Holy Birds, Batman

We went back to the Royal Botanical Gardens this afternoon. A friend told us they had seen tons of Cockatoos and the ever-elusive eels in the pond at the gardens. So we had to go back. Our first visit was lame. We went in, saw the bats and pretty much left. This time we were on a quest-- to see cockatoos, eels and one other species of bird we had not yet seen. Well, we got all this and more. Actually, no eels to Coop's disappointment, but the rest- done!

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Let's start with plants- pretty trees and plants we saw.  That is all they were is pretty so we took some pictures of them.  The tall, whitish-barked tree (right) is an eucalyptus tree- the food of the koala.  Interestingly, they are the only living creature that can eat it. I thought that was an interesting tidbit! I love the Birds of Paradise (left).  They really do look like birds! Funny how that worked out.... :)

 

Of course we saw the bats again. When we were at the gardens the first time, the docents said, "Now, keep your mouth shut when you are looking up at the bats."  Coop thought that was great. So he walked around for a good 10 minutes today talking with his lips closed. Funny for about 2 minutes, after that, not so much.  The bats were still amazing, but not as "oh-my-goodness amazing" as before.

Okay, now the holy-moly cool things.  The birds!  I said before that I am not really a bird fan. I think that may be changing.  Not sure I will go back to the states and get bird feeder and bird book fan, but here, maybe.  I am seriously on a quest to find as many new and interesting birds as possible. Anyway, back to the gardens. At first it was just ibis, ibis, pigeon, duck, ibis, pigeon, duck- you get what I mean. Then we saw this cute little guy walking around. He had the largest feet and an orange and red bill.  I took a million pictures to be sure I had one that was in focus. When we got home I scoured the bird site and found out that it is a Dusky Moorhead.  It makes the coolest yet creepy sound I have ever heard from a bird. 

dusky moorhead

 Now I am getting excited! Then we see them. The Sulphur-Headed Cockatoos.  We saw two of these guys at the park the other day and were amazed.  We must have seen 30 or so of them today!  They are loud and gorgeous and everywhere!  I heard they were a bit of a pest here, but man, they are cool. Coop was mesmerized. People were feeding them and letting them crawl all over them!  Coop wanted to hold one, but I had to nix that- not sure what a cockatoo is really like and figured the last thing we needed was a trip to the ER.  Below are pics of Coop with the cockatoos at a safe distance....

On our way out of the park, we turned back and saw all these birds in a tree. I have no idea what they are. I have looked and looked on the web and cannot tell.  I have sent queries out to others to see if anyone knows. If not, I will go back and ask the people there.  I WILL find out! 

(If you know, please tell me!!)

little black cormorant

currawong

Just as we were following the last bend on our way out, I looked over and saw a kookaburra.  I turned to Coop and nearly said, "That's a frickin' kookaburra!" but stopped myself before it came out. There it was just hanging out in the tree.  No, it was not laughing.  Bummer, huh? Oh, and no, I do not know if that was "the old gum tree" or not.  

laughing kookaburra

So it was an eventful trip this time. We saw new birds, unknown birds and a frickin' kookaburra!  I am so glad we went back (thank you, Bridget!).  Happy birding to me!