We’ve been hiding away in paradise these past couple of week’s with no Wi-Fi, but a wonderful connection...!
Warm days filled with walks on beaches fringed with coconut palms and along tracks in the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest to swim in cool mountain streams and waterholes…and balmy tropical nights under a canopy of stars – perfect!
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
Bramston Beach, Tropical North Queensland, Eastern Australia…
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
Feeding on the beach at dawn, an “Agile Wallaby” with a “Joey” in its pouch…
Hibiscus Coast, Eastern Australia.
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
Cape Hillsborough, Hibiscus Coast, Eastern Australia
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
The waters surrounding Clairview on the sunny Capricorn Coast was declared a Dugong Sanctuary in 1997. Even the casual observer can spot these magnificent mammals from the shoreline as they feed on the sea grasses.
Photos: Janet & Baz
Ps: We photographed this magnificent Dugong in another location (we weren’t so lucky to get up this close at Clairview!)
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
Nestled in the warm tropical waters of the Coral Sea, the Keppel Island Group provides a scenic and panoramic backdrop to Bluff Point, where green turtles can be viewed swimming placidly along the rugged Capricorn Coast…
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
Dawn, has to be one of the best times of the day, hey…!
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
Standing majestically in the Sunshine Coast hinterland just to the north of Brisbane, the Glasshouse Mountains have been drawing visitors for ten of thousand’s of years.
From our first Nation Peoples’ to Australia’s more recent contemporary explorers’ the mystical draw of the mountains is unmistakeable.
And we would like to acknowledge the Glass House Mountains area is of deep spiritual importance for the Jinibara, Gubbi Gubbi and Kabi Kabi Traditional Owners.
Remnants of volcanic activity millions of years ago the volcanic plugs glisten in the early morning sun and are spectacular bathed in the warm glow of a setting sun on the western horizon.
Whenever we visit the region we are sure to take in the spectacular walks in and around the mountains and we’ve done so over the past few days as we make our way north along Queensland’s tropical coastline.
A centrepiece of this spectacular region is Mt Tibrogargan.
In 1799, explorer Matthew Flinders wrote in his diary…
“…A stream of water induced us to stop for the night, the sun being then below the trees. At seven in the morning we were under the steep cliffs of the flat-topped peak…
…The steepness of the cliffs, utterly forbad all idea of ascending to the top.”
Matthew Flinder’s Diary
Having already climbed Mt Beerburrum, Matthew Flinders, together with his aboriginal guide Bongaree and two seamen camped overnight at Tibrogargan Creek. They had intended to climb Mt Tibrogargan but after viewing its steepness returned instead to Flinder’s ship the “Norfolk”.
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
We’ve finally broken our urban surrounds and back on the road exploring this great country of ours, Australia.
COVID-19 restrictions have affected our travel plans over these past few months as borders close and open. But we count our lucky star that is the only impact we’ve experienced. And hey, to those who have been directly affected by the terrible virus our thoughts go out to you.
Let’s all hope that the vaccines are the saviours we wish for…
Over the next few weeks we are heading north from Sydney, taking a coastal route to Cooktown in far north tropical Queensland – well that is the plan, weather permitting as there is still a cyclone lurking off the Queensland Coast.
Australia’s tropical north teems with wonderful wildlife, butterflies that are an iridescent blue, the majestic palm cockatoo, the nocturnal animals of the rainforest, and of course the fearsome salt water crocodile, to be photographed at a healthy distance!
The recent monsoonal rains have swollen the rivers and creeks and created spectacular waterfalls as the torrential rainfall that has fallen flows to the warm tropical waters of the Coral Sea.
Hopefully we can capture some of the beauty of Australia’s tropical north in our photographs and we look forward to sharing them with you as we head towards Cape York Penninsular.
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
Firm in our memory are the bushfires that inflicted great devastation on South-Eastern Australia during the last fire season that commenced late in 2019.
The horrifying scenes of large trees exploding in flame as fire raced across the landscape, indiscriminately destroying everything in its path…
Travelling around the Sapphire Coast, where we are currently camped, it is hard too find any area or community that hasn’t been affected by the fires that raged in the region.
The beaches are stained with black ash and pieces of burnt timber and the coastline is littered with thousand’s of acres of bushland that has been scorched and ravaged.
