Plains-wanderer (female)
Pedionomus torquatus
Critically Endangered in Victoria & Australia

Winter 2019
Patho Plains of Victoria, Australia

Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens
Canon 600EX II-RT flash

One of Australia's rarest & most quirky birds - the Critically Endangered Plains-wanderer. These tiny birds measure only 15-19cm tall, with the male being noticeably smaller than the female (pictured). The female also has a wonderful orange colouring on her chest & the unmistakable black & white checkered neck feathering.

These birds are so unique that they are categorised in an entire family of their own, Pedionomidae, derived from the word Pedionomus, which is Greek for "haunting the fields".

Plains-wanderer habitat is sparse native grasslands, located on the Northern plains of Victoria & the Riverina region of NSW. They are very particular about their environment, & with much of their original grasslands no longer suitable due to over-grazing, they are now only found in a few remote locations. Further impacting their survival is predation by the introduced Red Fox & feral cats - there is estimated to be fewer than 1000 Plains-wanderers remaining in the wild.

Thankfully there is hope for these wonderfully unique birds. There are several partners involved in the conservation efforts to protect the Plains-wanderer, including Trust for Nature, Zoos Victoria, Parks Victoria, DELWP, North Central Catchment Management Authority, universities and private landholders. Efforts include monitoring, managing & protecting suitable habitats, predator eradication, as well as a tri-state (Victoria, NSW & South Australia) captive breeding program aimed at boosting wild population numbers.

May these little ghosts of the night continue to haunt the fields for many more years to come.

Tags:   Plains-wanderer birds bird Pedionomus torquatus

© All Rights Reserved

Crested Tern
Thalasseus bergii

December 14th, 2020
Killarney, Victoria, Australia

Canon EOS R5
Canon EF 600mm f4L IS III USM lens
Canon EF 1.4x III Extender

Fascinating to watch this young Crested Tern playing with seaweed before sunrise. The Tern would fly high in the sky, hover momentarily, then drop the piece of seaweed towards the sea before swooping down to snatch it once more.

Tags:   Crested Tern Thalasseus bergii birds bird tern

© All Rights Reserved

Pink Cockatoo (male)
Lophochroa leadbeateri
Critically Endangered in Victoria

September 8th, 2022
Patchewollock, Victoria, Australia

Canon EOS R5
Canon EF 600mm f4L IS III USM lens
Canon EF 1.4x III Extender

Remember when I said we left Lake Cargelligo because of all of the water? Well we ended up getting plenty of the same back in the mallee!

We'd decided to try & locate the local Pink Cockatoos that are often seen around the Wyperfeld National Park. As we approached the park passing through Patchewollock, it started absolutely bucketing down rain - & of course that would be when we spotted our first Pinkies!

We braved the rains & spent some time photographing the Cockies as they were busy feeding on the native Slender Cypress-pines in town. As the rains became heavier, the birds decided it was a good time to nap!

We got absolutely drenched, & I think I probably ended up with some moisture inside my viewfinder (have had fog issues ever since!), but it was well worth the soaking.

Tags:   Major Mitchell's Cockatoo Lophochroa leadbeateri birds bird cockatoo pink cockatoo

© All Rights Reserved

Beach Stone-curlew
Esacus magnirostris

September 28th, 2019
East Point, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Canon EF 600mm f4L IS II USM lens
Canon EF 1.4x III Extender

I was thrilled to find this Beach Stone-curlew wandering around a rocky shoreline on the last day of our Darwin trip last Spring. Feels like a lifetime ago now!

Tags:   Beach Stone-curlew Esacus magnirostris birds bird stone-curlew

© All Rights Reserved

Baillon's Crake
Porzana pusilla
Vulnerable in Victoria

October 17th, 2017
Werribee, Victoria, Australia

Canon EOS 1D X
Canon EF 600mm f4L IS II USM lens
Canon EF 1.4x III Extender

I just love these beautiful little crakes, they have wonderful colours & markings on their plumage. These tiny birds skulk in & out of dense reeds & rarely come out into the open. And when they finally did venture out from cover, they would quickly be chased away by other Baillon's or larger Spotted Crakes! So when I finally managed to capture this image to say I was pleased would be an understatement. Certainly made the gravel rash worth it!

Tags:   Baillon's Crake Porzana pusilla birds

© All Rights Reserved