Collared Kingfisher makes a collar

Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) allowed closer approach as it waited patiently for prey along the Lucinda sandsspit today.

Proved bit too quick on the pounce.

But later adopted driftwoody pose.
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Mangrove residents resist perfect collar

Not the prime target of recent treks along the Lucinda sandspit, Mangrove Honeyeater (Lichenostomus fasciogularis) stands as sole partial success.

Resident pair of Collared Kingfisher (Todiramphus chloris) stubbornly resist all entreaties to sit still within camera shot. And drizzle and brisk breeze didn't help today's effort above.

Better tidiings lately from Tyto, with Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusilla) returning to fish off the lotus heads ...

... and one Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii) allowing a closer approach.
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Sunbird more sweetness than fight

Female Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis) looks around for partner after seeing off another pair in mild early morning stoush.

Good thing the bill is more about sweetness than fight.  
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Adorning our Structures

Drizzle dribbles off the caravan, grey gloom continues, laptop chores sort of done ... time to cook up stew of leftovers, but with grandiose theme: Adorning our Structures

Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus): Broadwater Forest Park rail

Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii): Tyto Wetlands elevated walkway

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis): Orient Station fence

Striated Heron (Butorides striata): Dungeness rail

Great Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii): Dungeness rail

Red-backed Fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus): Orient Station fence
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Yellow-billed Spoonbill stands out

Uncommon species in Tyto, Yellow-billed Spoonbill (Platalea flavipes) stands out on paperbark limb, near front lagoons this week. Another of species seen today near Orient Station, with two Royal Spoonbills.

But most Brolga (Grus rubicunda) have quit the coastal pastures, probably all up on the Atherton Tablelands, unlike bird above, near roadside pool today.

Also near road, Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), one of nine raptor species spotted this morning along Orient Road, though above picture taken a wee while back.
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Swallows make visitors welcome

Welcome Swallows (Hirundo neoxena) happily share 'their' Dungeness wharf with visitors who  keep their distance.

Stand around long enough and the distance decreases.

But it's hard on decrepit knees crawling even closer. 
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Thick-knees stand alone

Plenty of blue sky and the lightest of breezes made the Lucinda sandspit a joy today, though the local Beach Thick-knee (Esacus magnirostris) pair refused to stand for a picture together.

Same story the other day with the Taylor Beach pair just down coast.
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Whistler faces bumper problem

Male Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris) faces bumper headache.

Rival sits within chromework of the Toyota beast in Tyto carpark today.

Interloping Rufous refuses to come out and fight.

Local hero can't get in. Stalemate. Towels thrown in: over the bumper. Harmony restored.
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