A hot but peaceful Friday morning: Archerfield Wetlands, 31 January 2025

Ever since I started going to Archerfield Wetlands, I’ve wanted to do the full walk to the north end of the wetlands, and this Friday morning seemed like the right time. It was a hot, sunny morning, but there were lots of birds so it was worth it.

I was greeted as I entered by a Tawny Grassbird, perched so prettily in the morning light:

I stood by the creek for a few moments to see if any birds would emerge. I was about to keep walking when suddenly I realised that five Welcome Sparrows had perched on the guide posts right in front of me. I felt like Snow White.

It was a great opportunity to finally get some nice photos of these little birds that are usually in motion.

This Little Black Cormorant was drying its wings high up in a tree:

And then the most exciting find of all. I’ve heard so many Pheasant Coucals on my bird walks and I”ve been trying to spot them, but they’re elusive.

I finally spotted this one calling to another Pheasant Coucal across the path. Eventually it flew over, presumably to share its meal.

I really enjoy taking photos of birds in funny positions, and I loved this one of a Blue-Faced Honeyeater with its tail all fanned out:

It must have been breakfast time, because I also spotted this Laughing Kookaburra with a gigantic spider:

All the dead trees at Archerfield Wetlands make for such fun photos.

And there were loads of Rainbow Bee-Eaters around:

Another photography thing I’m practising is getting shots of birds in flight, and I love this one:

Almost at the end of the walk, I spotted a lifer—the Pale-Headed Rosella:

And then on the way back, there were multiple families of finches congregated in the bushes. I love how this Chestnut-Breasted Mannikin was posed:

Another bird-in-flight shot—hard to see the bird (Merlin thinks it’s an Australasian Darter, which is probably true) but I just loved how the clouds and light looked against the silhouette of the bird: