I think I mentioned last year, Pelagics are my new passion, and I am just now beginning to learn to shoot in manual mode on the boat, so far all of these have been in "shutter priority". Maybe in the next day or so, can again try and catch-up on my processing (3 full days behind with 3 more days out planned ove the next couple of weeks). Don't expect too much new, but hopefully some nice upgrades.
Mrs Dale has made a full recovery, thanks for asking, Mr Dale has avoided COVID totally, despite having contact on a daily basis for a month or 2 (PPE in combo with my immunity has kept me safe).
Mrs Dale has made a full recovery, thanks for asking, Mr Dale has avoided COVID totally, despite having contact on a daily basis for a month or 2 (PPE in combo with my immunity has kept me safe).
Glad to hear it :) our household has copped a fair whack that way, but we keep soldiering on. Not a lot more you can do these days.
112. Flame Robin - before this year I had only ever photgraphed once, now I see them almost everywhere - It is winter so they have moved more coastal, expect they will return to higher altitude soon. Early morning sunlight, and different angles changed the colour scheme quite a lot.
Pelagic time - 21st August - only 1 new but a couple of extras. The WBSE have been putting on a show, so likley you will see at least one from each Pelagic (hope your not bored with them).
130. Providence Petrel, there will be more, maybe better as I work may way through my recent trips.
5. White-chinned Petrel - this bird was interesting in that the "white chin" is much more extensive than usual, and it shows some partial leucism. The experts believe this may be an Indian Ocean bird (appearently their chins ore more pronounced).
78. Northern Giant Petrel - this one is apparently older, note light colour eye and plumage. Hung around for several hours having a decent amount of food.
Wow, love those pelagic birds... favourites? Maybe Cape Petrel, White-chinned Petrel (interesting bird) & the Brown Skua. Then you add Pilot Whales! Looking forward to more. I love an ID challenge but pelagics take to another level. Well done.
Sue, I leave the ID to the experts mostly, although I have learnt a lot. Sometimes need to check the eBird list to confirm my ID for posting photos.
Michael, whales are a common sight at different times. Hard to capture photos, as by the time you see them they are submerged again and don't always come back. Last 3 trips - Pilot Whales (here) next trip lucky enough to see a Minke in full breach - the sky could clearly be seen under the whole whale - sadly not fast enough and last trip 1 possibly 2 Humpbacks (I just caught a glimpse of the tale before it disappeared. Again the bird experts have also developed ID skills with cetaceans.
Wow, Dale, your photography has come on so much - what a treat to go through all these. I love all the pelagics, particularly the White-chinned & Cape Petrel shots - such different birds, and I love the setting (island in background). But the robins were my favourites - such glorious birds, and well captured indeed.
Thanks all. Nice to see your back Alex, and looking forward to your photos as well. Yes my photography has improved, better gear, more practice and lots of study. But I must say, it appears we are all improving our craft, there are some amazing photos being posted. Again, it is important to remember we are more about sharing our experiences and encouraging others than who takes the best photo.
Finally shooting in manual - only use autofocus and auto white balance. Still blowing whites mostly, but am studying white balance techniques to hopefully improve there to. Occasionally revert back to Shutter priority if conditions are hard to judge. My photos are mainly for me, but I do like it when others can enjoy them also.
I agree with all of that, Dale... great to see everyone's photos and their stories make it so interesting. I am reluctant to post so many from a long trip as I realise retirement is an advantage but I encourage people to get out and explore and give it a go. So much to see.
Your manual technique is the same as mine and I still blow whites but try to step it down if a bright bird or conditions. Plenty of photos discarded. I'm thinking of posting a few photos elsewhere (like a croc taking a Magpie Goose) as worth sharing but not appropriate here yet I'm still a bit hesitant.
Finally catching up, so hopefully today will see me up to date.
Pelagic double header - Sat 10th and Sun 11th September - not alot of new birds, but one special bird (for me anyway). Have included a couple of non pelagic birds seen on this weekend.
133. Arctic Tern - Lifer - only occasionally seen in our southern waters. Horrible EBC heavily cropped. If you look closely you can see the narrow "black trailing edge" on the primaries. 3 shots showing different angles. You may also note the black cap extends all the way forward to the bill (not always diagnostic). Followed by a White-fronted Tern - one of the other birds which could it could be confused with (note lack of trailing edge). Both birds on the same day, sadly overcast and not ideal. The other possibility would be an Antarctic Tern, but again no black trailing edge. Little Tern is not found in Tasmania, that I know of.
69. Buller's Albatross - one of my favourite of the Albies - I have heaps of this bird as it followed very closely to the boat - cropped other birders out of the photo with focal length of 100mm! So close you could almost touch it.
Now for my final catchup. Again can't believe I have not posted this little beauty earlier.
136. Striated Pardalote - gathering nesting material. Some photos show the nest hole, but I was a consderable distance away with focal distance of 500mm, with a huge crop. They did not appear bothered by my presence, and I am happy to remove those if you wish.
Another wonderful lot, Dale. Gongrats on a lifer! Wow, that Bullers Albatross was close and you got a great shot. Really like the Providence Petrel as well. Love the Striated Pardalotes (showing a nice yellow wing spot unlike my locals)... I've seen them at The Waterworks Reserve. I think my favourite is the Pardalote peeking out of the wall.
