Saturday morning found us back at the Barnacles Cafe (www.barnaclesdolphins.com.au/cafe) at 7:00am to watch Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphins being fed. I was torn between bird photography and the dolphins but was intrigued by the local history of "Old Scarry". According to the locals one of these rare dolphins beached itself by the cafe in the 1950's injured and carrying numerous scars. People began to feed it and nurse it back to health. The dolphin recovered, left, but began returning occasionally to be fed. Some members of its pod also began to show up. Authorities believe there are now four generations that have returned periodically to be fed. The government regulates all human contact with these animals and can levy a $8,000 fine for any infractions.
The dolphins began to show up between 7 and 8. People who have paid their fee can get in the water during this time and interact with the dolphins. Interacting is defined as putting your hands (washed with marine antiseptic) in the water and splashing gently to attract them. There is no petting let alone swimming with them. Staff watch very closely to make sure rules are followed and the dolphins are not harmed. As 8 0'clock draws near people are herded out of the water and given a plastic container with one fish in it. They then reenter the water in ones or twos to give their fish to the dolphins. Since it was a Saturday, a large crowd had gathered but everyone behaved very well and did exactly as told. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the two Australian Pelicans, a Little Black Cormorant, and a Pied Cormorant who were very persistent and very fast in trying to filch the meals for themselves. Staff members tried to keep them away with flags on the ends of large poles. When the fish are gone the dolphins do not hang around. They disappear within minutes.
The dolphins were great but while I was watching them I continued to hear birds in the flowering shrubs behind the restaurant. As soon as the dolphins left I returned to the vehicle to get my 600mm. It didn't take long to grab some images of Blue-faced Honeyeaters-a common bird but for me rather spectacular.
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| Adult Blue-faced Honeyeater |
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Juvenile Blue-faced Honeyeater
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As much as I would have liked to continue shooting this was a designated travel day and we had reservations at Riverside Tourist Park (www.riversiderockhampton.com.au) in Rockhampton five and one half hours away. Edie bought some cooked prawns at Lee's Fishery (www.leefish.com.au) for an easy evening meal. On the way we stopped for more groceries and I bought a cheap Aussie phone and sim card. Arriving at Riverside with only an hour and a half of daylight I was out shooting within ten minutes. What an awesome place. A lot of Australians stay in the park during their winter and now were beginning to head south for their spring. Parrots and lorikeets rocketed through the park making a wonderful racket. I headed to the Fitzroy River which borders the park and found some wonderful shots of my first Laughing Kookaburras.
I was losing light fast but not before grabbing a couple of "parrot shots". Both of these birds are extremely loud, noisy and common which is why I had no problem finding them and ending the day with two spectacular birds-even though very common. As expected, I am photographing the common birds - but no worries mate - they are all new and exciting to me.
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Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
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| Rainbow Lorikeet |
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