Birding the local duckponds

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Alex Rogers
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Birding the local duckponds

I had a fun day yesterday birding before the day got toooooo hot - and testing out a new camera and lens combo. I had to send mine in for repair/service, and I've long wanted a backup body and more lenses - so I used the occasion and Black Friday sales as an excuse, and got a D850 body and 500PF lens. My (ahem) "backup" combo is somewhat overkill, but gee I'm having fun with them already :-) So here are some locals I photographed yesterday while familiarising myself with them, all taken down at a little park near Botany port. 

)Bar-shouldered Dove - don't often see them in the city, so I was pleased with this. Long distance and big crop, so I wasn't expecting a lot, but the big sensor and good glass really impressed. I like the contrast between the hard edged urban setting, and the soft elegance of the dove. 

Alex Rogers
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Domestic goose (anser anser domesticus) - living free in the Botanly ponds. I wrestled with this one - I included it in the Big Year comp last year, but looking again at the Working List of AU Birds, it is listed in the supplemental list and commented as "not having a sustainable wild population" - and I think we've agreed that the main List is our list of eligible birds - so I'm not counting it. It doesn't feel right anyway. But I like the photos - check those teeth out!

Pacific Black Duck / Mallard Hybrid - another bird I can't include - but I think the photo is interesting, as it shows the hybrid colours quite clearly. 

Alex Rogers
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It got pretty hot though - 42 degrees, which is pretty hot for Sydney. The birds soon hid and were showing signs of distress :-( 

Magpie - poor bird was suffering like so many of them - panting in the heat and holding his wings out in hope of a breeze

Ravens are tough! They will slow down a bit and pant too, but they handle the hottest conditions well. I tried something different with this photo to show the power of the sun - I quite like it. 

This female Koel was making rather pathetic calls, and I went looking, not really expecting a clear shot - but she was too tired and hot to move, so I took a few photos - not great in the depth of the darkest shade, but I was happy to be able to get a shot at all. 

dwatsonbb
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Nice work Alex, you can see the quality in those portrait type shots.

Dale Huonville, Tasmania

sue818
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Nice ones, Alex. Impressive secondary lens & camera combo! You should have plenty of fun with that.

I included a domestic Goose as this was a free living population in Coonabarabran but that was my one representative. Looking forward to some more shots in the future as you challenge Dev's impressive number.

Woko
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Bravery in all that heat, Alex. But it brought its rewards! 

Devster
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Nice combo Alex. I really like the Raven silhouette. Those hackles really stand out. I also do like the Bar-shouldered dove photo. It's got a birds adapting to city life feel about it. Considering you said it was quite a big crop, it has quite good detail in it.

Alex Rogers
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Thanks all - I'm really enjoying photographing even our common local birds, and feeling the improvement coming slowly - good fun :-) 

Charles15
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This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free.

Woko
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The best things in life are free, Charles!

richman

When I lived down that way, I used to have a bit of fun down at East Lakes Golf club, not playing golf, but just roaming around with my camera photographing the birds around the lakes and small dam. Also Centennial Park and Sydney Park before they upgraded it. Another spot in Botany Bay on the South side is Towra Point. Once we are allowed out again you should check them out.

Alex Rogers
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Hi richman. Yes, Eastlakes is a favourite, can be very productive on a good day - its also close enough that I can get my lockdown exercise there :-) Towra is great too, but its restricted / protected, so you have to be take your chances there...

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