Competition – Best Australian Natural Landscape Photo

Competition – Best Australian Natural Landscape Photo

Our first Photo Competition for “Best Australian Wildlife Photo” in October was a great success so we’re announcing our second Competition for December 2019 / January 2020 “Best Australian Natural Landscape Photo”, again run in collaboration with Heather at “The Northern Guide”.

The Australian Landscape is as beautiful as it is diverse, we have everything here from beautiful beaches, daunting deserts & snowy mountains to tropical rain forests & waterlogged wetlands along with everything else in between.

Mountains of Gold - Beachside Rocks, Shorehaven Beach, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art (CRA1.1-V1-)
Mountains of Gold – Beachside Rocks, Shorehaven Beach, Perth, Western Australia

Living our busy lives in suburbia it’s easy to forget just how amazing this country is. Hopefully our Photo Competition this month will help bring your attention back to the natural wonders all around us and maybe inspire you to get outdoors and leave city life behind for a while 😎

To enter this months competition all you need is a photo taken in Australia that focuses on the Natural Landscape. Animals, people, buildings and man made objects are allowed but must not be the main subject.

Sunset Peninsula, Bunker Bay, Margaret River, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Sunset Peninsula, Bunker Bay, Margaret River, Western Australia

Ideas for subject matter include: landscapes (obviously), sunsets, seascapes, forest scenes, wetlands, lakes, abstract natural scenes (like my “Mountains of Gold” above), photos of your local park, beach scenes, waves, trees, flowers or even a closeup of a leaf …

Winery 1, Swan Valley, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Vine Leaf, Dave’s Back Garden, Perth, Western Australia
Forest Twilight 1, Boranup Forest, Margaret River, Western Australia - Photographic Art (BFV1.1-V3-TH1)
Boranup Forest, Margaret River, Western Australia
Red & Green Kangaroo Paw, Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art (KPF1.2-V1)
Red & Green Kangaroo Paw, Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia
Waves in Motion 1, Indian Ocean, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Waves in Motion, Indian Ocean, Perth, Western Australia

So what are you waiting for?
Get out there, start snapping and enter your best Australian Landscape Photos to be in the chance to win a professionally printed & matted Fine Art Print of your photo:

  • First Place: 11” x 14” Matted Fine Art Print of Your Image
  • Second Place: 8” x 10” Matted Fine Art Print of Your Image
  • Third Place: 5” x 7” Matted Fine Art Print of Your Image
  • “The Northern Guide” Additional Sponsored Prize will be a 4″ x 4″ Framed Tile Print awarded to Heather’s choice from entrants who have liked her Facebook Page
  • Plus all winners will receive a high quality lens cloth & a cleaning cloth to keep your camera smear & dust free with your image printed on them
  • Plus all winners will receive a 10% Discount Voucher to use in our Gallery at Wanneroo Markets

The winners prints will be printed on Ilford Galerie Fine Art Paper using an Epson Large Format Printer with UltraChrome® Pigment Inks.
Lens Cloths & Cleaning Cloths will be Dye Sublimated using Sawgrass Printers & SubliJet-HD Inks

Matted Prints - Photo Competition, MADCAT Photography, Perth, Western Australia
Winning Print from Our “Best Australian Native Animal” Photo Competition
October 2019

Conditions Summary:

  • Entrants must reside in WA & be able to collect any prizes from our Gallery at Wanneroo Markets in person
  • Up to 3 images per person that focus on the Australian Natural Landscape. Animals, people, buildings and man made objects are allowed but must not be the main subject
  • Please feel free to add an accompanying image title & short description associated with your images
  • Entries should be submitted by email to comp@madcat.com.au & received by Fri 31st January 2020
  • Important: Please read the full guidelines & conditions below:

If you have any questions then please contact us

We love promoting photography as a hobby (or profession) for young and old alike. Photography encourages artistic creativity, it gets people outdoors and encourages an active & healthy lifestyle. Photography also provides the opportunity for people to learn new skills using computer tools like Photoshop, Lightroom or many of the free alternatives available.

When visiting natural environments please be respectful of the flora and fauna, take your litter home and treat the environment with respect.

