Pied Monarch looks part as king of the clowns

Finding Nemo made a star of a Clown Fish and Happy Feet did likewise for a dancing Penguin, so how about a major role for an aerial Pierrot, the Pied Monarch (Arses kaupi)? Looks the part for laughs, surely?

On the other hand, every bird has its serious side, though playing a part in this 'Jourama Party'.

Some players carry suggestion of a daunting character, as with White-browed Robin (Poecilodryas superciliosa). Not really so very supercilious, I reckon.

Pity the Dusky Honeyeater (Myzomela obscura), obscurely coloured and split now even from fellow honeyeaters as merely a myzomela.

But one can count on Macleay's Honeyeater (Xanthotis macleayanus) to turn seriousness on its head and come out smiling.

What's black and brown and blue and sad?

What's black and brown at the same time? Immature rufous morph Black Butcherbird (Cracticus quoyi race rufescens), as seen from distance in Tyto today, with black splotch on breast showing the all-over colour to come as bird begins second moult on way to turning black.

What's black and brown at the same time? Pair of Eastern Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus). But the streaky brown female wouldn't sit still in fig tree with male above at Mungalla stockyards.

What's black and blue without being bruised? Male Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto) foraging on ground near Mungalla stockyards.

What's black about nesting Mangrove Robin (Peneonanthe pulverulenta)? Finding her gone yesterday and no sign of the two hatchlings from two days ago. Snake? Frog?  Raptor? Third tale of sorrow for the pair: nest abandoned; eggs snatched; hatchlings taken. Bugger. Bugger. Bugger. Better luck next time? 

Magpie-lark sees off screaming Koel

Male Eastern Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) screams  after being seen off by Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) anxious to avoid being parasitised, though few female Koels seen yet. 

Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) screams toward the camera as a pair of the aggressive breeders defend a patch of footy field near Tyto Wetlands.

Brahminy Kites (Haliastur indus) too pretty to scream.

Even when one approaches their nest near Dungeness the response is merely a mew.

Eastern Grass-Owl takes to the blue skies

Week too late for Birdlife photographic group thronging Tyto Wetlands for Labour Weekend, Eastern Grass-Owl (Tyto longimembris) rises from grass today.

Just the one bird, perhaps also the pre-dawn sighting at back of the wetlands two mornings ago.

Time for three sharpish images before bird dropped back into distant grasses. Tough luck, DPITB guys.

Who grovels as the Ass in Little GrAssbird?

Grovelling apologies,  Birdlifers. You said Little Grassbird (Megalurus gramineus). The all-knowing Tyto Tony said: I don't think so. Show me the pictures. Later, you did. You wuz right.

But ... enough grovel ... and in life there's always a but ... but my pictures (above) from today in Tyto ...

... and yesterday at Mungalla are better. Thank you one and all!       

Darter one among many making a splash

Distant Little Bitterns exciting visiting Birdlife photographers this weekend, but not making same splash as this Australasian Darter (Anhinga novehollandiae) indulging today in circular water ballet of unknown cause. Some say rounding up fish. Seems not so to me, though who knows?

Can always rely on a splash of red from Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton), though usually more tidily feathered..

Similarly attractive - and tidier - Red-browed Finch (Neochmia temporalis).

Stepping out in style near the hide this morning, White-browed Crake (Amaurornis cinerea).

And stepping out near the entrance before latest scrub slashing moved it along, Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis).

Welcome to all who walk, talk and stalk

Big weekend coming up with Birdlife photo group talking and stalking around Ingham, mostly at Tyto Wetlands and Mungalla Station. So, wee welcome, above, misty morn, Tyto, front lagoon.

And hello, from Mungalla, from Australian Pratincole (Stiltia isabella)...

White-gaped Honeyeater (Lichenostomus unicolor)...

... and Brown Falcon (Falco berigora). Have fun, everyone.