Yesterday morning I went for an early morning walk along the foreshore at Mullens. The tide was well out and there was plenty of exposed sand. I met Peter whose ability to catch crabs I described here. He was with a friend and they both already had their fresh catch for breakfast safely tucked down in the buckets they were carrying. When I meet people like this I know how very little I really understand about this environment! This time they told me how many sandprints they had seen of flatheads. (Check this page for a description of the species.) When I admitted total ignorance they showed me numerous prints left in the sand right around where we were standing. I had been walking right over them and not seeing them!
Then they told me that Shovel-nose Sharks left a similar print but it was easy to spot the differences - and they soon found a print of one of these and showed me how the head of the shark is much longer than that of the flathead.
The only birds I saw on my walk were too far away for me to get good photos. However, there was plenty going on in my own backyard. For several weeks I have been watching the Magpie-larks (commonly called Pee-wees) which have built a nest in the big pine tree nest door. The nest is looking pretty crowded right now! I counted 4 baby heads poking up all together!
They were very active early in the day and jostled for the best position in the nest. Later when it started to rain they were quite happy to settle down low as one of the parents came and perched on the edge of the nest and spread its wings to give as much shelter as possible.
This morning the parents were busy stuffing food in hungry mouths as soon as it was light. Then a little later I saw one of the juveniles sitting up and preening its new feathers and stretching its little wings. I think they will soon fly and hope to get some photos then.
For more bird photos visit the Bird Photography Weekly.
Good to see you are still learning about the environment around the bay.
ReplyDeleteMight have to have a closer look when we walk in next time. Very interesting!
Hi Neil - it was an interesting morning.
ReplyDeleteNice walk, there always seems to be something new to see. Love the magpie juvies, so cute!
ReplyDeleteI learn now thing today -"Sharks sand print". Thanks for info.
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting Eileen and Tabib. Very shallow water in the bay makes a very different marine environment.
ReplyDeleteWHat cool birds, neat shots of the nest. I love their markings. Sounds like it was an interesting walk, too!
ReplyDeleteInteresting info, Mick! Your Pee-Wee family is growing.
ReplyDeleteHi JN and Bob, thanks for commenting. There has been a very high wind today and the peewee family are sitting very low in the nest. The wind is certainly blowing strongly enough to shake down any unwary youngster.
ReplyDeleteFascinating to see the imprints in the sand.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo of all those hungry beaks welcoming the parent back to the nest.
Hi John, there is always lots to see right close around - but just have to have the ability to recognize it! I will certainly be looking for the prints in the sand from now on.
ReplyDeleteAwesome birds! Such interesting markings!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob.
ReplyDeletehow sweet and good timing fot the photos. :)
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