The Sentry, Two Rocks, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Two Rocks, Perth, Western Australia

Terms & Conditions:

  • Promoted by MADCAT Digital Design ABN: 19 094 456 845
  • Each entrant may submit up to 3 images, there is no cost to enter
  • Entries should be submitted by email to comp@madcat.com.au & received by Fri 31st January 2020
  • Entries should be in JPEG format at the highest quality possible and not reduced in size (preferably at least 3MB in size)
  • All entries will be acknowledged by email
  • Information required for each entry includes:
    • Email Subject should read “MADCAT Photography Competition December 2019 / January 2020”
    • Your full name
    • Your email address for notification to winners
    • Your age
    • Your suburb in WA
    • The location the photo was captured at
    • Optional: Image Title & Short Description
    • Optional: Tell us what this location means to you (we love a good story 👍)
  • Entries must depict the Australian Landscape in a positive manner, be taken lawfully and with conservation in mind
  • Animals, people, buildings and man made objects are allowed but must not be the main subject
  • Images will be judged on technical quality, artistic quality & emotional response of the judges, Dave Catley & Maggie Catley
  • The judge’s decisions will be final
  • Images may be processed as the entrant sees fit but the judges reserve the right to judge images based on their subjective opinions. In other words if you go crazy you’d better do a good job of it 😊
  • You must be the legal owner to the copyright of any images submitted
  • All images submitted must be based solely on photographic images taken by the entrant
  • Entrants retain the full ownership of images submitted
  • Winners will be informed by email, announced in the next issue of The Northern Guide as well as on our Website & Facebook page
  • MADCAT Photography reserves the right to use submitted images in relation to promoting this or future competitions, recognition will be given to the entrant if possible
  • Any personal information received will not be passed on to third parties for any purpose, however entrants will be added to our email database unless explicitly requesting to be excluded
  • MADCAT Photography accepts no responsibility for entries not received, it is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure their entry has been received
  • Legal Stuff: MADCAT Photography has no liability, in negligence or howsoever, for any accident, loss, illness, injury, damage, or inconvenience suffered by you or any individual or property arising out of or after entering the competition or collecting and using the prize. In other words “Whatever you do it’s not our fault!”
Ocean Tranquility, Yanchep, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Ocean Tranquility, Yanchep, Perth, Western Australia

Environmental Issues

Always remember when visiting natural environments such as these please be respectful of the flora and fauna, take your litter home and treat the environment with respect.

Leave No Trace :

  • Take Nothing but Pictures
  • Leave Nothing but Footprints
  • Kill Nothing but Time
  • Keep Nothing But Memories
  • Burn Nothing but Calories

Post Processing

These images were processed using a combination of Adobe Lightroom Classic CC, Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 & ON1 Photo RAW 2019.

Visit Our Gallery

Visit our Gallery at Shop 136 Wanneroo Markets, 33 Prindiville Drive in Wangara to see more of our Fine Art Images & Photo Products.

Also available at the Gallery are Greeting Cards, Magnets, Keyrings, Mugs, Scarves, Tote Bags, Wall Tapestries, Lens Cloths, unique 3D Printed Gadgets & Gizmo’s and much more …

Cheers,
Dave 🐾

Competition – Best Australian Wildlife Photo

Competition – Best Australian Wildlife Photo

It’s time for our first Wildlife Photo Competition!

In collaboration with Heather at “The Northern Guide” we have announced a Photo Competition for local photographers here in Perth to showcase our amazing native wildlife.

Majestic Magpie, Mindarie, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art (WBL1.9-V1-TH1)
Majestic Magpie, Mindarie, Perth, Western Australia

Here at MADCAT Photography Maggie & I are all about wildlife conservation and love to do what we can to raise awareness of the many endangered species we have right on our doorstep here in Western Australia & all across the Australian continent.

We also love promoting photography as a hobby (or profession) for young and old alike. Photography encourages artistic creativity, it gets people outdoors and encourages an active & healthy lifestyle. Photography also provides the opportunity for people to learn new skills using computer tools like Photoshop, Lightroom or many of the free alternatives available.

