Who needs fireworks when nature's such a blast?

Nine o'clock and pre-midnight fireworks for families boom in the background. What can compete?

Too far from poles to dream of auroras, no lightning storms expected. Never fear, nature's here. Day or two early, but fireworks prep began months ago. So, here's Double Happy at the common.

And there's the pot of gold spot at right of picture. I've plenty so have left it all in place for others.

So, 2018. Sometimes it crawled along but suddenly it's ending with dash and splash, just as turtle poised on Ross River stump's about to do. Turtles beside the bank, banks' good names turned horribly turtle!

Lesson from the Common yesterday: big and powerful needs to watch it. Sneaky Black Kite spooks mighty White-bellied Sea-eagle. Panicky plunge from power perch. Mighty eagles? Hmm, a few nations to choose from. Course, Australia fears only All Black Kiwis!

And wouldn't it be wonderful if our leaders' motives carried at least some semblance of the transparency offered by Nankeen Kestrel.

Or the resolution and steadiness of purpose into buffeting headwinds of White-breasted Woodswallow at Cape Pallarenda today.

Meantime, I'll stick to my Hobby even if it means feathers (birds') must fly and bit of blood (often mine) must be shed.

Finally, seeing New Year in, junior Brush Turkey. The only youngster I've seen in two years' birding at Cape Pallarenda, BT paradise. An omen of sorts? Who knows. Here's to 2019 anyway.

Catching some biggies on the wing

Bit of a morning for the biggies in the Common today, starting with bit of luck catching Channel-billed Cuckoos on the wing, and indeed one having caught cicada on the wing.

Two Black Kites showing interest in squashed Cane Toad on drive in, but this bird seemed keener on prey among the tree tops.

Young Osprey upset parent wouldn't deliver latest fish catch. The two immatures spending much less time on nest, without yet seeking to catch their own.

Another fisher - though with very different technique - Pelican off  lifted from borrow pit pools when White-bellied Sea Eagle took off from nearby tree.

The eagle was perched with partner in shady tree overlooking pits, until I walked up from behind them and attempted conversation. Birds undisturbed by voice but took off when I showed myself.

Flight angle on Spangled Drongo

Angled for flight shots in Tyto this week. 

Almost got one Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus) right.

Black Kite (Milvus migrans) easier to track, though few to be seen up close because sugar cane harvest now drawing them away.   
Click pix to enlarge

Slight kite skite, all right?

Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris) has taken to morning stints in small dead tree on Tyto's northern boundary. Not too worried by me, till within 20-25 metres. But haven't had any luck with prey capture, or even in-flight close-ups. May be bit greedy seeking more than this bird's beauty. . .

Less often ready to sit and pose, Black Kite (Milvus migrans) remained still for a few seconds early in week, before taking off to join mate.

This Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus) has lately added Tyto to its rounds. Bit odd, since the species usually doesn't hang about for long till fish begin dying, which isn't happening at present.

And to complete the Tyto kite set, Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus) surveys the wetlands scene from a Leichhardt tree.