Bowra is a wildlife sanctuary located just notth of Cunamulla Qld. With over 220 species of birds that have been recorded there, it is a birders paradise!
I recently spent 4 nights there with my mum who is also a keen birder and photographer. Each night at 6:30pm, all those that were camping on the property, met for 'bird call', where we go through the 220 something species on the list and record what birds were seen and where. Each day there were around 95 different species of birds spotted.
Due to the recent rains, this was actually pretty slow because the bore fed lagoon in the camping area was not the only source of water available, therefore you had to go searching.
I managed to come away with about 32 different species (Still sorting through the hundreds of photos), taking my total up to 290 and this is just in Queensland. Here are a few picks from the trip. I will add more as I go through them. Hope you enjoy!
Splendid Fairy Wren
Banded Lapwing
White-Winged Fairy-Wren
Red-Browed Pardalote
White-Browed Woodswallow
Brown Falcon Silhoette
Wow Devon, fantastic pictures. For sheer difficulty in getting one close, I might pick the white-browed Woodswallow but the others are stunners.
Must get up there
Sue
Wow! Great shots. Beautiful detail.
Thanks Sue and alcatraz. Actually the most difficult one to get was the Pardalote. You know they are in there calling but finding them is an entirely new ballgame.
The male White-Winged Fairy-Wrens were also pretty shy. Not the females though, they were more than happy to get their pics taken and would come right up to you. Sometimes even too close for a photo.
Fantastic set as always Dev
What a great effort, love the fairy wren shots and that Pardalote photo is an absolute beauty
Dont take life too seriously, it never ends well
Thanks laza
Amazing set Devon, all but the last would be new for me
Ryu
Canberra
Aiming for DSLR-quality shots with a bridge camera
Not sure of the set-up at Bowra. Is it easy to get around and are there various hides or is it down to lots of walking and listening?
Sue
Wish I could have joined you but unfortunately not an option at the moment. You have some seriously good ticks here.
Samford Valley Qld.
Great photos - 32 new sightings is a fantastic haul.
The little pardalotte is a wonderful shot.
Beautiful Colours in the Splendid Wren. Nice going on the 290. You certainly get around
Simply stunning Devster, looking forward to seeing more from your trip, have to put Bowra on the must see list. Love the Pardalote.
Sue, you are given a map of different areas and they let you know where certain birds are sighted. There is a lagoon which birds would come in for a drink late afternoon and people would just set up their camera on a tripod, with a chair, an esky and just wait. So relaxing. We found one of the most successful ways, is while driving to a destination, watch and listen. If you hear or see something, pull over and look around. It's closed now until March as it was already reaching temperatures of 38°
You would have loved it Reflex! Especially the afternoon, sitting down with beer while watching the gorgeous sunset and photographing the birds and kangaroos in the fading light. Ahhh the serenity! The trouble is, there were so many new birds and new sounds to learn, it was hard deciding to know which ones to go for.
Thanks Ryu, WD, Muz & brian. I have more to put up later in the week.
Thanks Devon. I must get something organised for next year. Sounds like a magic place
Sue
Yes sounds great. Now that you mention it, I could have done that really well....there's always next year.
Samford Valley Qld.
Excellent pics Devster,
It is a great place isn't it. Very Jelly of your Pardy, i was shown where they were and never saw one. Guess i'll have to go back :)
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Thanks Shorty!
There are a few I didn't get like the Chestnut-Breasted Quail-Thrush, Bourkes Parrot, Mulga Parrot & Grey Falcon.
Got really crappy, hard to recognise photos of the Crimson Chat and the Major Mitchell Cockatoo as well so I am very keen to go back next year (If I am allowed). My wife nearly drew up divorce papers on this one. Got a lot of brownie points to earn to make up for it. lol
Just sign the papers and get back there :)
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
lol Shorty