Big surf

The last few weeks saw a very slow storm front moving across the eastern states of Australia.

Dominated by an intense low pressure system, a vast amount of rain fell from northern
Queensland to Victoria.

This map from the Bureau of Meteorology illustrates the situation as the system left the coast.

Along with the rain came wild seas with just under 6 metre swells.

A short vid of the action that pounded the shores is below, though fails to

capture the immensity of those massive waves.

Some flooding was experienced here, though nothing of the order in other areas.

A few pics to give an idea follow.

With one of the wettest, coolest summers on record and a cool Autumn following, it leaves one to wonder if this Winter will be a reflection of that experienced in the Northern Hemisphere this year.

Visit to Potoroo Palace

With my sister-in-law over for a visit it was only natural to visit a wildlife park so that she 

might become accustomed to some of Australia's wondrous animals up close and personal.

One such park is located a little south of us that fits the bill quite well - The Potoroo Palace.

With resident Kangaroos and Emu to be fed, as well as Native snakes, Echidna and a wide 

variety of native birds it is a most pleasurable diversion even for those accustomed to seeing 

these animals in the wild on a regular basis.

Below are a few shots.

Despite my familiarity with these creatures  I was happy to have 

the surprise of photographing my first white Echidna

I Include a link to their website HERE should you wish to visit this small though interesting wildlife park.

Kickboxing Kangaroos

Today I was lucky enough to see a sparring match between two kangaroos.

The video below captured most of the action and you should pay attention

to the first 4 to 10 seconds where an interaction between one of the opponents

and another kangaroo seem to spark the action that follows.

This video is available in higher resolution HERE

Many wallabies and kangaroo have been present in our area 

of late with this afternoons gathering one of the largest with

over 15 kangaroos present in the mob.

Seahorse find

Last week I was out fishing from the beach, when Madeleine Sing 

found this interesting Seahorse washed ashore.

Being over 30cm in length, it is rather large.

 I have been unable to find a classification for this interesting specimen and would be 

interested to know whether or not it was local to my area of South Eastern Australia.

For the fishermen out there the fishing yielded two nice Salmon.

Predatory dog fights

Below are the photos in relation to my Facebook post at:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/DBS-Young-Photography/206128072740954

I believe the action was between two nesting Whistling Kites and a Sea Eagle.

These series of shots document the fast paced aerial action that accompanied protection of 

the Kites young and territory. 

Things got wing to wing often and, at one time, the Sea Eagle crash landed on the river bank.

This photo shows all three birds involved.

The Kites had to be quick to avoid the talons of the Eagle.

This close up of one of the birds doing all the protecting is for ID purposes.

I believe it to be a Whistling Kite.

A spectacular display between predators.

A bird with attitude

You should always have a lookout.

Thats what this Butcher Bird was up to while the scene was unfolding below.

Its mate was sitting with a young bird, on the dogs lead, feeding from the dog bowl.

What is amazing is that the dog was blissfully unaware of the happenings not more that three metres from it.

They even stripped the bone that was left from the Christmas roast.

Butcher Birds are very inquisitive and friendly, one of the adult pair being a bird that was first introduced to us when it was a chick itself.

We have now had four generations of birds introduce their young to us as a good spot for a quick feed.

Luna Eclipse Australia 2011

Although total Luna eclipses are rather common, it is a little hard

 to see two in one  year unless you are willing to do a little travel.

Fortunately I was in Germany earlier this year during such an event

 and even more  fortunate to see one last weekend in Australia.

This weekend's event was nearly marred by cloud cover,

 though It cleared enough to get the following shots.

These were taken over an hour as we progressed to full eclipse.

It then clouded over, though I was able to get some nice glimpses as

 the moon  moved back out of the shadow of the Earth.

The link to the earlier event in Germany is HERE.

SHAME

A a nature photographer I have nothing more to say.

A picture says a thousand words.

This can speak for itself.

If you dont know what all the fuss is, its about time you found out and made a stand.
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2011/s3385164.htm

My November Post

Having been busy on a number of projects lately, I felt a little slack at not having posted more this month.
So, at the twelfth hour, a summing up of the most memorable photographic happenings of November would be the storms we have been getting.
These electrically violent events light up the sky, as you can see below.

Last night was no exception, with this shot one of a number taken from a storm that covered a distance from Bermagui to Bourke, following a low pressure system that crossed the entire state of NSW.

With fire bans in place from tomorrow, we enter into Summer with good spring growth drying  that could provide fuel for fires started from storms such as this one- with other areas in Australia having had some bad brushfires recently, the precautionary advertisements have already begun.

Beneath the surface

A trip to Wollongong afforded a visit to the Botanical Gardens for the kids to feed the ducks.

Though as the ducks chase the pieces of bread on the surface, the long forms of eels move beneath the scene.

Its a wonder more ducks dont disappear, with these guys measuring over 2 metres length.

They were very inquisitive and interested in the camera, showing no fear as they fought for bread around my extended arm.

I managed to get one to raise itself some 300mm above the surface to take a piece of bread from my hand.

All in all more fun feeding the eels.

Montague Island

Yesterday I had the chance to get a tour of Montague Island and its surrounds.

Many thanks to my mate Grahame from Bermagui Eco Tours for the trip.

( you can contact him on grahame@headhuntercharters.com.au)

Montague Island is an interesting spot consisting of natural and historical heritage areas.

Below is a colony of Arctic Turns.

There are also many Fairy Penguins on the Island.

This one is returning to its nest in the evening.

These Seagulls are announcing the return of the Penguins and swarm the area above the water.

The Island has a large Seal colony, with much of the area surrounding the Island being part of  a marine Park.

The Island also has very interesting Basalt and Granite outcropping, with the distribution of the Basalt on the Northern side and Granite to the South, with the Granite used to build a lighthouse in the late 1880's.

The following view is to the North from the lighthouse, with the Southern view unpublished due to the presence of significant Aboriginal heritage sites.

It is possible to stay on the Island - contact Narooma Tourism Association for further details.

Thanks to my mates from National Parks and Wildlife for making the stay so enjoyable.