Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Wildlife Wednesday - birds, birds, birds with a few other criiters

I'm just back from a most marvellous holiday to the Northern Territory - Alice Springs and Uluru. 

We're so lucky in Australia to be able to travel. I'm so lucky to be in a position where I can afford to travel. And I'm incredibly lucky to have the health that allows me to travel - and for the first time in at least 15 years, I travelled without complete and utter exhaustion (with a few mega-walking days too!).

Going to the Territory in December isn't the smartest thing if you're not a fan of hot temperatures. Most days were between 38 - 44C. We had a couple of days under 38C which was fantastic. Nights were in the mid to late 20s. But we knew we could do the hot, dry heat of the centre. We used to live in the centre of NSW, which has similar weather conditions, so I was hoping I hadn't become 'soft' living on the coast. And I'm pleased to say I'm not too soft!

Travel when here are only domestic tourists, and in summer when people don't generally want to go to hot places without a beach, is BLISS for people who don't like crowds. Most of the McDonnell Ranges' sites we had to ourselves - except for the birds, insects, mammals, reptiles (and a Park ranger we kept bumping into - even in Woolies!).

So, here are some of the wildlife we encountered around Alice Springs. It was so incredible to see so many birds and be able to snap them. Some were right at the edge of my zoom lens - they seem to know to keep their distance! :)

Next week, I'll pop up some of the bird life from the Alice Springs desert Park. If you're ever up there, that place is incredible!

Crow escaping the heat

Brown Falcon

Crested Pigeon

White-rumped Miner - adult and juvenile

Wallaroos

White-browed Babbler

Port Lincoln Parrot

Black-fronted Dotterel

Zebra Finches having a drink

A blur of a rainbow bee-eater in flight (just above mid photo)

Rainbow bee-eater (back)

Diamond Dove

White-plumed honeyeater

Magpie Lark (pee wee)

Sacred Kingfisher (back)

Sacred Kingfisher (side)

Australian Magpie

Another Crested Pigeon

Another Miner

Another Brown Falcon, watching me carefully!

Spotted (or Western) Bower Bird


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