Tuesday 17 March 2009

Pacific Black Duck

Went out with the local Field Naturalists on Sunday to Lake McDonald Botanical Gardens at Cooroy. Bird life on the lake was few in number probably due to the widespread rain. This Pacific Black Duck came close enough for a photo, unlike the Wandering Whistling Duck which stayed too far away for the camera. Among others also recorded here on this day were Comb-crested Jacana and Peregrine Falcon.

Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa)

As we wandered around the Gardens we came upon this interesting group of birds.
From left - Little Black Cormorant (Phalacrocorax sulcirostris), Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa), Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus), Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo). (Can you find the turtle?).

There were many Dragonflys and Damselflys on and around the lake, among them this Blue Skimmer (Orthetrum caledonicum)

The view along one of the many pathways in the gardens.

One of the many Banksias in flower.

To finish off the day we stopped at Yellowbelly Waterhole for afternoon tea on the way home where there were lots of birds to be seen and heard. So it was decided to come back here another afternoon for a barbecue and birdwatching. Well over 80 bird species were recorded for the days outing.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Awesome capture of the Pacific Black Duck Neil! And yes I found the turtle at the foot of the duck!

That is an interesting grouping and I love the Australian Pelican!

Gouldiae said...

G'day Neil,
Nice day out it seems, certainly worth a return trip.
Gouldiae

Bob Kaufman said...

Lovely facial markings on the Black Duck, Neil. Great shot.

Neil said...

Thanks Larry, Gouldiae, Bob and Cynthia, we are going back this weekend.