Cyclone Yasi didn't blow White-browed Robins (Poecilodryas superciliosa) away from Tyto but did change their behaviour. They now spend more time higher in trees because of stripped and sunnier undergrowth. Today's distant sighting sets black-and-white theme.
Black Butcherbird (Cracticus quoyi) caught out away from shadows at Macknade (near one of my crocodile sites).
Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus) sparkles on pandanus stump in Tyto.
Little Pied Cormorant (Microcarba melanoleucos) in morning sunshine by roadside pool near Toobanna. Click pix to enlarge
Came upon Water Rat snuffling and wallowing in some shady shallows yesterday.
Seems usually high-alert sensors were turned off.
Mr Rat left water and came sniffing to me before sensing danger and scarpering back into overgrowth. No messing about in boats in this neck of the woods! Click pix to enlarge
Bit of blurry nest-building action from Brown-backed Honeyeater (Ramsayornis modestus) near main lagoon in Tyto. Tried to pan with bird but ageing reflexes not up to task.
Here's a less action-packed view from today.
Thinking of nesting and calling (without success) for females, are two recently-arrived White-winged Triller (Lalage sueurii) males.
More interested in food than breeding, two Little Shrike-Thrushes (Colluricincla megarhyncha). Click pix to enlarge
Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus), one of several active and noisy in Tyto today.
Caught this bird with snack just before it was driven off by honeyeaters (cuckoos have few friends!).
But Brown-backed Honeyeater (Ramsayornis modestus) has lately been more concerned with breeding than fending off parasitic cuckoos.
And Macleay's Honeyeater (Xanthotis macleayanus) intent the other day only on gathering nectar.
However, Red-backed Fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus) today carrying nest material should be wary. Cuckoos rather keen on popping their eggs into wren nests. Click pix to enlarge