A nice day trip up the freeway or through the Adelaide Hills is the Laratinga Wetlands. I found out about this little jewel via an Instagram friend who had been there and suggested I give it a try. So with the camera packed, off I went.
The first thing I saw even before I had my camera out was a kookaburra with something in his mouth sitting on a huge branch of a gum tree. After slowly getting the camera out, I took the first shot. As he sat there, I was able to take 2 more before he went into the hollow. I do wear glasses and wasn't sure what he had in his mouth until I got home.
It's all in the timing...
Kookaburra catching lunch
The Wetlands are great for photographing birds. They do get hundreds of different species up there. Along with the birds, there are frogs, insects, turtles and dragonflies - but you have to be quick. Take both macro and zoom lens with you. You will use both throughout the day.
There are toilet facilities and tables for lunch or sit on the grass for a picnic. One bird you will see in the superb fairy-wren. They are as quick as the dragonflies. You will often see the females more easily than the males I find, so be ready.
Blue fairy-wren. Photo by Jane McKinnon
They do have Brushtail Possums there, but I haven't seen any. It is a nice walk around the lake and plenty of places to stop and watch the wildlife. There area several bird watching hides to use.
There is a boardwalk over one lagoon and many trails to walk. When I was there, people were picnicking, riding around the lakes, power walking and just chasing the kids.
Perching Birds White Plumed Honeyeater
As always, when you are out taking photographs by yourself always let someone know where you are going and take your phone and water with you. On hot days, standing around in the sun can be hard, so enjoy the bird life and nature and take your tripod as it could be a long wait for that elusive fairy-wren.
Reflections
Hungry Swamp Hen
Mount Barker Council has done a wonderful job with this wetlands.
