Dandenong Ranges Nature Photography » Lysterfield Lake Park

Sunset at Lysterfield

Kathie Thomas — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 22:10:05 +0000

A couple more sunset shots – both taken at Lysterfield Lake prior to my accident.

Holiday Season – Lysterfield Lake Park

Kathie Thomas — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:37:32 +0000

One of my favourite places to visit. Literally only 10 mins from where we live but it’s not a long hike from the city of Melbourne either. Lysterfield Lake Park is popular for so many reasons: walkers, runners, mountain bikers, people coming to have a picnic, relax, swim in the warm weather, learn to sail, kayak, bird watching, enjoy the Australian scenery, watch the wildlife and so on. I love to go bush walking as well as do nature photography and there are long walks and short ones. Same with those mountain biking – there’s a pump track, flat tracks, hilly tracks and ones for those who are very experienced in mtb. The Commonwealth Games Track has its home there also.

I particularly like being there early morning when the wildlife is still out roaming, and when there is a mist rising from the lake as the sun begins to rise. But sunset is another great time. Actually any time is, it’s a great park. There is also a cafe and bike shop called Trailmix which is popular with all who visit the park. Main entrance is off Belgrave-Hallam Road onto Horswood Road. There are several car parks available.

The park has a very active MTB club and all are welcome to join.

Close up to a Kangaroo

Kathie Thomas — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:47:43 +0000

If you’re visiting Australia, in particular, Victoria, and would like to get up close to a kangaroo in the wild, then I encourage you to visit Lysterfield Lake Park in the early morning hours. Anytime from sunrise till about 9am you’ll see these beautiful animals grazing in their family groups, by the lawns, carpark, even down by the beach of the lake. Definitely on the walking tracks.

While I don’t recommend you try touching them, you could reasonably get to within a few metres of them to get a decent photo before they decide to take off. I use a 70-300mm lens most of the time so they look like I can reach out and touch them… almost!

Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra)

Kathie Thomas — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:31:19 +0000

I used to think these were moor hens but know different these days. I love that my love for nature photography has increased my knowledge, or my hunger for learning, so much more these days. I often get family and friends now asking me what bird is that when we see or hear one when out and about.

However, I believe I can be forgiven for thinking they’re moorhens. They are similar to the dusky moorhen which has yellow and orange on its head instead.

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

Kathie Thomas — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 21:12:38 +0000

I saw a pair of these birds at Lysterfield Lake last month. I didn’t know what they were and had to do some research. I went to get several shots and these were probably the best. Lovely colouring.

Details at Birds in Backyards website says: The Great Crested Grebe is a medium to large aquatic bird, and is the largest of the grebes. It has a long neck and head with a distinctive black double crest. The Great Crested Grebe has dark brown wings, satin white underparts, a black crown, dark olive-green feet and, during flight, prominent white patches are visible on its wings. This grebe has a white face with a red eye, and a black line from the base of the bill to the eye. The adult female is slightly smaller than the adult male. Juveniles have a striped black and white head and neck. more…

Spectators

Kathie Thomas — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:21:18 +0000

Now, this is a turnaround. Kangaroos watching a cyclist pass them by. I thought it quite funny as I looked down on them from the top of the dam wall at Lysterfield Lake Park. The kangaroos are Eastern Greys and there are many at the park. Best time to see them out in the open is early morning or towards sunset.

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

Kathie Thomas — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:38:40 +0000

These birds appear to be seasonal – they turn up once Summer is here, or well on its way. I’ve been hearing their calls here at home and at the park over the past couple of weeks but only really got to see them on Monday of this week. There were a group of six at Lysterfield Lake Park in the trees. I saw four in one tree and could hear two others in another tree but they weren’t visible.

Do you like the stripe of colour in its tail?

White-faced Grey Heron catches…?

Kathie Thomas — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 21:37:49 +0000

I see the white-faced grey heron a real lot at the lake park now. It has at least two young and I sometimes see it with its young or other times alone. Yesterday morning I was walking early along the dam wall and saw it down by the water. I watched it as it dove into the water and came out with something in its beak. When I blow the picture up to around 250% it really looks like the shape of a seahorse but it’s not very clear. The lake is freshwater so I don’t think it could be that though.

White Faced Grey Heron and young

Kathie Thomas — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:40:47 +0000

Readers will know that I am often following the grey heron around at the park. Not that I’m actually stalking it, but if I see it I slow down my walk in an attempt to get closer without disturbing it too much. But many times it sees me before I see it.

Last week I was rewarded with seeing a heron at the end of the breakwater and to see the older one flying down to protect its young as I came into view.

In this shot it had just landed and placed its wing over the smaller one in a protective stance.

Then they both moved to the end of the breakwater, while keeping an eye on me.

Anything you can do I can do better…

Kathie Thomas — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:46:14 +0000

Spied these seagulls at the lake beach a few days ago and one seemed very intent on telling another about something.