Jerrabomberra Wetlands still justifies the name (just)
We decided to go far a stroll around Jerrabomberra Wetlands today. Knowing its risky to park at the Wetlands ..
.. we parked at the canoe club and walked to Kelly's Swamp.
There is quite a lot of exposed mud there giving some of the Grey Teal a Dunlin-like black belly.
They made a surprising amount of noise slurping around in the mud. Even more surpising was the sound of the Swamphens trudging across the ooze.
Frances noticed the unusual lighting effects of the reflection of things, such as this snag, being 90o from the shadow. I'm sure they are independent phenomena but is still looked (and looks) odd.
There were 5 Black-fronted Dotterel in the smaller part of Kellys, enjoying the mud.
There were 10 Red-kneed Dotterels in the larger part of the Swamp. You can't see the red knees (which are actually ankles) as the water was just deep enough to cover them.
The Swamp is going to be dry soon!
We then headed off on the Billabong Loop ...
... noting a further 5 Red-ankled Dotterels in the far end of Kellys. Getting to the Billabong itself we saw this good looking Royal Spoonbill. As it doesn't have the yellow crescents above the eyes it is a juvenile
An Australian White Ibis joined the Spoonbill
.. and both were joined in a non-photographable way by a Straw-necked Ibis.
We also saw a couple of interesting insect. I'm not game to identify either of these to order! Suggestions welcome. These have subsequently been identified by Penny Gullen. The first is a Field Cricket Teleogryllus sp.
This is a nymph of a bug, probably a Harlequin Bug, Dindymus versicolor.
We staggered back to the car, with me in particular going slowly as my back lets me know I have done too much wood splitting!
.. we parked at the canoe club and walked to Kelly's Swamp.
There is quite a lot of exposed mud there giving some of the Grey Teal a Dunlin-like black belly.
They made a surprising amount of noise slurping around in the mud. Even more surpising was the sound of the Swamphens trudging across the ooze.
Frances noticed the unusual lighting effects of the reflection of things, such as this snag, being 90o from the shadow. I'm sure they are independent phenomena but is still looked (and looks) odd.
There were 5 Black-fronted Dotterel in the smaller part of Kellys, enjoying the mud.
There were 10 Red-kneed Dotterels in the larger part of the Swamp. You can't see the red knees (which are actually ankles) as the water was just deep enough to cover them.
The Swamp is going to be dry soon!
We then headed off on the Billabong Loop ...
... noting a further 5 Red-ankled Dotterels in the far end of Kellys. Getting to the Billabong itself we saw this good looking Royal Spoonbill. As it doesn't have the yellow crescents above the eyes it is a juvenile
An Australian White Ibis joined the Spoonbill
.. and both were joined in a non-photographable way by a Straw-necked Ibis.
We also saw a couple of interesting insect. I'm not game to identify either of these to order! Suggestions welcome. These have subsequently been identified by Penny Gullen. The first is a Field Cricket Teleogryllus sp.
This is a nymph of a bug, probably a Harlequin Bug, Dindymus versicolor.
We staggered back to the car, with me in particular going slowly as my back lets me know I have done too much wood splitting!
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