July 14th, 2023
Hardhead – Beautiful Duck deserves more flattering name
Bird Photography with marysejansenart
The only true diving duck in Australia
What’s in a name?!
A pair of beautiful chocolate brown ducks swims gently past down in the creek as I am watching from a small elevated platform. I have not seen these before! They listen to the unflattering name of Hardhead! I can assure you it has nothing to do with the hardness of their skull, nor with their level of stubbornness. In fact, the name is said to refer to the difficulty early taxonomists had with processing the head of this bird!
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July 12th, 2023
Square-tailed Kite – a Rare Encounter
Bird Photography with marysejansenart
Uncommon canopy dweller not often seen up close
I’m talking to another walker on the track as he suddenly says: “Look behind you!” A bird of prey is gliding through the trees, not much higher then eye level! It lands on a branch not far from us so we get a great opportunity to have a good look at it. The smaller birds in the area are not impressed with this visitor in their territory and they make a lot of noise. The bird of prey is definitely a Kite, but I’m not sure which one. Normally I see and hear Whistling Kites in this area, but this one is different. It turns out to be a Square-tailed Kite!
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July 12th, 2023
Exciting News: ‘A River in the Sky’ premieres at PIWEFF
A Nature & Wildlife Film by marysejansenart
My first documentary screened at international film festival
My story of the floods is the perfect story to create climate change awareness as well as a platform to showcase some of Australia’s beautiful wildlife. So I decide to enter my first documentary ‘A River in the Sky’ in this festival. A few months later, I am thrilled to hear that my film has been selected!
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June 22nd, 2023
Sensational Seaweeds on Rocky Shores
Nature Photography with marysejansenart
Seaweed has fascinating applications that paint a brighter future
Seaweeds sensational??? What do you think when you hear the word ‘seaweed’? Maybe you think about sushi, about slimy heaps washed up on the beach, or about the giant kelp forests in which Harry Potter fights a massive battle? These were some of my own associations, but as I am exploring this rock pool ….. I begin to think more about this interesting life form.
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June 15th, 2023
Shining Bronze-Cuckoo is Living the Good Life
Bird Photography with marysejansenart
This bird practices lazy parenting in beautiful locations
A small bird grabs my attention. It is not easy to spot as it moves around in the foliage of the trees but every now and then I get a glimpse of a beautiful metallic green shine that has me interested. This shiny colour is visible on the birds back and wings. The underparts are barred with heavily contrasting white and dark green colours. I peer patiently through the lens of my camera, waiting for the right moment to get a clean shot. Yes, there it is! This little beauty is a Shining Bronze-Cuckoo!
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June 9th, 2023
Safe Koala Crossings – Living with Wildlife in Urban Areas
Wildlife Photography with marysejansenart
Nature in our Modern World Part 1
I’m driving home and it’s dark. As always, I drive with an extra focus: not only on the road but also on the side of the road. I see something moving there. Thankfully, I have a habit of driving more slowly under these conditions and I am able to hit the breaks – just in time for a koala to cross the road! I watch the cute little creature reach the other side safely and climb up a tree, before I continue on, pondering on living with wildlife in urbanized areas.
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June 9th, 2023
Old Man’s Beard Creates Mysterious Atmosphere in the Forest
Nature Photography with marysejansenart
Usnea lichen indicator species for clean air
I walk on and it becomes clear that this path has not been used for a while as it is quite overgrown in places by the bushes. I keep going though because this place is drawing me in. It’s slow going in places and challenging to work through all the prickly branches, but when I reach an open spot my jaw drops in awe… I feel like I have walked straight into a mysterious fairy-tale forest! The trees here are literally covered in Old Man’s Beard! The sunlight accentuates their light green colour as the long, hanging mosses slowly wave back and forth in the breeze. It is just beautiful!
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May 27th, 2023
Pacific Baza – Piercing Yellow Eyes Scanning for Prey
Bird Photography with marysejansenart
Crested Hawk performs clever hunting techniques
Silently a large bird glides through the canopy of the Eucalyptus trees. If I hadn’t been looking up to the tree tops, I would never have known it was there! It sits on a branch for a few moments and then it takes off again. Not in the way you would expect a bird to take off by flapping it’s wings and lifting off of the branch. But by plunging straight down head first with its wings folded! The bird unfolds its wings as it begins to fall and easily glides to the next chosen branch with a few gentle flaps. The piercing yellow eyes and a distinct crest on this hawk-like bird tell me it’s a Pacific Baza!
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May 24th, 2023
Are Nature Prescriptions Coming to Australia?
Nature Photography with marysejansenart
Doctor’s Orders: Connecting with Nature for Increased Physical and Mental Well-being
... While we all know that physical exercise is good for our health, it’s not just about that. Doing it in nature has many extra benefits, especially when we pay attention to our surroundings:
Take your time and stop often. Take a closer look and marvel at the interesting things you can find along your path. Stop to enjoy a beautiful view. Take a photo to bring the memory home. Keep a nature journal and write and draw about the things you see. Sit down at a suitable spot and have a healthy snack and/or a drink of water. Lean up against a tree, close your eyes for a while and listen to the sounds around you. Notice the smells. Feel the breeze on your skin. Engage all your senses!!...
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May 12th, 2023
3 Perfectly Purple Wildflowers
Wildflower Photography with marysejansenart
Purple Wildflowers Provide Royal Beauty to the Forest
The forest is dark and damp, even though the sun is shining brightly in a blue sky above the canopy. The harsh sunlight penetrates the forest occasionally with a few thin rays, which increases the contrast with the darkness below. I smell the earthy scent of the dirt under my feet, mixed with that of a variety of plants and flowers. I hear a number of different bird sounds and every now and then I get a glimpse of one of them through the thick vegetation. One of the sun rays reaches ground level and illuminates a beautiful purple wildflower!
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