WAIKIERIE & PORT AUGUSTA

Following on from our Gluepot visit in late March of this year, we crossed the Murray on the free ferry service into Waikerie, still in South Australia, a pretty little town which would make a great base for further exploration of the area.

Waikerie Ferry

Ferry name with un-identified picture (not an Australian species) - any ideas?

I heard the plaintive calls of this bird before I saw it perched conspicuously in the open.

Fan-Tailed Cuckoo

The Murray River at Waikerie

This critter was making itself as inconspicuous as possible after I spotted it out in the open, from a fair distance. It must have felt my footsteps through the ground as I approached to take a photo. This was the best I could do.

Echidna

Our next port of call was Port Augusta from where we planned to explore some of the iconic Flinders Ranges.

View from caravan park at Port Augusta - Spencer Gulf and Flinders Ranges

While we were there we visited the Australian Arid Land Botanic Gardens, a must do for anyone planning to stay more than a day or two.  

Grey Butcherbird

Sturt's Desert Pea - the quintessential outback flower

I was able to pick up a lifer, Redthroat, a great little vocaliser but difficult to pinpoint in the vegetation. A record shot was all I could manage.  

Redthroat - male

This low growing tree was an ideal place for a break in the warm conditions we were experiencing in the Botanic Gardens.  

Outside

Inside

Mesas north of Port Augusta

Red cliffs on the Spencer Gulf

White-Backed Swallows

I got pretty excited when I thought I'd spotted a Blue-Winged Parrot (on my wants list). After a good look through the bins and field guide, Elegant Parrot was the verdict, albeit a species I haven't seen in years and a lovely bird. Another record shot below.    

Elegant Parrot