And our hearts go out to those affected, who have lost their homes and livelihoods’ and left with only the clothes they were wearing as they contemplate rebuilding their lives and communities.
Tragically, our unique Australian wildlife has also suffered greatly and areas are noticeable for the absence of birds, reptiles, mammals, our iconic koala’s and kangaroo’s and the most loveable wombat.
We were fortunate to see this wombat at Green Cape, where it was foraging in the middle of the day, and whilst they are a solitary animal, we have seen very few in the area.
We’re sure if it could speak, it would be a simple message, a plea to take action on climate change, now…!
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
Photographed at Green Cape Light-house, Sapphire Coast, South-Eastern Australia.
Nature, in all its splendour, how good is it, hey…!
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.Cheers, Baz & Janet
Twofold Bay, Sapphire Coast, South-Eastern Australia…
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.Cheers, Baz & Janet
Australia has many types of black cockatoos, this beautiful bird; the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo is a familiar sight in the Australian Bush…
But we never grow tired of spotting and photographing them.
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the red earth touching a blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a warm turquoise blue sea…
A few years ago we graduated from work and re-entered the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
Located in the small coastal town of Tumby Bay on the Eyre Peninsular in South Australia, the artwork depicts two boys jumping into the cool waters of the Spencer Gulf from the local jetty on a hot summers day…
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the ochre red earth touching a deep blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a turquoise blue sea; and the characters you meet in a quiet country pub, where it is nothing flash, but you are enriched by the encounter…
A few years ago we decided it was time to graduate from work and re-enter the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
The painting of murals on the many stark looking grain silos that dot Australia’s rural landscape has been a relatively new and welcome trend.
They have given a much-needed economic boost to many country towns as tourists’ criss-cross the roads often less travelled in search of this art form…
And it is not hard to be impressed by these murals, some that pay homage to an individual, others a town or region, and in some cases, the fabric of our nation.
In the Central West township of Dunedoo, artist Peter Mortimore was well advanced in painting a tribute on the town’s silo to Winks, Australia’s much loved super-racehorse, when we passed through recently.
Hugh Bowman, Wink’s regular jockey, was born in Dunedoo and provides the connection for the mural, one that he features in.
Silo Art is limited only by imagination and it is hard not too marvel at the precision and perspective that many of the murals provide, especially given the size of the ‘canvas’ that the artists’ are working with.
In a park next to the rail-siding in the small Victorian town of Goorambat we sat in the shadow of the silos proudly displaying beautiful artwork. And truly, these are masterpieces of the highest order.
Whilst we photographed the murals from every possible angle, ensuring that we didn’t miss a perspective, Keith, a long-term resident sat quietly with an array of tea-towels and postcards for sale showcasing this beautiful art work. The proceeds from these sales go towards the upgrade of visitor facilities in this small town.
We clicked away before taking a walk up the main street, towards the pub and past the town’s community hall where we made what we thought was an amazing discovery, well for us at least.
Set in stone at the front of the hall was a plaque commemorating the Royal visit of Queen Elizabeth to Goorambat in 1954.
Now there is no reason why the Queen shouldn’t choose to visit Goorambat, but we were intrigued to learn more about the visit.
We were hopeful Keith would still be at the park and that he would be able to share some knowledge of the Queen’s visit.
Keith’s story and personal account of that day evolved like a good novel by the fire on a cold night.
And not only about the Queen’s visit all those years ago, but also of his family, its connection to the town and region, of how his grandfather built the home he and his wife of over sixty-years live in today.
Keith spoke about the good times and the bad times, a familiar feast and famine story of our harsh land, and how Goorambat’s fortunes were affected by ‘progress’ over the years.
“What about the Royal visit?” we asked…
Keith paused, as though surveying a time long past in his mind.
Clearly, his memory of the event was as fresh as the day the Royal train pulled into the siding.
“The lead-up to the visit was a hive of activity,” he recounted.
“We were newly married and in our early twenties”, Keith recalled. “There was a bustle like never seen before as the women baked and the men cleaned and painted every surface that could be found, and then more”.
He laughed…
After all, this would be the Queen’s first and last visit to Goorambat, of that he was certain, so everything had to be perfect…
“Simply perfect”, he said.
