Rainbow Lorikeet

Sunset over Lake Burley Griffin

Peach sky and a lone kangaroo

This pretty flower was growing all by itself near the road. I was tempted to pick it and bring it home with me, but decided on a picture instead. The little bee looked like he was enjoying the flower more than I was. :)

Angry Ants

The other day I was bitten by a couple of huge ants. Ouch!

Home among the gum trees

Our beautiful little neighborhood nestled in nature. Canberra is pretty small, so most people wouldn't feel like they live in a big city even if they lived downtown. But I adore our neighborhood because here I feel like I live out in the country. My neighborhood is isolated from the rest of the city and surrounded by lovely mountains and nature reserve. I need to take more pictures of our home among the gum trees because I sure will miss it!

Sydney Harbour Fireworks

About a half hour before midnight people crowded into our viewing spot and we could no longer see the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We were so happy when James discovered a large area behind the outhouses where it seemed nobody else thought to look. We were excited that we could still see the top of the bridge, plus we had a beautiful view of the boats parked in the harbour after the light parade. Once the fireworks started we were surrounded by them from both sides. We loved it! What a memorable New Years!

Beautiful Beetles

Adelaide and I explored Mt. Stromlo yesterday while James was mountain biking and we came across Eucalyptus trees covered in colorful beetles. Although I think these insects are pretty, I felt sad for the eaten away trees.

4 Kookaburra

I've never seen more than a couple Kookaburra together before and was so excited! Hearing the four of them laugh together was amazing! I'm glad that I had my camera, but I still wish I had my telephoto lens with me as well.

Canberra

This is a view of Canberra for the airplane window. I was feeling sad when I took this photo because I realized it was probably the last time we'll be flying into Canberra... our next flight will be when we leave in May. I love this beautiful city and my wonderful friends who live here.

yellow bird

This bird was hanging around the swimming pool at the campground at Uluru. I assumed that once we were home it would be easy to identify what kind he is, but I was wrong. Hopefully I'll figure it out eventually!

This is the view from the Lanyon Homestead here in Canberra.

tulips

Uluru

orange flowers and water dragon

I love these cool lizards!

Wildflower growing at the base of Uluru.

Zebra Finch

We saw many of these gorgeous little birds on our walk around Uluru and hike in the Olgas. I've never seen a Zebra Finch and was very excited!
James just looked at these pictures and had a couple comments. He thinks the birds are much cuter in person, and he wants to point out the white and black stripes on bird's tail in the third photo, as they are named Zebra Finch because of their tails. :)

A young Rosella

I recently learned something new about Rosellas. Most of them are blue and red, but sometimes they have green feathers too. I always assumed that some simply have different coloring, but a friend told me that they start out with green feathers and they slowly turn red and blue as they mature. I read online that Rosellas are mature and have their adult feathers at age 15 months.

Water Dragons!

At the Botanic Gardens I found the hidden lair of the Water Dragons! I didn't know the gardens had so many of these neat reptiles! I've seen a few at the Gardens before, but never multiple dragons, and I haven't seen any at all for a long time. I was hoping to show them to my sister while she was visiting, and I wish that I had discovered this place earlier. The Gardens are huge and there are still many areas I need to explore.

Most of the Water Dragons were hanging out on the other side of this pond where I couldn't get very close to them, but this one below let me get close enough I could have touched him! He was brave, but I wasn't! I didn't attempt to pet him but was curious of just how close he'd let me come. It was fun to watch the Dragons jump off the rocks and into the pond. Next time I plan to bring my video camera. :)

House Sparrow on our House

I found this cute little House Sparrow playing and singing on our roof.

Olive-backed Oriole

I didn't know we have Orioles here in Australia until I saw this bird the other day. The Olive-backed Oriole is part of a worldwide family, of which Australia has two other members (the Yellow Oriole and the Figbird).

A sweet Silvereye

Ironbark

I love this type of Eucalyptus. I think the red sap looks so cool!

Grey Fantail, a bird with personality!

Today I went bird watching at a nature reserve that I had never been to before. I was so excited about how many birds there were in the area. When I first arrived I was greeted by this friendly Grey Fantail doing acrobatics in the air. He was going wild in the sky, and then to my surprise he flew right over to Adelaide. Not only did he hold still so I could take a picture of him, he sang us a pretty song! When I came home I looked online to identify what kind of bird he was and this is what I found about the Grey Fantail. "The Grey Fantail is most easily recognised by its constantly fanned tail and agile aerial twists and turns. Both sexes are similar in appearance: grey above, with white eyebrow, throat and tail edges. This species is quite inquisitive and will closely approach an observer." www.birdsinbackyards.net/bird/113

I hope to encounter many more Grey Fantails. Most birds are scared of observers and fly away before I can get close enough to take a picture. Addi had fun watching this bird and it was nice to get an easy shot.

Waratah

Floral Emblem of New South Wales.

Straited Thornbill

Another Australian King Parrot!

A while ago I was complaining to James that I hadn't seen a King Parrot in over a year, and this month I've been thrilled to come across them twice! This beautiful female let me get so close to her! I have never seen a male King Parrot yet. The males are the same colors but on opposite parts of their bodies. Male King parrots are the only Australian parrot with a completely red head. I love parrots and I sure am going to miss them. I only have seven months left in Oz. :( Hopefully I'll see more of these beautiful birds.

Bird watching at Girl's Camp

I didn't have too much time for birdwatching at girl's camp but I did see three types of birds I've never seen before!!



I saw this Female Flame Robin perched on a fence and now that I know what type of bird it is, I'm a bit sad it wasn't a male. The name "flame" robin comes from the male's beautiful color, Click here to see how stunningl the male is.




The second bird I saw was this Willie Wagtail.




Finally I saw a red-browed Finch! I've often admired these lovely birds in the pet store and I was pretty excited to see them in the wild. I wish I captured a clearer photo of one. If you are interested, here are some gorgeous photos of red-browed finches.