Day twenty-two of Becky’s Square Tops Photo Challenge
Oystercatchers are in my top ten birds. A Sooty Oystercatcher checks the rocks for a snack.
Tag: sooty oystercatcher
Silent Sunday 28 July
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This is April 2019
Well hello and welcome to my world in April. What started out as an uninspired photography month suddenly came alive at the end. I was thinking that I would have to tell you that a quick flick and scroll was all that was needed earlier in April. I have included a number of photos of the same subject as I couldn’t pick the one that satisfied my desire to give you something that was a wow or hmmmm that’s interesting.
A lack of rain at the beginning of the month probably assisted my malaise and desire to get out and about. With a lack of rain also brings about a lack of insects, birds and the garden suffered. I did a bit of travelling around so there is some things I found from other parts of New South Wales.
I have put some of the April finds in other blogs. Some are repeated here but I have excluded others to make your checking out a bit less time consuming. So I do recommend a good cuppa or drink of choice as a lot of you are either sitting up late or just having breakfast. This is what makes blogging so good that you may be in any part of this world and I can show you a bit of mine. Enough blah blah blah, let’s get going if you are ready.
May as well start at sunrise
One foggy morning while at a friends place in Springwood, the sounds of a helicopter broke the morning silence.
We are going to stay in Springwood for a while. We went to the Norman Lindsay Gallery and studio. The grounds were full of sculptures including these ones. Norman Lindsay wrote a book called the Magic Pudding in 1918 The story is about a pudding no matter how often it is eaten, always reforms in order to be eaten again. This is Albert, the Magic Pudding.
Bunyip Bluegum, the Koala, and Benjamin Brandysnap plus Sam Sawnoff and other animals and people who own the pudding have to defend the pudding from being stolen by Pudding Thieves who want it for them selves
Part of one of the sculpture/fountains
My friends garden is quite spectacular. There were some butterflies like the Blue Triangle Butterfly who is a bit ragged resting on a Zinnia.
It did rain a bit while we were there putting water droplets on the Pelargonium 
An Eastern Spinebill enjoyed the Grevilleas
So did the New Holland Honeyeater. A very striking bird.
Had to include a side view
I really like this capture so in it came.
The cooler weather of the mountains hadn’t quite began so the fungi were still about
I like Hydrangeas. This was a small flower head but has delicate colours. 
Now for a bit of the flowers at my place as the sporadic rain over the past couple weeks bought out some Autumn flowers, like this Camellia
This red Hibiscus is from a cutting of my childhood home, one of my Mothers favourites.
All around the garden Impatiens self seed and they pop up in many places
Over at my besties place the Zinnias are a riot of colour
The Echinacea had it’s petals eaten by a grasshopper probably but the centre caught my eye.
A post with flowers would be the same without Pentas flowers and a Blue-banded Bee
Bees aren’t the only pollinator. A beautiful iridescent fly helps a Zinnia along 
At The Channon Markets (a Which Way a while ago) a stall had Pitcher plants
in all manner of colour and shape
While on the way home from the markets, we stopped off at Rocky Creek Dam (a Silent Sunday post and the Featured Image taken with my phone) where the water lillies looked fabulous
I loved their reflections
While we are around the water, A Broad-palmed Rocket Frog likes to hang around the pot plants on my front verandah
I am not sure what this small flower is. It was growing on the small dune at the beach.
My besties Red Eucalypt is starting to flower possibly a Corymbia ficifolia.
While at the beach last weekend, yes a almost Summers day in Autumn around 28C, I came across some Small Grass Yellow Butterflies
While we are at the beach, here are some views. We climbed among the dunes to get to Broadwater Beach. In the distance, looking south, is Chinamans Beach where we often go.
The north view. The disappointing thing is the wheel tracks made by (*insert appropriate word) people who drive their stupid four wheel drive oversized pieces of junk along this beach. As you enter the walking track, there is a sign that tells you that there are protected birds who nest on the sand plus the other creatures who live in the sand, crabs plus other microscopic beings and that us walkers don’t disturb the ecology but these dickheads barge their way along the sand. Look how deep those wheel tracks are!!! Sorry please enjoy the view.
