Birding and walking the outback

With a day  off I  decided to  pack the truck and really  explore the country west of Lake Wyalla. I  wanted to get a feel for the terrain, see what birds were about as well as any other wildlife.

One of the many creek beds.

The trip would take me into gullies, across the top of hills and into far corners. The contrasts in Australia are immense. I  always get the feeling of being so small and insignificant.

Rustlers roost.

At  Rustlers roost I  found a wallaroo. For my  overseas readers this is  like a Kangaroo, only darker and much  more solidly  built. Their eating patterns are different to that  of the Kangaroo as well.  He was enjoying the shelter and shade of the cliff face.

Lunch was had at a dry  creek crossing. A humble sandwich and a thermos of coffee was the order of the day.
The birding was solid, albeit the numbers were down.  Blue Bonnet, Yellow-throated honeyeater, and White-browed tree creeper were just a few I  spotted.

Some of the features of this place are the rocky  rises. I  took the time to  climb this one, and I am  glad I  did. From here you  could see the lakes, the creeks, areas of green contrasting with dry colours. You can  see where thunder storms have rained in some places and not others.

From the top the view was simply  stunning as wedge-tailed eagles and whistling kites soared over head

By late afternoon I  had returned to  a glorious sunset.

Birds seen:- Boobook Owl, Australian Magpie, Australian raven, Little Raven, White-winged Chuffs, Apostlebird, Blue Bonnet, Pee wee, Yellow-throated Honeyeater, whistling Kite, Black Shouldered Kite, nankeen Kestrel, Emu, Galah, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Cockateil, White-necked Heron, Pacific Black Duck, Pied Butcher Bird, White-browed Babbler, White-browed Treecreeper, Chestnut-rumped Thronbill, Rufus whistler, Hooded robin, Spiny-cheecked Honeyeater, Peaceful Dove, Black Swan, Swamp Harrier, Brown Falcon, Little Eagle, White-broed Wood Swallow, Little Corella, Zebra Finch, Australian pipit, Welcome Swallow, Wedge-tailed eagle, White-faced heron, Pink-eared duck, Black falcon, Black Fronted Dotterill, Crested Pigeon, Diamond Dove, Hoary-headed Grebe, Australian Pelican,  Black winged Stilt, Budgerigar, Major Mitchell, Chestnut -breasted Quail Thrush, Willy Wagtail, Australasian Shoveller, Pied Cormorant,  Yellow Spoonbill, Royal Spoonbill, Splendid Fairy Wren, JackyWinter, Laughing Kookaburra