Osprey, Burns Beach, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Osprey, Burns Beach, Perth, Western Australia

There is a lot of talk these days about conservation, whether it be concerning the environment or wildlife! The reality is that many species of wildlife are threatened and some way too close to extinction! If you want to learn more about the plight of our planet and it’s wildlife then simply go to YouTube and search for “David Attenborough”, his natural history documentaries are some of the best ever made and he is a strong advocate for protection of the natural world around us.

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

One native animal close to our hearts is the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo. Classified as Endangered (“fauna that is rare or is likely to become extinct soon”) these birds are endemic to WA’s Southwest and their population has fallen by 50% in 45 years, mainly due to loss of habitat and breeding grounds.

Bonzai the Numbat, Perth Zoo, South Perth,Western Australia
Bonzai the Numbat, Perth Zoo, South Perth,Western Australia

Another native animal we have been closely involved with is the Numbat, native to WA’s Southwest and recently re-introduced to South Australia they are also classified as Endangered. At one point their numbers dropped to well below 1,000 Australia wide. The Numbat is also one of WA’s Animal Emblems which has helped greatly to raise awareness to their plight.

So, we’re asking all you budding photographers out there “What endangered animal is close to your hearts”?

Enter your best Australian (endangered or not) Native Wildlife Photos to be in the chance to win a professionally printed & matted Fine Art Print of your photo:

  • First Place: 11” x 14” Matted Fine Art Print
  • Second Place: 8” x 10” Matted Fine Art Print
  • Third Place: 5” x 7” Matted Fine Art Print
  • Plus all top 3 places will receive a ceramic mug with their image printed on it
  • Plus all top 3 places will receive a 10% Discount Voucher to use in our Gallery

Conditions Summary:

  • Entrants must reside in WA & be able to collect any prizes from our Gallery at Wanneroo Markets in person
  • Up to 3 images per person of Native Australian Wildlife with no people in the images
  • Entries should be submitted by email to comp@madcat.com.au & received by 31st October
  • Important: Please read the full guidelines & conditions below:

If you have any questions then please contact us

When visiting natural environments please be respectful of the flora and fauna, take your litter home and treat the environment with respect.

Black Swan, Lake Joondalup, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Black Swan, Lake Joondalup, Perth, Western Australia

Terms & Conditions:

  • Promoted by MADCAT Digital Design ABN: 19 094 456 845
  • Each entrant may submit up to 3 images, there is no cost to enter
  • Entries should be submitted by email to comp@madcat.com.au & received by 31st October 2019
  • Entries should be in JPEG format at high the highest quality possible and not reduced in size (preferably at least 3MB in size)
  • All entries will be acknowledged by email
  • Information required for each entry includes:
    • Email Subject should read “MADCAT Photography Competition October 2019”
    • Your full name
    • Your email address for notification to winners
    • Your age
    • Your suburb in WA
    • The location the photo was captured at
    • Optional: Image Title & Short Description
    • Optional: Tell us what endangered animal is close to your heart? (doesn’t have to be the same as your photo)
  • Entries must depict Native Australia Wildlife in a positive manner, preferably in a natural habitat
  • NO people should be visible in the image
  • Images will be judged on technical quality, artistic quality & emotional response of the judges, Dave Catley & Maggie Catley
  • The judge’s decisions will be final
  • Images may be processed as the entrant sees fit but the judges reserve the right to judge images based on their subjective opinions. In other words if you go crazy you’d better do a good job of it 😊
  • You must be the legal owner to the copyright of any images submitted
  • All images submitted must be based solely on photographic images taken by the entrant
  • Entrants retain the full ownership of images submitted
  • Winners will be informed by email, announced in the next issue of The Northern Guide as well as on our Website & Facebook page
  • MADCAT Photography reserves the right to use submitted images in relation to promoting this or future competitions, recognition will be given to the entrant if possible
  • Any personal information received will not be passed on to third parties for any purpose, however entrants will be added to our email database unless explicitly requesting to be excluded
  • MADCAT Photography accepts no responsibility for entries not received, it is the entrant’s responsibility to ensure their entry has been received
  • Legal Stuff: MADCAT Photography has no liability, in negligence or howsoever, for any accident, loss, illness, injury, damage, or inconvenience suffered by you or any individual or property arising out of or after entering the competition or collecting and using the prize. In other words “Whatever you do it’s not our fault!”
Silver Gulls, Burns Beach, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Silver Gulls, Burns Beach, Perth, Western Australia

Environmental Issues

Always remember when visiting natural environments such as these please be respectful of the flora and fauna, take your litter home and treat the environment with respect.