You're having a great Big Year and must be way past last year's total already.
Thanks Sue. The Pardalote shots are from the Waterworks, went looking for the Black-headed Honeyeaters which Danika spotted, again I dipped. Think I will stop trying for them, and maybe will just happen one day.
Last years tally was 113, hoping for 150 this year, not bad when I think Tasmania lists just over 370 species (including rare vagrants and Macquarie Island species) - must locate that list again.
Fantastic Dale! Really appreciate your pelagic shots now, after attempting the same myself. Looking at your providence petrel, how similar it is to the grey-faced petrel I was told I had seen.
Adorable pardalote! Is the concern that being close to nesting birds can lead to them abandoning the nest?
Thanks Michael. Ethical Birding Guidlines discourage photos of nests due to disruption of nesting, and publishing of photos can lead to birds being harassed by other birders, particularly with not so common species.
Grey-faced Petrel are similar to Providence, so much so that they sometimes get called initially as the wrong species, especially with distant views. Providence will be easier to ID, if you can get a good underwing view, showing the light/white colour, some refer to as "the landing lights", which I think can be seen in my photos above.
I am lucky enough to have been out with some very experienced birders, and they soon get them right. Me, I am still a beginner, and rely on the experts to provide ID.
My pain is coming home to an ebird list, and trying to match photos to species seen.
Just catching up on the last month of posts...so many new species coming through Dale!!!
As always, just LOVE the pelagic birds, so many birds yet to see! Would be very cool to know if that bird did come from the Indian Ocean, do you ever notice tagged/banded birds out on your trips? Obviously it would be difficult to pick up the banding details, but just interested to know if you ever see that.
Some truly excellent shots from your boat trips, serious improvement over just this year, considering they are all flight shots you're doing such amazing work. Changing over to shooting manual in that situation is very impressive, interesting knowing how you're shooting for those photos. I've stored some tips for one day making a pelagic.
I really love the Striated Pardalote shots! I agree that nest photography is not ideal, but in this case its pretty unlikely any of us will turn up at the Waterworks to chase down the nest so I think you're safe in posting the shots, and like you say they were taken from a safe distance. I just saw a Spotted Pardalote nest in a bank yesterday at a friends place, its so interesting! Sorry to hear that the honeyeaters aren't playing ball for you; maybe one day you'll look out the window and one will be staring in at you!! :) that's a very adorable shot of the Bennet's Wallaby joey too, so cute!
Apart from the amazing whale shots, so jealous, I really enjoy the albatross!! I would have loved to make it onto a whale watching tour locally this year, often there are albatross around at some point on the boat trip but I think I've left it a bit late in the year and my pregnancy for a 6 hour boat ride a couple of hours from Melbourne!
The terns are really excellent too, especially the Arctic Tern, but I also enjoyed seeing the cap on the White-Fronted Tern, they look very different when we see them occasionally at the treatment plant. Would love to see the giant and other petrels some day, they seem very interesting behaviour-wise.
As a total aside, a Yellow Wagtail has turned up at Coogoorah Park/Reserve in Anglesea, down the Great Ocean Road and is generating a lot of interest and many day trips!! Would be fascinating to know if it was the Wagtail you saw, or another one that has drifted south??
Thanks Danika. Your comments and those of the others are appreciated.
The wagtail we had was a Grey Wagtail, although it was very yellow in his breeding colours. Would be keen to see a Yellow, or for that matter any other wagtail. A Willie Wagtail would be a lifer for me.
Yes we do sometimes see banded birds, this photo shows such a band, which was reported. Believe this wandering albie was banded under the British Museum Banding Scheme. A photo of the bird, and then the band - you need to get the bird on the water to see the band. The band was reported, but yet to receive any feedback, there may not be enough detail provided.
Pelagics are my passion, and so I will do as many as the Mrs, the budget and time allow. Switching to manual ended up being easier than expected. A few points below.
My mirrorless camera allows the histogram to be displayed in the viewfinder, so as long as your in the range, exposure should be acceptable and can sometimes be adjusted in post processing. Still "blow" a lot of the whites,, but have to compromise something. Shoot with the histogram toward the right, gives more room for adjustments later.
Shutter speed - As fast a shutter speed as the light will allow - most of these at 1/4000th of a second - that reduces a lot of motion blur, most shoot at a minimum of 1/1000th, guess that will depend on your camera and lens. Keep you shutter speed at least a similar or greater to your focal length - 600mm lens should be at least 1/600th of a second.
Apperture - as wide open as possible, often governed by the focal length of your zoom lens (so really you don't have full control). My apperture changes with the focal length of the zoom - 500mm lens at 100mm wil allow f5.6, where as at 500mm f7.3 seems to be the lenses choice.
ISO - is currently set to auto, May trying to investigate some other options (some wildlife photographers use the Kelvin system, which will give a more consistent light across multiple exposures). I don't fully understand this yet.
Focus is always on auto, and my camera has amazing focus tracking, as long as I can keep the subject in the frame, and it doesn't "jump" between subjects.
