Take a tip on White-bellied Sea-Eagles

Here's a tip on White-bellied Sea-Eagles. They've got two-tone tongues. Standard pink, with grey-brown flexible tips. Looking like claws, as in above image, but actually front section of tongue tightly folded lengthwise (an ability that genetically divides people: many can, many can't).

Another tip: the birds can be remarkably tolerant of a patient open approach. Bit of chat doesn't worry them either. Don't expect much by way of reply. 

And it can be frustrating trying to gain their full attention. They seldom deign to look straight at the camera, no matter how much direction is being given from behind the camera. 

Cuddlesome couple Wrensday offering

Saved up cuddlesome Red-backed Fairywren duo as concession to cute Wrensdays.

Male, not so prettily photogenic but equally true to natural setting.

Not so successful, recent efforts to capture Reed Warblers in their brief showings on edge of typha.

Nearby, Australian Pipits easier to spot on samphire.

Wedge-tailed Eagle no match for menacing Magpie

Magpies may attack passersby during the breeding season, but it's always open season on any Wedge-tailed Eagle passing by. So two Wedgies cruising over Woodstock southwest of Townsville this week drew aggressive response, specially when one had temerity to land in tree over a waterhole in middle of Magpie pair's territory.

David and Goliath interaction soon saw Wedgie sling his hook quick smart.

More D&G - on the ground - lately with Green Tree Ant heading for quick march across eye of Brown Snake. Missed the outcome as snake moved off suddenly into cover.

Looking for cover elsewhere in the Townsville Town Common Park, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos join ongoing stream of potential tenants scratching around longstanding hollow trunk. As usual, no sale. Lack of cover possibly the deal breaker.

Crimson Finches know how to build all-weather homes in cover. They've constructed and bred well since the Wet season with families showing 7-8 young.

That number topped by Black Duck (gender unknown) that appeared in front of Freshwater hide the other day with 10 ducklings. This after no ducks had been seen for quite some time.

Bit like this blogger, who decided to have a few weeks off.