Jinjellic Bird Camp, New Year 2013

New Year Camp in 2013 was a return to the site of the 2012 New Year Camp - the community of Jingellic, on the NSW side of the Murray River, east of Albury. This time it was for a week beside the tranquil and refreshing waters of the Murray. Days were hot, but not unbearably so, and it was nice to cool off at the end of the day with a "bath" in the Murray - fresh water and much cleaner than last year! Also, it was the time for cicadas, both black and orange, to emerge as adults from their many years spent underground. They made a tremendous racket and gave anyone standing underneath an unwanted shower, but they were a much sought after food for many bird species (only if mouths were big enough!), as you will see below. 

There were some spectacular sunsets, but, for me, the best sights were to be found in the sky opposite - the "Belt of Venus", a projection of the Earth's shadow rising into the sky. 

It was a successful camp with around 145 bird species recorded.