The weather was not promising on this Sunday, the morning was very overcast, with a light drizzle falling and the forecast saying the conditions would clear in the afternoon. Canberra had received more than 30mm of rain overnight so I expected things to be wet and not much light. I checked the Bureau of Meteorology’s rain radar and saw there was a gap coming so I figured I would see what the morning held. Rather than go too far in the rain and not find much to photograph I decided to go to Yarralumla Creek (flood information is here), which I cycle pass every day, although I normally see the storm canal part of the creek, not where it flows more like a creek. (In 1971 this creek was the scene of a tragic flash flood when an estimated 95mm rain fell over the general area in an hour.) My original intent was to hopefully catch gushing torrents of water flowing through the canal but when I arrived at dawn, I could see how hight the water had been overnight, but the level had dropped to normal once again. I was not too disappointed as I was also planning to explore the banks along the creek to see what birds and other animals I could find. Indeed, as soon as I arrived I saw a Gippsland Water Dragon on the rock wall. I was able to approach it very closely to get some photos. Walking along the west bank of the creek I came to a spot where the little birds were very plentiful. I also found some lovely subjects to photograph, especially the pair of Superb Fairy-wrens at the top of this post. My enjoyment of the area was spoilt by the amount of rubbish in the creek, I think it was mainly washed down from other parts of the urban area, rather than being thrown in there. Either way, the beauty of the creek was spoilt but I drew comfort from all the birdlife that existed around this little creek in a very modified habitat. I hope you like the photographs below.
