26/ 04/ 2021

Explore the Mallee, Patchewollock Victoria

Hello again,

Just back from a trip to Explore the Mallee in Patchewollock Victoria.

Perfect location and lovely accommodation to sit, relax and listen to the sights and sounds of nature at its best

I cannot speak highly enough for the hospitality and knowledge from Michael and Louise, I had such a beautiful few days exploring and photographing the birds around their property and surrounding Wyperfeld National Park.. there are plenty of birds close by and the two set up bird hides are a great way to get close and personal with the local birds, their location is home to many beautiful Mallee species and all quite approachable for photography or just watching.

A highlight for me was on one occasion going to the hides two Mallee Fowl were just meters away going about their day, to sit and watch these amazing birds so close is something I will never forget. and to be lucky enough to make a few images was a real treat to say the least.

Here are just a few images from this trip, hope you enjoy them….


MalleefowlLeipoa ocellata Megapodiidae

Malleefowl

Leipoa ocellata
Megapodiidae

MalleefowlLeipoa ocellata Megapodiidae

Malleefowl

Leipoa ocellata
Megapodiidae

MalleefowlLeipoa ocellata Megapodiidae

Malleefowl

Leipoa ocellata
Megapodiidae

MalleefowlLeipoa ocellata Megapodiidae

Malleefowl

Leipoa ocellata
Megapodiidae

Major Mitchell’s CockatooLophochroa leadbeateri Cacatuidae

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo

Lophochroa leadbeateri
Cacatuidae

Major Mitchell’s CockatooLophochroa leadbeateri Cacatuidae

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo

Lophochroa leadbeateri
Cacatuidae

Major Mitchell’s CockatooLophochroa leadbeateri Cacatuidae

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo

Lophochroa leadbeateri
Cacatuidae

Major Mitchell’s CockatooLophochroa leadbeateri Cacatuidae

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo

Lophochroa leadbeateri
Cacatuidae

Major Mitchell’s CockatooLophochroa leadbeateri Cacatuidae

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo

Lophochroa leadbeateri
Cacatuidae

Major Mitchell’s CockatooLophochroa leadbeateri Cacatuidae

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo

Lophochroa leadbeateri
Cacatuidae

GalahEolophus roseicapillus Cacatuidae

Galah

Eolophus roseicapillus
Cacatuidae

GalahEolophus roseicapillus Cacatuidae

Galah

Eolophus roseicapillus
Cacatuidae

Sulphur-crested CockatooCacatua galerita Cacatuidae

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Cacatua galerita
Cacatuidae

Mulga Parrot Psephotus varius

Mulga Parrot
Psephotus varius

Mulga Parrot Psephotus varius

Mulga Parrot
Psephotus varius

Mulga Parrot Psephotus varius

Mulga Parrot
Psephotus varius

Bluebonnet Northiella haematogaster

Bluebonnet
Northiella haematogaster

Bluebonnet Northiella haematogaster

Bluebonnet
Northiella haematogaster

Bluebonnet Northiella haematogaster

Bluebonnet
Northiella haematogaster

Regent ParrotPolytelis anthopeplus Psittacidae

Regent Parrot

Polytelis anthopeplus
Psittacidae

Regent ParrotPolytelis anthopeplus Psittacidae

Regent Parrot

Polytelis anthopeplus
Psittacidae

Mallee Ringneck Barnardius zonarius

Mallee Ringneck
Barnardius zonarius

Mallee Ringneck Barnardius zonarius

Mallee Ringneck
Barnardius zonarius

Striped HoneyeaterPlectorhyncha lanceolata Meliphagidae

Striped Honeyeater

Plectorhyncha lanceolata
Meliphagidae

Striped HoneyeaterPlectorhyncha lanceolata Meliphagidae

Striped Honeyeater

Plectorhyncha lanceolata
Meliphagidae

Brown-headed HoneyeaterMelithreptus brevirostris Meliphagidae

Brown-headed Honeyeater

Melithreptus brevirostris
Meliphagidae

Brown-headed HoneyeaterMelithreptus brevirostris Meliphagidae

Brown-headed Honeyeater

Melithreptus brevirostris
Meliphagidae

Spiny-cheeked HoneyeaterAcanthagenys rufogularis Meliphagidae

Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater

Acanthagenys rufogularis
Meliphagidae

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Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater

Acanthagenys rufogularis
Meliphagidae

White-eared HoneyeaterLichenostomus leucotis Meliphagidae

White-eared Honeyeater

Lichenostomus leucotis
Meliphagidae

White-eared HoneyeaterLichenostomus leucotis Meliphagidae

White-eared Honeyeater

Lichenostomus leucotis
Meliphagidae

Singing HoneyeaterLichenostomus virescens Meliphagidae

Singing Honeyeater

Lichenostomus virescens
Meliphagidae

Singing HoneyeaterLichenostomus virescens Meliphagidae

Singing Honeyeater

Lichenostomus virescens
Meliphagidae

Inland ThornbillAcanthiza apicalis Acanthizidae

Inland Thornbill

Acanthiza apicalis
Acanthizidae

Grey Shrike-thrushColluricincla harmonica Pachycephalidae

Grey Shrike-thrush

Colluricincla harmonica
Pachycephalidae

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Grey Shrike-thrush

Colluricincla harmonica
Pachycephalidae

Juveniel Crested BellbirdOreoica gutturalis Pachycephalidae

Juvenile Crested Bellbird

Oreoica gutturalis
Pachycephalidae

Crested BellbirdOreoica gutturalis Pachycephalidae

Crested Bellbird

Oreoica gutturalis
Pachycephalidae

Pied ButcherbirdCracticus nigrogularis Artamidae

Pied Butcherbird

Cracticus nigrogularis
Artamidae

Female Red-capped Robin Petroica goodenovii

Female Red-capped Robin
Petroica goodenovii

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Hooded Robin

Melanodryas cucullata
Petroicidae

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrikeCoracina novaehollandiae Campephagidae

Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

Coracina novaehollandiae
Campephagidae

A great little gathering at the driveway bird bath of Yellow-throated Miner’sManorina flavigula Meliphagidae

A great little gathering at the driveway bird bath of Yellow-throated Miner’s

Manorina flavigula
Meliphagidae

Southern Whiteface Aphelocephala leucopsis

Southern Whiteface
Aphelocephala leucopsis

Splendid Fairy-wrenMalurus splendens Maluridae

Splendid Fairy-wren

Malurus splendens
Maluridae

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Splendid Fairy-wren

Malurus splendens
Maluridae

Welcome SwallowHirundo neoxena Hirundinidae

Welcome Swallow

Hirundo neoxena
Hirundinidae

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The Moon was so clear and large in the sky, you just feel like you can touch it…

The Moon was so clear and large in the sky, you just feel like you can touch it…


Had such a fabulous time at Explore the Mallee, spent a good amount of time looking around their 168 acre property and found plenty of beautiful birds and subjects to photograph, the passion both Michael and Louise have is very addictive and genuine and it shows with their knowledge and experience, you walk away learning a lot, I certainly did.

Also while there this trip I took a couple of trips down to Wyperfeld National Park and explored around there and with nearby National Parks and Flora & Fauna Reserves (Hattah Kulkyne, Murray Sunset, Wathe Reserve, Bronzewing, Annuello) so close by there are lots of options…

Have already booked another trip back and cant wait for another adventure around this stunning part of Victoria and the Mallee, thank you so very much Michael & Louise for sharing your stunning part of Mallee at Patchewollock


Please follow the links to all the information on their websites, would highly recommend for a great Mallee adventure : -

https://explorethemallee.com.au/

Outside Four Walls

https://www.outsidefourwalls.com/


More images to come soon…

Well I will leave you for now with this train wreck contraption, more commonly known in the bird world as a Willy Wag Tail, obviously I want some of what is in that bird bath as it cant be just water!!

Well I will leave you for now with this train wreck contraption, more commonly known in the bird world as a Willy Wag Tail, obviously I want some of what is in that bird bath as it cant be just water!!


Bye for now…stay safe in these very difficult and challenging times…


Please visit my previous trips and locations pages for many more images and details about places to see…