It's a New Year.......

and time to pack the camper and head off for the first adventure of the year.  We had been home for two weeks and that was quite long enough so we were on our way to Linton to spend a weekend with the birds at Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary.

We had a good run up and long before darkness set in we were all set up and dinner was cooking.  We had the place to ourselves again and thoroughly enjoyed the peace and solitude this lovely spot gives us.  Bill got up early the next morning and spent some time at the waterhole watching his feathered friends start the day.

After breakfast we drove over to Devils Kitchen to see how the Peregrine Falcon was doing.  Last time we saw her she was sitting on a nest but that was so long ago we didn't expect to see any young still there.  

Bill was thrilled to see the bird as we arrived and we spent some time just watching and waiting for it to fly.  He is still after that elusive shot of a perfect take off!  Fly it did, to the other side of canyon, (he missed it), and so he set off into the bush for a different angle.  

Another flight back to a new vantage point and Bill retraced his steps in hot pursuit to find not one but two birds perched on the ledges.  We're not sure if it was the mate or a young one but it was a little smaller.  

They really are magnificent birds and we could watch them for hours but by now the need for caffeine won out and we drove to Smythesdale were we found a quirky little 'Antique' shop that doubled as a coffee shop.  

Returning home for lunch we spent the afternoon at the sanctuary and during an afternoon walk we found this rather cheeky chap looking down on us from above.  

Waiting for his friends I think.  As evening approached I spent some time with a book while Bill returned to the waterhole where he was entertained again by a shy Echidna, Swamp Wallaby and lots of little birds before coming home for dinner and a quiet night in.

The next morning was a little chilly but that didn't stop Bill or the birds visiting the waterhole before breakfast.  Our next stop was Devils Kitchen to say good morning Peregrine followed by coffee at a great little Art Gallery/Cafe in Skipton.  These little country towns have some amazingly talented people in their midst and we love checking them out whenever we visit.

After lunch it was time to pack up again, say goodbye to Linton once more and head home for another week at work.  It really is getting harder and harder to leave these tranquil places but needs must for a little while longer.  

So our first adventure of the year was a wonderful little interlude with nature and we loved every moment

until next time ........