Seemingly, it was deemed that noise from passing trains along the main train line between Sydney and Melbourne would disturb Her Majesty’s sleep and that a siding off the main route would be selected for her overnight stay in country Victoria.
Keith surmised the bidding must have been intense for the right to host the Royal visit and with much pride and a wink, he said Goorambat was chosen and the rest is history.
That night, as the embers glowed in the campfire, we reflected on the possibility that Silo Art was to a town like colour is to a flower. Its artistic beauty drawing you towards something special, a story to be told and recounted, to be pollinated so it lives on…
Photos: Janet & Baz
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the ochre red earth touching a deep blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a turquoise blue sea; and the characters you meet in a quiet country pub, where it is nothing flash, but you are enriched by the encounter…
A few years ago we decided it was time to graduate from work and re-enter the classroom of life where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the ochre red earth touching a deep blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a turquoise blue sea; and the characters you meet in a quiet country pub, where it is nothing flash, but you are enriched by the encounter…
In 2017 we decided it was time to “graduate from work” and re-enter “the classroom of life” where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
Located on the picturesque Eyre Peninsular a short drive from the fishing community of Streaky Bay, Murphy’s Haystacks stand proudly in an ancient landscape framed by a deep blue sky.
Some might say that they look like “molars”, well perhaps a dentist might, in fact they are known as Isenberg’s, which are best described as a hill that looks like a rocky island rising from the sea.
So, how did they get to become known as Murphy’s Haystacks?
Folklore relates a story of a Scottish Agriculture expert who proclaimed that to grow good hay farmers needed to harrow their land for the best result. While travelling by coach he noticed the rock formation in the distance and advised his fellow passengers that this farmer harrowed his land to produce so much “hay”.
The rocks, being on Murphy’s property, became known as Murphy’s Haystacks and passing coachmen described them as haystacks to their passengers from that day onwards…
About us…
We love the colours of the Australian Outback, the ochre red earth touching a deep blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a turquoise blue sea; and the characters you meet in a quiet country pub, where it is nothing flash, but you are enriched by the encounter…
A couple of years ago we decided it was time to “graduate from work” and re-enter “the classroom of life” where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
If you travel the breadth of Australia, across its vast open plains and wide-open skies, you are bound to experience plenty of Diesel and Dust…
And doing it in summer you can experience some extremes of temperature and just recently we recorded an outside temperature of 50 degrees Celsius.
So with those types of temperatures we decided it best we lay up somewhere cool for a couple of days and there has been no better place to do that than Burra in South Australia
Burra, or Kooringa as it was originally named, was Australia’s first surveyed mining town. And in the early 1850s it was Australia’s largest inland town and boasted the famous “Monster Mine” which was established after shepherds discovered copper in the rocky outcrops near Burra Burra Creek.
History doesn’t record the shepherds as becoming rich from the discovery, but it certainly made its many shareholders wealthy over time.
Speaking of time, it has almost stood still in Burra, which is now on the Register of the National Estate and many of its buildings are listed on the Heritage Register.
And the fans of the Australian Rock Band Midnight Oil will recognise the “Old Burra Homestead” which proudly stands in a paddock on the outskirts of town.
Diesel and Dust, hey we’ll take that any day.
About us…
We have always loved the colours of the Australian Outback, the ochre red earth touching a deep blue sky on a faraway horizon; and the fabulous coastline of our sunburnt country, where a golden sandy beach is washed over by a turquoise blue sea; and the characters you meet in a quiet country pub, where it is nothing flash, but you are enriched by the encounter…
A couple of years ago we decided that it was time for us to “graduate from work” and re-enter “the classroom of life” where an education is guaranteed and all that is needed is an open mind.
Now let me repent for just a moment, we haven’t disappeared into the wilderness over these past couple of months, although you might be forgiven thinking so given our absence from these pages.
TomO, the Crown Prince, has been finishing his final year of High School and sitting his High School Certificate (HSC) and University entrance exams, (oh please, don’t start me on that topic) so that’s where our focus has been. Mind you he has managed this intense period extremely well and hasn’t been too stressed about it.
TomO – First day of school
Barker College
TomO – the Diver
TomO – The Army Cadet
TomO – Final day of school
Maybe he has been a little too relaxed, but hey, that’s not a bad way to live your life…!
