Thorndon Park Reserve

This morning I caught up with a friend of mine for a walk at Thorndon Park Reserve.  Completed in 1860, it was originally a reservoir supplying Adelaide with water. It is now a recreation park with a playground, picnic and barbeque facilities and walking trails.

We took a slow stroll around the wetland area.  The weather was cold, and there weren't many birds, but we soon spotted some lorikeets feeding in the gum trees.  As usual, they were perfuming acrobatics to get to the nectar.  We saw all three common lorikeet species, but I only managed a photo of this Musk Lorikeet

There ware plenty of ducks and other waterbirds around the park.  This Little Pied Cormorant was loafing by the edge, and close by was an Australian White Ibis having a wash and brush up. 

The only ducks I saw were Pacific Black Duck, and Maned Duck.

As usual, there were Dusky Moorhens, Common Coots and Purple Swamphens in good numbers.

I had a bit of fun trying to get some portrait shots.  They didn't turn out too bad.  Here are Purple Swamphen (again) and a Noisy Miner

A great spot.  I'll come back again when the weather is a bit brighter.

Barossa Airshow 2023

 For the first time since COVID hit, the Barossa Airshow took place on Sunday. It was a good mix of old and new, planes and helicopters, with some regulars and also some unusual planes taking part.  Luckily the rain held off, though it was very blustery making for some interesting flying.

The show was officially opened by the RAAF Roulettes. They were reduced to three aircraft plus a solo display due to sickness but still put on an impressive display.  Later in the show, the Roulettes pilots returned in "Rescue 1" to meet the crowd and sign posters etc.

Displays from an ex British Army Gazelle helicopter, and an Aerotech firebomber were followed by the amphibious Super SeeBee, and the incredible Pitts Super Stinker of Chris Sperou, a former multiple Australian aerobatic champion, still flying well into his eighties!

This was followed by a piper cub (including a one wheeled run), the local aerobatics team "The Silver Sharks", and the Australian built Boomerang fighter from the end of WW2.

 The next contribution was a flypast by an RAAF P-8 Poseidon from RAAF Edinburgh.

Another interesting aircraft was the 1940's vintage Ryan which was evacuated to Australia by the Dutch air force in World War 2. This was followed by a glider from the Adelaide Soaring Club at Gawler, and some De Haviland aircraft including this Chipmunk trainer.

The show was rounded out by a display of competition aerobatics and the Siai Marchetti S.211 fast jet trainer 

The girls at Barossa Helicopters had a busy day with their helicopter rides going for most of the day

A great day. roll on 2025 for the next one

Adelaide International Kite Festival 2023

 The Adelaide International Kite Festival is one of my favourite events.  It has been missing the last couple of years due to COVID, but was back this year.  When I arrived it was nice and sunny, but almost calm.  Slowly the breeze started to increase and a couple of small kites were soon flying

After a while, more and more kites took to the air.  There were traditional shapes:

Lots of sea creatures

Some birds and reptiles

And some mythical dragons

Even Tom and Jerry, SpongeBob SquarePants and a few super heroes made an appearance

By lunchtime to sky was full of kites.