Leave No Trace :

  • Take Nothing but Pictures
  • Leave Nothing but Footprints
  • Kill Nothing but Time
  • Keep Nothing But Memories
  • Burn Nothing but Calories

Post Processing

These images were processed using a combination of Adobe Lightroom Classic CC, Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 & ON1 Photo RAW 2019.

Visit Our Gallery

Visit our Gallery at Shop 136 Wanneroo Markets, 33 Prindiville Drive in Wangara to see more of our Fine Art Images & Photo Products.

Also available at the Gallery are Greeting Cards, Magnets, Keyrings, Mugs, Scarves, Tote Bags, Wall Tapestries, Lens Cloths, unique 3D Printed Gadgets & Gizmo’s and much more …

Cheers,
Dave 🐾

Explore – 10 of the Best Natural Experiences in Wanneroo

Explore – 10 of the Best Natural Experiences in Wanneroo

There’s a lot more to do here in Wanneroo than many people realise, if you’re lost for ideas then here are some great Natural Experiences you can find right here in Perth’s second largest City.

Disclaimer: I have to admit that a few of my recommendations are not literally in Wanneroo but they are literally on the border with Joondalup and too good to ignore 👍

Did you know it’s a proven fact that being out in nature is great for your mental and physical health, just a few hours a week can make a big difference to all our lives so why not get outdoors and start exploring 🐾📷

Here’s the list, click on one for more information or just read through the article …

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

10. A Swim in the Indian Ocean – Yanchep Lagoon / Quinns Rocks Beach

Most of us might want to take a rain check on this activity until the warmer weather returns but we really are spoiled for choice for places to swim in the Ocean here in Wanneroo.

From Mindarie up to Two Rocks there are 32 km’s of beach to choose from. Some areas are more accessible than others and some beaches are more appealing for swimmers, surfer’s, snorkelers or diver’s than others so depending on your swimming passion you might want to do a little research.

For your typical family day out at the beach stick to the one of the two beaches patrolled by our amazing Surf Lifesaving Organisations at Yanchep Lagoon & Quinns Beach. Yanchep Lagoon is a natural swimming pool built by nature and walled of from the rest of the Indian Ocean by a large reef while the waters at Quinns Beach are enclosed by a wildlife friendly artificial shark barrier.

Yanchep Lagoon, Yanchep, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Yanchep Lagoon, Yanchep, Perth, Western Australia

By the way, if you are overly worried about shark attacks I suggest you read this National Geographic article The Facts About Shark Attacks and take a good look at the room freshener you’re using which apparently is 200 times more likely to injure you than a shark 🤣 Unless of course you’re a cool surfer dude that doesn’t use room fresheners!

Quinns Rocks SLSC on Google Maps
Yanchep SLSC on Google Maps

9. Dog Friendly Walk Trail – Beenyup Swamp Boardwalk & Perrys Paddock

If you’re looking for a bush walk that’s not too long or demanding where you can take your dog then the Beenyup Swamp Boardwalk & the area around Perrys Paddock in Yellagonga Regional Park is a great spot.

Though dogs are permitted it’s important to remember to keep your dog on a leash as the area is also open to horse riders who may not appreciate dogs barking at their hoofs!

The boardwalk is a great spot to see & photograph some local bird-life and experience the wetlands environment on a short 2.4km loop.

You can park in Woodvale or just off Ocean Reef Road and don’t forget to check out the very photogenic Perry’s Cottage and the Bunkhouse built in 1850.
View the Beenyup Swamp Circuit at Trails WA
Perrys Paddock on Google Maps

Perrys Paddock, Yellagonga Regional Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
The Bunkhouse, Perrys Paddock, Yellagonga Regional Park, Western Australia

For all you dog lovers out there we also have 3 Dog Beaches here in Wanneroo where you can let your furry friend of the leash and watch them go crazy in the surf.

You’ll find our Dog Beaches at Quinns Rocks, Yanchep & Two Rocks.
Click here for Dog Beach locations.

