Tag: Pilbara

Morning Light, Evening Shade …

Almost there, Broome tomorrow. I’m already in Broome Shire and a mere 195 species behind the gun birders! Catch’em in no time (aspirational not actual).

The Pilbara gave some interesting opportunities. The frontal cortex sends out expectation waves as I travel north. One that was satisfied in the first morning in the Pilbara was Spinifex Pigeon showing very nicely in warm morning light at Nanucarra.

Spinifex Pigeon

For comparison a covey of Brown Quail in the fading light of evening at Miaree Pool. You can encounter these anywhere in Oz and they are always unexpected, usually exploding out from almost underfoot. Gayle spotted these before they spotted us and we were able to approach slowly enough that neither we nor they were taken by surprise.

Brown Quail
Brown Quail

To the Gascoyne …

After a last look at Cossack and Point Samson …

Cossack
Cossack
Cossack
Beach Morning Glory
Peaceful Dove
Singing Honeyeater
Grey-tailed Tattler
Greenshank

… it was south again to Onslow and Exemouth.

Onslow is 81 arid kilometers off the A1 which has to be retraced on the way out. It’s nice but I may not ever return. The beach is productive for shore birds, there is a fine board walk through the dunes. A salt works can be seen piling up salt at a remarkable rate. The facilities at the Sunrise Caravan Park are superb.

There is an ANZAC memorial. At dawn the sun rises through an arch, a stylized interpretation of the Australia Defence Forces Rising Sun cap badge. Just to make sure you are moved by the experience the sprinklers come on just before the sun rises.

Purple-backed Fairywren

One night in Onslow then back across the plain, passing the termite mounds, still wondering what they find to eat, to the A1. Then south again heading for Exemouth where we stayed at the Yardie Homestead.

It is turtle nesting season and we saw several turtles reasonably close to shore, not so close that photography was overly rewarding but you can at least see it’s a turtle! In another photo it is a double decker turtle combo (either modesty or the fact that the image is soft prevents me sharing. It’s the photos you don’t publish that make you look like a decent photographer).

Woke up to the song of the Magpie. Not many of those at home in Broome. Yardies is quite productive for birds.

a turtle
Australian Ringneck
Crested Pigeon

Back on the road again …