Stumbling upon a Grass Owl ...

More night driving turned up this Eastern Grass Owl (Tyto longimembris) west of Ingham early this morning. Had to stumble down and up other side of flooded sugar cane railway cutting to get just the one passable image. 

Been a similar story elsewhere lately. My friendly Saltwater Crocodile refuses to pose on her billabong bank for more than a minute or two.

Noisy Pitta at Jourama Falls offers teasing distant moment before flying from sight.

And the quail insist on doing runners whenever I draw near. Stubble Quail above head off at Mungalla Station.

Brown Quail sprints across Mungalla entry road after deciding the grass didn't provide enough cover.

Black Bittern quits flooded Tyto creek and takes to the trees.

Black-tailed Native Hen pauses while darting around old Mungalla stockyards.

Never mind the quality, feel the quantity!  

Stalking, talking, walking, gawking

Yellow-breasted Boatbill (Machaerirhynchus flaviventer) one of the species these days making Jourama Falls (30km south of Ingham) and its compact section of riverine forest an attractive stalking ground.

Having a resident population of Noisy Pittas (Pitta versicolor) is a talking point.

Though they seldom make the swim landing a walking point.

And it's not every day one finds a Little Shrike-Thrush (Colluricincla megarhyncha) up close and gawking.
Click pix to enlarge

Flycatcher not the only one shining

Male Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto) takes a break from building nest over water at Jourama Falls south of Ingham. 

Noisy Pitta (Pitta versicolor) on tumbled stones near a Jourama ford.
  

In Tyto, immature Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) gleams in late morning sunshine.

Purple Swamphen (Porphyrio porphyrio) close up.

Varied Triller (Lalage leucomela) glistens on coastal growth, Lucinda sandspit.   
Click pix to enlarge

Noisy Pitta not quite flash enough

Edged closer to lining up sharp shots of Noisy Pitta (Pitta versicolor) in small patch of rainforest near Ingham today.

But sunlight falling on patches of the leaf litter and the risk of scaring the bird caught me in two minds about using flash. I'm dim enough in just one mind, so results not so flash. Hope to do better soon in same spot.   
Click pix to enlarge   

Pretty Pitta prompts pity parade

Finding birds is one thing, getting good images another. Few hours in Boardwater State Forest Park, west of Ingham, finally brought close views of Noisy Pitta (Pitta versicolor). But most obscured, or facing away - or flash recharge too slow. Trying again soon.

Flushed this immature Nankeen Night-Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus) to rain tree at some treatment ponds. Short pursuit to paperbarks ended with bird quitting the scene. Not likely to see bird in same spot again.

Unlike White-browed Crake (Amaurornis cinerea), near Tyto hide yesterday. Birds regularly move out on to water lily leaves. Scleria, sedge and grasses often intrude but there's always tomorrow.

Plenty of Varied Trillers (Lalage leucomela) in Tyto. Not so often almost on the ground picking up nest material. Pity then bird proved sharper than lens.

To end, caught this Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris) with mouth full recently. Sadly, the prey stayed in the way. 
Click pix to enlarge      

Yellow and red on the cards

Just a fleeting glimpse of a distant Yellow Wagtail today, after another late start because of vital football duties (watching Chelsea's multimillion men struggle to 1-1 against Bourdeaux).

One of the most colourful things about the footy was the ref's six or seven yellow cards, and one red. So here's a picture or two - from the rainy-day bin - to match the colours of the day.

What could be more fitting than a Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis). Very yellow, and with a beady eye to boot?

Or an Olive-backed Oriole (Oriolus Sagittatus)? Some yellow, and with a red eye?

Last, two Noisy Pittas (Pitta versicolor), bits of buffy-yellow, red, green and black, lighting up their arena, but out of focus and unsatisfying. Bit like today's match.