Farewell 2023
Black Swan on theWest Belconnen Pond
An 8 day trip to Darwin had me on a full day guided fishing trip in Darwin Harbour. Unfortunately I did not catch a million dollar Barramundi, nor did I catch a $10,000 Barra. The only Barra caught were under-sized and had to go back. The first one caught was on a flyrod and I was pretty chuffed that I could still use one and caught a Barra with it. All up, I landed and released 7 Barra and 1 Flathead. I kept a Golden Snapper and a Threadfin Salmon (both excellent eating).
With the flyrod caught Barra
A Striated Heron on the bank punching on jelly prawn being hunted by the fish
Sacred Kingfisher also snatching a feed
Two ships anchored in the creek on our return.
Fogg Dam is another spot just out of Darwin that is always on our visit list. The NT Government are going down the 'Slug the Tourist' route. Since April 2023 NT visitors must purchase an online ticket to visit various National Parks.
Water Lillies in the dam
Thunderstorms have drenched the area, but The Wet had not started. Magpie Geese are spread over the area below the wall
Jacana or Lilly Trotter is always a good sight.
Water Lilly flower
Northern Water Dragon sunning itself
Crimson Finch
Agile Wallaby
A smaller Northern Water Dragon
Young Dollar Bird
Pair of Double-bar Finches in the yard of the house we rented.
Kass pointed me to a set of ponds that I had not been to at Durack, and I had a good walk there.
Magpie Geese and an Intermediate Egret
Pied Imperial Pigeon
Female Crimson Finch
Grey-crowned Babbler - this one was isolated from its family group.
Rufous-banded Honeyeater (above and below)
Radjah Shelducks grazing
White-gaped Honeyeater
Dragonfly at rest
Green Pygmy Goose
Bar-shouldered Dove
Little Black Cormorant with a Redfin Perch being chased by others
Willie Wagtail - last bird photograph of 2023
