Departing Port Augusta for Yellow Foot Territory

Leaving Port Augusta I went north through the small towns of Quorn and Hawker. I like Quorn and on previous trips to this region have always stopped to explore the many old buildings and visit some of the art galleries. The train station in Quorn is of particular interest as it was used in the 1980's Australian movie "Gallipoli" staring the upcoming Mel Gibson.

Port Augusta is a dry town - in more than one way. Beware as the local constabulary pwho atrol the city seeking offenders!

I found this sign warning of the train interesting. The sign had been there for so long that the harsh desert sunlight had caused all the white paint to crack away.

However, this trip I have a date with a rock wallaby and I want to be on location by evening light. Whilst "sucking the miles" I observed that the terrain is a lot more greener than what it was in 2007 - no doubt there had been rain not so long ago. Green shrubs and vibrant red gums has replaced the dead vegetation I remember in 2007.

Avian Splendour - Port Augusta, South Australia

Arrived in Port Augusta, did some local housekeeping and decided to visit a local area just north of town to see what bird activity there was.

Unfortunately, there wasn't as many species as I'd seen on earlier trips, but the flowers were not really blooming so avian activity was on the light side. Despite this I did manage to capture a few snaps of passing species.

The low afternoon light, just after 530PM was sparkling and the colours fabulous, although the colours do not seem to show up as well on this blog for some unknown reason.

I learnt another important lesson today. NEVER walk away from the camera. I was feeling a bit tired, so decided to walk not more than 5 feet from the camera. As soon as I moved a honeyeater came and rested on the tree in perfect light, in perfect position. And where was I - 5 feet from the shutter button.

Birds, like many animals are habitual. Therefore, if you hear two honeyeaters washing in the water, but cannot see them because of your blind or cover, be assured that there is a very high probability that will roast, albeit, quickly on the same sapling/branch that they used earlier. You have to be ready and be patient enough to bite your tongue and not move your camera rig to a supposedly better position, Once you have stacked out your perch, based on earlier bird movements, habitat, and what you want in the image, maintain your position. This is how the good photographs are taken - not by running about the place everywhere chasing something....

One of my favorite land bird species are the pigeon family. Australia has several native pigeon species each endemic to a particular habitat.
I am shooting at this location in the morning (an early start at 500AM), so hopefully there will be more species in the morning light.
Then, from there it is onto the yellow foots. As this is the last area where there is Internet, there probably will not be any additional posts until I return in 10 days or so.

Somehow I have a feeling I will end up back here for a final evening/morning shot - the draw of the "little fluffy dinosaurs" is too great.