Today's surprise visitor at the Azure Kingfisher tunnel site is ... an Orange-footed Scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt). The birds are solid fliers but prefer to walk, even clumsily across an obstructed natural bridge such as above (20 metres east of my sitting place on the bank).Sorry about the picture, but everything smaller that came closer darted away again just as quickly - and even I seldom ever see Scrubfowls. Of Azures, nothing!
Bit of high-speed (and noisy) photography slowed down the wings of this female Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio aegeus) on dreaded Lantana (which sadly won't top present voting for best Australian movie).
Two other butterflies met all the time are Chocolate (Junonia hedonia) and Meadow (J. villida) Arguses. Both females (I think). Chocolate's a bit worse for wear. Meadows are one of the obliging types that stay open-winged on alighting. 
That must be a great spot with all the birds you have described. Even blurred the photo of the scrubfowl has the 'wow' factor!
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting spot, Mick. Just a pity the scrubfowl was distant, the light was bad, the camera wouldn't lock on, and I was sitting off balance. Sad litany, eh?
ReplyDeleteG'day Tony,
ReplyDeleteThe scrubfowl looks a little precarious. Bit like the Purple Swamphens - they can swim, but nearly always elect to fly across small stretches of water.
Regards,
Gouldiae
Great bird. I've never seen Junonia hedonia either.
ReplyDelete