Budgerigars in the morning at Docker River

Decided to head out early this morning and checked out the local poo ponds. Always a pleasure to go to such exotic locations for bird watching! Was very happy small flocks of budgies became bigger ones and then a largish one, probably around 200, not the thousands of a few years ago but still lovely to watch and hear a flock of wild budgerigars.

Budgerigars

 

Docker River Zebra Finches, Cockatiels, Crested Pigeons, Nankeen Kestrels and others

My last week staying in Docker River this week and the birds continue to flock to waterholes, water treatment plant and the roadside. I had just made some adjustments to my camera settings when a female Zebra Finch checked me out by the road. I think she was so close I could possibly have taken one of the shots with a polaroid camera and still had similar results.

Zebra Finch

and either a young or dirty male

The Cockatiels were back around the community and at the waterhole nearby. Gregarious and colourful, what is there not to like about Cockatiels? I can't think of anything.

Cockatiels

I really liked these two shots of Crested Pigeons with the first one in focus, and then the middle one in focus. If they weren't so common around Australia they would surely be much sought after for photographic subjects with that eye, the crest, and the beautiful colours in their wings.

Crested Pigeons

I took a couple of work colleagues out to the waterhole late this afternoon and on the way back asked them to stop as I had seen something unusual. Figured with them there then I might have a chance of surviving a snake bite so headed off into the scrub to get close to a family of Nankeen Kestrels. I had seen one of the adults fly off but there was still another adult looking after 3 young kestrels.

Nankeen Kestrels

also saw some Budgerigars at the waterhole

and Little Corellas

and there were some Sharp-tailed Sandpipers at the water treatment ponds

and these last two shots of the Whiskered Tern aren't great shots of the bird, but I really liked the shadows

Australian Hobby, Black Kite, insects and cloud formations - Alice Springs to Docker River

The change in the weather has brought about some changes in the visibility of bird life. Last week I drove down to Docker River, a beautiful drive from Alice Springs via Erldunda and Yulara, and the birds of prey were very noticeable. On Monday the wind was roaring and clouds rolled in from about Erldunda and the birds were conspicuous by their absence. I know they were still there somewhere, just not as easy to spot. One bird I managed to find was an Australian Hobby at one of the rest stops along the Lasseter Highway. Perched in a tree being blown around by the wind, it seemed happy enough for me to stop the car and take some photos.

Australian Hobby

"What was that?"

There was also a Black Kite who was struggling with the heat, perched high in a tree

Black Kite

The insects were making the most of the lack of birds, and they were enjoying the flowers in some of the trees near one of the places I stopped.

By far the most impressive sights of the day were the cloud formations and the scenery. Although it would have been nice to stay and watch the clouds over Uluru and the Olgas (Kata Tjuta), I had to push on to get to Docker River not too much after dark. The setting sun, the clouds and the red-dirt covered hills were spectacular. Here are some of the images

Docker River to Uluru

Started the day in the campground at Docker River. Once the only other group of campers left, I had the company of camels, dingoes and birds. Very peaceful and even though the birdlife wasn't spectacular in variety, the ones that were there kept me entertained.

Looking out from the campground towards the west early in the morning:

The campsite

Early sunshine in the grass tops:

This yellow-throated miner was keen for some morning tucker:

Get that into you!

I drove out from Docker River in the mid-afternoon and stopped at Lasseter's Cave Rest Stop. I'd love to show photos but the flies almost carried the camera away! Onwards to Kata Tjuta and Uluru.

Finally arrived at Kata Tjuta late in the afternoon after a slight issue with the exhaust and a clip that should have held it in place. A bit of handywork with a cut off data cable and the trusty gaffa tape and I was back on the bone-jarring road of corrugations.

So, at Kata Tjuta, I was desperate for the toilet more than anything, and stopped at the picnic tables and sunset viewing area. This delightful little Crested Bellbird hopped around not far from where I was sitting for a couple of minutes.

Satisfactorily relieved and refreshed, headed off towards Yulara, and stopped by the side of the road to take a few photos of Uluru. Was just getting my camera ready when this beautiful Crimson Chat was sitting in the middle of the road! I thought I'd missed the chance to see these on this trip so was pretty stoked it had chosen that part of the road to forage for insects.

The sun was setting rapidly and this little black-faced woodswallow seemed fairly content bathing in the last rays for the day:

and this singing honeyeater finally sat still long enough for a quick pose:

and when all is said and done, it is a beautiful rock at sunset!