Photos of Birds around the Alice Springs area

I saw these two Major Mitchell Cockatoos on a water trough. The first photo is at the start of a fluff-up and shake after a drink.

Crested Pigeon at the Water Trough

Galah at the water trough

and some from the Sewage Ponds in Alice Springs

Australian Reed Warbler

Black Kite

Black Swan

Grey Teal

Hardhead

Pink-eared Duck

Red-necked Avocet

Having fun with camera settings and birds in flight

I decided to try and test a few features of the camera recently and I'll probably look back and think "what was I thinking?" But, we have to start somewhere.

I was playing around with the shutter speed, attempting to get some of the birds in focus and other parts a bit blurred. Using the TV setting, I eventually settled on and 80 or a 100 speed, at least I think that's what I was doing. Enjoyed having a test anyway. Here are some of the shots:

Black Swan coming in to land

Shutter speed 1/40

F 32

I have taken quite a few photos of Red-necked Avocets in flight, mainly because they tend to stay about the same distance away from you and do at least a semi-circle around and then fly off. These photos were no exception. Check out the shadow in the last one.

Red-necked Avocets

Pelicans and others in flight at the Poo Ponds

Had a quick trip to the A;lice Springs Poo Ponds early yesterday afternoon in between helping a friend with his computer issues and picking the kids up from school. Being on holidays seems to be different these days, who gets to relax? Too many things to be done around the house. Probably what happens when you are out bush every week throughout the year! Anyway, onto the birding part.

Chris Watson (http://comebirdwatching.blogspot.com.au/) had reported a fledged Peregrine at the Poo Ponds via Twitter, so I thought if I got the chance I'd head into the ponds for the first time in a while. Chris had also mentioned some pelicans, and after learning the Peregrine was at the back part of the ASWTP, decided to just check out the birds in the near ponds and hopefully the pelicans.

There were two Pelicans, and the normally placid birds took flight with the ever-flighty ducks. They circled above the ponds for a while, long enough to take these shots. One thing I noted was the placement of the feet in flight:

Australian Pelican

There were a lot of ducks and Black-tailed Native Hens. This Native Hen I think was confused as to who it should be following:

Black-tailed Native Hen and Wood Ducks

The following photos are of other birds at the Poo Ponds:

Black Swan

Black-winged Stilts

Grey Teals in Flight

Red-capped Plover

Red-necked Avocet in flight

White-winged Fairy-wren

Wood Sandpiper

Enjoy your Bird-watching!