The seas were quite big. This rocky part of the headland at Boulder Beach is about 4-5 meters high. 
Can you see it now!!!
One of my favourite photos is Pelicans on the light poles. The bridge has four sets of lights and every one has Pelicans. The best spot is on the light itself where a boss male sits. Further towards the bendy end is a juvenile Pelican.
Upstream of the bridge, a couple of Pied Oystercatchers sat on the sand bar.
A Silver Gull was keeping an eye on the picnickers in the park in case a chip dropped onto the ground
A White-faced Heron came to Chinamans Beach looking for a seafood dinner
I loved finding the Sooty Oystercatchers at the beach. A post with more photos of Sooty Oystercatchers here in case you missed it.
I am not sure if it was the same White-faced Heron at Boulder Beach too.
The White-faced Heron and Sooty Oystercatcher didn’t get along and avoided each other.
The cliff face at Boulder Beach has what could be Ironstone in it. It certainly looked rusty
Now for a bit of reflection. Still with me?
Speaking of rust, one of my favourite things to photograph. This old door had some wonderful rusty bits
Isn’t the sliding lock marvellous?
While at the Farmers Market, I wondered why there seemed to be more cars than usual. There was the Annual Lismore Poultry Show on. Of course because I love chooks I had to go and have a walk around. Here are some of the chooks I found, some of the more unusual ones to say the least. I don’t know all of the breeds as some I have never seen before like this one who looks like it just got out of bed.
A fabulous hat
Lace Wyandottes are one of my favourite chooks, ever so pretty.
I don’t think I have ever seen such a fat chook and purple to boot!!!
Some feathers seem to have a life of their own
So alien
A rooster who kept an eye on what was going on
Speaking a Roosters. Prehistoric is the only word that comes to mind. I couldn’t get the whole chook in the photo
Ducks always make me smile
One morning at my besties there was a cacophony of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos. The flock was around twenty who all were squawking as they flew about.
They all stopped in a tree on the hill a bit of a way away. The quality of the photos isn’t that good as it was early morning and the photos are hand held but I had to capture their antics in the trees.
I thought this one was going to do forward rolls.
OK it’s almost night time, our Moon is on the rise among the clouds
The Night Spider has spun it’s web near the light to catch an insects who come to the light.
The centre of the web is a bit ratty
Our Moon is looking lovely and shining a bright light so you can see your way home
I gotta go…..see you later I hope
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Catching shellfish at Boulder Beach
After lunch at a cafe at Shelley Beach, we decided to go to Boulder Beach to see if we could find some things we could create among the cobbles. Unfortunately we couldn’t find anything to create to add to our beach art. But what I did find was a nimble group scrambling about the rocks looking for shellfish for their dinner.
C’mon Dave, last time I was here there was some great oysters over this way.
I am sure there were some down there Dave.
It looks a bit slippery, so you be careful Stan.
Do you know what you are doing Stan? That looks dangerous.
Sure thing Dave. You keep an eye out for those waves and give me a yell if a big one heads towards the rocks. Hey, I think I got one.
Check out this beauty Dave.
So Stan, are you going to share?
No way Dave. You go and have a look, there’s plenty down near the waters edge.
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Identical
This is May 2018
Another wrap up of whats been happening in bushboys world in May. This month has been so dry. Many of the usual birds that are around here in May are absent. The most exciting thing is that I have two new birds that have dropped in on their migration to warmer places.
Some of the photos are from my besties place where it has been raining almost every day. There isn’t a huge amount of photos but I still recommend grabbing a drink suitable for the time of day you are scrolling through This is May 2018.
I think I’ll start with a couple of flowers. I can’t wait for some of the plants which flower in the cooler months to flower.
I love the purple colour
The last hibiscus flower
Just a mud puddle with a bit of the sun and sky
This is the shell of a Frasers Banded Snail. One of the advantages of following scientists on Twitter is that if I can’t ID anything, there is always someone to ask. Bronwen Scott gave me the name of the snail. Bronwen is at Snailseyeview
Another view of the Frasers Banded Snail shell
When the cooler weather arrives, quite often so do some of the marsupial mice from out of the forest looking for somewhere warm to nest. I have a live trap where I can trap, ID and release back into the forest.
