Farm Cove, Sydney Harbour
No Comments »20th October, 2007; Category: Botanic Gardens, New South Wales, Parks and Gardens, Sydney
Farm Cove, Sydney Harbour
Our hoilday in New South Wales
September 2007
On our visit this year to the Royal Botanic Gardens we walked around Farm Cove. This inlet is a part of the greater Sydney Harbour. It is a great spot to stroll along the sea wall watching the numerous water craft that use the harbour waters every day. Many tourists also come along this walkway because it gives such great views of the harbour, and further along, the bridge and the Opera House.
Local people also use the pathway along Farm Cove. While on our walk we must have been passed by fifty or more joggers and people exercising. It is also a great place for photographers. The path is adjacent extensive lawns and many people use these lawns to enjoy picnics, playing with their children or just lying down and relaxing in the sun. This is one of our favourite spots in Sydney.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Harbour
Bird watching in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Little Black Cormorants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
September 2007
Wherever we go when travelling or on holidays I look out for places to visit where I have a good chance of seeing a good range of birds. I therefore look out for national parks, lakes and rivers, parks and gardens and beaches. Botanic Gardens are extra good because that also caters for my wife’s interest which is Australian native plants.
On our recent trip to Sydney we spent a whole afternoon in the Royal Botanic Gardens. These beautiful gardens are an easy walk from the CBD and are used by thousands of people every week. Despite the large numbers of daily visitors, the bird population is abundant and vibrant. The birds are used to large numbers of people using the park so they are relatively easy to approach. This means one is able to take some close up photos of the birds without the need to have an extremely long lens.
These two Little Black Cormorants were resting on a small island in one of the ponds in the gardens. This is just one of about a hundred species of birds that have been recorded in the gardens in the last fifteen years or so.
For more about bird watching in Australia visit my birding blog called Trevor’s Birding.
You can also see more bird photos on the family Photo Gallery.
Little Black Cormorants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Our holiday in New South Wales
September 2007
The Royal Botanic Gardens in the heart of Sydney are a mere ten minute walk from the CBD (depending on where you start your walk of course). They are extremely accessible from the city. As a consequence many people come to the gardens to relax from the hustle of the city. The large artificial ponds in the middle of the park are ideal for a time of relaxation, whether that is for five minutes or an hour or more.
During our recent visit my wife spent a little extra time in the Gardens Shop. During this time I wandered down past the Restaurant and Cafe to the small lakes. I wanted to see if there were any birds worth photographing there. I was drawn instead to the relaxing scene shown in these photos.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
On watch in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Feral Pigeons, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Our holiday in New South Wales
September 2007
I just had to take this photo of two Rock Doves (Feral Pigeons) on watch in the middle of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney. They seemed to be on watch. Quite a few children were playing on the water’s edge just a few metres from this sign post. Anyone could have easily slipped into the ornamental pond. These pigeons were ready to sound the alarm.
White Ibis in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
White Ibis nesting, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Our holiday in New South Wales
September 2007
White Ibises are one of the most apparent species of wildlife living in the grounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney. After the Grey-headed Flying Foxes that is. The Ibis seem to be everywhere when we visited in September 2007. And they were extremely noisy, squabbling in the trees overhead. It was nesting time with quite a few of them carrying sticks to add to their nests. The arguing seemed to be over who was going to occupy each nesting area.
People wanting a restful and relaxing day at the gardens would have been wise to choose another, quieter section of the park during Ibis nesting season.
White Ibis nesting, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney