Thanks Zita for the more detailed description. Its very interesting to have a better picture in my mind of the hikes you described. Just wish there were room somewhere for photos - and even photo stories.
Now I'm starting a new thread where I hope others will share descriptions of their favorite hikes too. Maybe I should have put it in the Nature section rather than the birds - move it if you like!
On Sabbath morning I take my Red Cattle Dog and go for a walk up behind our house. We live in the Australian countryside and are lucky enough to have some bush (forest) country adjoining our place. At this time of the year I like to go early before it gets too warm – also, hopefully, before the snakes come out to bask in the sunshine. We have a lot of very big and very poisonous snakes around here!
I go through the back fence first and cross some open paddocks (fields) where my neighbor grazes a small herd of beef cattle. Right now there are two very small calves – so it’s better not to get to close to the very protective cows. Through another fence and then we are into the bush. The track I follow is in the bottom of a gully so it is moist and there is lush vegetation. It’s down here that I hear the little blue wrens (superb blue wren), and the even smaller finches (red-browed firetail). Sometimes I see them in the bushes as well as hear them but with my dog jumping around on his leash it’s a bit hard to stand still and watch.
As the trail turns up the hill I let the dog off and proceed at a more leisurely pace. He investigates off to both sides and comes back to check on me. The scents in the bush are lovely this early. Even my poor human nose can pick up a lot – so I imagine its even better for the dog’s nose! Going up the hill there is a place where foxes (an introduced pest!) cross the track. The scent is very strong this morning so they have crossed here recently. The dog of course is off to investigate. Then its down into another gully where a tiny creek winds among the rocks. Its dry now – but there is one small pool surrounded by rocks that still has water in it. There are always wrens down here as well – and the ferns are beautiful. Even on the hottest afternoons this small gully is cool. The breeze funnels down here from over the shoulder of the hill.
The track goes steeply up the side of the hill here. Its tinder dry up here now, and small creatures rustle as I pass. This is the part of the track where I’ve seen goannas – big lizards – although the ones I’ve seen right here have only been 2-3 feet in length. They go up the nearest tree as soon as they hear us – and are even smart enough to disappear around the other side of the tree trunk.
The track home follows a higher and drier route. There are glimpses of the sea out to the east, and its color may be silver, clear blue, or gray – depending on the sky and how early I am up there. Up in this part of the bush I see and hear various kinds of parrots, magpies, whip birds, currawongs, and crows. We occasionally see a wallaby up here too – but most have the sense to stay out of the way! Not that the dog ever catches anything – he’s far too slow and out of condition!
This is a great way to start a Sabbath morning. I’m home with plenty of time for a shower and breakfast – then off to SS where I wonder why so many are still yawning!!

Hi Mikk, that was a great Sabbath morning walk!

I am happy to leave our hiking site here as birds are mentioned! so thanks for starting it off with such an interesting description.

Here of course, we don't have the foxes or the snakes, so it is quite safe to walk in the bush.

This coming Januray will be the 3rd year that I have taken to the hills, so my two dogs are in good shape.

It's the rabbits they go for. We can be walking along a trail and come across sheep grazing and they don't turn a hair. And one is a boarder collie who will round up the ducks on the river if given half a chance!
Of course I have tained them 'not to touch' and can take them anywhere.
The other dog, a labxfoxy, thinks he can go down rabbit holes. Had a few scares when he was younger when he couldn't get out again! as his body is a lab, but has the foxy bark and the jumping in your face - something that was impossible to cure him of.

That was a lovely hike to go on,my dogs only got 10 min this morning as I needed to be at church early to practice with the other musician.

Tomorrow is the commemorative walk over the Bridle Track from the Harbour to the Plains of Canterbury. There is a church service in the 1st church built overlooking the Harbour. It was to be the 1st church of Canterbury, but the people built a large stone Cathedral in the centre of the plains, which is now our town square.
Not sure if I will go, as the heat of the day at 9.30 am would be a little overwhelming. I prefer my 6am start, the best time of the day for birdwatching.

Yesterday was very significant for me.
My friend drove me to my favourite hiking track, and I managed to climb up almost to the 1st bend. Short on time, I sat on a rock and drank in the peace. 1st time sonce I broke my wrist.
I also learned I could now drive the Automatic, but the dogs arn't allowed in that car, or I would be off every day!

Since I posted this, I have purchased my own automatic/ps hatchback, so the dogs and I can go anywhere now!

which takes me to the Botanical Gardens on Friday morning. Being Autumn here now the trees in the gardens are simply magnificent to walk under. I reached an area where they have created a new walkway and built a stone suround the length of the creek. I couldn't believe my eyes! There was a mother duck with 8 tiny babies - and it's only Autumn???
Wondering how they are going to survive a cold harsh winter.

I hope you will give us updates on this.

Daryl, I was in the gardens again this week, sitting by the Avon River that flows through the City, and along came a mother duck with 5 babies.

So there is more than one Mother duck with her seasons mixed up!

We are experiencing an Indian Summer, so I am hoping the weather holds a little longer till the ducklings get a little bigger.

Today I cam home from church with George.

George is a beautiful Red Factor Canary, a very lovely addition to my avery.
I am keeping him in his cage and sitting him out in the avery during the day, bringing him in at night until he gets used to being out there.

If it were summer, I would just leave him out, but must do things carefully so he doesn't get a chill this time of year.