I have a quick change dial allocated for exposure compensation, but often things happen too fast to make the adjustments. Sometimes with early morning have exp.comp set around +1, and adjust as light improves.
As always, try and be as stable as possible, hold you breath while pressing the shutter button and shoot in high speed bursts (in the hope you may get a couple of good shots).
On a good day with lots of birds, I might take 700 or more photos, only a few get processed.
Sorry if that's a bit long winded, and hoping it is useful. By no means an expert, lucky enough to have some good gear and a bit of luck!
Interesting reading, Dale. It can be difficult to get tag details and I find the colour banding much easier. I did once get pictures of a Ruddy Turnstone with a data logger in Darwin and there was sufficient to say that it was attached in Tasmania. Quite challenging to get that detail from a moving boat, well done!
So finally got a few more to post. In relation to making 50% of the bird species in Australia, I think a few in my next couple of posts will do that (think we need 3 species). Anyway, in no particular order.
137. Long-billed Corella - can't believe I did not post earlier.
139. Arctic Jaeger (ID confirmed as Parasitic/Arctic Jaeger, apparently known as either), showing some very worn plumage. 1 more to the new species list, a bird I have seen, but my first photos. This from a recent pelagic - will have some older photos of new species for the list soon.
My final lot for now. You are going to have to trust me on the ID's, some are at best EBCs, but I will try to highlight the main markers. If anyone disagrees with ID, I will be happy to substitute other photos later.
140. White-headed Petrel - the mainly white head, with a predominanlty darker underwing. They do look very similar to both Mottled and Soft-plumage Petrels, but the collar on this bird is not as pronounced.
141. Salvin's Albatross (no fact sheet). Appearance very similar to Shy/White-capped, but the dark mark on the bill end and more grey to the head and neck (hope I am correct). ID on the day as Salvin's. Light was awful, so not overly happy with the photos.
142. Great-winged Petrel - again you gotta trust me. Very hard to separate from Grey-faced Petrel. Thje main point I believe is the "Carpal bend held well forward" according to the Compact Australian Bird Guide 2022. I am relying on ID and notes from the day, matched to time stamps on the photos. Was debating putting this one up (very much an EBC), but if it helps with the overall species numbers?
Awesome photos as always Dale, just love these pelagics. So cool when you get some backdrop too, like the shearwaters with Tasman Island - very atmospheric!
I love it that Willie Wagtails would be a lifer for you - I'll bring a sack full of them down when I come to visit you for a pelagic :-) You'll need to keep them warm.
Completely accept your 142 Petrel sighting, but don't think that pic cuts it as an EBC, as its not identifiable from the picture... thus breaching the only rule of EBC! :-)
Well done, Dale... even without the last bird (142), you get us over 50% (50.1% at 141). I'm inclined to agree with Alex especially as you were hesitant to post it. Love the Salvin's Albatross!
Yeah thought I was pushing my luck with that one, sadly a very hard bird to get good photos of. I have several photos which are worse than that one, and the only decent photo which comes close turned out to be a Grey-faced.
A challenge I will have to pursue, just another excuse to do more pelagics, although time is running out for this year.
I will post my next bird as 142, to replace that shot.
Well done on catching the Wilson's Storm Petrel - they are super fast! Tasman Island looks rather inhospitable. Are you tracking how many albatross species for the year Dale?
Great question, Michael so hope dale does not mind but did a count to answer it...11 of the 19 different species of Albatross on our list is amazing, Dale! Don't think you'll get all of them this year but a few more might turn up yet. Thanks for the question, Michael and the photos, Dale.
Thanks Michael and Sue. No problem with you answering Micheal's question. If we were counting sub species, I could add at least 2 more (I have photos of 3 species of Wandering type - Gibson's, Exulans and Antipodean). Lucky the Amsterdam was listed as a species in it's own right.
Not sure I will see anymore, my opportunity for pelagic trips are somewhat limited between now an th end of the year, guess we will have to see?
So I have checked the BWL-Birdlife_Australia_Working List, and find that Antipodean Albatross is listed as a separate species, so if I can find a photo confirmed as Antipodean (Gibson's for example), and one of the others (Exulans) as my Wandering sp., is that accepable?
I think 117 is down as a Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans) already but you don't have an Antipodean Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis) which can be either ssp gibsoni or ssp antipodensis according to my reading. Apparently gibsoni is a common visitor to our waters. So the long-winded answer is yes to Antipodean!
Thanks Sue and Michael. I have the photos of them all, but need the confidence to separate and identify correctly (that's why I had "Wandering sp." at 117, could not be absolutely sure of ssp. So I might have to defer to the experts on the Seabirds page, and add both Wandering (Diomedea exulans) and Wandering (Diomedia ssp. gibsoni or antipedensis).
Just an excuse to put some more photos up. Will have a look next week an see what I can find.
Have decided not to try and add extra Wandering Albatross, not confident enough for positive IDs. and was only hoping to improve my count a little bit. A challenge for next year!
Anyhow, my wife and I were fortunate enough to finally get on a cruise ship. This meant 2 short visits through Sydney. While not a birding trip, the camera was fortunatley never too far away. Just a few more, but they all count, and some species I would not find in Tassie, so sorry if I put a few duplicates up.
