Gull cometh the raw prawn with me

 Silver Gull with Banana Prawn, Cape Pallarenda, Townsville, Feb 2024

Gulls lively during high tide surge

Surging high tide spilling into temporary lagoon at Cape Pellaranda  this morning provided some easy pickings for Silver Gulls that usually hang around for scraps from Townsville beach-casters. And action aplenty for bird photographer!

Here's to Galahs as Santas and tricky Osprey captures

If there was to be a Santa among birds, my vote goes to the Galah. Pretty, fun-loving, colourful - what's not to like? And this bird wandered my way at Pallarenda just in time for Xmas greetings to faithful blog followers.

Also at  windblown Pallarenda this week, Eastern Osprey seeming to be taking fish from the surf. Looks that way, doesn't it?

Truth is fish was taken in clearer water away from surf and bird merely chose to fly off low over breaking waves to some unseen feeding post out of my sight.

Here's the bird waiting patiently for glimpse of the eventual catch. 

Merry Xmas and happy birding in 2024 to all!

Ravens show gulls mouthful and get earful

Two immature Australian Ravens fossicking prey from under sand and within seaweed at Cape Pallarenda, Townsville, this morning drew persistent begging from young Silver Gull discontented with lack of service from parents. 

One of parents responded by giving junior and ravens an earful. Ravens responded by giving junior no heed. 

Magpie footedness progress report: Right 1  Left 1 

 

Brown Goshawk springs from the shadows

Taken more than three years to capture Brown Goshawk up close in Townsville, but action in Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park yesterday made up for that. First spied bird on ground in dark shadows. Flew to acacia, in dark shadow. Vanished into, yep, more shadow. Follow. Nothing. Circle back. More nothing. Movement ahead. Suddenly, bird on open branch in bright light! Better yet, flying toward me ...

To another open branch, close above. Great. But ... always a but. There's something clinging to the bird's mandibles. Good luck scoring bird; bad luck finding messy eater.

Unlike Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. At times messy mischief-makers, they show more delicacy when intent on feeding. Bird above one of 38 chomping on weeds and seeds sprung up beside the Ross River since the banks were flooded and heavily silted last year.

Chance to stand among them and grab a few flight shots.

Not at all interested in daytime flights, Tawny Frogmouth family, just downriver in the Bush Gardens.  All four bit more restless than usual.

Unlike solitary member of species in Cape Pallarenda. Hiding in full view. The birds have notch in eyelid that allows them to look out without seeming able to.

Noisy Miner gets 2019 off with a bang

Flying start to 2019 with first listing and pictures of Noisy Miner species in Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park.

Juvenile bird obligingly posed atop rusty steel pole.

Next day it did the proper thing and showed off in more natural surroundings.

Plenty of Red-tailed Black Cockatoos in the park, but can't get local statuary as background. Fluked this shot near Ross River Bush Gardens yesterday.

Mass takeoff also unintended shot. Birds feeding on ground were spooked by oncoming dog-walker. Arty blurring result of slow shutter speed set for low light beneath trees.

And must introduce the new boss of Payet Tower in the Townsville Common Conservation Park. Super-sized White-lipped Green Treefrog has taken over from possum sacked for always sleeping at her post.