On cue and in-line with the opening of the exhibition, called A Waterbird Breeding Spectacular: An Exhibition of Waterbird Photography, at Cowra Japanese Gardens, a mother duck with her train of ducklings weaved past the sunlit crowds.
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder Dr Simon Banks, who launched the exhibition on 31 October, said “it’s been an incredible few years for waterbird breeding … some locations have seen over 100,000 ibis breeding”. With the long-term trend of declining waterbird populations across the Murray-Darling Basin due to the loss of wetland habitats and decline in river flows, Dr Banks said it’s important to lock in the gains we’ve seen over the last couple of years.
Cowra Mayor Ruth Fagan and photographers Warren Chad ‘Chaddy’, Casey Proctor and Jayden Gunn also addressed the attendees following the warm Welcome to Country given by Will Ingram.
This exhibition is a joint initiative with New South Wales Central Tablelands Local Land Service with support from the Cowra Natural Resource Management Advisory Committee. Following 2 years of record-breaking waterbird breeding seasons, the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder has collaborated with numerous photographers to present this stunning photo exhibition.
Arts OutWest Steven Cavanagh who curated the exhibition said “It’s extraordinary to see the vast numbers of waterbirds taking advantage of the conditions and the work that goes on behind the scenes by the Water Holder to support this beautiful event. The images are simply stunning.”
The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s Local Engagement Officer, Michele Groat, said the waterbird photos were an outstanding collection of images of large-scale waterbird breeding at wetlands across NSW. With the exhibition continuing daily until 8 November 2023 Michele said she hoped many people in the Cowra region would view the photo exhibition.
“The timing is perfect because the Cowra Shire Council and the Cowra Natural Resource Management Advisory Committee have designated October as Bird Month and will also be hosting the `Archibird’ photo competition – a play on the name of the well-known Archibald Prize,” Michele said.
The exhibition is being held until 8 November 2023 at the Cowra Japanese Gardens: https://www.cowragarden.com.au/cultural-centre
Feature image:
Phoebe Cowdery, Steven Cavanagh, Kylie Shead, Heather Vallance, Mal Carnegie, Michele Groat. Image Credit Helen Carpenter, courtesy Arts OutWest
Gallery images:
Attendees enjoying the afternoon light at the opening of A Waterbird Breeding Spectacular: An Exhibition of Waterbird Photography, Cowra Japanese Gardens, 7 November 2023. Image Credit Helen Carpenter curtesy Arts OutWest.
Will Ingram extending a Welcome to Country at the opening of A Waterbird Breeding Spectacular: An Exhibition of Waterbird Photography, Cowra Japanese Gardens, 7 November 2023. Image Credit Helen Carpenter curtesy Arts OutWest.
Dignitaries at the opening of A Waterbird Breeding Spectacular: An Exhibition of Waterbird Photography, Cowra Japanese Gardens, 7 November 2023 including left to right Cowra Mayor Ruth Fagan, Warren Chad ‘Chaddy’, Casey Proctor, Jayden Gunn. Image Credit Helen Carpenter curtesy Arts OutWest.
Attendees at the opening of A Waterbird Breeding Spectacular: An Exhibition of Waterbird Photography, Cowra Japanese Gardens, 7 November 2023. Image Credit Helen Carpenter curtesy Arts OutWest.
Waterbirds at Booligal. Image Credit: @shotbyharro
Gayini Wetlands. Image Credit @shotbyharro.