Here goes.
142. Australian White Ibis - to replace my failed attempt at a Great-winged Petrel. We had several hours to kill, and decided to catch the ferry to Parramatta - some great birds for me (I know probaly common as muck for you guys). I did avoid posting the ones from Circular Quay, was happy to find some more natural habitat.
144. Pied Cormorant - we don't get these in Tassie (a couple of rare vagrant sightings, I believe). Won't count as a Lifer, reckon I have seen before, but never photgraphed.
146. Australasian Darter - lifer, we do have them here, but as yet I have not seen. Both female and male. Not sure what was going on wih the female, she put up some unusual poses?
On the way back to Circular Quay, we decided to get off at Barangaroo for coffee and a snack, glad we did (Common Myna and my next treasure).
Having coffee, dodging House Sparrows and Mynas, when an unfamiliar bird arrived - 2 actually. They chased of the sparrows and were gone a few seconds later. Fortunately one decide to land on an overhead awning, so here is my second lifer in the space of an hour!
147. White-plumed Honeyeater. Sadly not the habitiat I would have liked, but at least I got to see them.
What a great trip, Dale... time with your wife enjoying the cruise and two birds as lifers. I don't count mine as lifers until I have photgraphic evidence so you could consider that you actually saw 3 lifers.
The female Darter looks to have indigestion and a big burp is coming! The White-plumed Honeyeaters as everywhere but quite nice looking birds. If you are ever in Sydney again for any time then please contact me as Centennial Park is also a lovely spot for walking and birds.
Thanks Sue. It was a great trip, and some good quality time with Tessa. We rarely stop in Sydney for more than an hour or so, usually just passing through, but if we manage any longer trips, I have you on speed dial.
You made the most of that short time through Sydney, Dale. The darter looks mighty uncomfortable.
Last time we went through Sydney (November) we caught the wildlife photographer of the year exhibit in the maritime museum - some stunning bird shots there if you have the time.
One I missed from the Sydney trip, hoping you will allow?
148. Australian Raven - only a silohoutte, but the throat hackles and the call I heard clinch it for me I think - if not allowed as Aus. Raven, I will submit as a Raven species (it is clearly NOT a Forest Raven, which is the only one in Tassie.).
149. Caspian Tern - this lovely "terned" up in the bay and was taken from the shore before another pelagic. A few photos as they are such striking looking birds.
150. Swamp Harrier - stopped to check a wader site on the way home - nothing new wader wise, but this distant heavily cropped shots, you can see the white on the rump, and we have no other raptor which you could confuse a bird of this size with.
Was hoping to sneak another with my Wandering Albatross species, but this Wandering Albatross ( Antipodean Albatross ssp Diomedea antipodensis gibsoni) already listed at 117 - a couple of photos of different specimens of adult males where as 117 (Wandering Albatross sp.) is juvenile or female (only repeating what I have been told, not claiming exepertise). Just need a Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans to complete the Wandering set. Again photo of 117 for camparison of the same species at differing ages.
Congrats on reaching 150. Dale... quite a feat. Definitely, an Australian Raven as few other options here in Sydney. I do love the Albatross shots, such interesting birds.
Thanks Abby and Tommy.
I think I mentioned last year, Pelagics are my new passion, and I am just now beginning to learn to shoot in manual mode on the boat, so far all of these have been in "shutter priority". Maybe in the next day or so, can again try and catch-up on my processing (3 full days behind with 3 more days out planned ove the next couple of weeks). Don't expect too much new, but hopefully some nice upgrades.
Mrs Dale has made a full recovery, thanks for asking, Mr Dale has avoided COVID totally, despite having contact on a daily basis for a month or 2 (PPE in combo with my immunity has kept me safe).
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Glad to hear it :) our household has copped a fair whack that way, but we keep soldiering on. Not a lot more you can do these days.
Pleased to hear that Mrs Dale is now better and that Mr Dale is still OK. Hope your household is now better, Tommy. Stay safe, friends.
Thanks. I know some families have had more than their fair share. Don't think we are done with it yet and glad so far, we here are all ok.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Finally got a few to put in, but there will be more, I promise.
128. Crescent Honeyeater.
129. Hooded Plover - cuteness overload.
And a couple of extras!
36. Dusky Robin (endemic)
112. Flame Robin - before this year I had only ever photgraphed once, now I see them almost everywhere - It is winter so they have moved more coastal, expect they will return to higher altitude soon. Early morning sunlight, and different angles changed the colour scheme quite a lot.
54. Scarlet Robin - Mr and Mrs.
99. New Holland Honeyeater - like the whole feel to this one.
52. Common Bronzewing.
85. Australian Shelduck - well because I like the reflection - male and female.
8. Pacific Gull - adult and immature/juvenile
108. Yellow-rumped Thornbill
39. Brown Thornbill.
37. Green Rosella endemic - fight was on, will be more over in best photos shortly.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Wow, Dale... Flame Robins and Hooded Plovers... that is cuteness overload and some great pictures.
Thanks again Sue.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Pelagic time - 21st August - only 1 new but a couple of extras. The WBSE have been putting on a show, so likley you will see at least one from each Pelagic (hope your not bored with them).
