Hobby launches into big bird, lunches on dragonfly

Australian Hobby gets right into the face of passing immature White-bellied Sea-Eagle in Townsville Town Common Conservation Park this morning. Bemused big bird betook itself away smartish.

Can't imagine the Hobby thought of the Sea-Eagle as competition for the dragonflies it was launching after and lunching upon. Shouldn't be crabby - because near none in the Common.

And when an intruding Brahminy Kite came along and launched itself into the water-lilied waters and flew off with talons full of weed and maybe obscured prey the Hobby took no action. But loads of action for the observer.

Female Dingo unsure about photo session

Female Dingo unsure she's looking her best for morning photo session on Townsville Town Common Conservation Park salt flat behind Pallarenda township the other morning. Eventually she trotted off to join more wary male mate. Welcome sight for me, perhaps less so for the many dogs and owners in Pallarenda. Howling from husky (the voice, not the breed) male should have triggered responses from domestic dogs yet in this case did not. As usual I couldn't resist the vocal challenge but was out-yowled decisively. Fewer Dingos being seen in the park these days after park rangers hazed cheekier animals away to more distant sections of the park for their own welfare. One or two were losing all fear of people, which can lead to danger for park visitors and for the Dingos.   

Leucistic Brush-Turkey stands out from the rest

Stepping out at Cape Pallarenda a day ago, the conservation park's well established but seldom so easily photographable leucistic Brush-Turkey. As striking as ever, probably female - based on lack of male markers: peaceable solitary behaviour, no mound building, never displaying extended yellow neck pouch.  Makes it unlikely there'll ever be an explosion of precocious whites scrambling from an active breeding mound in the park. Meantime, enjoy the one we've got!