Gonzo

So, finally I've gotten around to buying myself a new phone. I'd been saying for weeks that I was going to do it because I'd gotten sick of my phone constantly crashing when I was trying to text my peeps. This was spurred on yesterday by my phone crashing 3 times yesterday morning and my finally getting around to doing my tax and finding out that I'm expecting a rather nice little tax return so I didn't even feel guilty about spending an atrocious amount of money on a phone.

I did a little research on the net, spoke to my tech support, went to the telstra shop, and eventually decided on the Motorola Atrix.

So far, after playing with it yesterday evening, I've learnt to make and receive calls, write texts, check my email, browse the web, play music, set an alarm, change the wallpaper, change the ringtone, change the displays, take photos, and a few other things. Today, I'm planning to investigate apps and figure out what exactly, I'm supposed to do with the dock that came free with it. We are getting along splendidly so far, but I won't be able to give a proper review for a couple of weeks till we've settled in to life together.

Oh, and, by the way, his name is Gonzo. Don't bother asking why, because even I don't know why I've named him that. My old phone, Phoney Maloney, was a good phone. I liked it very much and if it hadn't been for its rather inconvenient habit of frequently crashing, I probably would have held off buying a smart phone for at least another year. But, alas, that was not to be, and now is not a bad time to be spending the money because I only have 6 months left on my work contract and who knows where I'll be after that.

Is it just me?

Is it just me or do these two soundtracks sound very similar? Every time I hear 'The Walking Dead' opening credits, I see Snape.

Reliving the past....

I've been thinking for quite a while that I really wanted to get out to the coast, visit some of my old haunts, and check on some of my Red-caps and Hoodies, but I couldn't find any times when I had a day off and someone was free to come with me. The other day, I decided that I wouldn't let that stop me anymore - I was going with or without any one to accompany me. After all, I spent an entire summer travelling up and down that coast by myself. So, I did what I always used to do, packed up Barry, started an audio book, and hit the road. And I had one of the best days I've had all summer. I've decided to make the trip at least annually from now on.

This was a bird watching trip, not a photographic trip, but I took my camera with me anyway and go a couple of decent shots. My time was definitely not focused on the photography, though.

Mr Hoodie

A whole family of Hoodies! Notice the teenage Hoodie (the pale one) next to Mrs Hoodie, and Mr Hoodie close by.

Mr Red-cap

Mr Tern

Mr Pacific Gull

Mr Pied Oystercatcher

Monkey Competition!!!

Here are some photos of the monkeys at City Park from when Mum and I did some monkey watching a little while ago. I thought it might be fun to have a *caption competition* so I want you all to choose a monkey photo, save the image onto your computer, use your choice of image editing software, add your choice of words, and email the captioned image to me. Then I'll upload all the entries and we'll sort out a prize when I've thought of one.

I'll try to caption all of the pictures and upload them with your entries. You should all have my email address, but if not tell me in the comments and I'll get it to you.

So get captioning, people. You have one week. ish.

A Sunday in the Park...

On Sunday last week, Dad and Mum took my to the Tailrace and City park to do some bird photography. Here are a few of my favourites for your enjoyment.

A duckling at City Park

Female House Sparrow at City Park

Black Swan at Tailrace

Another ducklilng at City Park

Silvergull and Great Cormorant at Tailrace

Another Great Cormorant at Tailrace

Pelican at Tailrace

Pelicans at Tailrace

Silvergulls at Tailrace

I would say that my photography skills have already improved quite a lot, but I have so much more to learn.

New Years resolutions

Last year, you may remember my new year resolution was to set myself the task of finding, observing, and listing as many different species of Tasmanian birds as I could over 12 months. I diligently kept my list, which grew very quickly over the first few weeks, but slowed down considerably after I had listed the most common birds. Well, in the end I made it to 77 species. Not a bad effort, but not stellar either.
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This year, my new years resolution was made for me by my father - his idea was to spend 12 months photographing as many species of bird as possible. I liked the idea so I have adopted it. It should continue to improve my bird identifying skills as well as drastically improve my wildlife photography skills. My brother tried to add to my resolution by making me have to take a photo of a bird every day, but I wasn't into that :)

A second benefit of this year's resolution is that it will give me something to blog about. I've decided to upload any and all good shots I get over the year here for you all to check out.

So far, the only shot worth sharing is this one (above) of a Wedgetail Eagle being harassed by a Swamp Harrier, but I have a couple of shooting days planned so there should be more soon. Watch this space.

P.S. This post was written a week and a half ago, but I couldn't post it yet so you shouldn't have to wait long for more photos now.

Housesitting

As most of you know, I spent a week housesitting for my friend in Deloraine, looking after her three dogs, two orphaned baby devils, and a ferret. I quite enjoyed my stay and my time as a dog owner. You really can't feel unloved and unappreciated when you have three dogs enthusiastically welcoming you home every night. I didn't enjoy being a ferret owner very much, though. Here are some photos of my dogs and my devils - I didn't take any photos of the stinky ferret.

My Lucy

My Lucy and my Alley (and her hippo)

My Sidney

My Sidney's closeup


And... my baby devils!