130. Providence Petrel, there will be more, maybe better as I work may way through my recent trips.
113. Brown Skua - some great close passes, and in my opinion some better photos.
68. Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross.
5. White-chinned Petrel - this bird was interesting in that the "white chin" is much more extensive than usual, and it shows some partial leucism. The experts believe this may be an Indian Ocean bird (appearently their chins ore more pronounced).
70. Shy Albatross - a lovely young bird showing they Grey bill with a dark tip.
31. White-bellied Sea-Eagle.
And finally bird of the day - a pod of Long-finned Pilot Whales - not great photos, but a fril to see up close.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
28th August - another Pelagic 2 of 4 in 3 weekends YAY makes up for a few cancelled! A few new birds, and some old faves.
131. Northern Royal Albatross - fact sheet does not separate Northern and Southern.
132. Soft-plumage Petrel - several nice passes, hard to get good photos, these are somewhat cropped.
A few extras.
7. Fairy Prion so small and fast moving.
78. Northern Giant Petrel - this one is apparently older, note light colour eye and plumage. Hung around for several hours having a decent amount of food.
115. Cape Petrel - one of my favourite smaller petrels.
8. Pacific Gull - love this shot, was out-numbered by a lots of Kelp Gulls, but was quite vocal. 2nd photo shows Kelp Gulls flanking the Pacific.
41. Kelp Gull - this one not quite in full adult plumage - still lacking red on bill, mottled feathers on chest and retains the black bar on the tail.
4. Black-browed Albatross.
Again some non birdy visitors - Australian Fur Seal (no fact sheet) I think? Mammals are not my thing really.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
In between Pelagics, I managed a couple of pics of an endemic.
33. Yellow Wattlebird, showing the wattles beautifully.
Thats it for today, might be back tomorrow with the next instalment.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Wow, love those pelagic birds... favourites? Maybe Cape Petrel, White-chinned Petrel (interesting bird) & the Brown Skua. Then you add Pilot Whales! Looking forward to more. I love an ID challenge but pelagics take to another level. Well done.
Awesome collection, Dale! Really like the cape petrel shot, and those pilot whales are pretty special. Is that unusual down there?
Thanks guys.
Sue, I leave the ID to the experts mostly, although I have learnt a lot. Sometimes need to check the eBird list to confirm my ID for posting photos.
Michael, whales are a common sight at different times. Hard to capture photos, as by the time you see them they are submerged again and don't always come back. Last 3 trips - Pilot Whales (here) next trip lucky enough to see a Minke in full breach - the sky could clearly be seen under the whole whale - sadly not fast enough and last trip 1 possibly 2 Humpbacks (I just caught a glimpse of the tale before it disappeared. Again the bird experts have also developed ID skills with cetaceans.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Loving these Dale! Wow thats rather special to see Long-finned Pilot Whales.
Wow Dale, fantastic shots from your last pelagic, and such cool bonus pics of the pilot whales and fur seals :-)
Wow, Dale, your photography has come on so much - what a treat to go through all these. I love all the pelagics, particularly the White-chinned & Cape Petrel shots - such different birds, and I love the setting (island in background). But the robins were my favourites - such glorious birds, and well captured indeed.
Thanks all. Nice to see your back Alex, and looking forward to your photos as well. Yes my photography has improved, better gear, more practice and lots of study. But I must say, it appears we are all improving our craft, there are some amazing photos being posted. Again, it is important to remember we are more about sharing our experiences and encouraging others than who takes the best photo.
Finally shooting in manual - only use autofocus and auto white balance. Still blowing whites mostly, but am studying white balance techniques to hopefully improve there to. Occasionally revert back to Shutter priority if conditions are hard to judge. My photos are mainly for me, but I do like it when others can enjoy them also.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I agree with all of that, Dale... great to see everyone's photos and their stories make it so interesting. I am reluctant to post so many from a long trip as I realise retirement is an advantage but I encourage people to get out and explore and give it a go. So much to see.
Your manual technique is the same as mine and I still blow whites but try to step it down if a bright bird or conditions. Plenty of photos discarded. I'm thinking of posting a few photos elsewhere (like a croc taking a Magpie Goose) as worth sharing but not appropriate here yet I'm still a bit hesitant.
Thanks Sue. I would post that photo (I for one would like to see it), but maybe with a warning in the title. It is after all, nature at its best.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Finally catching up, so hopefully today will see me up to date.
Pelagic double header - Sat 10th and Sun 11th September - not alot of new birds, but one special bird (for me anyway). Have included a couple of non pelagic birds seen on this weekend.
133. Arctic Tern - Lifer - only occasionally seen in our southern waters. Horrible EBC heavily cropped. If you look closely you can see the narrow "black trailing edge" on the primaries. 3 shots showing different angles. You may also note the black cap extends all the way forward to the bill (not always diagnostic). Followed by a White-fronted Tern - one of the other birds which could it could be confused with (note lack of trailing edge). Both birds on the same day, sadly overcast and not ideal. The other possibility would be an Antarctic Tern, but again no black trailing edge. Little Tern is not found in Tasmania, that I know of.
