Shorebirds & other wildlife, Shoalhaven Heads, Jan 2024

This post features photos from a weekend at Shoalhaven Heads in NSW. There are a number of different shorebirds, including the Beach Stone-curlew. There also a section of macrophotography of a number of small insects and spiders that inhabited the beautiful vineyard we stayed at. The variety of creatures was quite good considering the small area and the amount of habitat loss that has occurred.

Beach Stone-curlew, shore birds and other wildlife - Shoalhaven Heads, NSW, January 2024

Walking across the sanded-up mouth of the Shoalhaven River, I had already had an enjoyable morning photographing sone wading birds. Approaching the southern head of the river that was now sealed, and where the dune vegetation was taking root on the beach, I startled a Beach Stone-curlew when I must have appeared suddenly near it. The bird darted a few steps from cover and stopped, Every now and then it would make a single note call, but I did not hear a response. The bird and I stopped at our respective locations, looking at each other. I was worried that I would scare the curlew when I lifted my camera up to photograph but the bird stayed still, keeping an eye on me. I was excited that I was able to photograph this species but I was also trying to calm down and think about what settings I needed and the best angle to shoot. I was attempting to take photographs in case the bird flew off but I was trying to balance that with taking good photographs to record my first sighting of a Beach Stone-curlew. I enjoyed the chance to see such a beautiful bird so close up and that sighting made my morning. I hope that you enjoy the photographs below.

More of this story is on my blog at https://birdsincanberra.com/blog/2024/1/10/beach-stone-curlew-shore-birds-and-other-wildlife-shoalhaven-heads-nsw-january-2024

Bar-tailed Godwits

(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 100, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Little Tern catching a fish in the shallow water

(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 250, 400mm, f/10 and 1/1250 SEC])

Beach Stone-curlew

(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 100, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/400 SEC])

Eastern Curlew flying

(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 400, 400mm, f/10.0 and 1/1250 SEC])

Little Pied Cormorant

(Canon EOS 7D Mk II with a Canon EF100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM [ISO 100, 400mm, f/8.0 and 1/500 SEC])

Smooth Handed Ghost Crab among the sand dune vegetation

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 500, 100mm, f/18 and 1/500 SEC])

White-flecked Crevice Dweller on a curtain

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 500, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)

Wandering Vagabond

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)

Small Striped Jumping Spider

(Canon EOS 6D Mk II with a Canon EF100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM [ISO 100, 100mm, f/18 and 1/180 SEC] with a Raynox DCR-250 Super Macro Lens and Canon 430EX III-RT flash)