8. Check Out the Biggest Rocks in Town – Two Rocks Beach

It’s not called “Two Rocks” for nothing, just south of the Townsite on Two Rocks Beach you’ll find 2 of the biggest rocks in Perth and they’re pretty damn big!

The Guardian, Two Rocks, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
The Guardian, Two Rocks, Perth, Western Australia

The first rock you’ll come across just as you enter the beach is just enormous. I nicknamed it “The Guardian” because all rocks need a name and it’s a great spot to see various seabirds flying around or sitting on the ledges.

The Sentry, Two Rocks, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
The Sentry, Two Rocks, Perth, Western Australia

Walk a little further south and you come across the second somewhat smaller rock that I called “The Sentry”, also a good place to spot some of the local birdlife 🦅

Two Rocks Beach, Wanneroo, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Two Rocks Beach, Wanneroo, Perth, Western Australia
The Sentry, Two Rocks, Wanneroo, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
The Sentry, Two Rocks Beach, Wanneroo, Perth, Western Australia

Both of these rocks are incredibly weathered and artistically so interesting. They both feature “windows” through which you can catch glimpses of the ocean and sky behind them and can only be described as gnarled & grungy.

The rocks make amazing photographic / artistic subject matter but make sure you bring your widest angle lens to fit them all in 😨

Two Rocks beach is also renowned for its seaweed that can cover this entire area of beach at certain times of the year, making it hard to walk on the beach and hard on the nose 😵

Two Rocks on Google Maps

7. Casual Walk Trail – Wetlands Walk Trail, Yanchep National Park

Another relatively easy wetlands walk trail circumnavigates Wagardu Lake in Yanchep National Park. Dogs are not permitted here as domestic pets are not allowed in our National Parks but the trail is well worth the effort and very different to Beenyup Swamp.

Wetlands Walk Trail, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Wetlands Walk Trail, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Although the lake does not have the water levels it used to it is still teeming with bird life. You can expect to see any combination of wading birds, ducks, pelicans, black swans and many other species so be sure to bring your camera and telephoto lens.

Sleepy Duck, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Sleepy Duck, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia
What's Up, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
What’s Up, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Plus, if you’re here late afternoon you will almost definitely spot a few Kangaroo’s (or maybe a lot of them) 👍

Even better hang around for the sunset over the lake …

Autumn Sunset 1, Yanchep National Park, Yanchep, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Autumn Sunset 1, Yanchep National Park, Yanchep, Western Australia

View the Wetlands Walk Trail at Trails WA

6. Get Up Close with the Wildlife – Visit the Koala Enclosure at Yanchep National Park

Whilst Koalas are no longer native to Western Australia they are still iconically Australian and incredible animals to see & photograph.

We are lucky enough to have had a Koala colony in Yanchep National Park since 1938 where we can view them in their natural habitat doing what they do best, eating eucalyptus leaves & sleeping. Mostly sleeping 🤣

Koala, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Koala, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

The enclosure is well designed so that the Koalas have their own personal space but can be viewed & photographed from the elevated walkways. If you want to learn more about these incredibly cute marsupials there is also a daily “Koala Talk” at 3:15pm.

However if you want to hold or cuddle a Koala then that is not possible here and generally not considered a good idea for the wellbeing of the Koalas, so it’s best just to get some great photos 🙂

If you’re lucky then you might even catch one on the move or with a joey, or even both at the same time if you’re really really lucky …

Koala and Joey, Yanchep NP, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Koala and Joey, Yanchep NP, Perth, Western Australia

View the Yanchep Koala Boardwalk on Google Maps

5. A walk on the Beach with the Local Wildlife – Burns Beach

Our beaches are not always thought of as the best places to go to see wildlife but Burns Beach is definitely an exception. OK, I know Burns Beach is actually in Joondalup but who cares right? It’s right on the border just south of Mindarie and a great beach for wildlife. If you like a bit of scrambling over rocks, investigating rock pools and watching the ocean waves crash onto the shore then it’s great for that too.

Apart from the obvious Silver Gulls (Seagulls) you can regularly see Oystercatchers, a mating pair of Ospreys, Kestrels, Cormorants, Terns, small crabs crawling among the rocks and maybe even a seal or a dolphin if you get lucky.

