Werribee Treatment Plant - 12/06/2005

[kipper]

Well I had another outing to Werribee Treatment Plant on this lovely Sunday. Special thanks to Nicole to taking me down there again.

We started our adventure at 6.30am. We were quite happy as the weather was extremely nice, not a cloud in sight. Then as we got to the city we could see some cloud formations, then over to Laverton/Werribee and there were heaps of clouds. I think a few expletives were used. We went down Farm Rd, and near the Western Sewer Trunk (I know, it's as disgusting as it sounds - trust me on this), we were treated to a pleasant suprise. No, it wasn't a foul smell, but heaps of Whistling Kites. I think we counted about 10. We took a few shots as the clouds dispersed a bit and the sun came over the horizon. We were stoked to have the day start off so well. We hung around there for a while capturing the Kites. Then moved on and found another spot to capture them. I found a nice little man made hide, a large trough with lots of long grass growing around it. I looked at it and waited a while. Spotted a few Kites perched but they flew off before I got a shot off. Moved onto a few other spots in the day managed to get shots of Black Shouldered Kites, Brown Falcons, Nankeen Kestrels, Swamp Harrier, Pacific Gull, Comorants and White Faced Stone Chats. We went off and had some lunch and got back at around 2pm to where we started off the day. The light was a lot better, and the Kites had doubled to about 20. They came in really close and seemed to be hunting something in the sewer trunk. Heaven knows what because when Nicole and I looked there seemed to be lots of floaties. As I said earlier, it was disgusting Moved on to a fewer other spots and caught some brilliant shots of a Black Shouldered Kite devouring a mouse. I think the peis-de-la-resistance (spelling?) was when we were driving along the road to go home, the sun had just gone over the horizon. Nicole had put her camera away thinking it was too dark and no birds would be about. I kept mine out knowing that Murphy is a prick and has caught me out many a times. I shouted "stop", and Nicole was like "where?" and I sat there capturing lots of shots of a Nankeen Kestrel perched about 5m from the car. I think I took shots with my lens, Nicoles flash, then I used her lens to get myself an extra 60mm of focal length reach. I was very happy as through out the day this bird and the Brown Falcon was being very evasive.

Anyway, enough of the story. We will post pictures later. Think I we will have to return to get some decent shots of the Brown Falcon, and also try to get some shots of a Wedge Tail Eagle (non-spotted). Makes it really hard though to get a shot of a Brown Falcon when it seems like there is only 2-4 at WTP, and every time you get close it flies off or a bird attacks it.

[fozzie]

kipper / Darryl,

Now that I have read the story, where are the pix. Only joking, you and Nicole must be exhausted after a long day. BTW: how did the 70-200VR go with dust inside the lens

Cheers,

[redline]

didn't you manage to get Arthur out there this time Kipper?

[kipper]

Unfortunately not Redline. However I think next time we will. I'm going to look at 4wd hiring costs, if we can get a few people interested then we can do something like split the costs. Nicoles car is great for like 2 people, and the other car that she had the other weekend was ok for 3, but I think a 4wd would be much better. There would be no scraping of the under carriage
I did get a shot of a Pacific Gull, it's like a big Seagull, so I'm sure Arthur will be happy

Fozzie, I want to get some shots up but I walked in, had to cook my peice of Tuna Steak, seared with lime, chillies, garlic and ginger and devour it before I can process any pictures Was using Nicoles Sigma 100-300 with 1.4x up until lunchtime, then I switched to my lens to give that a burl. Think both lenses worked quite well.

[stubbsy]

Thanks Darryl. As with your previous report this was very interesting reading. Now you've got me jealous AND hungry (lightly seared tuna is a personal fave - sure it wasn't out of a can ).

Look forward to the pics.

[redline]

i got a quote from hertz.com
for a targo which holds 6 ppl and has sliding doors
about 90 a day plus fuel, damage insurance is ~900 with a discount
no.

same for eurocar 4wds except that you have to be over 25 to avoid paying "excess", damage insurance is ~2500

maybe you should hire a convertable?

