US BIRDERS join us for a DAYTRIP at Melbourne's BIRDING HOTSPOT

[@micheledamschke2441]

Brilliant, just brilliant!

[@naturephotographychallenge]

Thanks so much! It was such a fun day with the nicest people 😊

[@jamesshelton6854]

We found the video a couple of days ago. Wow! It's really good! We all loved it and can't thank you enough. No joke, it was the best day of our trip. Friends for life is right! Jim

[@naturephotographychallenge]

We're so glad that you liked it!! 😀 It really was such a great day!! Definitely.... friends for life!! ❤ Karen & Nimal

[@robertgilbert484]

A very heartwarming video! You must be really proud and happy to have shared the WTP with Birders from the other side of the world. A special day indeed for all of you!

[@naturephotographychallenge]

Thanks! It really was a wonderful day. The weather was unfortunately quite cold but the birds were fabulous!! And I think that's all that matters! And it was wonderful to meet such nice people to share it all with!! ~ Karen

[@mervroberts5134]

Loved this video. Werribee has been on my list of must visit sites for years so hopefully, one day, I will get there.

[@naturephotographychallenge]

Thanks! It's a great spot! Loads of birds! Hopefully one day you will be able to visit

[@Hummingbirder1]

Gosh! This is like one of my secret wishes coming true (for a bunch of other peeps...)! We certainly have one day set aside for a visit there on our trip, in little less a year from now... Loved all the birds, especially the lengthy video of the Crake, almost (but not quite) walking on water. I've seen it in NE China, eons ago (like, May 1996). The Golden-headed Cisticola clip made me very happy as well. It sure looked a bit nippy, not as many flies that day, eh?

[@naturephotographychallenge]

We would love you to be our guests at the WTP if you would like! So keep in touch if this is something that you would like to do. This was such a fun day out! Yes the weather was really awful unfortunately (really cold & kind of dark so I had to up the colour on the video as it was really dull). Luckily the birds were all out & we saw so many! The Baillon's Crake was a real highlight!! And there were so many that day just wandering around!! Amazing!! Tom & Nimal had been there weeks before, took chairs & sat there for hours to only get a one second glimpse of one... so seeing so many on this day was a really special event. I love Cisticolas!! They are adorable little birds. Very fast & small but we were again super lucky this day to see them up so close & calling.

[@kennethnoble8139]

Really enjoyable video! I particularly liked the footage of the Baillon's Crake, which I've never seen. One thing puzzles me - why doesn't Nimal get a taller tripod; it looks painful the way he arches his back over the camera!

[@naturephotographychallenge]

Thank you 😀 Ahhh Nimal's tripods!! haha! He's had a few now but this is his biggest Benro tripod. It was quite windy that day so he may not have extended the legs as long as they can go. I'm never sure what he's doing when it comes to tripods but I'm just glad that they work, the legs stay on & he doesn't lose any parts!! hahaha!!! ~ K

[@kennethnoble8139]

@@naturephotographychallenge 🤣

[@SapphireBlueTravelExplores]

Absolutely stunning shots again, guys, and to share it with friends, amazing.

[@naturephotographychallenge]

Thanks! It was a really great day! We all had so much fun & have made friends forever 😀

[@sgw9753]

It was great getting a little peek into Jim and Ellen's trip Down Under!

[@naturephotographychallenge]

It was a really fun day & so special to meet such nice people!! 😀

[@sgw9753]

Interestingly, we met Jim and Ellen for the first time a number of years ago on a birding trip that they led in the mountains of Western North Carolina. We now live in WNC too and are part of their birding club. If you ever plan a trip to the East Coast of America, I hope you will include our beautiful mountains in your itinerary!

[@naturephotographychallenge]

@@sgw9753 They would be fabulous birding guides! If ever we do make it to North America, WNC would definitely be on our list!

[@CowboyJojosAdventures]

That little Golden-headed Cisticola was gorgeous. That is some serious Camera Gear Nimal. Love the Brolgas too. Glossy Ibis looks far more beautiful than their Bin Cousins. Looks like a great Lunch Karen. Some great and amazing birds seen on this trip. Sounds like your USA friends had an awesome time.

[@naturephotographychallenge]

The Cisticolas are such cute little birds. Super lucky this day that they put on quite a show. Meeting our new friends from the US was such a thrill! We could not have asked to meet nicer people 😀 ~ Karen

[@lindenwatson846]

I photographed one of those out Healesville recently had no idea of what it was so I had to look it up lol

[@openracer]

Great video and insight

[@naturephotographychallenge]

Thank you so much for watching! 😀 It was a fun day showing people around... and lucky for us the birds were all out on show that day!!

[@sferguk1]

Ah man, a bucket loads of lifers in that vid for me. I'm proper jealous. Guess I'll just have to come back. 😂 Another great video well done.

[@naturephotographychallenge]

Thanks! Yes you'll just have to return one day 😀 There's always something fabulous going on at the WTP

[@shanebailey9128]

No! You are Proper “Envious”.

[@josephdaigneau430]

Nice video a pleasure to watch

[@naturephotographychallenge]

Thank you so much for watching! 😀

[@husinibakar938]

Will be in Melbourne in May 2024 but not sure how and whether can enter WTP. Any pointers?

[@naturephotographychallenge]

There are various ways you can visit the Western Treatment Plant (you will need a car). This link will help with lots of information - www.melbournewater.com.au/services/licences-and-permits/birdwatching-access