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Mylor: Parrots, Food, Shopping and History

15 Jun

Dear Reader:

There is an avenue of trees shading the footpath. A small group of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are using both beaks and feet to feed on something growing or living on the branches and leaves.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos enjoying a winter feast

I am in the small town of Mylor in the Adelaide Hills. It has a village atmosphere with a general store, small restaurant and craft shop and a football oval. Some lovely heritage homes adorn the main street and a small creek runs along the back of the oval.

One of many heritage buildings in the area

A quality range of goods on display at Verte Kitchen

As I walk along the tree lined street I notice a plaque commemorating soldiers from the town who gave their lives during the First World War. I pass a few emotional moments reading about the trees planted to mark their sacrifice.

The smaller populations of some early hills communities made these losses particularly poignant.

One of so many who gave their lives for their country

Apart from the Sulphur Crests, the trees harbour two other parrot species; Rainbow Lorikeets and Adelaide Rosellas. Once again it is hard to determine exactly what they are eating.

Adelaide Rosella

I cross the road only to stop and let a group of Maned Ducks toddle across the footpath next to me. Their presence certainly indicates there must be some water in the nearby creek.

Maned Ducks

I hear the calls of Galahs as a flock circles overhead before landing on the oval where they start foraging for bulbs, tubers and whatever else they can dig up with their powerful beaks.  Although the Galahs are some distance away, I take several shots. From experience, I suspect getting closer will result in the flock taking off.

Galahs or Rose-breasted Cockatoos

My final stop has little to do with the wildlife of the area. There is a wonderful little café and gallery in the middle of the village. Fresh baked goods, local arts and crafts all with a slightly French flavour make Verte’ Kitchen, a must visit, Hills destination.

So much to choose from

Cheers

Baz

Additional notes

This is an easy walk and drive which is quite suitable for families and seniors with public toilets, barbecues, parking and other facilities nearby. It is dog friendly.

Please pass on this blog title and or contact information (URL) to any person or organisation with an interest in taking walks and enjoying wildlife in SA.

Click on these links and see more South Australian stories and pictures in my Weekend Notes articles as well as locating similar blogs on Feedspot’s top 20 Australian wildlife blogs

https://www.weekendnotes.com/adelaide/writer/452/

https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_wildlife_blogs

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Aldinga’s Temperance Precinct

13 Oct

Dear Reader:

There is a sizeable group of Short-billed Corellas in the eucalyptus trees flanking the street. They exhibit a range of behaviours ranging from preening each other to nibbling branches and feeding on gum nuts. Some of the cars parked under the trees or nearby have also suffered some paintwork indignities due to the sheer number of birds.

Little or Short-beaked Corella

Corellas in tree

I am enjoying the ambience of the Temperance Precinct. A group of shops, restaurants, a pub, and other organisations situated on Port Road, where it intersects South Road leading into Aldinga. It is an area that has developed significantly over the last few years.

An interesting name

A little footwear style

So many colours to choose from

Perhaps the most iconic of these outlets is Miss Gladys on Sea which specialises in ‘well made’ clothing, shoes and accessories. Next door is a deli with organic foodstuffs and across the road, a bakery. Further down the street, there is an old church and graveyard as well as some fine period homes. Intermingled with the buildings are gardens, trees and bushes and the animals and plants which inhabit them.

A bit of everything

Heading for home

Collecting nectar

I sit on a stone wall, which borders a garden, waiting for a friend to do some shopping and notice a large native wasp fly into a gap in the stonework. In the garden I observe the same species feeding on several different kinds of flowers. With my attention focussed on these small invertebrates, I scan the plants for more species and spot: a diminutive flower spider, several Hoverflies, numerous Honey Bees and a cluster of tiny Aphids.

Not a gardener’s best friend

Shopping completed, it is time for lunch, but first I take a short stroll down to the churchyard where I can see some birds flitting between the branches of a red flowering gum. They are wary and in shadow. However, I recognise both Little Wattlebirds and New Holland Honeyeaters.

New Holland Honeyeater

Little Wattlebird

I finish the day with a wonderful steak and kidney pie washed down with a bottle of local fruit juice. In truth, a very satisfying low-key jaunt to one of my favourite coastal towns and I haven’t even taken the short drive to the beach with its fringing reef. An adventure I will leave for another day.

 Cheers

Baz

Additional notes

This is an easy walk and drive which is quite suitable for families and seniors with public toilets, parking and other facilities nearby. It is dog friendly.

Please pass on this blog title and or contact information (URL) to any person or organisation with an interest in taking walks and enjoying wildlife in SA.

Click on these links and see more South Australian stories and pictures in my Weekend Notes articles as well as locating similar blogs on Feedspot’s top 20 Australian wildlife blogs

https://www.weekendnotes.com/adelaide/writer/452/

https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_wildlife_blogs/

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Aldgate to Stirling…a short walk

24 Sep

Dear Reader:

It is still early Spring and the sun is out and I have often spotted a small copper headed skinks basking in the sun at this time of year. There are several logs on the northern facing aspect of the path and with a little patience and perseverance I manage to find one of the little lizards. Their correct name is the Common Garden Skink or Sun Skink.

