Sunday, June 26, 2011

Tern splashes into action

Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) in Tyto today didn't catch many fish.


Though it made quite a splash.


The only near-sharp pictures came with smallest catch of the day.


But bigger prey keeps us all going back another day.
Click pix to enlarge

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Squishy start to shining moment

Cuckoos love squishing caterpillars. Little Bronze-Cuckoo (Chalcites minutillus) gets some of the insides outside before tucking it away inside in Tyto yesterday.


Didn't manage to catch less common visitor, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo (Chalcites lucidus), with prey. 


And couldn't capture worthwhile image of Fan-tailed Cuckoo busy in the same patch of cheesewood trees, so above is second shot of Shining, thus turning failure into a shining moment. 
Click pix to enlarge 

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Storking about the skyline

Haven't seen much of local Black-necked Storks (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) lately. 


But male flew close overhead this week and provided couple of offbalance snap shots from old bicycle.  


Also in the air above Tyto, Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) makes a pass over the main lagoon today.


Not quite in flight but part of recent skyline, pair of Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata)..  
Click pix to enlarge 

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Raptor capture rapture

Don't get many Wedge-tailed Eagles (Aquila audax) touching down in Tyto. Bird today mostly ignored three birders, who tallied seven raptors (Black, Whistling, Brahminy Kites; Brown Goshawk, Swamp Harrier, Australian Hobby) between them in less than an hour - best tally of the year by far.  


Sights included Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) - perhaps even this one, overhead earlier in week - trying to bully a Brahminy out meaty morsel: a sight to (s)kite about.    
Click pix to enlarge 

Monday, June 13, 2011

Looking into the background

Easy enough when chasing birds to see little else, even when it's occupying almost all the frame. So, Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia) in Tyto the other day took my attention, but background of ruffled, leaden water makes the picture.


And Grey Teal (Anas gracilis) - an uncommon visitor - looks almost twice as attractive accompanied by reflection and wake.


On the other hand, messy background doesn't do much for an Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca), though it hints at problems photographers face in obtaining uncluttered images.
Click pix to enlarge 

Friday, June 10, 2011

Yellows brighten grey days

Cloudy week calls for touch of colour to lift the spirits. So, even Olive-backed Oriole (Oriolus sagittatus) in Tyto yesterday comes with bright yellow background (crocodile warning sign).


Keeping with the theme, Australasian Figbird (Sphecotheres vielloti).


And even brighter, Yellow Honeyeater (Lichenostomus flavus). Warms the cockles, yes?
Click pix to enlarge 

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Drongos far from stupid

They may at times sound a wee bit demented (specially in duets), but there's nothing stupid about Spangled Drongos (Dicrurus bracteatus).


Not only are they darkly. sparkly pretty (as above in Tyto today), they're also pretty aerobatic. That tail helps.


They also enjoy bullying other birds. Hey, they're smart, not perfect! 
Click pix to enlarge

Head up for dragonfly, head off for fish head . . .

One moment it's dragonfly trying to dance on White-bellied Sea-Eagle's head, the next it's all go for fisher's discarded fis...