Anyway, that is all behind us, and importantly, behind TomO as he sets his sights on a “gap year” before commencing his Undergraduate Degree at University; a Bachelor of Arts majoring in History, his favourite topic.
And rest assured, we haven’t wasted too much time getting (back) Out and About in this great country of ours, and last week we took the opportunity to spend some time on Sydney’s northern beaches, kayaking, hiking, and cycling…
Xplore – Our touring set-up
Whilst we are quite accustomed to travelling many thousand’s of kilometres exploring our fabulous country, this trip was about 40-kilometres each way – mind you, we’ve always said there is plenty to see in your own backyard if you just take the time to look, so we lived to that motto as we enjoyed a camp lakeside at Narrabeen Lagoon.
Next week we are off to Scottsdale Reserve, situated south of Canberra, to do some volunteer work on this conservation property owned and managed by Bush Heritage Australia…
But hey, about this graduation from work thing I embarked on early last year. Crikey, let me tell you, do it if you can, life’s too short to contemplate what could have been…
One of the things I have come to appreciate is time – you don’t need to do everything at a break-neck speed, no work deadlines to be met, sleep in, if that’s what is needed or get up for a walk or a row up in the “shed” in the pre-dawn magic.
The Shed
No rules, and strewth, you’re right, wouldn’t be “dead for quids”.
And Janet is itching to be Out and About, and she put the call out for me to “pack the TVAN Baz” and let’s head off down the driveway for some adventure in the Aussie Outback – yep, no encouragement needed on that one from me.
Speaking of which, we will cross the Australian Continent in December as we head to the West Coast for a couple of months…
Lake Cohen, Outback Australia
We’ll have cameras at the ready to capture the landscapes of this great country of ours and we’ll be sure to share them..
Yeah, this “graduation from work” thing is working out swimmingly.
One of the great things about being “Out & About” in this great country of ours is you never know what you might see next…
Recently I came across a great bunch of blokes riding their “Postie Bikes” halfway across Australia in support of a number of charities.
And no, they weren’t delivering the mail, but riding the bikes on our dusty outback roads was clearly thirsty work that could only be quenched with a cold beer at the end of the day’s touring…
Whether you are a Sydneysider or visitor to our fine city, if you are looking for a hidden gem overlooking the magnificent Sydney Harbour then this is the place for you…
The picturesque Ball’s Head Reserve situated on the Waverton Peninsular.
Covered in native trees the reserve has a number of walking tracks that meander around the headland taking you past the “Ball’s Head Coal Loader” which is situated alongside the Naval Base HMAS Waterhen.
The “Loader” was built in the early 1900s to supply Steamships with coal to use as fuel…
Mind you, it wasn’t without controversy, and our famous poet, Henry Lawson, wrote about it in his poem “The Sacrifice of Ball’s Head” in 1916.
Lawson, who lived in the area at the time, lamented the loss of the bushland to the ugly looking loader, spewing out its ugly “brown rocks” in such a beautiful setting. These days’ picnickers and hikers, who can enjoy this magnificent vista a stone’s throw from the urban chaos that is Sydney, have reclaimed the area…
We often travel thousand’s of kilometres into our colourful outback looking for those little gems of places just off the “beaten track” – but sometimes you don’t need to look much further than your own backyard; just scratch the surface and you never know what you will find.
And hey, Janet and I are pleased to say, just like Henry suggests in his poem, Ball’s Head is a great place to spend a glorious day.
Photos: Baz – The Landy
Baz – The Landy
“The Sacrifice of Ball’s Head” by Henry Lawson
They’re taking it, the shipping push,
As all the rest must go —
The only spot of cliff and bush
That harbour people know.
The spirit of the past is dead
North Sydney has no soul —
The State is cutting down Ball’s Head.
To make a wharf for coal.
Where picnic parties used to go
To spend a glorious day,
With all the scenery of a coast
And not a cent to pay.
The deep cool tangle shall be cleared
To make the glaring roads
And motor lorries jolt and grind
And drag their sordid loads.
And strings of grimy trucks shall run
In everlasting trains
And on the cliffs where wild trees are
Shall stand the soulless cranes,
To dump their grimy loads below,
Where great brown rocks are grand;
And the deep grass and wild flowers grow —
And boating couples land.