[kipper]

Tah, Stubbsy. It most certainly wasn't out of a can. It was a Yellow Fin Tuna Steak from the market. Would prefer Blue Fin, but it's still seriously better than Skipjack. We had that once from the local fishmonger and it was horrible. Full of blood and tasted really fishy. A good bit of Tuna doesn't have much taste to it at all, will taste like Chicken. However this bit of Skipjack I had once tasted very fshy.

[kipper]

Black Shouldered Kite, perched nicely in very low evening sun.

Nikon D70
Nikkor 70-200VR
Nikkor TC1.7IIE
Focal Length - 340MM
Exposure Mode - Manual
Metering Mode - Spot
Shutter Speed - 1/500th
Aperture - F/6.3


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[Nicole]

I'm pretty exhausted so no pics from me today. I got stuck using my hyundai hatchback today so I have to apologise for not being able to fit Arthur in the car. It's only a two-door car so that makes it tricky. The limit is driver plus 4 passengers so I'm sure there's a decent 4wd for hire out there somewhere.

I didn't know if I'd be able to go as I had to go to hospital last Thursday. I was pretty bummed about that thinking I was going to be missing out on some photography on the weekend. I got out Friday and fortunately got away with a minor operation. Hence why i'm feeling pretty stuffed.

Who wants to drive the 4wd next time?

[kipper]

I will Nicole, I don't mind. Think it's my turn to be bagged out for driving anyway

[fozzie]

kipper / Darryl,

The shot of the Black Shouldered Kite above is excellent IMHO. Would rival the pro's. Look forward to you other offerings from the day.

4WD sounds like an excellent

Would this enable you access to other area/s of Werribee Treatment Plant for other bird/s shots

Cheers,

[kipper]

Nah, I don't think so as we pretty much accessed all areas that you're allowed in. It's just the tracks have a lot of hard tall scrub that has formed in the middle of the track and when you drive over it, it scrapes the bottom of the car. Which really makes for a good warning for all the birds that you're approaching. Plus the extra elevation you get from a 4WD makes it good for shooting over fences. Sometimes you find birds perched on things just on the other side of a fence. They have a few manmade perches for the Nankeen Kestrels that you usually find them on every so often. However when you shoot out of the car window the fence line is usuaully in the bottom area of the shot so you have to crop it out. Plus the extra people you can get in the car is good and the extra room for all the photography gear
Nicoles car is great for two people, she could of asked Arthur to come but he wouldn't have been able to get out of the back easily. Plus we would of had to put all of our camera bags in the boot.

[kipper]

Probably the best shot I got of the Brown Falcon that was around on the day. It was quite an elusive bird, I stepped out of my car about 50M away from it and it flew away

<a href="http://darryl.smugmug.com/photos/24771183-O.jpg"></a>

[yeocsa]

I'm pretty exhausted so no pics from me today. I got stuck using my hyundai hatchback today so I have to apologise for not being able to fit Arthur in the car. It's only a two-door car so that makes it tricky. The limit is driver plus 4 passengers so I'm sure there's a decent 4wd for hire out there somewhere.

I didn't know if I'd be able to go as I had to go to hospital last Thursday. I was pretty bummed about that thinking I was going to be missing out on some photography on the weekend. I got out Friday and fortunately got away with a minor operation. Hence why i'm feeling pretty stuffed.

Who wants to drive the 4wd next time?

Hi Nicole,

No worries. I fully understand. I am just so excited for you guys had such good success this time round. Like you said, I think you would be addicted to the area.

regards,

Arthur

[kipper]

Nankeen Kestrel, the last shot of the day. Got quite a few of these, this is one of the sharpest. Might have a look to see what more I can do with the image. Was shot with the sun just below the horizon behind the bird. Used flash at -EV 1 and 2/3. Probably should of used more like +EV of about 1 and 1/3. Oh well. Used ISO 800 and the noise is quite horrid. Used Neat Image on it, will see what I can do about getting rid of the noise more.


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[kipper]

Redline, was just thinking about 4WD hire and you'd have to take it out for 2 days. A day hire would mean either pickup the night before or morning (8am open) and return by evening (weekdays is usually 6pm, close on sats is usually 5/6pm, close on sunday 4/5pm) or the next morning. So if you wanted a full day out there from 7am to about 5->5.30pm you'll have to have two days.

