The Fish River.
With the weekend weather perfect it was time to hitch the trailer, load the motorbike, pack the esky, bbq and head for Tarana. Set high in the mountains the Fish River is teaming with trout and bird life. We are privileged enough to have a friend who has a nice working farm with one kilometre of river front.
The campsite with motor bike,fly fishing rods and Binoculars at the ready!
With recent rains and warm sunshine the crops and grasses were as high as the landcruiser bonnet making for interesting, (read exciting), riding. Trout constantly leapt out of the water and a platypus swam to and fro. It was a classic spring day with everything in abundance.
Dollar Bird
David and I spent the day riding, fly fishing and bird watching. There were some interesting species- particularly the Dollar Bird which I have not seen for a number of years. Sitting under huge pines on the banks of a fast flowing river, trying our luck with fly fishing and lures is a top way to spend a weekend!
Small Rainbow Trout
We were invited back and look forward to spending more time there.
Birds seen:- Dollar Bird, Noisy Friar Bird, Brown Tree Creeper, Grey Fantail, Currawong, Red Rumped Parrot, Turquoise Parrot, Galah, Superb Fairy Wren, Willy Wagtail, Wedge Tailed Eagle, Pacific Black Duck, King Parrot,Bell Miner, Pee Wee, Australian Magpie, Laughing Kookaburra, Chrimson Rosella, Welcome Swallow, Restless Flycatcher.
I have a video of David screaming around the farm on his bike like a bee in a jar but for some reason I could not upload it...
ReplyDeleteHow fantastic. The list of birds is positively poetic. More soon...
ReplyDeleteProbably just as well, The sound of it might frighten the dollar bird off the page....
ReplyDeleteSusan- thanks! yes it was and the sound of their calls was something quite special in fact.
ReplyDeleteKiwi- spot on! If you look at the photo of him he is wet from getting the trout..one minute racing his bike the next up to his arms in water... "Boyish Enthusiasm" we call it... most people today would put him on Ritolin.... and be critical of guys who love to be active....
its curious to me that as a kid, i used to catch rainbow trout in the great lakes of canada. a big part of my childhood was spent on georgian bay/lake huron, which is part of the niagara escarpment. how do these species get all the way around the world?
ReplyDelete~laura
Laura- Its a great thing to do. Our first settlers put the trout in I guess as a food source and now the rivers and lakes are stocked as a sport.
ReplyDeleteI must confess fly fishing can be frustrating sometimes but the landscapes are stunning. This day was a classic- warm sun, the smell of blossum in the air, dragon flys, cool grass to sit on under pine trees... magic!
Hey Simon
ReplyDeleteWhat a great Dad you must be.... David must love his weekend adventures with you!!!
Hey did you watch The Block last night? I was thinking of you and wondering why you weren't up there doing your bit.. hahahah....
Catch you soon.. ciao ciao xxx Julie
Julie! Welcome back! Thanks! I think he enjoys getting out and about.
ReplyDeleteUm I have done those auction property shows in the past..I think they still show them on pay tv! :o)
Oh Simon, what a beautiful boy David is, and it's lovely you are teaching him your love of nature. Keep trying with that vid - it'll be so precious in years to come. I am currently wading through miles of footage from the kids early years, and am in parent heaven!
ReplyDeleteyes he a great guy thats for sure. I agree and thanks Shrinky
ReplyDeleteHey, can we go there? I'm going to get a telescopic fishng rod you can take anywhere. Did you eat the trout? Nice bird list mate.
ReplyDeleteYes we can I am sure. Put the trout back mate, a telescopic rod is prefect for where we are going!
ReplyDeleteMate I rteally think it is your fatherly duty to stamp down on that boyish enthusiasm of his. You know that it is a divorcable offence in Britain.
ReplyDeleteit is here as well!
ReplyDeleteThat bird is AMAZING, such stunning colors! I really wish I knew more about birds. But where to start?
ReplyDeleteI love the Dollar bird, and your son is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteMAry-Laure- thanks. I will email you what you need to start bird watching. Its a great hobby.
ReplyDeleteEllee- Thanks! I wont tell him as he has an ego :o)
Gorgeous Dave needs a haircut :o)
ReplyDeleteValérie
he sure does! I will tell him too! :o)
ReplyDelete