No more shall poorer families
Give “Grandma” and “Grandad”
A glimpse of nature’s mysteries
To make their old hearts glad.
No more our eyes shall be relieved
In the city’s garish day —
A sordid crime has been achieved!
And none has aught to say.
Now that Janet and I have finished the house painting I’m heading back into the “bush” next week for a few days to do some volunteering work with Bush Heritage Australia.
Oh, yeah sorry, that’s where we’ve been over the past few weeks, up and down ladders with tins of paint and a brush…
And for sure, whilst it was great to be giving our 100-year old California Bungalow, “Dinsmore” a coat of paint, we would much rather have been Out & About in this great country of ours capturing those wonderful vista’s that the Australia Outback is renown for in photographs…
So it will be great to be “back in the bush”…
I’ll be at Scottsdale Reserve, which is situated about 80 kilometre’s south of Australia’s Capital, Canberra. The Reserve is home to a remnant of Australia’s last ice age, the Silver-leafed Mountain Gum. Adapted to a time when this part of the world was much drier and colder, just ten populations of this little Mallee tree are thought to exist in Australia, and it’s vulnerable to extinction.
Currently, the area is exposed to drought conditions, so I’ll be spending my time watering trees recently planted.
Um, and yes, freezing cold down that way, so I’m packing some thermals…!
Croajingolong National Park looks much the same today as when Captain Cook first sighted it in 1770…
“..With the first daylight this morn the land was seen, it made in sloping hill covered in part with trees and bushes, but interspersed with large tracts of sand… I have named it Point Hicks because Lieutenant (Zachariah) Hicks was the first to discover this land..” April 19th 1770.
Photo: Baz – The Landy, Point Hicks, Southern Australia…
The Australian Bush is full of unique experiences, especially when it comes to our wildlife, and sometimes you might just find something interesting in your own backyard…
Recently, I was fortunate to observe a magnificent looking ‘Powerful Owl’ whilst walking the Warimoo and Sphinx Tracks at Bobbin Head, in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
Janet and I think of this area as our ‘backyard’ and over many years we have walked and kayaked through this area, which is little more than 20-kilometres north of the Sydney CBD. And yet, this was a first time spotting for us of the powerful owl, which is Australia’s largest, in this location.
Although, it is a familiar bird for us as we have visitations from one into the local park opposite our home. In fact, I heard our resident owl calling just a few nights ago…
Following my sighting of the bird last week I made contact with Beth Mott, Project Officer for the Powerful Owl Project with Birdlife Australia who was excited to review the area and to glean if there is a pair that might be raising a young chick.
So today, Janet, myself and Beth set off along the track to see if we could find any further signs of inhabitation.
Janet and I were on a steep learning curve when it came to bird observation, but Beth, who holds a Degree in Conservation Biology, and who has undertaken a PhD study on ‘Animal Community Dynamics’, enthusiastically showed us many of the ‘telltale’ signs to look for.
Um, that includes bird vomit and droppings, you know, poo!
Beth’s enthusiasm was infectious and on our walk she went on to explain…
“We aim to locate Powerful Owl breeding pairs within urban Greater Sydney, which also includes Newcastle in the north to Kiama in the south and west to the Blue Mountains.
We also aim to identify the location of nesting trees and record breeding behaviour and success.
This information will help determine the critical roosting and breeding requirements of urban Powerful Owls. We are collecting data on diet and foraging habitat to gain a greater understanding of their urban ecology, as well as look at threats (causes of injury and mortality) within the urban landscape.”
We were surprised to learn that there is estimated to be only around 400 Powerful Owls in the Greater Sydney Region and around 5,000 in Australia, and that puts them only one notch above being an “endangered species”.
Powerful Owls have a slow; double-note ‘whoo-hoo’ call that is soft, but very strong and resonant, and which can be heard more than 1-kilometre away. And the most common time to hear them is when they “wake” to a new day, at least for them, around dusk…
So if you hear that sound, take the time to look around your ‘backyard’ you might just find a special visitor, and if you do observe one, be sure to let the good people at Birdlife Australia know…
Photos: Baz – The Landy, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Bobbin Head.
Xplore 