[Glen]

Very impressive shot of the kite Darryl

[kipper]

Tah Glen. I'll post up one of it ripping the head off a mouse later

Redline, just did a check on Budgets website for prices fo 4wd hire for 2 days. You're looking at $220, plus the cost of an etag of about $15 (probably classed as light commercial, not sure). So roughly all up you're looking at about $200-230 (probably could get it cheaper) in costs.

So if anybody is interested, it'll be about $40 per person for a day out to WTP. We could make it so everyone meets at Werribee, and leaves their cars at a designated point and we drive around. Or we could do collections, however collections would mean I'd have to get up really early if we want to get there at 7-7.30am

Send me a private message if you're interested in going. Btw, you'll have to be the sort of person who can go with about 3-5 days notice as it'll have to be planned it around the latest weather forecast and availability of a 4WD.

[redline]

Redline, was just thinking about 4WD hire and you'd have to take it out for 2 days. A day hire would mean either pickup the night before or morning (8am open) and return by evening (weekdays is usually 6pm, close on sats is usually 5/6pm, close on sunday 4/5pm) or the next morning. So if you wanted a full day out there from 7am to about 5->5.30pm you'll have to have two days.

not really kipper,
the airport rental place opens on 5am sharp and close approx 11pm or last flight for the night.



i worked out that if i went to pick it up at say 6am and returned it by 7pm at would be about 120$ plus fuel.
but the co. which i get discouts for don't have 4wds but targos, but i not sure if they have high undercarriage to avoid grass.

[PlatinumWeaver]

Hey guys - Let me know when you're heading out next. I assume the 80-400 would be suffient reach for this kind of thing?

Also, I drive an AU falcon.. lots of room and a nicely appropriate name as well

[Nicole]

It is appropriately named! You should be able to get some good shots with the 80-400. That's what I've been using. Definitely enough for flight shots.

As for the rental, one thing to consider is the use of the 4wd. Sounds weird to me (for a 4wd) but the terms and conditions state that you can only drive on sealed/gravel roads etc. WTP is dirt roads so I don't know if that would be ok.

[kipper]

Redline, well if you know of a place that does 11pm closures on Saturday and Sunday that'll be great. Anyway to keep the price down.

Platinum, ok will keep you posted. Yes the 80-400 should be enough reach. That's what Nicole uses, I use my 70-200VR with 1.7TC sometimes I use Nicole's Sigma 100-300 with 1.4TC. Might hire from Kayell a TC2.0 just for a day for the extra 60mm of reach [

[yeocsa]

Please keep me posted. I will try my very best to join the shootout.

regards,

Arthur

[kipper]

Will do. I can't believe the weather over the past 3-4 days. It's been superb except the odd patch of rain. It's kind of worrying though that it's almost July and there is perfect blue skies, no clouds and sun.

[yeocsa]

Will do. I can't believe the weather over the past 3-4 days. It's been superb except the odd patch of rain. It's kind of worrying though that it's almost July and there is perfect blue skies, no clouds and sun.

Hi Kipper,

I am looking forward to summer. Time to put raincoat and water proofing into my camera bag - just in case.

regards,

Arthur.

[redline]

Redline, well if you know of a place that does 11pm closures on Saturday and Sunday that'll be great. Anyway to keep the price down.

Platinum, ok will keep you posted. Yes the 80-400 should be enough reach. That's what Nicole uses, I use my 70-200VR with 1.7TC sometimes I use Nicole's Sigma 100-300 with 1.4TC. Might hire from Kayell a TC2.0 just for a day for the extra 60mm of reach [

congrats with the potw, with rental cars pick your pickup point at melbourne airport if your doing the weekend thing, i think theres about 6 of them there mostly simliar priced. do you have a current drivers licence?

[kipper]

Mines about 6-8 years old and is a 10year licence. So not the most upto date.

[PlatinumWeaver]

My new license is about 8 hours old

WHy are we comparing licenses?

[redline]

iam just wondering, who able to drive and is over 25.

[Nicole]

iam just wondering, who able to drive and is over 25.

It's better if the driver is over 25 because they don't have to pay an additional surcharge. Haven't hired a car for a while but I assume that's what you're referring to...

[redline]

yes thats right Nicole, theres a ~30 surcharge to under 25s per day, plus higher excesses.