Pied Oystercatcher, Burns Beach, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Pied Oystercatcher, Burns Beach, Perth, Western Australia
Osprey, Burns Beach, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Osprey, Burns Beach, Perth, Western Australia

Burns Beach has ample parking, and a cafe should you feel peckish after your walk. The beach extends to the North of the car park towards Claytons Beach in Mindarie. At some point one beach ends and the other starts but I have no idea where that point is 🤣

View Burns Beach on Google Maps

4. A walk on the Beach in the Middle of Nowhere – Yanchep Beach

I grew up in Bournemouth on the south coast of England so I’ve had my fill of grockles (the local tourists) and sharing beaches with anyone who didn’t arrive with me and is not a native animal 👍

Grockles, Bournemouth Beach, Bournemouth, Dorset
Wall to Wall Grockles at Bournemouth Beach, Dorset, England

So for those of you like me who prefer their beaches pristine & empty there are many less populated beaches along the Wanneroo coastline that you can generally have all to yourself and are are still safe to swim at if you’re sensible and know what you’re doing. One such place is Yanchep Beach.

I’m not sure that “Yanchep Beach” is an actual place or where it starts and ends but it’s a good description for the beach north of Yanchep Lagoon and south of Two Rocks which includes the popular surfing beach called “The Spot”.

There are not many access points to this stretch of beach, you can walk north from Yanchep Lagoon, South from Two Rocks or park at The Spot and walk north or south. Google maps also shows a few small paths through the dunes but I have no idea how accessible they are.

Yanchep Beach, Wanneroo, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Yanchep Beach, Wanneroo, Perth, Western Australia

If you look closely at the image above you’ll see a dark shadow near the very centre of the image, that is actually a Manta Ray that was swimming around the this particular bay near the old Club Capricorn 👍

Ocean Tranquility, Yanchep, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Ocean Tranquility, Yanchep, Perth, Western Australia

This stretch of beach is largely unpopulated due to the lack of access points and is the epitome of pristine. With mostly untouched sand and many near shore reefs it’s like a paradise just outside of suburbia ❤

The Spot, Yanchep Beach, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
The Spot, Yanchep Beach, Perth, Western Australia

If you do decide to take a dip in the ocean please be sensible, keep an eye out for those killer waves, the Megalodon’s (if sharks scare you then do not follow that link!) and their smaller shark descendants like Great White’s 😱

The Spot, Yanchep Beach on Google Maps

3. Amazing Bird Photography – Lake Joondalup Circuit

Another spot just on the border of Wanneroo, Lake Joondalup, is a bird photographer’s heaven. The walk trail around the Lake is a must for any bird lover it’s an easy walk on concrete paths so you can really concentrate on the birds & the views.

The whole walk is 16.7km so you would need at least a few hours to do the whole thing. However you can easily do shorter stretches of it, just walk as far as you like then turn around and walk back 👍

Black Swan, Lake Joondalup, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Black Swan, Lake Joondalup, Perth, Western Australia

Neil Hawkins Park in Joondalup is our favourite starting point because it is always teeming with birdlife, has lots of parking and a great lookout jetty but you can start anywhere on the Wanneroo side too.

Lake Joondalup, Joondalup, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
View from the Jetty, Lake Joondalup, Perth, Western Australia

You can get some great photos just standing on the Jetty so make sure you take the time to enjoy the view, then just walk north or south and enjoy the journey. There are many side tracks that will give you extra views and photo opportunities (always be wary of snakes) and you’ll often come across “a mischief” of Magpies on the path. Seriously a group of Magpies is often called “a mischief ” among other things 😎

View the Joondalup Circuit at Trails WA

Magpie, Joondalup, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Magpie, Lake Joondalup, Perth, Western Australia
White-Faced Heron, Lake Joondalup, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
White-Faced Heron, Lake Joondalup, Perth, Western Australia

2. Serious Bush Walking – Ghost House Walk Trail, Yanchep National Park

If you’re into a more serious form of outdoor experience then there are quite a few longer walk trails in Wanneroo.

The 28km Yaberoo Budjara Heritage Trail is based on the movement of Yellagonga (the leader of the Whadjuk Noongar) and his people between Lake Joondalup and Yanchep.

