Hindmarsh Island, South Australia

Not strictly UAE news admittedly,  however I have to blog about this place.  I have visited twice now whilst visiting my brother in South Australia.  Flanking the Island is the Coorong National Park I have absolutely fallen in love with the place - it is one of the most beautiful wetlands I have ever visited.   The spot I have visited is at the Murray Mouth near to Goolwa where there are several sandbanks that are very popular with several species, in particular the Australian Pelican, Great Crested and Caspian Tern.  For the photographer this is particularly special as you can approach the sandbank from the water , no deeper than your midriff,  of course I guess it could be particularly risky for your Camera gear,  however the birds seem to be extremely tolerant of you that way.  There are many coastal dunes with various vegetation, for example Samphire, which hosted several Rock Parrot, easily seen feeding at the end of the day and many Singing Honeyeaters making their presence heard.   Other species seen included Little and Great Egret, Bar-tailed Godwit, White-faced Heron, Pied and Sooty Oystercatcher, Silver Gull, Red-necked Avocet, Banded Stilt, Sacred Ibis and White-fronted Chat all offering great photo opportunities.  At one point I saw seven Whistling Kite at the same time !!  Stunningly beautiful place where the "golden hour" seems to go on forever !

Rock Parrot (Neophema petrophile)

 

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii)

Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

"Feed me !"
Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)

Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia)

Sooty Oystercatcher (Haematopus fuliginosus)

White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae)

Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

Australian Pelican (Pelecanus conspicillatus)

Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandia)

Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandia)

Beautiful sunset from the beach looking across the Murray Mouth. 
End of a great afternoon of photography

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

These two decided they could not tolerate each other and proceeded to get into a brawl!

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)