Bermie is picturesque small town on the NSW south coast. It features in novels and films, and has an undoubtedly arty community. I had to visit a few days ago to use an ATM where I could change my pin number on some new cards before our trip. All the new ATMs of the kind I use belong to a banking group, rather than credit unions, and do not have the pin change facility for my cards. However this one at Bermagui belongs to a credit union, so it all worked for me there.
graceful town centre
Bermie is famous for deep sea fishing, and has a huge Fisherman’s Co-Operative. Most of the fish caught locally goes up to Sydney or down to Melbourne and is sold through the big fish markets there. I walked out on the point overlooking the town and the sea, to capture this photo of Gulaga, sacred women’s mountain. Usually I see her from the north, so to have this view from the south is quite special for me.
Mount Gulaga, Tilba
Peewees and Masked Lapwing were also enjoying the warm sunshine and grubs in the mown grass.
PeeWee or Magpie Lark
There were a pair of Peewees hunting together, but too fast for me! Lucky I have this one to show you. The Masked Lapwing on the other hand are a photographer’s delight. They stand very still, watching and listening for their prey, and they are not particularly disturbed by people. These are the ‘silly’ birds I first knew from their habit of nesting in the centre of roundabouts or on footpaths in the city!
Masked Lapwing or Spurwinged Plover
I was conscious of having to meet my friend for an early lunch,so did not spend time here, and was just about to leave when this young Sea Eagle flew over.
juvenile Sea Eagle
Sunlight sparkled on the sea, which was calm and inviting, a typical autumn day here on the South Coast.
Leaving town I had to stop again at the marina, where I could see pelicans sitting on the piers. Boats always look attractive to me, especially with water and sunshine!
Bermagui marina
A group of Wood Ducks were sun-baking, scarcely noticing me as I slipped by.
Australian Wood Ducks, or Maned Geese
and then there were the pelicans, one of which I posted yesterday. Perhaps they had breakfasted early with the fishermen?
Pelican at Bermagui
One last peek at those Wood Ducks … and I was off to lunch.
sleeping in the sun
I hope you can find somewhere warm to enjoy a restful moment today!
Oh…you are making me want to visit there even more with these photos.
sneaky, eh?
On Thu, May 8, 2014 at 1:16 PM, dadirridreaming wrote:
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Thank you for your perspective on Bermagui. The shots down over the village and out to Gulaga make it very clear why there’s strong opposition to the opening of a Woolworths with all its attendant sub structure and spoilage. I share your liking for images of boats, which always seem to create amazingly clear reflections and a sense of serenity. And as always I’m in awe of your photographic relationship with birds!
I think that dreaded development might have been decided this week … it seems next to impossible to keep these monsters out of our towns … the No M in Moruya campaign has been a big success but we can never rest on our laurels 🙂
Gorgeous spot, Bermie … Fabulous shot of the young sea eagle !!! As for them duckywuckies … Do you know, Darling Harbour’s landfill part used to contain a large-ish pond that was supplied with those ‘kick-drive your own little boat’ thinggies, only used on the weekends, really, and mostly all moored up one end. The rest of it was home to fly-through ducks ! I adored them, and would stop on my walk in to work to talk to them, twice every day. I particularly loved the one solitary brown-headed one, which I soon identified as a wood duck (via the Web, of course). None of it exists any more: it’s been filled in and there’s now a HUGE Commonwealth Bank building complex all over that part of DH. And we were told that it would be for us, the people …
so sad M-R, the corporations don’t think of wildlife do they? Happy I could remind you of Bermie 🙂
Nice to have a visit – haven’t been to Bermagui for 60 years, so I don’t really remember much! 🙂 When do you leave?
this time next week we will be in the air … or arriving in Paris, depending which time zone you use … not long now!
I’m so excited for you … Travelling vicariously is quite interesting. I wonder how Madhu’s getting on in
Venice? And John takes off for Rome, Florence and San Marino next week … so much sitting around, drinking coffee, watching the world I’m about to indulge in 🙂
Yes I am looking forward to reading about Venice! It is fun sharing in these travels … and your reflections on Sri Lanka 😉
I have to say that I am really impressed with your ability to document a place well while on business! I recently got into birds and you do a great job identifying them for me. Thanks!
thanks for your kind words …. I am an enthusiastic amateur with bird photos, but I do love identifying them, even though I don’t usually mention the scientific names … wishing you well with your birds too! Where are you? In Australia?
The US. Love seeing new species!
This is my restful moment… what a glorious day.
I would much prefer to go to your banking facility than mine at the local Mall.
A sea eagle just happens along – amazing! Not much hope for a warm sit down here today it’s pouring with rain at 6.45 am 😦
Your sea eagle we call osprey, and our favorites have returned to the nest on the hughway phone pole.. A sure sign of spring.
P.S. I love all the photos!
Excellent composition of the curved neck of the pelican against the curve in the road.
Fabulous! I really enjoy the watching these beautiful, special birds here… Thank you, Christine!
What a lovely place, Christine. I enjoyed the tour! Of course, I love the birds. 🙂
Loved this walk around the town Christine
Loved the bird pictures and the views of that picturesque town! Your pelicans are whitish, while ours are brownish. It fascinating how they adapt to where they live. Needless to say the young sea eagle struck a chord 🙂
I did wonder if you would see it … I would have liked to have more time, it was a bit of a rush 🙂
On Fri, May 9, 2014 at 10:19 AM, dadirridreaming wrote:
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Of course I saw it 🙂
The photos are really gorgeous and I can tell that Bermagui is very special. A sea eagle? What an interesting bird. All of “your” birds are interesting in their beauty and individuality, but the sea eagle and those beautiful wings! Whoa!
this is a young one Debra, hence the ‘dirty’ appearance of the feathers which are not yet white … they are magnificent birds 🙂
On Fri, May 9, 2014 at 3:47 PM, dadirridreaming wrote:
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