84. White-fronted Tern.
134. Cape Barron Goose - went looking for another species, but dipped, excited to see these as we drove.
135. Common Blackbird - couldn't believe I have not posted yet - anyway this is nicer on a branch than my usual lawn shot.
124. Grey Petrel.
130. Providence Petrel - by far much better photos than my previous attempt.
69. Buller's Albatross - one of my favourite of the Albies - I have heaps of this bird as it followed very closely to the boat - cropped other birders out of the photo with focal length of 100mm! So close you could almost touch it.
And finally a furry with it's youngster.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Now for my final catchup. Again can't believe I have not posted this little beauty earlier.
136. Striated Pardalote - gathering nesting material. Some photos show the nest hole, but I was a consderable distance away with focal distance of 500mm, with a huge crop. They did not appear bothered by my presence, and I am happy to remove those if you wish.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Another wonderful lot, Dale. Gongrats on a lifer! Wow, that Bullers Albatross was close and you got a great shot. Really like the Providence Petrel as well. Love the Striated Pardalotes (showing a nice yellow wing spot unlike my locals)... I've seen them at The Waterworks Reserve. I think my favourite is the Pardalote peeking out of the wall.
You're having a great Big Year and must be way past last year's total already.
Thanks Sue. The Pardalote shots are from the Waterworks, went looking for the Black-headed Honeyeaters which Danika spotted, again I dipped. Think I will stop trying for them, and maybe will just happen one day.
Last years tally was 113, hoping for 150 this year, not bad when I think Tasmania lists just over 370 species (including rare vagrants and Macquarie Island species) - must locate that list again.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Fantastic Dale! Really appreciate your pelagic shots now, after attempting the same myself. Looking at your providence petrel, how similar it is to the grey-faced petrel I was told I had seen.
Adorable pardalote! Is the concern that being close to nesting birds can lead to them abandoning the nest?
Thanks Michael. Ethical Birding Guidlines discourage photos of nests due to disruption of nesting, and publishing of photos can lead to birds being harassed by other birders, particularly with not so common species.
Grey-faced Petrel are similar to Providence, so much so that they sometimes get called initially as the wrong species, especially with distant views. Providence will be easier to ID, if you can get a good underwing view, showing the light/white colour, some refer to as "the landing lights", which I think can be seen in my photos above.
I am lucky enough to have been out with some very experienced birders, and they soon get them right. Me, I am still a beginner, and rely on the experts to provide ID.
My pain is coming home to an ebird list, and trying to match photos to species seen.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
What cute shots of the Pardalote. Still loving seeing your Pelagic shots too. Love seeing what people see.
Just catching up on the last month of posts...so many new species coming through Dale!!!
As always, just LOVE the pelagic birds, so many birds yet to see! Would be very cool to know if that bird did come from the Indian Ocean, do you ever notice tagged/banded birds out on your trips? Obviously it would be difficult to pick up the banding details, but just interested to know if you ever see that.
Some truly excellent shots from your boat trips, serious improvement over just this year, considering they are all flight shots you're doing such amazing work. Changing over to shooting manual in that situation is very impressive, interesting knowing how you're shooting for those photos. I've stored some tips for one day making a pelagic.
I really love the Striated Pardalote shots! I agree that nest photography is not ideal, but in this case its pretty unlikely any of us will turn up at the Waterworks to chase down the nest so I think you're safe in posting the shots, and like you say they were taken from a safe distance. I just saw a Spotted Pardalote nest in a bank yesterday at a friends place, its so interesting! Sorry to hear that the honeyeaters aren't playing ball for you; maybe one day you'll look out the window and one will be staring in at you!! :) that's a very adorable shot of the Bennet's Wallaby joey too, so cute!
Apart from the amazing whale shots, so jealous, I really enjoy the albatross!! I would have loved to make it onto a whale watching tour locally this year, often there are albatross around at some point on the boat trip but I think I've left it a bit late in the year and my pregnancy for a 6 hour boat ride a couple of hours from Melbourne!
The terns are really excellent too, especially the Arctic Tern, but I also enjoyed seeing the cap on the White-Fronted Tern, they look very different when we see them occasionally at the treatment plant. Would love to see the giant and other petrels some day, they seem very interesting behaviour-wise.
As a total aside, a Yellow Wagtail has turned up at Coogoorah Park/Reserve in Anglesea, down the Great Ocean Road and is generating a lot of interest and many day trips!! Would be fascinating to know if it was the Wagtail you saw, or another one that has drifted south??
Thanks Danika. Your comments and those of the others are appreciated.
The wagtail we had was a Grey Wagtail, although it was very yellow in his breeding colours. Would be keen to see a Yellow, or for that matter any other wagtail. A Willie Wagtail would be a lifer for me.
Yes we do sometimes see banded birds, this photo shows such a band, which was reported. Believe this wandering albie was banded under the British Museum Banding Scheme. A photo of the bird, and then the band - you need to get the bird on the water to see the band. The band was reported, but yet to receive any feedback, there may not be enough detail provided.
Pelagics are my passion, and so I will do as many as the Mrs, the budget and time allow. Switching to manual ended up being easier than expected. A few points below.
My mirrorless camera allows the histogram to be displayed in the viewfinder, so as long as your in the range, exposure should be acceptable and can sometimes be adjusted in post processing. Still "blow" a lot of the whites,, but have to compromise something. Shoot with the histogram toward the right, gives more room for adjustments later.
Shutter speed - As fast a shutter speed as the light will allow - most of these at 1/4000th of a second - that reduces a lot of motion blur, most shoot at a minimum of 1/1000th, guess that will depend on your camera and lens. Keep you shutter speed at least a similar or greater to your focal length - 600mm lens should be at least 1/600th of a second.
Apperture - as wide open as possible, often governed by the focal length of your zoom lens (so really you don't have full control). My apperture changes with the focal length of the zoom - 500mm lens at 100mm wil allow f5.6, where as at 500mm f7.3 seems to be the lenses choice.
ISO - is currently set to auto, May trying to investigate some other options (some wildlife photographers use the Kelvin system, which will give a more consistent light across multiple exposures). I don't fully understand this yet.
Focus is always on auto, and my camera has amazing focus tracking, as long as I can keep the subject in the frame, and it doesn't "jump" between subjects.
I have a quick change dial allocated for exposure compensation, but often things happen too fast to make the adjustments. Sometimes with early morning have exp.comp set around +1, and adjust as light improves.
As always, try and be as stable as possible, hold you breath while pressing the shutter button and shoot in high speed bursts (in the hope you may get a couple of good shots).
On a good day with lots of birds, I might take 700 or more photos, only a few get processed.
Sorry if that's a bit long winded, and hoping it is useful. By no means an expert, lucky enough to have some good gear and a bit of luck!
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Interesting reading, Dale. It can be difficult to get tag details and I find the colour banding much easier. I did once get pictures of a Ruddy Turnstone with a data logger in Darwin and there was sufficient to say that it was attached in Tasmania. Quite challenging to get that detail from a moving boat, well done!
Thanks Sue, 100+ photos (mostly trash) and a HUGE crop with a little post processing.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
So finally got a few more to post. In relation to making 50% of the bird species in Australia, I think a few in my next couple of posts will do that (think we need 3 species). Anyway, in no particular order.
137. Long-billed Corella - can't believe I did not post earlier.
138. Rock Dove.
139. Arctic Jaeger (ID confirmed as Parasitic/Arctic Jaeger, apparently known as either), showing some very worn plumage. 1 more to the new species list, a bird I have seen, but my first photos. This from a recent pelagic - will have some older photos of new species for the list soon.
And a few extras.
3. Short-tailed shearwater - saw upwards of 5000, these were in a flock of maybe 500 and close to the boat inshore (Tasman Island in the background).
77. Wilson's Storm Petrel, tiny and fast little blighters,
62. Spotted Dove.
Now back to processing.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
My final lot for now. You are going to have to trust me on the ID's, some are at best EBCs, but I will try to highlight the main markers. If anyone disagrees with ID, I will be happy to substitute other photos later.
140. White-headed Petrel - the mainly white head, with a predominanlty darker underwing. They do look very similar to both Mottled and Soft-plumage Petrels, but the collar on this bird is not as pronounced.
141. Salvin's Albatross (no fact sheet). Appearance very similar to Shy/White-capped, but the dark mark on the bill end and more grey to the head and neck (hope I am correct). ID on the day as Salvin's. Light was awful, so not overly happy with the photos.
142. Great-winged Petrel - again you gotta trust me. Very hard to separate from Grey-faced Petrel. Thje main point I believe is the "Carpal bend held well forward" according to the Compact Australian Bird Guide 2022. I am relying on ID and notes from the day, matched to time stamps on the photos. Was debating putting this one up (very much an EBC), but if it helps with the overall species numbers?
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Awesome photos as always Dale, just love these pelagics. So cool when you get some backdrop too, like the shearwaters with Tasman Island - very atmospheric!
I love it that Willie Wagtails would be a lifer for you - I'll bring a sack full of them down when I come to visit you for a pelagic :-) You'll need to keep them warm.
Completely accept your 142 Petrel sighting, but don't think that pic cuts it as an EBC, as its not identifiable from the picture... thus breaching the only rule of EBC! :-)
Well done, Dale... even without the last bird (142), you get us over 50% (50.1% at 141). I'm inclined to agree with Alex especially as you were hesitant to post it. Love the Salvin's Albatross!
Yeah thought I was pushing my luck with that one, sadly a very hard bird to get good photos of. I have several photos which are worse than that one, and the only decent photo which comes close turned out to be a Grey-faced.
A challenge I will have to pursue, just another excuse to do more pelagics, although time is running out for this year.
I will post my next bird as 142, to replace that shot.
Thanks for you comments.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Well done on catching the Wilson's Storm Petrel - they are super fast! Tasman Island looks rather inhospitable. Are you tracking how many albatross species for the year Dale?
Great question, Michael so hope dale does not mind but did a count to answer it...11 of the 19 different species of Albatross on our list is amazing, Dale! Don't think you'll get all of them this year but a few more might turn up yet. Thanks for the question, Michael and the photos, Dale.
