The definition of spontaneous is unplanned or done on impulse. And at about 9-o'clock last night I decided to get up at 3am and drive to Durikai State Forest, Karara about a 3.5 to 4 hour drive.It's been in the back of my mind on my "to do list" for some time now and what a great spot.
I lost half an hour on the way. About two minutes after leaving home I picked up an owl ( don't know what sort?) on the phone lines with the car headlights. This is the second time in a month I have kicked myself for not taking my flash with me.
After a quick stop for a coffee and "water the donkey" at Warwick, I arrived at 07:30 am and the light was just coming good.
There were birds everwhere...mainly Noisy Friarbirds! Not what I had hoped for after a four hour drive! There are a number of waterholes in the area which can provide great opportunities to see and photograph species such as Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Fuscous Honeyeater, Regent Honeyeater, White-eared Honeyeater, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Brown-headed Honeyeater, White-plumed Honeyeater, Turquoise Parrot, White-browed Babbler, Little Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet, Dusky Woodswallow, Speckled Warbler, Plum-headed Finch, Squatter Pigeon and Diamond Firetail.
The morning improved and by 10 o'clock I had included four new species for me.
Yellow-Tufted Honeyeater.
White-naped Honeyeater.
Female Purple-Crowned Fairywren.
Dusky Woodswallow.
lovely shots, love the first one, good to hear you got some new species
mike
The first shot is wonderful , as though the two birds are in conversation.
One talking , the other listening intently.
Barney.
Reflex, did you happen to follow the rabbit fence? Thinking it may make some nice camping during winter.
Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks
No I didn't and to be honest I didn't know about it.
Samford Valley Qld.
Great shots. Not working seems to have its advantages.
I love them all, but that first one is amazing, must be pretty happy with that one!
Tegan - Melbourne Vic.
Thanks Tegan. You're right I was/am. When I was going through the photographs the one before this and the one after it the bird on the left wasn't quite in focus in either of them. All taken in a single burst of about five shots. I couldn't believe the difference.
Samford Valley Qld.
I also make great plans at 9pm for an early start the next day - but when the alarm goes off at 4am it seems a damned stupid plan and I go back to sleep!
Well done getting up early and getting the rewards with new species and great photos. As everyone has said the first one is a beauty.
Amazing shots of the YTHE!
Ryu
Canberra
Aiming for DSLR-quality shots with a bridge camera
For next time, may as well get up with the birds when they do. It doesn't say you can or can't camp, but being a State Forrest I beleive you are well within your rights. And, if one is behaving themselves then no harm done generally. From my experiace a little meander along a rabbit fence, or a stock route can take you to places few go.
https://publications.qld.gov.au/storage/f/2014-04-15T01%3A36%3A06.507Z/durikai-state-forest-fossicking-area.pdf
Ipswich Shire Eastern flanks
Nice when a plan comes to fruition and you end up
with results such as these. First is a ripper.
That first shot is an absolute cracker, well done. I love woodland birding, would have to be my favourite. Ive learned not to dismiss the Noisy Friarbirds because they will lead you to the heavily flowering Eucalypts which attract all sorts of goodies. The Regent Honeyeaters I saw recently were quietly feeding in the same trees as a bunch of Noisy Friarbirds and Little Lorikeets.
LM
Yep, have to get up early if you want results. Agree with the others, first shot is a ripper.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
A great spot and I have been back there twice since this thread was started.
Samford Valley Qld.