Sunbird shows off blue glory

Sunny morning and sudden drop in overnight temperature made for a fitting Tyto appearance today by Mr Cool, male Olive-backed Sunbird (Nectarinia jugularis) in all his blue gorget glory. Also fitting, his perching on pandanus, as an old nest dangles from a nearby pandanus.

Also out in force - particularly vocal - today, White-browed Robins (Poecilodryas superciliosa). Another four spotted during the morning.

Other recent Tyto sightings include notably blue Varied Triller (Lalage leucomela). The species usually looks black and white. But early morn light would seem to have provided a glimpse of the male as seen by another bird. Most birds see in a much wider range of colour than us. Notice that the effect is not merely an unwanted blue cast over the image.

Nothing blue about Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus), again in bright morning light. Low- angled light has brought out the eye colour, which tends to be lost and quickly dulls as the sun climbs.

Young Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus) will soon lose attractive brown tones and turn duller grey.

White-gaped Honeyeater (Lichenostomus unicolor) reveals strong grey eye colour and the gape that inspired its name, though it often looks more creamy yellow than white.

And a touch of violence from a recent morning. Typical brief flurry from Comb-crested Jacanas (Irediparra gallinacea) competing for territory on the main lagoon. Waterboarding comes to mind as descriptive of the technique. Jump upon and submerge the foe. Oddly, the bout doesn't always go to the one most wetted. I suspect one bird loses interest and simply moves on. Pity people couldn't do likewise!

Reed Warbler stands in as guineapig

Used Australian Reed-Warbler (Acrocephalus australis) as guineapig for lens tests in Tyto today. Birds weren't too co-operative but over a few pleasant hours of chatting in hide to visiting birders a few came to the edge of scleria. 

First up, 600 lens plus 1.4x.

Then, 600 plus 2x.

Bonus, bird snatches long-legged insect or spider.
Verdict: steadier camera mount needed.

Second bonus, back to 600+1.4: Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus). Full frame uncropped, portrait, tripod used as shaky monopod.

All gone as Drongo diddles katydid catcher

Lots of Birdlifers up from Townsville today all hoping - and mostly getting - a look at an Australian Little Bittern. Also on show, about 70 other species, not all easily found. Above, White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae) up and about before most of the birders.

Most got a good look at this Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus). Image is same bird,  same place yesterday. Seems to be only BC left in Tyto. Today it had one Little Bronze Cuckoo - also in short supply lately - for brief company.

No longer greeting visitors at the entry (as above), but today standing around under the carpark bottlebrushes, Bush Thick-knee (Burhinus grallarius). It's rather vain so picture does not show scarred left eye. Perils of running around screaming during the night!

Everywhere, as always, though not always accorded as much camera time as they probably deserve, Willie Wagtail (Rhipidura leucophrys). Another image from yesterday of action often seen today.

And after most had long gone this Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus) pirated a katydid from a White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike. Nothing dumb about Drongos.
Click pix to enlarge