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
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
No Comments »15th October, 2007; Category: Botanic Gardens, New South Wales, Parks and Gardens, Sydney
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Our holiday in New South Wales
September 2007
Some sections of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney are just broad expanses of lawn. This is an important part of the gardens because so many thousands of people visit the gardens every week, many of them coming for picnics or just plain relaxation in the beautiful surroundings.
My wife and I have a different set of interests. I like to go birding (bird watching) while my wife is interested in Australian native plants. Bordering the wide spread of lawns there are many sections of the gardens where plants are in abundance, some of them quite brilliant in colour like those shown in todays photos. I mainly love taking photos of birds, but flowers also take my eye as wonderful photographic subjects.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Rails in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
No Comments »14th October, 2007; Category: Birds, Botanic Gardens, New South Wales, Parks and Gardens, Sydney
Buff-banded Rail, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Most people would never have heard of a bird called a rail, let alone know what a Buff-banded Rail looked like. This species, however, is a resident species of bird present in the Royal Botanic Gardens in the heart of Sydney. Regular visitors to the gardens would certainly be aware of this bird, even if they don’t know its name.
Buff-banded Rails are widespread in Australia in suitable habitat. They generally are not present in the drier inland regions. The field guide I use most often says they are commonly found in “well-vegetated gardens.” Botanic gardens certainly fit that requirement.
I have not seen this species all that many times so it was a delight to see this one, and it was a bonus to get a good photo. Normally I have found them to be rather secretive. I tried to photograph this species last year during a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney. On that occasion the batteries in my camera went flat just minutes before seeing the bird. Aaaaaaah! Lesson learned – I always carry spare batteries since that day!
Going Batty – in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
No Comments »13th October, 2007; Category: Animals, Botanic Gardens, New South Wales, Parks and Gardens, Sydney
Grey-headed Flying Foxes
Our holidays in New South Wales
September 2007
Grey-headed Flying Foxes, a species of fruit bat, have formed a large colony in the heart of the Royal Botanic Gardens in the heart of Sydney.
I must say that the presence of these bats adds a certain interesting aspect to the wildlife of the gardens. The truth of the matter, however, is far different. This colony has caused enormous problems for the gardeners trying to protect the heritage trees of the Botanic Gardens. These trees were planted in the early days of settlement and make a very valuable and quite rare collection of plants. The Flying Foxes, by their sheer numbers, have been destroying these trees. Consequently, attempts are being made to discourage the bats from roosting there.
Grey-headed Flying Foxes
Flying foxes are large bats, weighing up to 1 kg, with a wing span which may exceed one metre. They sleep during the day and feed on pollen, nectar and fruit at night. In the wild they are important pollinators and seed dispersers of native trees. Seeds are discarded in the faeces or fall where the fruit is being eaten. These seeds germinate when conditions are suitable and ensure that dispersal occurs in a wide area. (Quoted from the Botanic Gardens Trust website).
For more information about the Flying Foxes and the struggle to protect the trees click here.
Grey-headed Flying Foxes