Little manny loves green slimy

Nothing a little manny likes in the morny more than a generous slurp of green slime, as shown by Nutmeg Mannikin (Lonchura punctulata) in Tyto yesterday.

Champion stuff also for Chestnut-breasted Mannikin (Lonchura castaneothorax). Funnily, finches appear to have no appetite for pond scum. No accounting for taste. (Such as mine for Marmite, victim of the Christchurch quake tragedies. Toast won't be the same till supply is restored. Vegemite doesn't cut it. Doesn't even spread!) 
Click pix to enlarge  

Bush-hen ups and ambushes us

Oops, look what's turned up sprucing up and showing up the Tyto 'expert', an immature Pale-vented Bush-hen (Amaurornis moluccana). Long views yesterday and again this morning beside a creek pool. And all after telling visiting birdos the hens all went south or west and wouldn't be back till October. Perhaps this bird couldn't fly with the others. Are there even more hiding silently in the tangles? Sorry, Ed, Mike, Hugh. 
Click pix to enlarge  

Distance far from only problem posed

Happy run of Australian Little Bittern (Ixobrychus dubius) sightings for two mornings. Much successful fishing action, though from about 60 metres away so not so great photographically. And no way short of boat to get closer. Anyone got a 600mm lens to spare?

Elsewhere in Tyto the birds have been persisting in popping up on perches short of ideal. Thus, Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus), definitely not poster-perfect. 

Australian Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus australis) lands on the wrong stem.

Tawny Grassbird (Megalurus timoriensis) won't quit the guava tangles.

And White-throated Gerygone (Gerygone albogularis) too high and mighty to pose at my level. But I love 'em all anyway.
Click pix to enlarge  

Don't say I didn't warn you!

'I've told you boys a million times, fight with gloves on or someone's going to have an eye poked out.' 
Click pix to enlarge

Owling success, Tyto in Tyto

Uncommon stranger turning up yesterday in Tyto was this large Eastern Barn Owl (Tyto javanica), my first daytime sighting of the species in eight years in the wetlands. Moved on a couple of times before sitting in a paperbark for several minutes. Not keen on me getting too close. And no sign of the bird today.

Just down the highway and no uncommon stranger, this maturing Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) has taken to haunting a big roadside spoon drain, ignoring passing traffic, yet seldom allowing cameras this close. Must have memories of past feasts though rich pickings lately would seem unlikely as area dries out.    
Click pix to enlarge  

Couple of looks at Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus) caught off guard in Tyto the other day during hunt for Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusilla) ...

... which turned up doing low-wire shows over another pool the next day.

And closing with another double, Agile Wallaby togetherness yesterday.
Click pix to enlarge  

Happy return of Little Kingfisher

Happy return for 2012 of Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusilla) in Tyto today.

Not total happiness, however, as bird had issues with something it ate.

Much avian coughing and head shaking ensued before snack was redespatched innardly, inwardly if you prefer.

Eventually all was well. Welcome back, you little beaut.  
Click pix to enlarge  

Shrike-thrush shows up near falls

Black bill identifies male Bower's Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla boweri) near Wallaman Falls today. Had not seen species in the area till this month, though altitude (above 400m) and rainforest habitat always seemed right. Slightly cooler temperatures lately may have played a part.

From an earlier stint in almost the same small patch of  forest, Yellow-breasted Boatbill (Machaerirhynchus flaviventer). Not  too sharp, but  pretty enough.
Click pix to enlarge  

Finch greets holiday horde

Parts of Broadwater State Forest are crowded with campers this Easter after being reopened for  the first time since Cyclone Yasi roared through in February 2011. Sadly, the rainforest boardwalk and circular track to a giant fig tree will remain closed for much longer.

So, from the edge of  the forest yesterday, Red-browed Finch (Neochmia temporalis) shows willingness to greet the holiday horde.

Took a bit a bush-bashing to catch this young Spectacled Monarch (Symposiarchus trivirgatus) chasing after prey.

Though there are Large-billed Scrubwren (Sericornis magnirostra) at Broadwater bird above was foraging higher up at Wallaman Falls the other day.

And following a day after previous post, here's a wonderful Wandering Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna arcuata) in Tyto.
Click pix to enlarge  

Wanderers wee way off wonderful

Ugly ducklings seldom transform as sexy swans. But sodden bird above will, fate willing, one day be a wonderful Wandering Whistling-Duck (Dendrocygna arcuata).

Might be asking a lot of fate for all 20-plus in this mob on the main Tyto lagoon yesterday to reach maturity. Hard, too, to keep track of them as pink lotus takes over much of the lagoon. Do my best. 

Did my best to capture this female Australian Little Bittern (Ixobrychus dubius) as she flew with shrill calls from scleria and crossed the lagoon in front of me the other day. Missed - as Max Smart would say - by just 'that' much.
Click pix to enlarge  

Sunny skies and happy blues

The Wet blues have given way to blue skies over Tyto, and happy Blue-winged Kookaburra  (Dacelo leachii) with hapless prey.

Bird happily presented sunny profile too.

Not so willing to sit around, nor so lucky with prey, Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus) comes up empty out of dive into creek pool today.  

Sitting still near the Tyto entrance a wee while ago, Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus).
Click pix to enlarge