Dusky Moorhen stands out after owl's no-show

Dusky Moorhen pauses while attending to morning toilette in Townsville Palmetum. Not my target bird, but couldn't find Rufous Owl reportedly returned to former roosting spot near front gate.

Another consolation prize after mystery shorebird vanished, Black Kite gets glowing makeover from rising sun on sands beside the Ross River.

Struck gold with Golden-headed Cisticola against golden background (distant dry grasses) in the Town Common.

Crested Pigeon sits in tiny patch of green grass (from leaking pipe) amidst otherwise bone-dry blocks along beside the Ross River Dam.

Apology: Bit of a limp blog. Dropped soap on foot last week. Haematoma: big bleed under skin. RICE: rest, ice, compression, exercise. Exercise too soon. Extend rest, compression. Blog on. 

Standout spotted among raptors

Standing out among raptors near Orient Station lately, an industrious Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) quartering low for quarry to spook from long grasses and flooded hymenachne.

Bird has received cool reception from resident pairs of Brown Falcons and Black-shouldered Kites, and local Black Kites, but aerial exchanges too far off for worthwhile pictures.

But here's a Black Kite (Milvus migrans) coming a bit closer along the highway at Cattle Creek the other day.

And this young White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), perhaps in second-year plumage, showed up with a sibling and an adult (presumed parent) this week.