It is with great sadness that I have to bring to a close this remarkable record of outstanding achievement.
Jim Fowler passed away on Thursday 12th May 2011 while doing what he had recently come to love best - kayak fishing on Coniston Water in the English Lake District. He leaves behind his two sons Alun and Carwyn, his sister Jill and his two adoring grandchildren, Jimmy and Heledd.
Gone but not forgotten, he will continue to be an inspiration to all who knew him.
Many thanks for the interest, support and stimulation you've provided through these pages; it is a comfort to know our loss is shared by so many wonderful friends.
Alun
Maalie
His Majesty the Maalie King records his travel and wildlife pursuits
Explorer and Independent Biologist
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Monday, 2 May 2011
Outback wildlife
Following previous floods further north in Queensland, the flood waters drained into the Darling River which overflowed its banks into the surrounding flood plain, covering huge areas. When Simon and I arrived in the Kinchega National Park, the water levels were starting to subside, leaving areas of muddy, boggy ground with lagoons that were drying out.
You can see the muddy margin of this lagoon
on the far side, as it begins to dry out
Simon tinkers with his engine before a tour of the
Kinchega National Park to observe the rich wildlife
Parts of the higher ground that was innundated
is now rendered to an impassable muddy surface
There are numerous wet areas that were previously dry.
This has resulted in population explosions of fish,
and the birds that feed on them.
As the lagoons dry out, the huge numbers of fish become concentrated,
making them easy prey for the voracious Great White Egrets,
and many other fish-eating birds
A mob of Pelicans circle round looking for somewhere
to join in the feeding bonanza
to join in the feeding bonanza
The Australian Darter uses its dagger-sharp bill to spear fish
Whistling Kites sit around the margins waiting to swoop
and grab a hapless fish from the water...
...whilst the Black Kite is more of a scavenger,
snatching fish from other birds, or tucking into dying fish
that have been stranded in shallow water as the lagoons dry out
Seed-eating birds, like these Red-tailed Black Cockatoos,
also benefit from the flooding when vegetation flourishes
Small flocks of Budgerigars appeared
as migrating flocks dispersed
but this Stumpy-tailed Lizard evidently found a dry place to survive
without realising that 'Fowler' means 'birdcatcher'
This is my final post on an Australian theme.
I should like to thank my hosts
Simon, Bonny, Rosalie, Susana and David
most sincerely for their warm and generous welcome
and for making me feel one of the family.
Next stop Japan!
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Outback Kinchega
After a day on the Southern Ocean, it was time to head back towards the centre of Australia and the outback.
The roads can be long, straight and deserted.
It is not unusal to drive for 250 miles in a straight line
without seeing another car!
In the harsh desert conditions of the Australian outback,
Simon's 6-Cylinder factory-turbo Toyota Landcruiser
is an appropriate vehicle for exploration
...where our accommodation was the old sheep-shearers quarters
of the former woolshed built in 1850,
now preserved as a historic heritage site
of the former woolshed built in 1850,
now preserved as a historic heritage site
This year the desert has come to life with fresh growth after recent rains
Flood waters from further north in Queensland drain into the River Darling
that flows through the Kinchega National Park.Lakes that have been dry for over a decade are now brimming full
as the River Darling flowed into the flood plainThe gum trees, now with wet roots, have lush new growth
I shall show more pictures of the Kinchega lakes
and some of the wildlife in my next postSaturday, 23 April 2011
Pelagic trip
On 23rd April Simon and I participated in a pelagic boat trip operated by the Southern Ocean Seabird Study Association (SOSSA), leaving Wollongong Harbour to cruise some 25 miles (30km) to beyond the continental shelf to 34.38S, 151.12 E. What birds might be seen depends on the time of year and we were delighted to record about 18 species of seabird from the boat.
On leaving the harbour, Crested Terns were flying past the boat
Clear of land, throwing out offal and food scraps
attracted many seabirds close to the boat,
attracted many seabirds close to the boat,
even close enough for catching and ringing
Among the first to be seen were Flesh-footed shearwaters...
...and the more elegant Wedge-tailed Shearwaters
A rare Providence Petrel puts in an appearance
Further out to sea, the first Albatrosses appear
Black-browed Albatross - note the characteristic under-wing pattern,
compared with...
...the Shy Albatross
which has a much narrower black margin to the under-wing.
Some Campbell Island Albatrosses show up,
distinguished from the closely-related
Black-browed by the conspicuous yellow eye...
The yellow staring eyes of the Campbell Island Albatross,
compare with...
...the darker eye of the Black-browed
A Campbell Island Albatross is caught and I was allowed to ring this bird
A single Buller's Albatross graced us with its presence
The real excitement of the day occured when a Great Shearwater flew
in and circled the boat.
This species is extremely rare in Australian waters
The bird was enticed close to the boat with bait and was skillfully caught and ringed
We thoroughly enjoyed the whole excursion which was excellently organised, with good company, friendly and extremely knowledgable & helpful leaders. The trip is excellent value for money and we recommend it unreservedly to anyone who loves the sea and seabirds.
Visit the SOSSA Webesite (and make bookings) here.
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Wollemi
Our next adventure in Australia was two days camping int the Wollemi National Park. It is the second largest national park in New South Wales, and contains some of the largest wilderness area of mountain and forest. It lies 129 kilometres northwest of Sydney and forms part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. Our camping site was at an especially attractive part called Dunn's Swamp (see a film about the swamp here).
The forest and Canyons of the Wollemi National Park, New South Wales, Australia
Dunn's Swamp fows through the centre of the canyon
Curious eroded rock formations known as the Pagodas
Bird life included the Purple Swamp Hen...
The cheeky Laughing Kookaburra
that woke us at dawn with its cackling laughing cries...
And the charming Flame Robin
When darkness falls, Simon replaces his binoculars with a head-torch
and prepares a barbeque of lamb chops and bacon.
Vegetables were represented by fried onion rings.
The beer contains yeast products.
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Sydney
Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House and Botanic gardens.
That's an item on my "Ought to See" list ticked off.
Now, please may we now go back into the outback?
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Willandra
Our first foray into the Australian outback was four days camping in the Willandra National Park. The park is a former sheep station, that was famous for its wool. Now, the homestead and surrounding plains habitat are being restored to its original state and the biodiversity is recovering. Read more about the history of the Willandra National Park.
Sunrise over a backwater of the Willandra Creek
The shearing sheds and buildings of the former sheep station
are preserved for posterity in the Willandra National Park
Secluded billabongs are a haven for wildlife
The principal habitat under conservation are the grassy plains
which stretch to the horizon
After a decade of drought, recent rains have brought
life and colour back to the grasslands
With our two vehicles we set of for a safari
around the Willandra National Park
The grasslands are a habitat for Emu and...
Red Kangaroo
After the safari, David fishes for carp in a billabong...
...while Bonny and Simon set up a barbecue
under the shade of a coolibah tree...
...watched over by inquisitive Gallahs
At the end of the day, a blazing sunset over the Willandra plains
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