A PHOTOGRAPHER'S DAY OUT:

Wildlife Abounds in the Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park

Many times we go out photographing, sometimes we come back with memorable photos! But on occasion we come back with something stunning that tells a tale of excitement, wonder and nature at her best at the same time giving us a workout that no gym could possibly ever give!

While keeping an eye on everything that moves in the air to the ground, occasionally we find something keeping an eye on us!

Southern Boobook ... Ninox novaeseellandiae

We wend our way through the scrub ever watchful for snakes that may slither through the tall grasses or be sunning themselves around broken limbs from trees that are decaying on the ground!

Lizards at times may appear but the danger of snakes is a high risk especially on a hot summers day.

Brown Snake
 

 

Bearded Dragon

Our focus is mainly on sounds, sounds from birds, sounds coming from dense foliage, looking up, looking down! Listening.

It may be the humming of busy bees, the call of a Nankeen Kestrel high up looking for its mate, it may simply be the chewing noise from the Kangaroos feeding from the grass or the trees but whatever it is it is always the sound that gives us a the thrill that some form of wildlife is definitely close by. 

Red Kangaroos abound this wonderful Conservation Park and we have noticed that the more we venture there, the wildlife accept our presence. 

The other day when the temperature was around 43deg this male Red Kangaroo seemed not too interested in me so I sat and rested a while in the shade of a Wattle tree and spent some time enjoying his company.

Red Kangaroo

Wildlife photography for Colin and myself is all about capturing the moment. It can be anything that Mother Nature creates. While I sit in the shade of the Wattle tree Colin is photographing same.
His photography is very different from mine. Colin photographs macro (up close) and the thrill of finding the incredible resin that leaks from these Wattle trees is a reward in itself. It is the beginnings of how Copal/Amber starts. Sometimes he finds insects trapped inside the resin, sometimes it may be a leaf but in all instances each tiny piece of resin that leaks from these trees is spectacular in every shape and form whether it be yellow, pink, red or blue.

Resin from the Wattle tree

From Brown Goshawks soaring high up in the blue skies keeping vigilant in their vast domain to the little Grey Fantails flittering about in the dense growth.
The Red Kangaroos lazing around sharing this amazing park with the Brush-tailed Possums, Short-beaked Echidnas and Bats.
The  Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park is home to an abundant variety of birds and wildlife for all to enjoy.

It is home to a diverse range of rare plants and is recognised as a significant area for the conservation and protection of the region's flora. Situated in the Willunga sub-basin, the Aldinga Scrub is an impressive backdrop of sand dunes, and sand blows (mobile dunes), mallee scrub, remnant red gum forests and closed heaths.
Several walking trails provide fantastic opportunities to enjoy the park's habitat and coastal plant life.
Lacy coral lichen, nardoo, hairy sedge and several species of orchids are among the park's rare species of flora.

Brown Goshawk ... Accipiter fasciatus

Grey Fantail ... Rhipidura albiscapa 

 

 The pleasure of being with nature and being able to share a Photographer's Day Out with everyone is about as good as it gets.
As we leave the Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park for the day the sun is beginning to go down and a calm is settling in. The Red Kangaroos are quietly grazing, the Magpies are heralding their magical harmonies, the little birds are all going to roost but we are not alone as eyes from deep within the trees have opened wide watching us leave, and I take my final photo.
 
Barn Owl ... Tyto alba

Gillian and Colin Rayment

 

We wander back to our vehicle past the Aldinga Scrub Wetlands and how could I possibly resist taking just one more photo.

An elegant Australian White Ibis going to roost displaying the Willunga Hills in the background.

 

 THE ARTIST'S PALETTE 

Australian White Ibis ... Threskiornis molucca

 



Canon EOS 1Dx

Lens EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM

 

Please come back and visit: www.wingsandwildlifephotography.com.au