Brahminy Kite, hunting, in the wetlands off Nudgee Beach.

Despite the iPhone 5 wallpaper shots, the prize of the day goes to a beautiful lizard.

I’m somewhat less than impressed with the default static wallpapers that come with iOS 7. So I thought I’d see what I can shoot in an afternoon at the Botanical Gardens that might make suitable wallpaper. Free for personal use only.

At the botanical gardens willing subjects for my new telephoto lens are easy to find.

I have treated myself to a new telephoto zoom lens. The Canon 70-200mm f/4 IS USM. We went to Manly to try it out. And almost the very first thing I shot with it was an osprey carrying a huge fish!! Enjoy.

It’s definitely spring. Some of the young ibises have learned to fly.

While others still beg for food (and get it).

This water dragon was enjoying the sunshine.

Beautiful flowers abound.

The local wildlife is definitely in springtime mood.

An young ibis (look at its straight, short beak), still unable to fly but trying valiantly. Once fallen / pushed / jumped out of the nest they have to stay on the ground until they have mastered flying.

A pair of coots.

Ducks.

Mummy duck with six half-grown ducklings.

And a turtle.

Extremely fuzzy pics of the Moon and Saturn taken by lining up a DSLR with the eye piece of the telescope. Need a camera adapter, evidently. Still, seeing Saturn was truly amazing.

In this post you will find the following:

A huge Eastern Water Dragon

Very hungry baby ibises

A highly-energetic nest-building ibis

Ducklings

A Noisy Miner taking a bath

A blue-faced Honeyeater in flight – just sighting one is rare!

And a flower because it was so colourful.

Our Sunday afternoon was rounded off by a free brass band in the Botanical Gardens, courtesy of Brisbane City Council.

A great Sunday was had by all.