Then there’s the 17.5km Cockatoo Walk Trail starting at Yanchep National Park. This is a great trail to see some flora & fauna including Wildflowers, Kangaroos, Black Gloved Wallaby’s, Quenda and Canaby’s Cockatoos.

One of our favourites is the 12.4km Ghost House Walk Trail in Yanchep National Park which takes you on a journey to discover the historic remains of the “Ghost House” itself and encounter the sights & sounds of the Park’s wetlands.

Ghost House Walk Trail, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Ghost House, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Officially known as the “Ghost House Ruin, Chauffeur’s Room and Garage” it was constructed in the 1930’s by L. E. Shapcott, Secretary of the Premier’s Office, as a holiday home and was only accessible via a 4WD track. It’s hard to believe that someone back then would not only have a holiday home in the middle of the forest but have a Chauffeur’s room and garage built there too!

However I’ve yet to find out why it is called the “Ghost House”?

Ghost House Walk Trail, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Ghost House Walk Trail, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

The Ghost House Walk Trail takes you through the forest surrounding the wetland areas, it is a relatively easy walk with a camping ground around the halfway mark. At various points you will get glimpses of the vast wetland areas within the National Park, I never realised just how big Yanchep National Park is and how little is accessible to the public.

Ghost House Walk Trail, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Ghost House Walk Trail Visitors Book, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

While you’re at the camp site don’t forget to leave it in the best state you can, also have a read of the visitor’s book and maybe leave your own message 👍

View the Ghost House Walk Trail at Trails WA

1. The Best Nature Has to Offer – Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos in Yanchep National Park

Finally to #1, the best natural experience you’ll find in Wanneroo is witnessing the grace, elegance and beauty of our highly endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos in their own native environment.

Carnaby’s are one of only two species of White-Tailed Black Cockatoos. Both the Carnaby’s & their cousins the Baudin’s are listed as Endangered and are endemic to Southwest WA, that means you will only find them in this region, so when they are lost from Southwest WA that’s it, they’re gone forever 😨

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

The main reasons for their endangered status is loss of habitat & native food sources, a decreasing number of suitable nesting hollows, illegal poaching and increasing competition from introduced species like the Western Long-billed Corella. In other words, Humans are to blame 😨

Luckily there are several local organisations working tirelessly to help protect these Black Cockatoos. Although not generally open to the public organisations like Native Animal Rescue in Malaga & Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre in Gosnells host regular open days & private tours where you can see these magnificent birds up close and donate towards their protection at the same time. An experience not to be missed by any animal lover.

Carnaby's Black Cockatoos, Kaarakin, Gosnells, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos, Kaarakin, Gosnells, Western Australia

What you will notice when you enter an open aviary containing these birds is that they are big, very big. They are also very gentle & social birds, they will swoop above you, land on your shoulder or arm, snuggle into you and you will fall in love with them 💕

With a wingspan of over 1m they can be intimidating, but you quickly learn that these beautiful Cockatoos not only want attention but they all have their very own personalities.

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo, Native Animal Rescue, Malaga, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, Native Animal Rescue, Malaga, Western Australia

Both Native Animal Rescue & Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre receive injured birds which are then released back into the wild after an extensive rehabilitation program making sure they have the best chance of survival. When visiting these centres you will only get close to birds that are unable to be released back into the wild and are trained for educational purposes.

Carnaby's Black Cockatoos, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

So what’s all this got to do with Wanneroo? Well, we are blessed to have large flocks of Carnaby’s in our very own Yanchep National Park.

Carnaby's Black Cockatoos, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Finding these gentle giants of the bird world is not usually too hard, there are generally some flying around the main visitor area of Yanchep National Park doing their own thing in their small social groups. You’ll know when you find them, they have incredibly loud voices 👍

Carnaby's Black Cockatoos, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

But what is really special and not always easy to find is when you see (& hear) large flocks of Black Cockatoos in the Park. I don’t know haw many Canaby’s reside in the Park area but on several occasions we have been lucky enough to witness flocks of 1000+, and that’s when they get very noisy!

