Painted Finch, Cockatiels, Yellow-rumped Thornbill and a couple of reptiles

The rains have disappeared at least for the moment and the countryside around Alice Springs is drying out. Puddles only last a day or two, and the birds need to find new water sources. I saw a group of about 1000 budgerigars heading west along the Macdonnell Ranges over the weekend.

I also saw a small group of Indian Ringneck Parakeets, not good for the local parrot populations. Hopefully the parakeets will be caught soon.

On the brighter side, there have been a few good photo opportunities recently, starting with this delightful Painted Finch who decided to land nearby as I was looking for a different bird. Always nice when these occasions happen along.

Painted Finch

Another delightful experience recently was a visit to the back yard gum tree by 4 Cockatiels, 2 males and 2 females. I feel very fortunate to have these lovely birds to watch without leaving home!

Cockatiels

Another nice and close encounter recently was a small group of Yellow-rumped Thornbills. Here was one that I managed to photograph without leaves or branches in the way.

And as the air and surrounds dry out, the reptiles seem to become more common, Below is a Long-tailed Dragon and a Sand Goanna.

Photos of birds, scenery and reptiles from Mt Liebig to Glen Helen

There were some enjoyable photo opportunities on the drive back from Mt Liebig to Alice Springs. Here are a few photos I took between Mt Liebig and Glen Helen.

Nyirripi and back - birds, reptiles and storms

This week I was working at Nyirripi, a small community 150 kms westish from Yuendumu. The birding wasn't spectacular, but the storms and sunrises were, not to mention the reptiles along the roads to and from.
The water treatment plant was a little disappointing (and overflowing) but I was prepared for this as there was a lot of rain around and plenty of places for the birds to get a drink.
This Grey-headed Honeyeater was very busy around the accommodation area:

Grey-headed Honeyeater

Here are a small selection of other birds seen both at Nyirripi and on the way back to Alice Springs:

The Crimson Chat Family Tree (near airstrip)

- female lower branch, male in the middle, young one on top

Fairy Martins (on fence near airstrip)

Mulga Parrot

Zebra Finch

With the rains that had been and were coming, the reptiles were out on the roads in numbers I haven't seen for a while. At one point I counted 20 sand goannas in a 5 km stretch. They generally stand on their front legs, back legs lowered, and from a distance look like another stick on the road. Then they drop their heads as the car approaches, and scurry off, their scurrying speed depended on the speed of the car.

Sand Goanna

This poor sand goanna was near the ponds at Nyirripi

Centralian Blue-tongue

This snake was in the middle of the road, probably hit by a car (not mine)

By far the most exciting part of the trip out to Nyirripi was the weather. The storms, the sunrises, the rainbows, and the clouds. Here is a selection of photos:

Sunrise

Double Rainbow

Storm Clouds

 

and I loved this signpost!

Enjoy your Bird-watching!

Crimson Chat, Major Mitchell Cockatoos and others

Saw some Crimson Chats today on the Tanami Road:

Crimson Chat

Major Mitchell Cockatoos

Camel drinking from mum

Sand Goanna

Oh, and I saw some more Budgies today, love these "Budgie Trees"!

Enjoy your Bird-watching!