They were zooming down to flying low and swiftly over wetland areas, collecting dragonflies for lunch.

Sometimes they would actually eat them in flight.

I spent a lot of time trying to be in the right place to get shots ... not easy as they were continually changing their location, but I did manage a few shots, not all as sharp as I'd like unfortunately.

The Hobby Falcon's flight is swift and direct with occasional brief glides. It not only feeds on insects but small birds as well.

It is usually found in woodland and open swamp areas and they have a call similar to that of a kestrel.

Hobby Falcons usually breed from August to January, and will often use the old nests of other birds.

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The Brown Falcon was found in the Newcastle wetlands.

This is one of Australia's most common raptors, most certainly more easy to approach than the Hobby Falcon.

I came across a pair feeding, but unlike the Hobby Falcon they appeared quite unconcerned by my presence, allowing me to get quite close. Because of that I was able to get some nice sharp images.

Occasionally they would land on fence post where they would sit and watch, waiting for prey flying past.

When prey is sighted, the bird will swoop down and grasp it in its talons, killing the prey with a bite to the spine.

Brown Falcons are found in open habitat, or close to farms. They are found right across Australia, and usually fly close to the ground searching for snakes, small reptiles and insects.

They too will take the old nest of other birds - usually that of another raptor, high in a tree - and will breed from August to November. The female is slightly larger than the male.

My next article will be on another of my favourite subjects, fungi which with a bit of luck should be popping up very soon.