Carnaby's Black Cockatoos, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

But you just can’t beat being surrounded by these amazing birds, seeing their intricate social behaviour up close, and the experience of several hundred taking flight at the same all around you is simply breathtaking 😃

Yanchep National Park on Google Maps

Carnaby's Black Cockatoos, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia - Photographic Art
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Environmental Issues

Always remember when visiting natural environments such as these please be respectful of the flora and fauna, take your litter home and treat the environment with respect.

Leave No Trace :

  • Take Nothing but Pictures
  • Leave Nothing but Footprints
  • Kill Nothing but Time
  • Keep Nothing But Memories
  • Burn Nothing but Calories

Post Processing

These images were processed using a combination of Adobe Lightroom Classic CC, Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 & ON1 Photo RAW 2019.

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Photos – Chasing Ducks in Yanchep National Park

Photos – Chasing Ducks in Yanchep National Park

We heard that there are some baby Swans around Lake Wagardu in Yanchep National Park so we took a trip out there for our daily walk, sadly the Swans were a no-show but we did get to see a lot of other bird life around the Lake.

Abundant Bird Life, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Wester Australia

Abundant Bird Life, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Wester Australia

If you look closely at the above image you can see a Pelican and numerous other wading birds and ducks going about their daily business. The Park really is a natural wonder 🙂

Hungry Duck, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Hungry Duck, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

One thing Yanchep National park has in abundance is Ducks!

When we sat on a park bench to eat our lunch three Pacific Black Ducks waddled on over to see if they could get some crumbs. One was immediately chased off by the other two, obviously he wasn’t part of the “In-Crowd”!

Luckily for the Ducks we know more about what is good for them than they do so they weren’t very lucky in the food department. It is really important not to feed Ducks or any other wild animals as it can upset the balance of nature as well as causing serious health problems according to the Department of Parks & Wildlife.

The first couple of Duck shots weren’t quite so sharp, something to do with having a shutter speed of 1/40th sec I suspect 😳 However, you can get some interesting shots of animals with slow shutter speeds sometimes, the first 2 photos I took looked like the Duck was shaking and nodding his head …

Duck Says No, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Duck Says No, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Duck Says Yes, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Duck Says Yes, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Maybe he was just going Quackers  :mrgreen:

Being Spring there were also a lot of incredibly cute Ducklings around this extended family of Australian Wood Ducks were gorgeous …

Duckling Creche, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Duckling Creche, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Spring Ducklings, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Spring Ducklings, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Ducklings On Watch, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Ducklings On Watch, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

These two Pacific Black Ducklings cuddled up by the Lake were pretty damn cute too …

Twin Ducklings, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Twin Ducklings, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

While on our walk around the lake I spotted this awesome carving on one of the tree stumps, no idea who did it but it looked cool.

Kangaroo Carving, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Kangaroo Carving, Yanchep National Park, Perth, Western Australia

Hopefully we’ll spot the Swan’s Cygnets on our next trip to the Park.

All of these images were processed in Lightroom CC & ON1 Photo 10 & Photoshop CC. You can download free trials of these programs or purchase them from the links below:

Cheers,
Dave

Photos – Twenty-Eight Parrot in the Daisies at Whiteman Park

Photos – Twenty-Eight Parrot in the Daisies at Whiteman Park

We went for a bush walk in Whiteman Park last week and spotted these two Twenty-Eight Parrots having lunch while being cleverly camouflaged by the yellow Daisies.

Twenty-Eight Having Lunch in the Daisies, Whiteman Park, Perth, Western Australia

Twenty-Eight Having Lunch in the Daisies, Whiteman Park, Perth, Western Australia

Twenty-Eight Standing Tall in the Daisies, Whiteman Park, Perth, Western Australia

Twenty-Eight Standing Tall in the Daisies, Whiteman Park, Perth, Western Australia

Whilst only found in Australia these guys are not considered endangered though they do compete for nesting space in the south west with the introduced Rainbow Lorikeets.

According to noongarculture.org.au the Twenty-Eight Parrot or darlmoorluk is the ‘guardian or protector of the camps’, not that that stopped them from being eaten when the need was high 🙂

You can read more about our Whiteman Park walk in Maggies blog post on MADAboutWA.com.au

Cheers,
Dave

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