June « 2016 « Steve Happ Photography

June 27, 2016

arrawarra and angourie

Filed under: Surfing — Tags: New south wales — admin @ 12:31 am

Northern Rivers.

The swell had dropped at Arawarah just north of Coffs Harbour. It needs a lot of swell for it to break here. And it is not the hollow.

Arawarrah Headland

Sooty Oystercatcher

The swell had picked and the wind had changed to the South-west by the time I got to Yamba. The point is a classic set-up at Angourie. It has not changed in fifty years.

Angourie Headland

The surf was about three or four foot and the bigger ones were going a bit wide.

Off the top

In the barrel

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June 20, 2016

Beach Stone-curlew

Filed under: Birds — Tags: New south wales — admin @ 12:37 am

Urunga.

Urunga is at the mouth of the Bellinger River. There is a footbridge that goes from the caravan park, across the lagoon, and up to the south end of the river mouth.

Urunga Lagoon Footbridge.

Looking west towards Urunga and the hinterlands

The Beach Stone-curlew (also known as the Beach Thick-knee) inhabits open undisturbed beaches, exposed reefs, tidal mudflats and coastal lagoons. It’s range extends along the coast of Australia north from Nambucca Heads to Shark Bay.

Beach Stone-curlew (Esacus neglectus)

This is the first time I had ever seen of these things, so I was quite excited. I could not believe it at first. I thought it was a white-faced heron but had a double take, then knew what it was, scrambled for my camera, and went madly snapping away until it flew off.

Beach Stone-curlew (Esacus neglectus)

I could not work out what was happening with the bill. There was a great big hole in it and it seemed to be all bent and twisted.

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June 16, 2016

Mid-North Coast Rainforest

Filed under: General — Tags: New south wales — admin @ 12:51 am

Yarriabini National Park.

I had never been to Yarriabini National Park before. It is on the road to Scott’s Head, Mid-north coast of NSW. Down in the gullies there is the most amazing rainforest with Hoop Pines and Flooded Gums and lots of Bangalow Palm.

Aboriginal sculpture

There is a nice aboriginal sculpture there.

sculpture detail

And here is a detail of the sculpture.

Flooded Gums.

This creek may be Way Way Creek but i am not sure. It wound round and round the area.

A creek

I did see a Lyrebird and got the crappiest photo over of it. The light was so horrendously bad. I had the ISO cranked up to the max at 12,800, Shutter Speed 1/320, and aperture at f/5.6. I cannot remember if I have another shot of a Lyrebird so I am chucking it in here anyway.

Lyrebird

I also saw some Bassian Thrush but the photos were too dark and what I thought were Logrunners or something similar but it was so dark I could not even tell what they were with my eyes. doh!

I came back out the back way and ended up at the turnoff to the Grassy Head Reserve on the road from Point Stuart to Scott’s Head.

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June 14, 2016

Macleay Valley

Filed under: Birds — Tags: australia, New south wales — admin @ 4:11 am

Blackbird Flat.

I went up the Macleay Valley west of Kempsey to get a way from the long weekend hordes on the coast. It was nice and quiet. A bit of rain and not many people. A very relaxing weekend spent reading and walking.

Macleay River

Lewin’s Honeyeater

female Australian King-parrot

I wish I had tried a bit harder to get a better shot of this Rose Robin, but it was flittering around all over the place and the light was crap and … excuses excuses.. 🙂

Rose Robin (Petroica rosea)

There was a bit of flood damage along the banks of the river from the wild weather last week. The river seemed to have rose about a meter or two.

Along the Macleay River bank.

blackbird flat bird list

Yellow-tailed Black-cockatoo
Grey Fantail
Australasian Figbird
Cattle Egret
Crimson Rosella
Australian King-Parrot
Noisy Miner
Australian Magpie
Pied Currawong
Lewin’s Honeyeater
Rose Robin (Petroica rosea)

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June 6, 2016

East Coast Low

Filed under: General — admin @ 12:09 am

Big Swell at Port Macquarie.

A huge east coast low has been hanging over the coast of nsw and queensland for the weekend with torrential rain and strong winds. This is the result. It is now Monday morning and the sun is out. The low has hit the south coast of nsw and headed for victoria and tasmania.

Big waves.

The direction of the low is weird because the normal pattern is for big southerly lows to come from the southern ocean and sweep up the coast, bring wind and cold weather. This is more like a cyclonic low, but heaps smaller and at the wrong time of the year.

Big swell

I personally think that weather patterns are going berserko. No scientific evidence just from own personal observation.

Big Swell.

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June 2, 2016

Booti Booti National Park

Filed under: General — Tags: Humpback Whale — admin @ 12:12 am

Humpback Whales.

Early June and it is time for whale travelling season. This pod of whales was just off the beach at Tiona, south of Forster. You do not usually see them in this close. I think it is time for a whale-watching boat ride from Port Macquarie.

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)