Kakadu Bird Week

Navin got an amazing opportunity to be official photographer at Kakadu Bird Week last week, thanks to Sarah Burgess at Kakadu National Park. This is like having your cake AND eating it, as Navin got to go on birding tours and do his photography at the same time. And I got to tag along!

This was the 5th Kakadu Bird Week hosted by Parks Australia. It was held from 1st to 7th October, and Navin drove out on his own to Kakadu, three hours away, on Sunday 1st October. He had prior work commitments on 4th & 5th October and had to return to Darwin mid-week. Missing those two days of Bird Week was agonizing for him.

Navin had previously been introduced to Luke Paterson, owner of NT Bird Specialists and they worked on a day activity for seniors in Darwin recently. Navin was glad to be present at each of Luke's tours and talks, amazed at how quick he was to spot the most elusive birds. Navin also met with Mike Jarvis of 'Experience the Wild' and several other bird experts during the week. 

Luke Patterson looks through his trusty binoculars

Mike Jarvis leading a group of keen birders

I joined Navin when he went back to Kakadu on Thursday evening. It was a tiring drive, right after a busy day at work, for both of us. Glad we arrived safely in Jabiru. On Thursday night, we attended a talk on Magpie surveys. First thing on Friday, Navin took me to see "just some branches" that he had seen earlier that week. The Tawny Frogmouths are birds that I've been trying to spot on my own, since hearing that they are fairly common in the Top End. But these were special, because, not only were they so well camouflaged, they were nesting right in a housing estate and they had two cute and fluffy nestlings!

An adult Tawny with its two young fledglings

Patsy, the local guide teaches visitors how to weave baskets from plant fibres

On Friday evening, we decided to check out Nawurlandja - a short walk brought us to a lookout with breathtaking views. The best part of it was, as far as we could see, we were the only two people in the area! Navin was hoping to see two birds that are usually found there, but to no avail. In any case, the views made the trip and climb worth it. Just that the flies were annoying and made it such a challenge to take panorama shots! hmph!!

If you look carefully, you can see me as a tiny speck off right from centre

While I'm not a bird enthusiast myself, learning about the various types of birds, their varying appearances and behaviour was an eye-opener! I've accompanied Navin on a few birding sessions and been able to spot birds quite well. Or so I thought! This trip, I was overwhelmed by the number of birds that the guides were able to spot, very often just by hearing the calls. Some were tiny or so well-camouflaged in the trees or mud banks that even binoculars didn't help. It seemed as if the guides had planted the birds at those spots and we simply pointing them out.

One of the memorable scenes during the Yellow Water Cruise - A whistling kite steals a fish from a cormorant

An Australian Hobby - The last bird we would see from this trip

Over the long weekend, I got to meet Sarah, Luke, Mike and the Kakadu Park Rangers Phoebe, Kai, Luke and Lauren. Each one of them amazed me with their knowledge, experiences and dedication to preserving the natural environment in their own ways. We joined Sarah, Luke and Kai for an unofficial celebratory dinner at the end of Bird Week on Saturday night, and got to know them better. 

From left: Luke, Lauren, Sarah, Phoebe, Luke, Kai

As we exchanged stories of how each of us got to this point in life, several similarities and many more differences in the way we all experience life. A couple that had 21 tents for various types of camping versus a couple that hasn't gone for a camping trip proper. Individuals who are so accustomed to bright city lights and well-lit roads versus those who can drive alone and confidently with only moonlight and car headlights to guide the way. As we drove back to Darwin on Sunday, we reflected on how we had grown up with the security and stability in Singapore and how the move to Darwin has paved way for experiences far away from the bright city lights that we've grown up taking for granted. Moving to Darwin has definitely been one of the best decisions we have ever made. It is up there with taking up scuba diving.