Port Augusta

I arrived at Port Augusta late at night. The night was hot, and the wind was terrifying. Approaching the city of Port Augusta, the nightscape was dominated by the lights of the industrial port land. The large refinery-like structure, positioned precariously between the vast southern ocean and the vast inland of Terra Australis, felt like the abode of otherworldly lifeforms. I truly felt like i was on another plant! After reaching the city, and seeing that humans did actually occupy this city, it put my over active imagination at ease. I slept uneasy however with roaring winds all night, but awoke with high spirits about what birds i might find around Port Augusta. First stop was the Arid Botanical Gardens. Upon pulling up, i was greeted by White-browed Babblers and Singing Honeyeaters jumping around the carpark vegetation. An unusual call was present, and a family of Chirruping Wedgebill appeared on the ground near my car. Tick! What a great bird....love the crest! I headed up to the lookout and scouted the surrounding area. Perched on top of the bluebush were a couple of Orange Chats. Not in orange breeding plumage, but i was happy just to see this species, since i've missed it a number of times in Northern Victoria. White Winged Fairy Wren's where also present, but the beautifully coloured males always seem to ellude the lens. I headed to a sand mine north of the city, where White-backed Swallows are reported to nest...another species i've missed in Northern Victoria. On approaching a likely looking wall in the abandoned mine, a pair of White-backed Swallows took to the skies. I waited in hope of there return to the nest, but my presence obviously was noticed..they were not coming back. Port Augusta is the gateway to the Flinders Ranges, a couple of hours north, so off i went in the mid day heat.