Black-faced Woodswallows amid the browned-off

Dry season starting to bite all over Australia with much of Queensland in drought and even greener coastal parts like Ingham turning brown, markedly on grazing properties.

Young Black-faced Woodswallows (Artamus cinereus) right at home on Orient Station post surrounded by seas of parched grass.

Through the Orient and alongside tidal inlet, Grey-tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes) similarly reflects the colours of the countryside. Not so plain-Jane grey when seen up close. 

Over the fast-dropping waters of a small earth dam, Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) prepares for drink on the wing (but you'll have to settle for the approach because I couldn't get flying drinker in focus). 

And this was as close to the target as I got today with efforts to catch Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) fishing. Picture me browned off!  

Tern splashes into action

Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) in Tyto today didn't catch many fish.

Though it made quite a splash.

The only near-sharp pictures came with smallest catch of the day.

But bigger prey keeps us all going back another day.

Click pix to enlarge

Storking about the skyline

Haven't seen much of local Black-necked Storks (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) lately. 

But male flew close overhead this week and provided couple of offbalance snap shots from old bicycle.  

Also in the air above Tyto, Gull-billed Tern (Gelochelidon nilotica) makes a pass over the main lagoon today.

Not quite in flight but part of recent skyline, pair of Magpie Goose (Anseranas semipalmata)..  
Click pix to enlarge