Adelaide University Footbridge's Wildside

Adelaide University Footbridge's Wildside

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Posted 2021-12-27 by Barry Silkstonefollow


A Great Cormorant shares the outstretched, dead branch of a riverside eucalypt with a preening Australian Ibis. Both water birds are perched above the Torrens Lake near the university footbridge. Below them, a Pied Cormorant sits on a rock after drying its wings in the sun and nearby a Pacific Black Duck is drinking - something I rarely see!



These birds are just a small sample of the wildlife found along the banks of Adelaide's Torrens Lake. And the University Footbridge provides the perfect vantage point for a curious observer to spend some time just watching the riverbank.



Near the middle of the lake, I see V-shaped ripples moving towards the bank. They are typical indicators of an Australian Water Rat (Rakali) swimming with only its head breaking the surface. The Water Rat reaches a muddy bank and stops to look around before disappearing into the reeds. Rakalis are native rats but not Marsupials. They have been around for over a million years. Australian Water Rats live in both seawater and freshwater where they feed on yabbies, fish, mussels and other small aquatic animals.



There are numerous large insects flying around the reed beds and I decide to take a closer look. Along with several species of dragonflies and damselflies, I spot a Mud Dauber Wasp . These large black and yellow native wasps collect wet deposits of mud from the edges of waterways. They build adobe-like nests which we often see adhering to the sides of buildings and other structures. Birds and insects are not the only flying animals you might spot from the bridge. In the warmer weather, Flying Foxes (Fruit Bats) skim the surface of the lake to collect water.





I have been fortunate to spot birds, insects, a mammal and I know there are fish in the water - consequently, my next animal group is reptiles. Eastern Water Skinks are not uncommon along the Torrens and I have seen them basking on rocks and even clinging to the sides of concrete and wooden structures near the water. The one in the picture below was carefully positioned on the muddy bank watching for prey which might include water beetles and other aquatic insects, snails, tadpoles, spiders and small fish.



It is time to sit on the grassy lawn alongside the bridge and scan through the morning's work. My Nikon P900 has been a useful tool allowing me to move smoothly between telephoto and macro without changing settings, resulting in an acceptable collection of images. With a bite to eat at the SA Museum or Art Gallery's excellent cafes my next priority, I walk back up the slope to the bridge. I have only walked a few metres when I notice a pair of Masked Lapwings feeding in the lush grass. An image too nice to ignore as the contrast between birds and grass is striking. A couple of frames later, my work is finally done and lunch beckons.



Additional notes
This is an easy walk which is suitable for families and seniors with parking and other facilities nearby. It is dog friendly.

#adelaide_city
#animals_wildlife
#environment
#greater_adelaide
#natural_attractions
#outdoor
#walks
%wnadelaide
207449 - 2023-06-16 05:59:29

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