Pink-eared Ducks tuck into Red Azolla

Pink-eared Ducks (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) popping up in many places lately, including first time listing in Tyto Wetlands.

They share a taste for Red Azolla with - among others - Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa).

Chasing prey amid azolla and mud yesterday, Pacific (White-necked) Heron (Ardea pacifica).

And recently stepping out on Pink Lotus, Water Snowflake and azolla, White-browed Crake (Amaurornis cinerea).

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.

Rare rubberneck at some Red-necks

Eight very uncommon visitors standing in shallows at Mungalla Station today. Plenty of  Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae) further south but seldom seen this far northeast. Be interesting to see if they stick around.

Still wandering about the place today, this Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis), one of four calling Mungalla home these days.

Another home bird (seen again today in family of four, but photographed last week) Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus). Cool, eh?

Pied Herons step along in style

Seldom ever seen three Pied Heron (Egretta picata) together near Ingham, let alone stepping in ascending order across a wetland scene.

But in a reverse of less is more, the  picture fails when the focus tightens on the birds, doesn't it? 

Some ware over the Rainbow

Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) adorns branch in morning light at Mungalla Station.

Could look better, by looking my way.

Could look better still, by a little bit of tweaking.

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)

Tree frog gives snake some lip

Stop stalling and start croaking, Frog. 

You've bitten onto more than you can swallow, Snakey!

It's time I legged it.

I'm a mess? I almost tore his head off!

50 minutes with Common Tree Snake and White-lipped Tree Frog in trees behind my caravan last night.