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ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS AND VIEWS FROM BASS COAST

Flights of fancy

26/9/2019

2 Comments

 
By Sue Woolley

I’VE always loved birds, but have never really had the time to pursue birdwatching as a hobby. Working, and bringing up children who were never really interested in the outdoors, meant that the idea of spending time walking, identifying birds and photographing them was out of the question until recently. I joined Birdlife Australia and Birdlife Photography many years ago, and avidly read the magazines and watched jealously as outings and talks were advertised.
Picture
Nearly three years ago my husband, Neil, and I moved to Bass Coast, and this has allowed me to almost retire and to finally have the time to pursue my interests in bird watching and bird photography. There are so many beautiful locations on my doorstep and within an hour’s drive, so I often go out birdwatching and taking photos, either with the BirdLife Bass Coast group, with friends or on my own. It is such a joyful thing to do, and very meditative, without having to sit still and try not to think.

A few months ago I was contacted by a passionate bird lady, Anne, who has a small exhibition space at her home. She and her husband, Jeff, live on two and a half acres in Grantville, and have grown to love and cherish the birds that visit their property. She asked if I would be interested in contributing some of my photographs to an exhibition she was organising to show off the beauty and diversity of our birdlife. She had already lined up several photographers and two wildlife artists to be part of the exhibition.

Anne and Jeff have recorded 51 species of birds on their property. The block originally only contained a number of mature gum trees, but over the years, they have planted an understorey to encourage birds to visit. I have been privileged to be sitting having a cup of tea listening to a whipbird and a golden whistler calling while watching an eastern spinebill flying in to get nectar from a flower and a treecreeper circling round a tree trunk looking for grubs. Many birds nest on the property, and Anne has collected a fascinating range of fallen nests that will be on display.

As well as the nests, there will be photographs, information about birds, paintings by wildlife artists and craft work.

There is always something to learn about birds, whether you are a complete beginner or an avid birdwatcher, so come along and enjoy the display.
 
Nest and bird exhibition: 98 Acacia Road, Grantville, Sat, Sun, Oct 5-6, 10am-4pm, Free entry. Tea and coffee available. 

2 Comments
Felicia Di Stefano
27/9/2019 06:04:47 pm

Thank you for lovely photographs and story, Sue. Retirement should come much earlier in life!

Reply
Joy Button
4/10/2019 08:59:29 am

Really lovely story Sue and love the photographs. Hope to visit on Sunday. Thank you.

Reply



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