Jabiru adjusts for takeoff with lightening jet propulsion

Getting ready for takeoff, male Black-necked Stork lightens the load at Melaleuca viewing area, Town Common, Townsville this morning.

Job done, the bird decided it wasn't that concerned about my approach across the wetland weeds and would stick around

Not standing around by himself. Close by were juniors one and two. It seems from sightings at the area in recent weeks that the female seldom accompanies the youngsters. The four turned up a few weeks ago just as a family of five - whose nest is known to be somewhere slightly northeast of Melaleuca - began to drift apart, though all the birds have on occasion been seen more or less together elsewhere in the conservation park.

Missed the young birds' departure but here's the male on his way, spooked by some mild alarm from ducks and assorted waders further away.

Not a cause - this time - of the alarm, untidy Swamp Harrier overhead at Melaleuca the other day.
Just missed getting bird into the frame originally. Quick bit of added frame and some clumsy cloning and the picture's a little more complete. Do try this at home. With more care than I care to use it's a great tool.

But some potentially great shots just cannot be easily tarted up. This Little Pied Cormorant has become regular chat partner at the Freshwater hide in the early mornings after claiming ownership to standing rights on the log that's emerged at the water level drops. After fishing (diving underwater and chasing prey) the bird washes by part-rolling busily in the water. No easy way to remove unwanted stalks, I'm afraid.

High ISO slows high-speed Sunbirds down

Olive-backed Sunbirds light up the understorey with their nest-building comings and goings near the Freshwater hide in the Town Common Conservation Park, Townsville.

Of possible interest photographically pictures taken at very high ISO (25600) and shutter speed (1/8000thsec). Remarkably little 'noise' on sensor for such high settings thanks to Canon 1DX performance. No postprocessing noise reduction used. Need even faster shutter to stop rapid wingbeats.

Tawny Grassbird in Tyto Wetlands (brief return to my old stamping ground - no Grass Owls seen) on Monday easier to freeze in action while hopping along a branch.

Back in the Common today,  Swamp Harrier stirred plenty of fast wingbeats at Melaleuca viewing area as birds feeding below -  already spooked by two White-bellied Sea-Eagles - took off with the wetland predator's arrival.

No feed for the harrier, and nothing for male Dingo crossing the water in front of Jacana hide early this morning. In fact, egrets and ibises nearby barely turned their heads to look. Lacks that lean and hungry look, so perhaps not fullblooded specimen.

Finish on a Peaceful (Dove) note. One of four birds in front of Freshwater hide this morning taking turns to take fast drink and (usually) take off rapidly away from the dangerous area and activity. But this bird chose to puff up a little and show off its subtle colouring.

Raven gulls slow Sea-Eagle and chicken Swamp Harrier

Quickfire chain of conflicts beside and above earth dam wall, Town Common Conservation Park, Townsville, today.  Youngish White-bellied Sea-Eagle disputed possession of Tilapia with Swamp Harrier.

Fish left behind as birds squabbled across the sky. Australian Raven saw chance, flew down and off with the fish.

Magpie Lark took over from sea-eagle and launched attack on intruding harrier, driving it away.

Sea-eagle returned for fish. Too late. The fish had flown!

Boar War survivor shot today by Canon

Minutes after finding second dead boar killed lately by illicit overnight hunter/s and dog/s in Townsville Town Common a probable family litter-member trotted into view this morning. Didn't know how lucky he was to be shot only by Canon 1DX and 'bazooka' 600mm lens.

Elsewhere, used Troopy as mobile hide yesterday to drive within eight metres of Zebra Finches in Chinee Apple growing near Belgian Gardens Cemetery. Only one posed unobscured by twigs.

Nearby, Golden-headed Cisticola also ignored high-top Troopy nudging through high grasses.

On foot, got lucky with young Swamp Harrier flying low down overgrown creek. Swerved away quickly after spotting me standing on road crossing the creek but not before staying in focus just long enough for five sharp frames.

The raptors are all looking down on me

White-bellied Sea-eagle takes a dim view of me possibly too close to her (probable gender) in Townsville Town Common Con. Pk today. Should be another set of eyes (juvenile) looking out from nearby nest soon.

Osprey overhead at dam wall. Several aborted plunges, two big splashes. No fish. But did see off presumed partner to female Sea-eagle.

Swamp Harrier skirmished briefly with Osprey and Sea-eagle before heading south out of their territories.

Black-shouldered Kite nowhere to be seen today. Hard stare came yesterday as I walked under dead tree much used by several raptor species near the airport fenceline.

Charge of the heavy brigade

Charge of  the heavy brigade: agistment cattle at Mungalla Station make a splash crossing Palm Creek shallows east of Ingham yesterday. No apology from them for disturbing all  my water birds, either!

Overhead, Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans) conflict, presumably about territorial  rights to prey upon and along the creek system.

Meanwhile, male Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) sailed serenely above the goings on below.

Night-herons by light of day

Nankeen Night-Herons (Nycticorax caledonicus) nocturnally prey on wetlands wildlife (not all empty freshwater mussels shells are down to water rats) but only sunlight does justice to their colours.

Latest survey at Mungalla Station near Ingham found about 60 roosting above fish-laden, tree-shaded Palm Creek pools.

More distant during survey, Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans) ...

... and Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)

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  

Swampy looks wrong over wetlands

Quick fly-past from Swamp Harrier (Circus approximans) by main lagoon in Tyto yesterday but bird had eyes right - thus wrong - throughout the brief encounter. 

Two other raptors showing out in past few days, pair of immature Collared Sparrowhawk (Accipiter cirrocephalus). Interaction between them hints at sibling relations. Not a common sight locally so unusual to have two appear at same time.

Efforts at capturing dragonfly (Hemicordulia australiae) in flight have all failed. Birds sometimes seem to listen, dragons never!

And still can't train White-lipped Tree Frog (Litoria infrafrenata) for action shots.  
Click pix to enlarge