This is a view into the trap with a House Mouse, not an Antechinus as I first thought, who has been enjoying a bit of peanut butter. ID help from Dr Dave and Dale Nimmo
Here is the little bloke ready to hop off and find another place to spend Winter other than my pantry
Another new discovery at my besties was this Eastern Stoney Creek Frog. The ID on the frog was also from a Twitter. The wonderful Jodi Rowley
Here’s a bit of orange fungi growing on the side of a tree glowing in the afternoon sun
This fungi was so soft and really did feel like velvet. Also an added bit of Lichen as well as some Moss. Yes it was a wet habitat.
Here is the usual warning for those who have an aversion to spiders. Try to have a peek as the Golden Orb Weaver is a rather beautiful spider.
Lets break in gently with a tiny but lovely web glowing in the morning suns golden glow. Not an Orb Weavers web as this spider is tiny
Here she is, a Golden Orb Weaver looking lovely against the blue Autumn sky.
The markings underneath are so wonderful. She is not quite 75mm long.
This is why she is a Golden Orb Weaver. She is attending to her larder dangling on the golden threads of her rather messy web
A rainy day in Ballina. A Willie Wagtail found a place to try and stay dry during a downpour
Only a few bits of green grass when this photo was taken of a Willie Wagtail hunting for a snack.
The Eastern Spinebills have arrived. A few will hang around over winter as long as the Grevilleas have flowers.
A small flock of Silvereyes have taken up residence as well
Not sure who this Silvereye is yelling at while at he bird bath
On a drive I spotted a group of Ibis resting and preening. Among the group were a couple of Spoonbills having a rest.
It was disturbing to see 4WD wheel tracks on a section of South Ballina Beach which is a no go zone as the birds rest and nest on that part of the beach.
A Sooty Oystercatcher and a Little Tern in the wheel tracks, with some Crested Terns in the background
A Little Tern resting on the beach
Sometimes you have to wait for your turn in the bird bath. A White-throated Treecreeper hangs about waiting for a Lewins Honeyeater to finish his bath.
Ahhh……that’s better. I love how the White-throated Treecreepers sit in the bird bath, the totally opposite to all the other birds.
The Yellow-faced Honeyeaters are on their migration too. Some of the flock will stay here over winter. They are the bullies of the bird bath and chase the other birds away.
The Northern Yellow Robins are always around the forest . This bloke and his family are hanging around my garden
My bestie has sold her place. Here is one of the last photos of Bobbin, the Northern Yellow Robin who lives at her place on the garden chair where he loves to survey the garden for something to eat. Bobbin is such a cutie isn’t he?
An Emerald Dove found a good drinking spot in the garden. A stem of a Bangalow Palm filled with rain water.
Here is the first of the new birds at my place. This is a Striated Pardalote
The other new bird is a tiny Varied Sittella. A small flock dropped in one day for a drink, rest and a bite to eat before continuing on their way north. Another little cute bird.
The butterflies are becoming scarce as the weather gets colder. I have been lucky enough to get some photos of the inside wings as well as the usually more colourful outer wings. This butterfly is a Yellow or Common Albatross showing the inside wings
The outer wings are a lovely yellow with a brown edging.
A Zebra Blue or Plumbago Blue Butterfly. You can see the blue on the inside.
The outer wings have a lovely marbling and striking pattern.
The inside wings of the Common Jezabel are rather dull compared to the outer wings.
Here is a Common Jezabel sitting high upon a flower stalk on a sunny day.
I hope you have enjoyed a scroll through my May.
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December’s Discoveries
So much to do in the next few days. I wanted to get a little bit of my world out there for you to enjoy. I looked at some of the photos and there are some that are recurring from years gone by. I guess that’s what happens in nature. The cycles just keep rolling on. I wonder if you can spot the photos subjects that have appeared before. All of the flower and insect photos are from my besties fantastic garden. I love wandering around her garden discovering flowers and insects.
