 Pink cockatoos were the big attraction for my visit to Eyre Bird Observatory on the remote Western Australian coast - but I was a bit daunted by the drive in (I didn't want to get bogged on the sandy track - what a drama!). But I had an excellent co-pilot....I signed up for Keith Lightbody's bird photography course, and Keith kindly came out to the scarp and drove in with me. What's more, the course was brilliant, and the birds....superb! What an adventure!  I volunteered to write an account of my time at EBO to be published in LANDSCOPE magazine. The photos that went with the article were largely by Keith (at my request - Keith is a master bird photographer!). I've reproduced the text from the article below, and added my photos and videos. Thanks to Keith Lightbody and Mark Davidson for their assistance with the article. Eyre Bird Observatory: pink cockatoos, solitude – and an excellent bird photography course! I’ve driven across the Nullarbor a few times, noting the turn off to Eyre Bird Observatory (EBO) about fifteen kilometres east of Cocklebiddy, and always thinking I’d go there one day when my 4WD skills and courage aligned… Well, last November a tantalising offer galvanised me into action: through Birdlife Australia, I heard that there was a spot available in the renowned EBO Photography Course. I was hesitant about the drive in, daunted by driving solo down the scarp and then through (possibly) deep sand and the risk of getting bogged. I was greatly relieved when Keith Lightbody, course convenor, offered to meet me at the scarp and drive in with me, in convoy with other participants. Turns out that, with Keith tutoring me, it was an easy run. And it just kept getting better: we course participants were a diverse bunch of six who had travelled from Victoria, South and Western Australia. We were joined by Keith and his mate Mark, and wonderful caretakers Margaret and John. Best of all, eight avid bird photographers with various levels of expertise had ‘found their tribe’ for the next six days.  The Observatory is over a hundred years old and has had various lifetimes as the Eyre Telegraph Station,dilapidation, and since 1977 Birdlife’s Observatory. It’s well past its youth – it’s very solid and rather stately, and you’d love those walls to be able to share their stories. And yes it’s isolated. Intrepid day visitors dropped in and that added to the tapestry of collected human interest, but most of the time, we ten residents enjoyed delectable meals and conversation – and many laughs -- on the open back veranda. We knew that we had telephone and emergency contact should the unthinkable happen, but to be so alone out there, and away from the clamour of the world, felt like a rare gift.  Our course took the shape of conversational and interactive sessions each morning with Keith – he’s been offering the course for many years and so his approach is well-polished. He is a renowned nature photographer whose technical skills are outstanding. He is also an excellent educator and a very generous and patient tutor. Even though we were all at different stages in our journeys as bird photographers, and our kit was similarly disparate, we all felt as though we learnt a great deal. Like many others, I took up this great pastime during Covid. I’ve since joined in a few courses and events to try to improve my birding and photography skills, and there is no doubt that this was my best value experience to date. I learnt so much about birding, camera technique and post-processing. I’m still returning to and working my way through Keith’s excellent resources. One of the best aspects of the course was the nightly “show and tell” where we each shared photos on which we were seeking feedback: “how could I have made this a better photo?” Tips for improvement were shared thoughtfully and respectfully – and this ‘learning by doing’ approach was really helpful.  One of my first "show and tells": I was pretty pleased to capture this image, and my peers were very encouraging. Of course, the subject matter of our photos was one of the most delectable aspects of the EBO experience. Twice a day – morning and evening – we were in our outdoor “studio” photographing the pink cockatoos who came in for a drink. Sometimes there was a lone visitor, often they came in pairs, and occasionally in mobs. We were particularly fortunate to see some “biffo” one morning: two young males were having a squabble. It didn’t look like a serious set to, but our photos that day were just that much more interesting. Regardless of the day’s activity, these birds are so spectacular with their soft pink and white feathers, and their exhilarating red, white and yellow crests. “Incoming!” was the cry that went up several times a day when these wonderful creatures came for a visit – that was your cue to grab your camera and take up your position. Because we spent so much time at this, I found that I learned to know the bird’s behaviour – which way it might land or take off, when it was about to come down to a lower branch for a drink. It was a more studied approach to birding than walking through the bush hoping to chance upon an unsuspecting bird. But there was plenty of time for that too, and many species were seen and photographed on the walking paths around the Observatory: Grey Butcherbird, Brush Bronzewing (pigeon), Red-winged Fairy-wren, several varieties species of honeyeaters and raptors. We also had a run to the beach where the birds were quietly going about their business: Pied Oystercatcher, Pacific Gull and Red-capped Plover were among them. The flora around this area are also quite amazing: fringe lily (Thysanotus baueri), flax lily (Dianella revoluta), thick-leaved fan-flower (Scaevola crassifolia) and a blue Eremophila species were just some of the plants in flower.  For photographers – and also for those who just want to experience the quiet and the wonderful environment, EBO has so much to offer. I’m so glad I girded my loins for the 4WD trek. I know I will smile every time I pass that turn off in the future – what a wonderful experience with such excellent people. It was truly a one-off experience. STOP PRESS: DATES FOR THE 2025 COURSES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED:
BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE 1 $940 for 6 nights. Max 8 participants Facilitated by Keith Lightbody Arriving 9th November – departing 15th November 2025 - BIRD PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE 2 $940 for 6 nights. Max 8 participants Facilitated by Keith Lightbody Arriving 16th November – departing 22rd November 2025 Contact [email protected].
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