked.
The local Rugby field with, in the distance, the ridge I climb up to and along, on my circuit home.
Near the top of the ridge looking south.
Here, I excitedly thought I had spotted a koala. Just a huge ants nest or similar.
Distant view to Brisbane to the west.
The steep trail.
I just love looking up at our gums and wonderfully clear blue skies.
Leaving the ridge and looking over suburbia to the north.
The Albert 2 days later.
A lovely, still pond, on the same walk.
A stunning Silky Oak Tree, Grevillea Robusta.
A well trained bouganvillea in full pink glory.
In my part of Australia, we don't have spring arrive with the brilliance of tulips, daffodils and, cherry or apple blossoms. It doesn't continue with the mass of colour of a cottage garden. It is spasmodic and isolated. We know what month it is, rather than what season it is, as various trees bloom. Good rain like this year, will allow the trees to be more spectacular.
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