Common Garden Skink

Following up on my previous post, which covered the area around the RSL Hall, on the edge of Aldgate, I am now walking the short path to Stirling. The trail follows the road and creek on one side and is heavily wooded on the other. There are numerous plants both native and introduced along the pathway including: Holly, tall pines, grevilleas, a few eucalyptus and acacia species as well as ferns and bracken.

Holly in the Hills

Grevillea species

After a fifteen-minute stroll along the pathway I reach the outskirts of Stirling. The town has an English country village feel about it with some lovely old homes and many small shops and businesses. Whenever I visit Stirling there always seems to be a welcoming committee of Little Ravens (often mistaken for Crows) in the area. Today is no exception as a group of the shiny black corvids trumpet their characteristic calls from a nearby garden.

Little Raven Stirling

I do not venture far into Stirling as it will be the subject of a later blog. I head back down the path to Aldgate. The dense vegetation, now to my right, is full of movement and the sounds of small birds in the undergrowth; probably wrens and finches. I scan the other side of the road and spot a Koala high in the branches. I take a couple of shots to demonstrate how difficult locating wildlife can be and how training your eyes to notice subtle changes and movement takes continual practice.

Koala at 100 metres

As I approach the outskirts of Aldgate I notice a track on the other side of the road near the township sign. Crossing over, I follow it a short way as it cuts along the hillside and into the scrub. This area is dominated by tall eucalypts and is a more typical hills bushland setting than the pathway.

The track near the entrance to Aldgate

Adelaide Rosella

Koala Aldgate

My detour is well worth the effort. Within a few minutes I have managed to photograph an Adelaide Rosella perched on an old, gnarled branch and a Koala at far closer range than before.

FRED……..Barista at work

FRED….Cosy place to dine

With the walk concluded I drive into Aldgate for lunch at Fred, a wonderful local eatery and another compelling reason to visit Aldgate. Over the years, I have had some wonderful meals in this iconic hills café and I’m sure today will be no exception. The only problem is one of choice with so many interesting dishes to choose from. After some serious deliberating, I end my day in Aldgate with a Croque Monsieur and a Chai Latte, selected from the ‘All Day Breakfast Menu’.    

Cheers Baz

Additional notes

This is an easy walk and drive which is quite suitable for families and seniors with public toilets, parking and other facilities nearby. It is dog friendly.

Please pass on this blog title and or contact information (URL) to any person or organisation with an interest in taking walks and enjoying wildlife in SA.

Click on these links and see more South Australian stories and pictures in my Weekend Notes articles as well as locating similar blogs on Feedspot’s top 20 Australian wildlife blogs

https://www.weekendnotes.com/adelaide/writer/452/

https://blog.feedspot.com/australian_wildlife_blogs/

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Mildura to Trentham Estate Winery….part 2…..Around the Winery

18 Jun

Moored at the winery

 

Dear Reader:

We arrived at Trentham Estate Winery around 1.00 pm. After tying up and sprucing up, as we are eating at the winery, we wander ashore to indulge in a little pre-lunch wine tasting. Our meal is served under a large marquis with wonderful views of the river and surrounding countryside.

 

Coffee by the river

 

A sipbefore lunch

 

The Duck Breast in a Hoisin sauce is moist and cooked to perfection and coffee, dessert and good company make the afternoon fly. However, before the light disappears I take a walk upstream to explore the properties and bushland alongside the winery.

 

Peaceful Dove by the water

As I edge along the bank I notice Anhingas, Black Ducks (not the source of lunch) and some unusual doves. I wait behind a large river gum and manage to snag a shot of these smallish, striped birds which turn out to be Peaceful Doves.

 

Grey Butcherbird

 

Laughing Kookaburra

 

Further along the pathway I hear the first few notes of a Kookaburra’s call. The bird is perched on a dead tree branch and the Nikon P900’s telephoto is stretched close to maximum extension. In a thorny bush below the tree, I can just make out the outline of a Grey Butcherbird. Despite waiting for the bird to emerge I settle for an image taken through the branches; not a portrait shot but certainly a realistic one.

 

Yellow Rosella

 

Male and female Red-rumped Parrots

 

Parrots are feeding high in the trees which makes focussing difficult. There seems to be two distinct groups. Scanning the branches, I recognise Yellow Rosellas and Red-rumped Parrots. Both are beautiful birds which I rarely see in SA. 

 

Boatel coming in to dock

The light is beginning to fade and it’s time to get back to the boat. When I reach the mooring I can hardly miss the opulent vessel parked a little further on. It is called ‘Boatel’ for obvious reasons and is a luxury version of our houseboat constructed by the same company ‘All Seasons’.

However, our craft has luxury enough for this photographer and I am about to sit back and relax with a cup of coffee and a piece of cake.

Until my next blog, enjoy our wonderful wildlife and countryside.

Cheers

Baz

Please pass on this blog title and or contact information (URL) to any person or organisation with an interest in taking walks and enjoying wildlife in SA.

Click on this link and see more South Australian stories and pictures in my Weekend Notes articles

https://www.weekendnotes.com/profile/651267/

Trentham winery

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Restaurant_Review-g255355-d1752428-Reviews-Trentham_Estate_Winery_Restaurant-Mildura_Victoria.html

 

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