Carlo's Australian Suburban Wildlife Gallery

Last Updated: Thu Jul 31 14:05:50 UTC 2008

Mundane as Australian suburbia might be, we often do get interesting visitors. This web page contains a selection of recent wildlife pictures of interest, especially bird life, and some habitats.

Yarraman Creek, Victoria
[Click for more ...]

Yarraman Creek looking upstream from near the new freeway overpass.

Yarraman Creek looking downstream from Chandler Road.

A resplendent Rainbow Lorikeet perching in a gum tree.

Another Rainbow Lorikeet in a gum tree.

A mixed flock of three native duck species, comprising the Pacific Black Duck, the Australian Wood Duck and the Chestnut Teal.

A mature male Chestnut Teal with its distinctive livery. A handsome but rather shy species.

A juvenile Chestnut Teal, female.

Another female Chestnut Teal, photographed some weeks later at the same location.

A pair of juvenile Chestnut Teal, male and female.

A pair of mature Chestnut Teal paddling in Yarraman Creek.

A Pacific Black Duck hamming it up for the camera.

A pair of Pacific Black Duck foraging in the weeds.

Another indulgent Pacific Black Duck.

Additional Pacific Black Duck images [1],[2], [3].

A pair of Australian Wood Duck basking in the late afternoon sun. An attractive native species.

Another pair of Australian Wood Duck nearby. Australian Wood Ducks are not seen often in the Yarraman area.

Australian Wood Duck ready to launch.

A Little Raven in a gum tree. Ravens are abundant in the Yarraman creek area, but outnumbered by smaller species.

A Magpie Lark, another very common species in this area.

The Noisy Miner is a common species in the Yarraman area. This highly territorial and communal native honeyeater is apparently becoming increasing abundant in Australian suburbs.

The Indian Mynah is an introduced pest in Australia and often large populations can be found in the suburbs. Additional image here [1].

Clayton Campus, Monash University, Victoria
[Click for more ...]

A Musk Lorikeet enjoying some fresh gum blossom nectar. Eucalypts provide a valuable habitat for many Australian parrot species.

Another feeding Musk Lorikeet.

Find the Lorikeets! A pair of Musk Lorikeets foraging for gum blossom nectar. It is little appreciated that the bright plumage of many Australian parrots is evolved camouflage which is highly effective in the treetop habitat these species occupy.

Additional Musk Lorikeet images [1], [2], [3], [4], [5].

A Rainbow Lorikeet feeding on a gum blossom. Additional Rainbow Lorikeet images [1], [2], [3], [4], [5].

Portrait of a Rainbow Lorikeet.

Eucalypts are one of the plant species which define Australia's natural environment. Blossoming gum trees provide food for a wide range of insect, bird and animal species.

The Magpie is a ubiquitous scavenger in suburbia. Note the characteristic 'goose step'. There are several pairs at Clayton campus. Additional image [1].

The Feral Pidgeon is another common suburban scavenger, also represented at Clayton. This flock is practicing its favourite pastime, squabbling over food.

Noble Park and Keysborough, Victoria

A pair of Spotted Turtle Dove perched on a backyard fence. This introduced Asian species seems to be the most common pidgeon in the Yarraman area.

Portrait of a Spotted Turtle Dove.

Portrait of another Spotted Turtle Dove.

A Spotted Turtle Dove stretching its wings.

Additional Spotted Turtle Dove Images [1], [2], [3], [4], [5].

The Red Wattlebird is a large (up to 15 in) and very loud native honeyeater. This pair of young specimens paid me a noisy very early morning visit in spring, 1997, and were photographed in return (Mamiya 645/1000s 80 mm lens NB poor lighting resulted in narrow field of focus).

The Common Blackbird is an introduced pest in Australia, and is a frequent sight in the suburbs. This is a male with its characteristic black plumage.

The ubiquitous House Sparrow, common throughout Australian suburbia, a truly globalised pest.

Female House Sparrow.

Male House Sparrow.

The Silver Gull is a common sight in Australian suburbs, appearing at shopping centres, sports venues and any other areas where a handy snack can be found, often considerable distances from water. While frequently regarded to be a pest, people often overlook the valuable service these birds provide collecting garbage. This is an immature specimen in a shopping centre carpark.

A pair of Rainbow Lorikeets foraging in Noble Park.

Domestic cats are abundant in Australia, in urban, rural and outback environments. They are agile and highly intelligent predators. Suburban cats may be pets, abandoned pets or feral. Despite being well fed, cats will often hunt for enjoyment. This young Maine Coon decided to pose for the camera.

Another well fed specimen of the household Moggie, slightly annoyed at being disturbed.

Another frequent visitor poses for the camera.

Late afternoon image of moon low over horizon, above a eucalypt treetop.

Other Interesting Wildlife Sites

http://www.wildlife-photo.org/

Recommended browsers - Mozilla/Firefox, Konqueror.

$Revision: 2.92 $

Notice Link Here