After allowing myself one day of wandering around Brisbane in order to adjust to the 14-hour time difference and overcome the lack of sleep while traveling, I was ready to venture further afield. Luckily, I had connected with Madahmas of the blog Poetuition via Twitter before leaving the states. She suggested an outing with Birds Queensland to the Anstead Bushland Reserve.
Madahmas not only gave me a ride, but also fed me morning tea, provided a field guide, pointed out my life Laughing Kookaburra, and took me on a scenic tour on the way back. She and her daughter Sofea were delightful company as well as a better reference to the birds than any book could be. It’s one of my best memories of the trip, and the only time I had for birding per se. A big thank you to Madahmas and Sofea for their gracious hospitality and good company.
Unfortunately, this is the only bird photo I took that day that turned out at all, and it’s not the kookaburra, it’s a grey fantail.
Bird List – Anstead Bushland Reserve
August 30, 2009
- Common Bronzewing
- Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
- Rainbow Lorikeet
- Laughing Kookaburra
- Red-backed Fairy-wren
- Superb Fairy-wren
- Variegated Fairy-wren
- White-browed Scrubwren
- White-throated Gerygone
- Striated Pardalote
- Noisy Miner
- Scarlet Honeyeater
- White-throated Honeyeater
- Varied Sitella
- Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
- Golden Whistler
- Rufous Whistler
- Olive-backed Oriole
- Australian Magpie
- Spangled Drongo
- Grey Fantail
- Torresian Crow
- Leaden Flycatcher
- Apostlebird
- Silvereye
- Double-barred Finch
I missed a few, and I don’t count birds heard but not seen on my personal list, so there’s an official tally for the group that’s just a bit longer. However, a day spent birding is a good day, and a day with 26 lifers is an even better day. The best day of all is one spent with friends and fellow birders.
{ 14 comments }
You are in Australia? Oh MY word, Wren! How did you get so lucky! I love some of those names of the birds-so poetic! Keep on having a great time!
I was, I’m back now. It was a business trip (conference and presentations), but I did have a couple of extra days to sightsee and bird. Mr Wren wasn’t able to make the trip with me, so it didn’t morph into the vacation we had originally hoped it would be. But that’s okay, I now have an excuse to go back!
Well done! A list of names of species I’m not at all familiar with, but loved reading nonetheless!
I wouldn’t say I was familiar with them, exactly – I’d have had far fewer ids without the prompting of my colleagues.
What a perfect blue sky & I love how the tree bark contrasts with the blue. Very nice!
and it’s a great memory of a unique day …
Welcome to Wrenaissance!
Wonderful to find a nice guide who is a fellow blogger. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip.
I did, indeed.
Yet still a delightful photo and you still hold now some fond memories of a good day with some friends… as you have said. The weather looks like it held nice for you!
~Michele~
The weather was delightful all week; even when it rained it didn’t last long. One of the nicest things about blogging and birding is that where ever you go, you have an introduction and a common interest.
Thank you for the ice-cream treat at the top of Mt. Cootha.
My pleasure, Sofea. I love ice cream, especially chocolate.
Hey there,
glad that you had a good guide.. good on you madhamas!
,
That is a pretty awesome list for a day’s trip. I wouldnt mind that one myself..
,
hope you enjoyed the aussie hospitality.
cheers,
steve
Steve, it was awesome – I had a blast, and Birds Queensland members were not only friendly but a wealth of helpful information about birds and just about anything else. And I can’t thank Madhamas and Sofea enough for my day out birding.
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