That time of year again! The next year’s calendars are on the printing press as I share this news and will be available this coming Saturday at the Monbulk Market. As was the case last year, I produced two different calendars – one with scenes from the Dandenong Ranges, the other totally focused on birds…
Author: Kathie Thomas
199 species and counting
Since my last post I’ve documented 3 more species. I’m now at 199 species I’ve seen and recorded on the eBird app, since I really got into it seriously around 2 years ago. The latest is a Horsfield’s Bronze Cuckoo – a tiny little bird and its call is not at all what I thought…
Tracking my bird count
If you’re into birding, have you used eBird? I’ve taken things much more seriously with my birding over the past two years (since I’ve been retired) and track what I see and where. I’ve learnt that I’ve seen 53 species on my own 2 acre property here in the Dandenong Ranges, Vic in less than…
Using the P950 – 3 years down the track
Well, it’s almost 3 years since I bought this camera. It’s my favourite camera, my every day camera, lightweight and easy to use, it’s always at my hip – even when I’m out in the garden here at home. When I first got the camera I quickly realised I didn’t like the neck strap –…
Chasing the Train of Lights
As the Train of Lights Show draws to a close (finishes 9th July) for another year, I went with some friends to view the train at various points on Fielder Bank, Gembrook and Cockatoo. Here are some of the shots I got that night.
Puffing Billy Train of Lights
I had the wonderful opportunity, recently, of shooting the Train of Lights Show with Puffing Billy while travelling on the train. Such a great adventure. This is the second year they have run it which is during the winter school holidays here in Victoria, Australia. It’s well and truly dark by 6pm and the show…
Autumn in my garden
Our first Autumn here in our home in Selby back in 2010 was a wonderful surprise. We just had no idea what it would be like. Our front fence is a mustard yellow and it blends beautifully with the Autumn colours. I was told, early in our time here, by a neighbour, that our home…
Autumn in the Hills
Recently I visited the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Gardens. We really are spoiled for choice here with so much to visit and see. As the weather gets colder and wetter it’s often just tempting to stay inside our nice warm homes. But it really is worth the effort to get out and about, especially if it’s…
Photography – good for the mind and soul
Many who are out there every day with their cameras already know this, but probably others don’t. That photography, particularly nature photography, is good for the mind, the body and the soul. It connects you with nature, takes you away from whatever may be troubling you and allows you to just take in your surroundings…
A sharp eye and curious mind
I often get told I must have sharp eyesight. I tell people I’m always on the lookout for a change of shape, change of colour, movement and sound, when out and about. It helps if you revisit the same areas often as you get to know the trees, fallen logs, bushes and so on. You…
Products I have available
I have a number of items available – I still have several Bird Calendars available, now at a reduced rate of $10 each plus postage. I also have the Words on Birds books 1 and 2, Birdsland Bird Posters, covering 50 species and a new book, Katara’s Wish, a story about a little girl visiting…
Blue-banded Bee hides from me
I watched this Blue-banded Bee in the garden. She flew in between two Salvia flowers, then pulled them together to hide. From me, most likely. Was amazing to watch. I had to shift my position to get the last shot so I could peek into the two flowers from a different angle….