A Lull in Travel, Catch-up time & Australian Kingfishers

There is a lull in travel at the moment and I've been utilzing the time to sort, keyword and post process many of the images I took recently on my US Yosemite National Park. This has been in addition to preparing for two seperate 3 day trips to northern Tasmania to photograph Tasmanian Devils.

However, I did manage to catch some time in Brisbane (Queensland, Australia).

During my stay I noticed this Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) hanging out in the trees in front of my parent's house. Not wanting to miss an opportunity, and having my 300 2.8 lens with me, I took the opportunity to grab a few snaps before thre kookaburra decided to fly away to find something more interesting to occupy its time with.

Kookaburras belong to the Kingfisher family and there are two species in Australia; the one shown here and a northern species called the Blue-winged Kookaburra. All kookaburras are carnivorous and their favourite food is often small lizards and moderately sized snakes. I have obsevred kookaburras catching and killing highly venomous brown snakes. This just proves that predation from the air is the wiorst nightmare for many terrestially bound animals!

The "Laughing Kookaburra" is known by its name for its "laugh" which it uses to greet its mate after periods of absences. It can be heard at any time of day but most frequently shortly after dawn and especially when the colour drains from the forest after sunset.

One bird starts with a low, hiccupping chuckle, then throws its head back in raucous laughter: often several others join in. If a rival tribe is within earshot and replies, the whole family soon gathers to fill the bush with ringing laughter. Hearing kookaburras in full voice is one of the more extraordinary experiences of the Australian bush, something even locals cannot ignore.

I'll try and figure out a way to install a MP3 file so that you can hear the laugh, so cruise back soon to see if I've figured out how to install a sound file.

Laughing Kookaburra Sound File (MP3)

Point Reyes, California, USA

Although the day was chilly and slightly overcast Rebecca decided it was worth the drive north to Point Reyes. She was not wrong in her assumption as the soft lighting provided ideal photographic opportunities. A number of Mule Deer which were very cooperative were observed adjacent to the access road and two coyotes were seen on separate occasions patrolling the ridge line. I lucky enough to be quicker on the draw with my camera and snapped this coyote portrait.

Later that morning a Bobcat was also observed stalking prey along the boundary fence of a rancher's property. Bobcats are notorious for being elusive and to observe one at relatively close quarters in the wild is very lucky. Even with a 500/4 with 2 X converter attached the resultant images of the animal were small, but the experience of viewing this animal more than compensated for the minimalist images.

 
The following day, after awaking at 0500 for the drive north to the point we climbed from the SUV to discover that the temperature was hovering around 34 F (2 C) with a wind chill factor of -10%. Our aim was to photograph the first sun rays striking the rocky cliffs. This was accomplished after quickly climbing the bluffs via torch light and freezing our butts off in the chilly wind waiting for the light to break the horizon. With the light still low on the horizon we traversed to another area of the Seashore Park to stalk and photograph Tule Elk (endemic to California). Unfortunately, I was slow off the mark and missed a grand shot of a bull elk staring at me from the ridge not 40 meters away; it saw me and scampered to what it thought was safer ground. After some careful and slow hiking it was possible to approach the herd quite closely and observe the younger male elks practicing "jostling" with their "racks".

Port Reyes is part of the US national park system and is classified as a Seashore Park. The park has little development other than a park station and several historic ranches that were utilized before the park was gazetted.

Considering this park is relatively close to the large urban centres of San Francisco, I was surprised to see such a large diversity of animals and landscapes.

I definitrey would like to return to this area for a few days