Thanks Michael and Sue. No problem with you answering Micheal's question. If we were counting sub species, I could add at least 2 more (I have photos of 3 species of Wandering type - Gibson's, Exulans and Antipodean). Lucky the Amsterdam was listed as a species in it's own right.
Not sure I will see anymore, my opportunity for pelagic trips are somewhat limited between now an th end of the year, guess we will have to see?
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Great photos Dale!
So I have checked the BWL-Birdlife_Australia_Working List, and find that Antipodean Albatross is listed as a separate species, so if I can find a photo confirmed as Antipodean (Gibson's for example), and one of the others (Exulans) as my Wandering sp., is that accepable?
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I think 117 is down as a Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans) already but you don't have an Antipodean Albatross (Diomedea antipodensis) which can be either ssp gibsoni or ssp antipodensis according to my reading. Apparently gibsoni is a common visitor to our waters. So the long-winded answer is yes to Antipodean!
Brilliant Sue! Dale, I think you have a case to present to court, now.
Thanks Sue and Michael. I have the photos of them all, but need the confidence to separate and identify correctly (that's why I had "Wandering sp." at 117, could not be absolutely sure of ssp. So I might have to defer to the experts on the Seabirds page, and add both Wandering (Diomedea exulans) and Wandering (Diomedia ssp. gibsoni or antipedensis).
Just an excuse to put some more photos up. Will have a look next week an see what I can find.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Have decided not to try and add extra Wandering Albatross, not confident enough for positive IDs. and was only hoping to improve my count a little bit. A challenge for next year!
Anyhow, my wife and I were fortunate enough to finally get on a cruise ship. This meant 2 short visits through Sydney. While not a birding trip, the camera was fortunatley never too far away. Just a few more, but they all count, and some species I would not find in Tassie, so sorry if I put a few duplicates up.
Here goes.
142. Australian White Ibis - to replace my failed attempt at a Great-winged Petrel. We had several hours to kill, and decided to catch the ferry to Parramatta - some great birds for me (I know probaly common as muck for you guys). I did avoid posting the ones from Circular Quay, was happy to find some more natural habitat.
143. Little Corella - who appears a bit dirty.
144. Pied Cormorant - we don't get these in Tassie (a couple of rare vagrant sightings, I believe). Won't count as a Lifer, reckon I have seen before, but never photgraphed.
145. Common Myna - what trip to the big island would be complete without seeing these guys!
146. Australasian Darter - lifer, we do have them here, but as yet I have not seen. Both female and male. Not sure what was going on wih the female, she put up some unusual poses?
On the way back to Circular Quay, we decided to get off at Barangaroo for coffee and a snack, glad we did (Common Myna and my next treasure).
Having coffee, dodging House Sparrows and Mynas, when an unfamiliar bird arrived - 2 actually. They chased of the sparrows and were gone a few seconds later. Fortunately one decide to land on an overhead awning, so here is my second lifer in the space of an hour!
147. White-plumed Honeyeater. Sadly not the habitiat I would have liked, but at least I got to see them.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
What a great trip, Dale... time with your wife enjoying the cruise and two birds as lifers. I don't count mine as lifers until I have photgraphic evidence so you could consider that you actually saw 3 lifers.
The female Darter looks to have indigestion and a big burp is coming! The White-plumed Honeyeaters as everywhere but quite nice looking birds. If you are ever in Sydney again for any time then please contact me as Centennial Park is also a lovely spot for walking and birds.
Thanks Sue. It was a great trip, and some good quality time with Tessa. We rarely stop in Sydney for more than an hour or so, usually just passing through, but if we manage any longer trips, I have you on speed dial.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Sounds like a plan, Dale. Only 3 more and you hit 150 for the year... pretty good result from a small island.
You made the most of that short time through Sydney, Dale. The darter looks mighty uncomfortable.
Last time we went through Sydney (November) we caught the wildlife photographer of the year exhibit in the maritime museum - some stunning bird shots there if you have the time.
Thanks all. A few more to add.
One I missed from the Sydney trip, hoping you will allow?
148. Australian Raven - only a silohoutte, but the throat hackles and the call I heard clinch it for me I think - if not allowed as Aus. Raven, I will submit as a Raven species (it is clearly NOT a Forest Raven, which is the only one in Tassie.).
149. Caspian Tern - this lovely "terned" up in the bay and was taken from the shore before another pelagic. A few photos as they are such striking looking birds.
150. Swamp Harrier - stopped to check a wader site on the way home - nothing new wader wise, but this distant heavily cropped shots, you can see the white on the rump, and we have no other raptor which you could confuse a bird of this size with.
Was hoping to sneak another with my Wandering Albatross species, but this Wandering Albatross ( Antipodean Albatross ssp Diomedea antipodensis gibsoni) already listed at 117 - a couple of photos of different specimens of adult males where as 117 (Wandering Albatross sp.) is juvenile or female (only repeating what I have been told, not claiming exepertise). Just need a Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans to complete the Wandering set. Again photo of 117 for camparison of the same species at differing ages.
The younger or female.
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
Congrats on reaching 150. Dale... quite a feat. Definitely, an Australian Raven as few other options here in Sydney. I do love the Albatross shots, such interesting birds.
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