DELIGHTFUL SHEPHERDS BUSH

What a nature haven in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne! We had a delightful morning, marvelling at the birds, the trees and flowers, and all the sights and sounds this lovely walk has to offer. 

On the last day of 2022, we headed to Melbourne's eastern suburbs to wander through Shepherds Bush - a place we had heard about, but never visited. Apart from the occasional plane overhead, you could think you were in a rather remote location. There were birds a-plenty, and the vegetation was thick and lustrous.

We were greeted on arrival by this magnificent magpie - always an encouraging sign.

We found the walking track and set off to explore.

Superb fairywrens were in abundance, playing among the branches at eye level.

Honeyeaters were also about - but the sulphur-crested cockatoos and the rainbow lorikeets tended to dominate the airwaves with their raucous cries.

The little chap that stole our hearts, however, was a juvenile grey fantail - it went about its business very close to us, and was probably a bit too trusting.

We were hoping to see a king parrot, but they were all off somewhere else that day - but we did see the ever-shy eastern rosellas.

Red-browed finches were a delightful finish to our walk.

But there were two more stars in this lineup: firstly, we marvelled at these dragonflies and their contortions.

And finally, the flora was the other star attraction on this glorious day.