Sanctuaries

Occasionally I visit sanctuaries to watch and photograph wild birds as well as residents.

Barn Owl
1/500, f/5.6, ISO 3200

The Barn Owl, above, was peering towards me from the darkness. The image was taken at Healesville Sanctuary where raptors are rescued orphans or injured birds, or may have been bred in captivity for educational or breeding purposes.

House Sparrow
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 1600

This House Sparrow and a few of his friends had broken into one of the aviaries at Serendip Sanctuary. Small bush birds often take advantage of the regular supply of food and water provided to the resident birds.

Brolga
1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 1600

The Brolga above was preening so quickly that catching an image wasn’t easy. Its neck is crazily supple and I like the peek-through pose.

Bush Stone-curlew
1/400, f/5.6, ISO 3200

Bush Stone-curlews are one of the few species that can be photographed using a slow shutter speed. The first time I saw one of these beautiful birds I was in Queensland, where I stretched out on the damp grass and marvelled that the bird just stared at me and made no attempt to leave. An image from that day has been used as part of the front cover of a novel; I haven’t seen a copy yet but would like to read it.

Superb Fairy-wren
1/640, f/5.6, ISP 1600

Superb Fairy-wrens, like this female, are among the species that can break into aviaries. Images showing birds with a mealworm also show that the bird is not eating ‘natural’ food.

Galah
1/2000, f/9.0, ISO 800

There are often wild Galahs enjoying themselves at Healesville. Galahs are stunningly beautiful birds with exquisitely coloured feathers.

Nankeen Kestrel
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO1600

Kestrels are part of the free flight demonstration at Healesville. Many of the birds in such programs cannot be safely returned to the wild due to inappropriate identification with humans or factors relating to previous injuries. As much as it saddens me to see birds in aviaries it’s good that sanctuaries are increasing the size of their aviaries so that the birds have plenty room to fly and to hide. The educational aspect of captive birds can be profound and will hopefully encourage more people to protect birds and their habitat.

Australasian Swamphen, previously known as Purple Swamphen
1/1000, f/5.6, ISO 1600

A hungry family of wild swamphens were being fed beside the edge of a creek. The adult bird’s foot can just be seen at the left of the image, it looks almost as big as the chick!

Emu
1/500, f/6.3, ISO 400

Emus are striking looking birds with a very direct stare.

Buff-banded Rail
1/400, f/5.6, ISO 1600

Buff-banded Rail can be quite elusive as they like to hide among reeds at the water’s edge. Alternatively they can become bizarrely tame.

Some sanctuaries, such as the massive Australian Wildlife Conservancy sanctuary at Scotia are more difficult to visit. I had that pleasure a while back, some of my images can be seen by clicking Malleefowl at Scotia

Happy birding

Kim

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