Taking another quiet walk with God in my local Nature Reserve the quietness was once again observed in the 10° cool sunny morning where very few were out and about. The Southern Boobook we saw the last few weeks was not present in its nesting hole, nor were the Powerful Owl that were about to nest, and no one has been able to find them as yet.

As I walked back from a birdless experience I met a birder couple with their long lenses and while we chatted about the absent Owls we noted an unusual bird fly into a nearby vine on a tree after the remains of the summer fruit, so little there is. At first I thought it was a female Figbird but with its bright red eye and green back it was an Olive-backed Oriole, which do look very similar. These birds should have migrated back north a few months ago, but this may be a younger one who stayed behind. Click to enlarge photos below.

Olive-backed Oriole out of season

As it was very quiet I decided to go in search of the Powerful Owl on the track running along the other side of the creek which I seldom walk, and which most birders seldom also. As I walked it was again quiet as I am use to hearing the call of the Kookaburra clan on my approach, but initially saw only this snug Sulphur-crested Cockatoo guarding its nest, a surprising sight for these cold winter months. Note the feathers around its beak to add warmth and help to relax. The angophora costata tree (Sydney Redgum) of course is the most suitable tree for these and the Rainbow Lorikeets to nest due to the ready made nesting holes it offers.

These trees I was looking into the tops of from the side of the hill track were where my wife and I first saw Powerful Owls with their young. It was exciting as we did not know what they were at the time. The two youngsters looked at us wide awake as the parents slept nearby and I thought there were Meerkats in the tree. This was a most memorable occasion and a gift for us.

Walking back down the track no Powerful Owls were seen but I was delighted with this blaze of colour of the seldom seen Eastern Rosella as it lifted from the grass to the tree, having been feeding off grass seed. These birds are quite distrusting of humans and will take flight easily. A beautiful bird to behold.

Eastern Rosella

As I continued back down the track this single male Kookaburra, who did not look very old, followed me for about 100 metres, always landing in trees at eye level just ahead of me. This was quite an interesting engagement with this bird, which made me curious as I study bird behaviour. The darkly striped tale helps determine its sex. As you will see in the video clip below this Kookaburra demonstrated the tale lift which signifies its territorial dominance, warning me that this is his area and he is making sure I leave soon.

Have a wonderful week birding. Click on the image below to check out my unique books which are idealgifts for children and older adults who love birds.

Life throws up many unexpected and challenging situations during a lifetime amid both times of busyness and quietness. It is important that we have a good strategy for facing the unexpected otherwise we will suffer anger, disappointment which may lead to depression and grief due to unfulfilled expectations that life should be kind to us all the time. I discuss these issues and how to cope with them in my second book Flight of a Fledgling. The difficulties of life are part of the life process to sharpen and teach us to become strong and courageous and grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding which are vital for a happy well balance life, which our Creator and Heavenly Father has preordered for those who love him, not to harm us but for our ultimate good.

You might ask why, but in our sin drenched world of angry selfish people, wars, wickedness and lack of respect, God through the atoning actions of his Son Jesus has a goal for our lives for all who return to Him and surrender to his love offer of total acceptance and forgiveness, to receive the gift of his Holy Spirit who brings peace, joy and love to replace and heal our broken sinful heart. This is the life we were meant to live full of love, joy and peace.

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Posted on 16 By aussiebirder Australian Birds Posted in Australian Birds, Australian wildlife, bird books, Bird watching, Birding, Birds, Sydney, Australia Tagged #, , ,
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aussiebirder

My wife and I share a love of bird observing and bird photography which takes us all over Australia. We love sharing our experiences. Birds live in the beautiful parts of our country. We always get blessed with beautiful gifts of new birds and unexpected experiences each time we go out birding or just walking in the parks and reserves in our wonderful land. We love Australia, and the variety that each state and region offers in its wildlife and nature aspects. Join us in sharing our love. We have always found other birders enthusiastic and friendly people who appreciate the good things in life.

16 Comments »

    • Thank you Linda for your welcome comments they are always appreciated. As a birder my aim is to encourage my readers and those I encourage to practice taking Mindful Moments in nature, which is part of my overall strategy in using my study of bird behaviour with that of my study and assisting in human behaviour. Yes, the birds do make eye contact which usually threatens them but with some birds such as the Kookaburra it does not, it can have the opposite affect as they are often on the lookout to get a free feed. Enjoy your week in the peace and joy of a thankful and grateful heart, for this is healing and health. Blessings – Ash

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Hello Ash,
    The scarcity of our feathered friends continues here too…I worry about what this implies. However I am glad you could enjoy some deep quiet time and still have some lovely birding encounters. You and your wife remain in our daily thoughts and we pray you are having a blessed trip.

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    • Thanks Takami, it has been an exciting day birding with our personal bird guides as we now relax for the evening. We are concerned with the changes affecting much of our world and hope that it is just seasonal, Thanks so much for your support and kind thoughts they are much appreciated. Enjoy your weekend 😊

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  4. Hi Ashley, I think it’s quite interesting about the lack of birds being seen. I have found that here as well. I hardly get any feathered visitors in my backyard these days, despite having some native bushes in flower, and I don’t see much at all on my daily walks. Even though it’s cold and wintery, there are usually some birds to be seen, but the lack of bird sightings is very noticeable at the moment.

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    • Thanks Sue, yes you are experiencing the same as us and my other followers, it is sad. We are in Bruny now and looking for that elusive pardolote. Birds are not so plentiful here, but it is winter. Enjoy your weekend my friend 😊

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  7. HI Ashley, Good that you could get out in this weather. Gotta love a good mystery and the Powerful Owls seem to be providing that for you.
    Interesting that in your area too, that there is a distinct lack of smaller bush birds.
    So much so that the past few trips we have not been able to locate a single Willie Wagtail. It’s like they have completely migrated. We have several location that support good numbers of Willie’s, so it even stranger.
    Finding the Rosella was a bit of a treat. They are so well coloured up, yet often so hard to spot amongst the foliage.
    Glad the solstice rolled around the other day, hopefully the weather will at least promise to pickup

    Regards
    David

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    • Thanks David, yes it has been a disappointing winter so far for birds and for the nesting Powerful. Some think it will not nest this year, but possibly it has found another hole. We are in Tassie at present and it has been challenging birding in the wild weather with not many species in winter. However we will see in the next few days. Enjoy your week my friend

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