Birdylympics @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
It is that time of year again we were all waiting for.
Immaculate arena @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The Galah birdy-limpics are taking place once more and I will be reporting live from Evans Head, a crowd’s favourite. The open-air stadium is in immaculate condition.
This time of year again @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Volunteers are doing their best for last-minute preparations.
Ideal weather @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Ideal weather conditions are forecasted, this should be a memorable event. There is a hint of excitement in the air, I can feel it.
Spectators arrive @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Spectators from near and far are rushing in for the best seats to the open house.
Scalper approach @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Dodgy scalpers are trying to make a quick buck with remaining tickets. One tries to negotiate but there is no expression behind that yellow mask.
Uhh, did you paint your toenails pink? @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Sweet talking may work?
No haggling with this scalper @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Maybe not! Awkward silence!
Last minute take away @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Other newcomers pick up a last-minute takeaway meal.
Athlete parade @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Athletes parade throughout the Colosseum, a proud moment for any birdlympian.
Thrilled neck galah @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Everyone is ecstatic for the main event;
The Pine-toss event @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The Pine-toss was only added in recent years due to growing popularity.
Judging! @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This uplifting event is judged by distance and seed crackle. Jurors also note the size and weight of the cone.
Happy tosser @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This is where it gets exciting.
Tossing and turning @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
There is a whole lotta tossing going on already, which sends the spectating crowd into a frenzy.
Frenzy @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
A feeding frenzy.
Room for improvements @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Some are not quite impressed with their results.
Training field @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Competitive athletes have been warming up on the soft pitch for a while.
Close inspection @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
One needs to inspect the distance clearly. This could mean the difference between winning and losing.
Coaching staff @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Coaching staff ensures very last minute procedures.
Pitch invasion @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
But hang on! What’s going on here?
Colourful clowns @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Some colourful hooligans invade the training pitch.
Not impressed @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This is lousy behaviour. There’s always a few clowns, isn’t there?
High grass retreat @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Security quickly escorted them to the high grass. They assumably bought their tickets off the scalpers earlier.
Pine cones for sale! @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
A pine cone vendor sells his last wood cone.
Tasty @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
They are tasty.
A legend in his own lunchbox @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This is an exceptionally competitive field of athletes. One of them has legendary status in the heavy-weight section already.
Lifting! @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Gary the Great from the eastern province is one of the hefty favourites to lift the cone-trophy for this year. He has been in impressive form of late, there is no doubt about that. Will he hold his nerves for this gala spectacle?
Carrying on @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The referees calls for the contest to begin. This is the moment we all waited for. All eyes are on Gary.
All eyes on Gary @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
He looks prepared as he enters the main stage.
Confidence @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
There is a confident posture around him.
Stretching @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Neck-roll stretching seems to hide the secret to his success.
Ready to go @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
His muscly feathers sure are intimidating.
Paparazzi @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
One quick look for the paparazzi, and?
Neck rolling @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
His neckroll technique is flawless.
Could that be the winning toss? @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
What a toss! This could be noted in the book of records.
Jury hurry @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The jury hurries in to inspect the length thrown of the tossed object.
Plenty of crackling @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
As well as how many seeds were cracked by the impact. This could be an outstanding scoreline.
Video ref raises red flag @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The video referee raises a red flag, we all know what that means. It is a winner.
In ecstasy @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The crowd is ecstatic.
We love you Gary! @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
His Fanclub is an oar.
Pumped! @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
All his hard training and discipline paid off, he is pumped.
Happy Chappy! @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
No wonder he looks happy.
Excited mom @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
His parents never gave up faith. They always encouraged him to follow his dreams.
Family celebrations @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This is a spectacular result for the Great Family, which will be celebrating until early morning hours.
Another trophy! @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Gary the Great walks off with his trophy like a true winner.
Congratulations! @ Evans Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
What a champion! Congratulations.
What an exhilarating tournament this turned out to be. Join me next week, when we’ll be going live to Woolgoolga for the next chapter of these birdy-lympics.
Travels with Ben 