Missing the target has its compensations

Chasing Little Kingfisher up and down Townsville's Mundy Creek, near my unit in Rowes Bay, lately  - for no more reward than glimpses of blue and white blur streaking off in the distance. But there have been some bonus sightings, such as Little Pied Cormorant, above.

Spangled Drongo spangled nicely in the morning light today.

Male Red-backed Fair-wren popped up from the long grass nearby.

Magpie paused briefly from its foraging alongside upper reaches of the creek.

And elsewhere this morn, Bush Stone Curlew family stayed still just long enough for family portrait.

Beware that snake in the grass ...

Life was looking bright for male Red-backed Fairy-wren near Jacana hide in Townsville Common.
Quiet patch, no worrying competitors, industrious partner. Nest built, two eggs laid.

Then. Grass nest robbed overnight. Dastardly snake in the grass. Bury one's head in grief? That's not the way in nature. Just got to get on with grooming and life.

Also getting on, companionable White-lipped Green Treefrog, resident of Payet's Tower viewing platform. Resident indeed for so long it's initiated colour change to better match shaded interior on the upper deck of the tower.

Change also elsewhere in the conservation park. White-bellied Sea-eagle pair had mighty nest in dead tree collapse a few months back. After some delay new building began. Nothing so grandiose as previously, but they're calling it home and may even have laid first egg therein. Time will tell.   

Goshdarnit-aint-that-somethin purty

Cutesy doesn't always cut it. But sometimes ... Zebra Finch male will never know just what a goshdarnit-aint-that-somethin' pose he struck out Woodstock way.

And she's pretty purty, too.

So too, though less chocboxy, male Mistletoebird, caught in seldom-seen foray close to the ground avidly gobbling small lime-green dodder berries in Cape Pallarenda Park.

Red-backed Fairywren adds his black magic to the beauty parade

Black and red and near impossible to read

What's black and red and near impossible to read with a camera? Male Red-backed Fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus), that's what.

But here's a nearly right, in Tyto morning sunshine.

Same bird, with less work on background.

Same species with male plumage emerging.