Life's busy!

The days are flying by and it's the last day of January tomorrow already - and I can't imagine where all the days have gone, although some of it was taken up preparing a presentation for my local BirdLife branch.

Instead of going walking since then I've been trying to catch up, and watching some of the tennis!  As a result I haven't done much bird photography, but took my macro lens out for a short walk on our Australia Day holiday on the 26th.

Apparently this is an Assassin Bug which can give a nasty bite!

This is a Spotted Flower Chafer, something I don't think I've seen before.  What a great thing photography is for encouraging observation!

This one is common in the summer along the creek where I walk regularly, and has the lovely name of Honey Brown Beetle!

Here it is just about to take off.  They're just as challenging as birds in a different way!

There have also been several Dragonflies but I'm waiting to have a couple identified, so will wont' share them yet.

Update 21.1.2017

It's sunny and still this evening with a temperature in the low 20sC.

I've just added a page for Black-crowned Night-Heron in the Overseas pages.

Update 17.2.2016

It was too hot to walk, or do much apart from what has to be done, as it was 38C here today, and it was a warm night too, so not good sleeping.

I have a feeling I was boring this Tawny Frogmouth yesterday!

Update 14.1.2017

It has been cloudy and cool, low 20s, much of the day, but sunny late this afternoon, and was windy early.

I've been working on a presentation I'm giving at my local BirdLife Branch on 23/1 so haven't been for a walk for a couple of days.

I've added a page for Pied Cormorant to the Australian pages.

Update 13.1.2017.

It's just rained, the first real rain for the year, which is great for the garden.

I've just added a page for Andean Goose in the Overseas Pages.

Update 12.1.2017

Today is a beautiful summer's day, sunny and still, but not hot!

I've just added a page for Inca Tern in the Overseas Pages.

Update 11.1.2017

It was cloudy early, but is now sunny with a moderate wind.

Today I've added a page for Chilean Skua in the Overseas Pages.

Update 10.1.2017

Today is clear, and a light breeze has just sprung up, although it was still when I went for my walk this morning.

It was a pleasant walk at Wilson Reserve in Ivanhoe, about 20 minutes drive away,  and I saw several species there I haven't seen so far this year, which brought me to 57 for the year so far. 

Today I've added a page for Australasian Swamphen in the Australian pages.

Update 9.1.2017

Today is cooler - thank goodness! - mid 20sC, clouded and still.

I've just added Alexandrine Parakeet to the Overseas Bird pages and am about to add a photo of some ducklings I saw on my morning walk, to the Pacific Black Duck page in the Australian pages.

Update 8.1.2017

It's hot still, but cooling down as the welcome cool change comes through.

Today I've added Oriental Magpie Robin to the Overseas pages, and updated some of the Australian ones with sightings from this morning's walk.

Update 7.1.2017

It's hot and still here. 

I've just added a page in the Overseas Birds for Green-billed Coucal from Sri Lanka.

Update 6.1.2017

It's already 29C at our place at 10.30 and still.

Today I've added Magpie-lark to the Australian column on the left of the page.

Update 5.1.2017

It hot and almost still at 4 p.m. and I haven't been for a walk today due to commitments - maybe this evening!

I've just added Austral Blackbird from southern Chile to the overseas pages.

Update 4.1.2017

Today is sunny with a light breeze and it is becoming hot.

Today I've added Peruvian Pelican and updated sightings of birds I've seen so far this year, after going for a walk at Tikalara Park, Templestowe.

Update 3.1.2017.

It has been cool and grey so far this year, but the cloud has now cleared and its sunny and warming up.

I walked at an area of natural bushland, The 100 Acres, Park Orchards, and saw 23 species.  http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S33392149.

Today I've added a page for Common Myna, an introduced species which is a pest.

Update 1.1.2017

New Year's day,  2017 in Melbourne is grey but bright with a light breeze, and cooler than it has been recently.

I went for a walk at Pound Bend in Warrandyte State Park and only saw 16 species, probably partly as there were a lot a families walking and having picnics.

I've added a page for Antarctic Tern today.