Wollondilly Council hosts Nature Photography Walk and Talk

To inspire Wollondilly wildlife snappers in the lead up to the Macarthur Nature Photography Competition 2019, Council is hosting a free Walk and Talk at Thirlmere Lakes with special guest Mark Fuller.

Council’s Sustainability Projects Officer, Damion Stirling is encouraging locals of all ages and experience to come along on the walk to observe and photograph some of the amazing birds that live in the Wollondilly area.

“Mark will be helping to identify what birds are about on the day and providing tips on how to capture the magic shot,” he said.

“This will provide a great opportunity to learn more about local birdlife, as well as getting tips and ideas for your entries for the Macarthur Nature Photography Competition, which is now open.”

Mark Fuller has used his love of wildlife photography and experience as a print-based Graphic Designer to produce a photo guide to the birds of Western Sydney. With 50,000 copies printed to date, Mark uses the guides to help people connect with nature through getting to know their local birdlife, a process he calls ‘Avianation’.

Mark is a regular guest on ‘Bathies Bird Club’ (Tuesday evenings with Chris Bath ABC702) and has presented walks and talks for a wide range of councils and other organisations.

Mark recently teamed up with Greening Australia to deliver a series of 10 bird workshops in both primary and high schools as part of the Cumberland Stepping Stones program.

As a founding member of Cumberland Land Conservancy, Mark helps to protect habitat by conserving areas of high biodiversity, studying the relationship of the fauna to the flora in these fragmented remnants of Cumberland Plain Woodland.

Mark said, “Trying to protect the environment causes a lot of anger and sadness; looking at birds gives me peace and serenity.”

The Walk and Talk is on Saturday 5 October, starting at 8am sharp at the Couridjah Picnic Area, Thirlmere Lakes National Park.

Participants should bring sturdy shoes, long sleeves and pants, a sun hat, food and water, a camera and binoculars.

Picture: Spotted Pardalote