Young Brolga stands out from the rest

Looks a bit lost in full frame image from Pandanus viewing point in the Town Common but maturing Brolga more trusting than the few others to be seen roaming in the distance.

Walked up on bird yesterday morning and ended openly close to it and chatting about this and that.

Of special interest, much younger bird lately seen with parents more than twice its size. Can't remember ever seeing Brolga near Ingham with any but flying juveniles. Got no help with this question.

Also in the area, returning pair of Bush Stone-curlews. Problem: heavy traffic at their preferred site, hard beside road. Compare distrusting look above ...

... with relaxed pose of one of 24 sunning recently in the city's Anderson Park.

Also on ground for a few days, scruffy parasite-afflicted Magpie Lark. Mud-grubbing species appears subject to both more unwanted passengers and facial diseases.

Not such a risk for Horsfields Bronze-cuckoo, which will feed on and near ground but spends much time calling from atop highest tree in the area. Bird above teased for a week before coming within shot.

Similar story with Sacred Kingfisher, another more often seen flashing off into the distance.

Welcome to the world of almosts

Close. Almost. Not quite right. One of those mornings in the Common today. Started with Brown Goshawk. Flew from ground and stayed in shadow and behind twig. Big adjustment made to lighten image.

Rainbow Bee-eater stuck  tight to branch and flew off before I could adjust camera angle inside Troopy to get full tail in shot.

Suicidal Black-fronted Dotterel walked along road even as traffic passed within two metres. But just would not look my way. And flew off teasingly whenever I tried to walk up on it.

Nothing new in grasses and branches getting in the way of course. Thus, Brolga the other day.

And Crimson Finch.

And Pheasant Coucal.

And Blue-winged Kookaburra.

Too difficult to fix many untidy images, but clone tool and tight cropping can work wonders. Others must be cast aside and prayers offered for better luck next time.

 

Crimson Finch numbers down

Seems timing of the wet spells this season has not been to benefit of 
Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton), though above maturing male looks to be coming along nicely.

Fewer young birds around Ingham and the juveniles are popping up in ones 
and twos rather than threes and fours to a family.

Better days for Australasian Pipit (Anthus novaeseelandiae), popping up in healthy numbers on grazing properties everywhere in the area.

One of the important soil inputs makes a top vantage point.

Among the reed beds at the Orient Station the other day, Brolga (Grus rubicunda) pair had been joined yesterday by more than 30 others stalking prey in the pasture. Probably be hundreds on the coastal stations soon.

Getting on board without ducks

Great  times lately at Mungalla Station near Ingham trying for pictures of seldom seen ducks. Without success. But there are always compensations, including close encounter with Australasian Grebe (Tachybaptus novaehollandiae).

And here's a Pallid Cuckoo (Cacomantis pallidus) paying one of its infrequent visits to the area.

Sometimes a passing Brolga (Grus rubicunda) gets close enough to fill the frame.

Not so often seen up  this way, Australian Raven (Corvus coronoides). So-so image, but immature bird shows species' long throat hackles. 

The ducks stay on the list.

Stonking big honkers don't deter Snipe

Pair of noisy Brolga (Grus rubicunda) adding their considerable presence to roadside pools just south of Ingham lately, out-honking and towering over the more numerous ducks and (Magpie) geese.

And tucked away silently tucking prey away at the same pools, Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii).

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.
Click pix to enlarge  

Rats! Brolga strolls off with corpse

Rats! Not quick enough to get a sharp image of Brolga (Grus rubicunda) strolling away with unlamented victim of cane harvesting.  

Rats! Immature Southern Boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae), rodent lover, stays far off and obscured on brief rare visit to Tyto. 

Rats! Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans), another meat lover, stays too high.
Click pix to enlarge