Jabiru adjusts for takeoff with lightening jet propulsion

Getting ready for takeoff, male Black-necked Stork lightens the load at Melaleuca viewing area, Town Common, Townsville this morning.

Job done, the bird decided it wasn't that concerned about my approach across the wetland weeds and would stick around

Not standing around by himself. Close by were juniors one and two. It seems from sightings at the area in recent weeks that the female seldom accompanies the youngsters. The four turned up a few weeks ago just as a family of five - whose nest is known to be somewhere slightly northeast of Melaleuca - began to drift apart, though all the birds have on occasion been seen more or less together elsewhere in the conservation park.

Missed the young birds' departure but here's the male on his way, spooked by some mild alarm from ducks and assorted waders further away.

Not a cause - this time - of the alarm, untidy Swamp Harrier overhead at Melaleuca the other day.
Just missed getting bird into the frame originally. Quick bit of added frame and some clumsy cloning and the picture's a little more complete. Do try this at home. With more care than I care to use it's a great tool.

But some potentially great shots just cannot be easily tarted up. This Little Pied Cormorant has become regular chat partner at the Freshwater hide in the early mornings after claiming ownership to standing rights on the log that's emerged at the water level drops. After fishing (diving underwater and chasing prey) the bird washes by part-rolling busily in the water. No easy way to remove unwanted stalks, I'm afraid.

Hibiscus Harlequin females flashest

Here's a bug. A Hibiscus Harlequin Bug. On a Coastal Hibiscus at Freshwater in the Townsville Common. And unlike birds, bug females get the flashest colours.

But he doesn't look too bad either. Much more on bugs here:

Back to birds. Sharp-tailed Sandpipers prominent at Pandanus viewing area.

And Black-necked Stork showing out from hundreds of Pelicans, Herons and
Egrets and Stilts at Melaleuca viewing area.

Egret gets kicks in out of pool possession

Resident Mr Big among Eastern Great Egrets in the Townsville Common doesn't like sharing the waters at Payets Tower with others of his species.

Sometimes, as today, the intruder needs a lesson in egret kickboxing to get the message.

Seemed even enough at first, but as most agree, possession is nine-tenths of the lore.

Also showing competitive physicality, immature Black-necked Stork (Jabiru), apparently challenged to water race by Little Black Cormorant.

Long legs take time getting up to speed so LBC swam away the honours.

Also entertaining in recent days, catch-of-the-day comps. White Ibis made grand start with fish capture.

Sadly, quickly found that any number of failed swallows don't make a summa, a summit, or summat like that.

Junior Jabiru's dad showed he was the real deal with feel in taking prize for the biggest eel.

Played to the crowd with many grabs and drops before flipping eel up, into, and down, down, down bill and throat.

Two Pelicans were disqualified for refusing to reveal their many catches. 

 

Storks brighten Melaleuca mornings

Adding colour to latest mornings at Melaleuca viewing area, pair of Blacked-necked Storks - and on occasion their shy brown offspring.

Pa Stork can be bit of a showoff. But, then, when you've got it . . .

Ma Stork mostly busier stabbing around for fish amid the weedy shallows.

No big catches seen, but here's hoping.

Stork carries grass first, babies arrive later

Biggest grassbird ever in the Town Common?  But most hide in the grass not behind it in the air. Male Black-necked Stork (Jabiru) heading nestwards this morning. Breeding soon, I expect. The nest? Best guess, somewhere just north of golf course, perhaps where mangroves meet the trees. Local pilots possibly know. (They may also know whether resident Ospreys sometimes sitting on nest are just fooling around or have decided on two clutches within a year.)

Also in the air today, White-necked Heron, Three seen, but outnumbered elsewhere on the flood grasses by White-faced Herons (14 seen together yesterday morning).

Also snapped yesterday. young Brown Falcon, presumably one of a pair seen at some distance today.

Pair well worth storking about

Loving pair of Black-necked Stork (akaJabiru Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) drawing attention at Cattle Creek, noted flood point passing under the Bruce Highway just south of Ingham.

Proud parents of two flighty youngsters, the adult pair bond with short dances when coming together after spending time apart fishing, or just standing around.

Female (yellow eye) smaller than her mate.

But has taken more fish when I've been watching.

Not that he's impressed by her catches.