I took many photos of this tree as the textures and lines are so good. It was so hard to settle on one photo.
The air ferns are increasing in the bush and around the garden. They are so primitive looking don’t you think?
The way the moss just cascades over the old tree trunk, filling crevices giving life to the dead wood of a large tree from the past.
The water vine grew in the fork of the tree long ago and now it looks like the tree has an appendage. The vine is still alive reaching up into the canopy.
The flowers of the Silk Tree aren’t around for long. The birds sure make a mess of the flowers when they come to gather the bit of pollen or nectar the flowers supply.
This hibiscus flower grows high in the tree and sends the occasional flower to hang down adding a splash of red to the garden.
The little balls laden with pollen usually have native bees buzzing around except when I was taking photos.
The delicate blue centres of the white hydrangea are quite stunning when you get close to the large white flower ball.
These tiny daisies are popping up all through the garden. They are about 10mm in diameter.
I love the Cats Whiskers with their purple tips.
I am not sure what this orange flower is called but it makes a bold statement in the garden’s borders.
Flowers aren’t just to be seen in the garden, they are also a source of joy in the house or even in the lady shed.
I can’t find my spider book so I can’t let you know the names of these spiders. This little one is quite small but very fast.
Another tiny spider who sat still for a photo or two then decided that enough was enough and jumped onto the camera.
When we were fixing up the studio I came across a few insects, mainly black ants by the thousands, but this long skinny spider was staying where he was, pretending to be a stick I guess.
There have been lots of dragonflies flitting around my besties garden and mine as well. There have been blue and large red dragonflies at my place, whereas there appears to be a lot of these orange/yellow ones at her place. This one was happily flying around the rainforest near the creek.
This dragonfly is one of the bigger dragonflies in the rainforest.
Back at my place I have been keeping an eye on the Friarbirds nest.
I think the female or juvenile Satin Bowerbird spotted me as I was staking out the bird bath.
The tiny Thornbill didn’t seem to care as it contemplated taking a plunge into the water.
As usual the garden has its resident Easter Yellow Robin. I love the way they seem to enjoy landing on vertical things.
We went to Broken Head for the afternoon. There are always White-bellied Sea Eagles soaring on the currents around the headland.
It was a surprise to see the Sooty Oystercatcher strolling around the beach. It looked a bit tired so maybe it was the first landing on its migration?
The little bit of rain I have had has certainly sent the frogs into a cacophony of a night. I think these tadpoles may be Bleating Tree Frogs as I hear them around the pool.
I think the one on the right may enjoy getting its pictue taken.
That’s all for the time being so if I don’t get to post another blog soon, have a great Christmas. Remember to look after our nature because it’s the only one we have.
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A day at the beach
When the day looks like being a bit warm….ok bloody hot at home, it’s great to head to the coast and enjoy the coolness of the ocean. There is an opportunity to wander around the rocky headlands, peering into tidal pools and generally seeing who is also hanging at the beach. This day was spent at Brooms Head. A quiet coastal town usually but over the Summer holidays, the caravan park is packed to capacity, swelling Brooms Head to almost double it’s population.
This day bought about some lucky encounters as we waded through the tidal pool. The bird life was quite varied and we had the opportunity to see some birds we had not seen before as well as the usual large groups of gulls squawking about nothing in particular.
The Sooty Oystercatchers scurried among the rocks.
Some of the Terns were having a bad hair day.
But their landing skills were quite good.
Can you pick the odd one out?
Easy wasn’t it! The Sea Eagle was scouting along where the waves were breaking but still the birds on the rocks kept an eye out just in case.
It did make the Sharp-tailed Sandpipers nervous and every now and then the small group took to the skies.
When they were foraging among the rocks, they were hard to see.
Occasionally another shore bird appeared. The Grey-tailed Tattler seemed to be playing chasings with the Sandpiper.
But the Pelican kept an eye on what was going on in and around the rocks at Brooms Head.
I love being at the beach, don’t you?
