Coming to a Shining finish

Watch on Shining Flycatchers (Myiagra alecto) nearing end. Two young almost ready to begin wobbly walks around edge of nest.

Parents hunting hard much of day to sustain them.

Happily, the hunting goes on well away from the nest. Most pictures have been obtained without risk of giving away exact location.

Fortunately, the main hunting area is close by two small footbridges and major walking tracks.

Even so, only the rarity of the breeding in Tyto led me to many quick checks on the nest. Too much temptation to hang around and risk driving birds off or otherwise putting the parents or eggs in harm's way.

And now for something completely different. Masked Lapwings (Vanellus miles) cruised noisily by main lagoon today. The blue skies are back!