Knotted Keelback kicks up stink after road rescue

Bird in the hand worth two in the bush, so what's a snake-in-hand worth? Not two in the grass. Palmful of foul fluids, that's what. Keelback (Freshwater Snake) also gives firm hint about getting knotted after being plucked for its own good off the road in the Town Common, Townsville. Talk about ingratitude.

Also on the road, two of three Lesser Black Whipsnakes writhing together with no apparent purpose. No typical upright coiling tests of strength between males, no pheromone-induced breeding frenzy. The three soon departed the road, leaving behind yet another mystery of nature.

Meanwhile, on the mud at Pandanus viewing area Masked Lapwing enjoys brief respite from aerial blitz by pair of fellow Lapwings. Something about the unwanted bird's dirty face perhaps?

And a Glossy Ibis feeding peacefully in the distance had feathers ruffled by low-diving pair of passing Glossies. The bird's resentment could almost be felt from 50 metres away. 

Challenges vary from Kingfishers to Lapwings

Slightly faster limp into Tyto today in vain search for Little Kingfisher. Seems March sighting may have been bird's first and last look for fish along creek. No big rain means no big flood into grasses means no fish breeding in grasses means no Little Kingfishers feeding on fish trapped in creeks. But did come upon Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii) midway through morning bath. Not an easy species to sneak up on even when they are everywhere. The wetlands rings to their shrills at present as they squabble over feeding territories.

No fighting among Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton). But even they were mostly hiding away this morning. This bird's from earlier in the week. Taken at just beyond minimum focus distance for the 600mm lens. Closeup is cropped only, no colour adjustment or sharpening.

Not too difficult getting close to threatening Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) along Orient Road the other day. Bird didn't want me near four eggs on ground. It should have thought about that before laying almost on the road. We'll see how they're getting on next week.

Magpie-lark sees off screaming Koel

Male Eastern Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus) screams  after being seen off by Magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca) anxious to avoid being parasitised, though few female Koels seen yet. 

Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) screams toward the camera as a pair of the aggressive breeders defend a patch of footy field near Tyto Wetlands.

Brahminy Kites (Haliastur indus) too pretty to scream.

Even when one approaches their nest near Dungeness the response is merely a mew.

Oooh, it's an 'oorrible drooly Oody bird

If the Ood turned into evil birds here's The Doctor's future scenario ...

... fighting off spiked-winged monsters with drooly tendrils.

Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) on the attack against innocent camera-carrier, said same disingenuously.