Serendip Sanctuary at the base of the You Yangs, South-West of Melbourne, is a good place to practice your bird and animal photography. I like to visit the sanctuary a few times a year and see what wild birds have turned up. The Bush Stone Curlew and the Scarlet chested Parrot were in a walk through aviary along with many other species that are quite used to people. The Bush Stone Curlew uses it stillness and camouflaged plumage and freezes when threatened or nervous. While walking through the aviary we had to wait for the bird to stop freezing and move out of the way. It had to be hunting insects as it did not have to walk on the track we were on. The Scarlet-chested Parrot is rare in Victoria and usually found in inland Australia. The Magpie Geese are actually wild and are often found at Serendip especially when the water levels are higher. They are not the prettiest bird around – remind me more of a vulture than goose. Apparently they are very good eating in Northern Territory.
Bush Stone Curlew, Serendip Sanctuary, Lara, Victoria
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Scarlet chested Parrot
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Swamp Wallaby
Magpie Goose, Serendip Sanctuary, Lara, Victoria
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The Gap Year and Beyond 