Wildlife photographer Jim Thomson continues his series on his big inland trip.
I decided to spend a few days in and around Cloncurry in the Gulf Country of north-west Queensland, as it appeared that there was a good variety of birdlife.
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Most were high in the canopy which makes photographing them a challenge, but in the early mornings I could hear calls of the orioles, and other birds, which was all very promising.
I spent much of my first day searching for good areas to get some shots.
The riverbed - Cloncurry sits on the Cloncurry River - was bone dry but I did find a small water hole that had to be an attractive spot for birdlife, so I was on site early the next morning, camera ready.
Using a bush as a hide, first thing I did was check for ants - lucky, no worries there.
I decided to go with the 400 lens, magnum flash extender and tripod, as I settled in and waited to see what would come in for a drink or a bath.
I didn't have to wait long - first in were some very attractive small doves. I still have to check the bird book to identify them, though.
Things went quiet for a while and patience was required. But it paid off when a bunch of Budgies - actually the collective noun, I'm told, is a chatter - came in. They had beautiful colours and arrived in the tree above me.
It was a frustrating wait because I couldn't be sure they would drop down to let me get some shots, but eventually the lure of water won the day. I had to be quick, it only took a few seconds before they were gone, but it was just enough time to get some good shots.
I should add at this time of morning care had to be taken with the exposure as the light was changing most of the time. I eventually changed to high speed flash with a fast shutter speed to stop any movement while at the same time giving me fill light on the subjects without causing any problems for the birds.
I spent most of the day in this river bed and recorded a number of birds, mostly doves and budgies, and every now and again martins would drop in for some mud - they were obviously building somewhere.
It was time to find out where.
I was lucky, they weren't too far away, high up under a bridge, with some were feeding chicks.
So next morning I set up on those birds. Due to their height I had to use the long lens.
They were very fast coming in but once again patience paid off with some nice images.
I'm about to move on to Hughenden, and then plan head north through some remote country and National parks towards a favourite spot of mine, the Atherton Tablelands. Until next time.