East Gippsland is home to an extraordinary variety of birdlife, from familiar Australian species to the birds that are easily overlooked among the forests, wetlands and open country. These photographs come from time spent observing birds in the field, often returning to the same places and waiting for those moments when their behaviour, light and surroundings come together.
During a feeding frenzy at Johnsonville Boat Ramp in East Gippsland, this Australian Pelican lunged at the perfect moment to steal a silver bream from a Great Cormorant. The pelicans waited on the surface while the cormorants dived for fish, taking every opportunity to snatch their catch as they resurfaced.
This Australian Pelican was gliding across still water on the Tambo River, its reflection dissolving beneath it.
A Great Crested Tern stands watch over the waters of Eagle Point Bay.
An Australasian Darter with a successful hunt, captured moments after emerging from the water with a fish held firmly in its bill.
A Great Egret pauses at the water's edge at the start of River Mouth Road Eagle Point, its delicate breeding plumes catching the breeze.
An Australasian Darter resting on a fallen riverbank log along the Mitchell River Silt Jetties. Its dark plumage almost disappearing into the deep green of the water behind it.
Emerging from a veil of flowers and foliage, an this Australian White Ibis pauses among the lush growth of the wetland.
Australian White Ibis foraging through a summer meadow near McFarlane Road on the Tambo River, moving quietly among the grasses and scattered yellow flowers.
Australian White Ibis moves through the tangled branches of the MacLeod Morass wetland, its pale form emerging from the surrounding shadows.
Australian White Ibis colony gather among the windswept trees of the Macleod Morass Wildlife Reserve.
A Royal Spoonbill silhouetted against the morning light at McLeod Morass.
An Egret descends toward the treetops at Macleod Morass, suspended against the open sky.
Australian Pipit poised above the mouth of the Tambo River, surrounded by weathered stone, driftwood and the quiet colours of the water.
A Rainbow Lorikeet pauses with a mouthful from my apple tree in the backyard. Proving you can get some good wildlife portraits right in your own backyard.
Rainbow Lorikeets among the apple blossoms in a Bairnsdale backyard.
Two Rainbow Lorikeets feed among the blossoms in a Bairnsdale backyard.
For this Sulphur-crested Cockatoo even the rain can't interrupt it making a lunch of my apple tree.
Watching the world from the treetops.
A Sulphur-crested Cockatoo decends upon a roost along Bouchers Road walking track near Mount Taylor.
Black swans skim across the water at Macleod Morass, their reflections trailing behind them in the morning light.
A black swan moves across the blue waters of Mason Bay, with others scattered across the lake behind it.
Two black swans drift through the morning winter mist at Macleod Morass, surrounded by the quiet waters of the wetland.
A small group of chestnut teal rests among the twisted branches and dense vegetation of Macleod Morass.
An Eastern Yellow Robin emerges from the shadows of the forest at Nyerimilang Heritage Park.
A Eurasian Coot skims across the surface of Newlands Backwater along the Dinni Birraark Walk, kicking up a trail of spray as it takes flight.
A gathering of Great Crested Terns rests on the rocks at the mouth of the Tambo River.
Little Black Cormorants lift from the water together along Swan Reach Bay, their silhouettes mirrored across the still surface.
An Australian White Ibis crosses the evening sky above the Bairnsdale wetlands, caught in the first light of day.
A Magpie crosses the grass, caught in a moment of quiet purpose.
A Magpie-lark stands among the rocks at Paynesville, alert to the world around it.
Three Little Corellas pause together on a quiet afternoon in Bairnsdale.
A Wedge-tailed Eagle passes overhead, its broad wings catching the light above Fernbank.
Two Pacific Black Ducks lift off above the open wetlands of McLeod Morass.
A Pied Currawong watches from the edge of the garden, its bright eye catching the light.
A Red Wattlebird pauses on the edge of the garden.
A Pacific Gull sweeps high over the waters of Metung.
A Silver Gull glides low over the waters of the Gippsland Lakes.
A Silver Gull balances on a weathered timber post above the Gippsland Lakes.
Above the morass, the ibis gather beneath the Mount Taylor overlooking the city of Bairnsdale
For a moment, the quiet wetland of Macleod Morass became an eruption of activity from these Straw-necked Ibis
A thousand wings beneath an endless sky.
White-faced Heron at Tambo Bay, flying against the sky.
This White-faced Heron is grace in motion skimming the quiet waters of Tambo Bay.
A Superb fairywren gives us a fleeting glimpse of life beneath the scrub.