Sacred dive heads day of splashy catches

Catching Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) on the dive one of several highlights at Mungalla Station over weekend.

Can't claim super reflexes for this one. Bird was one of three launching from atop Leichhardt tree and swooping on insects just above water level and on hymenachne growing along the edge of pool below.

And White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) happened along overhead in time for leisurely tracking. The major blessing is having the underwings well lit.

Catch of the day for Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) came with the bird's only deep dive. After mostly scooping smaller fish from the surface, the bird took a steeper line into the water. It wasn't where I'd been focussing. No time for viewfinder so spun lens on gimbal and jammed shutter button for high-speed burst (almost always have camera on the setting). My catch not quite so perfect as bird's. Splashy though.

No such luck in Tyto today. Managed to draw glare from Pacific Baza (Aviceda subcristata). It's a mark of the species' acceptance of people that this look came after much arm-waving and whistling.