During Margie’s and my recent trip to Hattah Kulkyne National Park we took photos of a number of birds encountered in the Park, and along the way. Photographing birds is very enjoyable and most rewarding. Some birds were quite elusive and were difficult to photograph. Although we could see them at a distance they would not let us get close enough for a reasonable quality image. It does require a fair amount of patience – and luck. We are keen to visit this area again soon on our quest for more photos of these beautiful subjects!

The above birds were photographed in the following areas.

Hattah-Kulkyne National Park

We camped at Lake Mournpall. The Hattah lakes system was accessed from near the visitor centre along Mournpall track. Open country, dunes, and lakes fringed with River Red Gums. The following birds were photographed – Australian Ringneck, Mulga Parrot, Striated Pardalote, Grey Shrike-thrush, Yellow Thornbill and Jacky Winter.

Bronzewing Flora and Fauna reserve

Bronzewing has no facilities and only 4WD tracks within the reserve. It is a pristine expanse of mallee woodland well worth spending time in.
Unfortunately in early 2014 an extensive naturally occurring bushfire raised large parts of the reserve, which will take many years to recover fully to its former glory, however that recovery is well underway and the dense regrowth is already supporting plenty of birds. (Ref. Birding Victoria, The Mallee, North-West Victoria). Photographed Noisy Miner.

Kara Kara National Park.

This park protects one of the most intact remnants of Victoria’s box-ironbark forests and is important for Swift Parrots and other woodland birds. Photographed Yellow-tufted Honeyeater and White-browed Treecreeper.

Equipment. Camera: Nikon D3400 DX Body. Lens: Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR Lens. Nikon Teleconverter TC-14E II. Tripod: Gitzo GT5540LS . All images taken using tripod – VR turned off.