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Jerringot with Glenn

September 23, 2013 by Jade Craven Leave a Comment

We were going to go up to Melbourne this week. I would probably have taken him to a cemetery (or several) before going our separate nerdy ways. Then Glenn realized it was school holidays.

We can go up to Melbourne when he has his month off. He knew I was hankering to do some animal watching so I took him to Jerringot.

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The first thing I noticed was that the swans were easy to see! They were very close to the hide and we managed to get some really good shots. Of course, Glenn isn’t very patient and has to get that ‘perfect’ shot at all costs. Basically, he scared the birdies away.

These swans are particularly skittish and we have been spoiled by the accessibility of the birds at Balyang.

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They all swam off in a single file, which I thought was adorable. They have grown so much! This is what I love about birdwatching. Getting familiar with an area and following the progress of certain birds. I’d love to know what happens to the swans once they’ve matured. Do they stay with their parents? Do they fly somewhere else?

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I walked along the back, hoping to see some of the other birds people have blogged about. I know they are meant to be well camouflaged, and many don’t come out until evening. It’s still disconcerting to not see anything. It’s like I’m not cut out for this. I was also concious that I had left Glenn behind without a camera and was worried that he was bored. Then I saw a flash of white.

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A hoary headed grebe! It swam off as soon as it saw me and my photos aren’t that great. Still – I saw a new bird.

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We went back to the hide so I can perve on birds. I gave Glenn the camera so he could practice photographing birds in flight; it’s something he loves.

I was having fun watching the birds interact and wished I had something so I could view them closer. Glenn agreed and left the hide in pursuit of better photos.

“Don’t worry – I won’t scare them away.”

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Famous last words. He doesn’t have the patience for birdwatching or holding out for a better shot. He needs the instant gratification. I’d rather learn this sort of stuff now rather then during a massive trip I’ve dragged him along too. We have different interests when it comes to photography and nature, and that’s cool.

“GLENN! Glenn!” I whispered loudly. “LOOK!”

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I’ve cropped and sharpened this photo so I could get a better look at identifying characteristics/markings. I love birds of prey but don’t see them that often. We don’t have a car so I can’t really visit the areas they visit.

This one was so beautiful. It would dive and fly behind the trees so it was hard to get a good shot, but then it came back and hung around in clear view.

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We had troubles focusing on the birds instead of the plants occasionally. I think this is normal but I don’t know how to improve our chances of getting the right shot. I really need to brush up on my bird photography skills! There is a workshop in Townsville next month but I can’t justify the cost on my limited income.

It was a good outing, and so close to home. We taxied it there and back and did groceries afterwards. It was an intense ‘weekend’ but wow, I love birds.

Filed Under: Barwon River, Geelong Tagged With: black swan, hoary headed grebe

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