Old female friend crashed in on recent morning scout for early birds at entry to Townsville Common. Sudden rush of wings, rustling in bushes and Blue-winged Kookaburra emerged with breakfast firmly lodged in long-broken bill.
She's not merely a survivor but appears to be queen of a territory centred on the entry gate. But even so familiar a sight has - along with other kookaburras - been less often on show lately, perhaps because Forest Kingfishers are about in considerable numbers and outcompeting their larger cousins.
Hard by the entry gate, and escaping the attention of predators (bar those with neat little new waterproof, shockproof microscopic-function cameras), Large Brown Mantid hangs around for a minute before returning to dangling upside down under fig leaves awaiting passing prey.
Upside down because sitting about on branches is not such a good idea. It's one thing to have a neat little new etc. etc. poked right in your face, it's altogether another as a vulnerable Green Treefrog to catch the eye of a passing raptor.
Today, saw the plunge, saw the frog grabbed, saw the munching in shadowy tree, but caught only distant images of immature Brahminy Kite sitting around before launching after another foray aloft.
Also saw immature Australian Hobby not so far away thinking about another fast circuit over and through the trees seeing what it could swoop upon.
Not so far away, Nankeen Kestrel coming in all flaps up after a sweep above the rampant para grass in the same area.
Good thing it's only someone with a neat new little etc. etc that uncovered Huntsman Spider's loose-bark hiding place today and not something hungrier for more than closeups.
