Images of the Pilbara

Life has been fairly busy lately, with autunm fauna surveys in full swing and more vagrant bird species appearing in Western Australia. Now a very rare Grey Phalarope has turned up at Greenough, about 4 hours drive north of Perth. I hope it stays around until the weekend, it might be a nice time to visit that part of the country!

During a recent Pilbara fauna survey, I captured some of these landscape images (as well as some fantastic fauna). Time was very limited for fauna photos, as this was an intense Level 2 fauna survey, plus we had to get out of the area on time, as a huge weather system (which has now turned into a cyclone) was bearing down on the area.

The Pilbara is a magical place, especially during the early morning light.

The seasons have been good here this year, with lots of rain and many beautiful pools in the gorges still full of water.

Different habitats for wildlife, rocky cliffs and gorges, eucalypt and acacia lined creeks and vast spinifex grasslands.

A great trap site along a cliff, but the Torresian Crows were a nuisance, throwing the traps further down the cliff every morning, after learning how to get the bait balls out.

A lone white gum watchs over the treeless spinifex hills.

One of the trap sites on the spinifex grasslands.

With the good seasons, the Little Button-Quail have had lots of young, like this cute little fellow.

The little guy has to watch out, as this Spiny-tailed Monitor (Varanus acanthurus) would love to have him as a snack!

The survey comes to a close, just as the storm clouds start to roll in.

More beautiful hills in the morning light.

Time to head home, after another wonderful survey in an amazing ancient landscape.