Splotchy sighting breaks fairywren drought

Low bird numbers in Townsville Town Common Conservation Park most of the year. So I was happy that when a Red-backed Fairywren bobbed up the other day it at least stuck around long enough to get sharp shots of its charming splotchiness. First of the species in more than 10 long surveys in the park. Of course, three others turned up, briefly, elsewhere in the same morning. 

Two crocs mostly comforting but three's bit of a crowd

Third crocodile seen lately in the Town Common Conservation Park cause for bit of a rethink. Above all it shatters presumption that there was just the one biggish Saltie moving through several lagoon viewing areas. Now ... who knows how many - and exactly where? Last year's consistently high water levels, continuing through 2023 so far may have encouraged crocs, big fish and turtles to stick around. The conditions have also been perfect for expansive growth of bulrushes and reeds, thus creating extra cover in the lagoons. This all may change if the forecast but uncertain El Nino arrives this year rather than next. As always, we must wait and see. Stepping carefully meantime.

    

Dingo happily free of virus fears

Found social-distancing in Town Common Cons. Pk today, male Dingo considers which way to run after being surprised while resting in shortish grass with two others, perhaps siblings, nearby. Good current news for the species, not only is Covid-19 almost certainly no threat, even Parvovirus - feared killer of young domestic dogs - has not been known to infect wild Dingos.

Pipit, Sunbird making most of morning

Not a specially early bird, and not a worm but Pipit's pleased with this part of morning's work in Town Common, Townsville.

Also looking content with the morning, male Olive-backed Sunbird, close to my front door.

Look sharp to catch Sharpies in action

Sharp-tailed Sandpipers seem under orders to look sharpish and fly sharpishly at all times. Makes life hard for those trying for action pictures with reflexes no longer so sharp. Took three hours sitting at edge of grass island at Pandanus viewing area, Town Common, Townsville, one day this week to finally catch the high wing stretch the birds almost always use on landing.

And didn't get the entire bird in frame for the only takeoff image captured all week. Needed a bit more luck, on top of faster reaction times.

Got the luck today with so-so flight shots of White-browed Crake, the first two of which came as big surprise as at no time did I see the bird in the viewfinder. If in doubt hit the shutter and hope. Once in every year or so the instinct pays off. It's the great plus of digital, almost no cost to taking 500 or so images for 5-10 keepers.

But failed to get anything usable from much aerial tracking of wee Fairy Martins so resorted to the next big bird that came along overhead, Straw-necked Ibis. No beauty, but looking a wee bit sharp.

Getting old and taking things lying down

The old back won't take lying down efforts to capture small shorebirds at eye level but is willing to allow me lying back with big lens propped on elbow or raised knee. The birds learn to ignore the chatty creature in the long grass. So, mud, messy gumboots and floundering mishaps at Pandanus viewing area, Town Common, Townsville. And the birds . . .

Red-kneed Dotterels (top, adult; above, post-juvenile and juvenile)

Pied Stilt with long legs forward for gentle landing.

Two for one offering from Sharp-tailed Sandpiper.

Plenty of preening keeps Glossy Ibis looking its colourful best.

And, courtesy of Sue Rutherford, I'm caught lumbering out of swampy long grass on another day and in another part of the Common. The gear changes, the ugly mug remains the same.

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!

Opportunity knocks with Wolf at the door

Fell into little trap upon seeing rounded white 'door' flap open and shut before vanishing in spiky tuft of coarse grass yesterday. Trapdoor Spider or Funnelweb, mistaken conclusion.

Back this morning with macro lens and flash at ready, gently poke soft straw down funnel/tunnel and suddenly there's a Wolf Spider at the door. She's not alone. Web ball of Wolves-to-be tagging along tied to her stomach.

She seemed more curious than furious at the intrusion and turned back into her tunnel after putting up with some wrangling for the camera. All going well she'll bite the ball open and carry her young on her back till they get hungry and go their way.

Those wanting to make a name for themselves - and for many other things - might consider looking in their own backyards. There are thousands of things living there yet to be described fully and named precisely. Which Wolf Spider is that knocking at the door?