Hiding away in the rainforest

Rainforest  offers enticing shelter from streaming summer rays, but shrouds  most of its birds. Spent 10 minutes up Paluma Dam way  yesterday begging this Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons) to sit still. 

During same wander along the dam road, came upon Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa). Didn't seem to like flash, so pumped up ISO. Result: noisy picture of quiet bird.

Unlike this Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris), which 'chooff-chooffs'  about the Jourama Falls forest most mornings.

Even quieter most days, Grey-headed Robin (Heteromyias cinereifrons). Another of the birds hiding away in the Paluma gloom.

Almost always to be found somewhere in tropical rainforest, Pale-yellow Robin (Tregellasia capito). As often the case, bonus closeup of tree trunk, near Wallaman Falls. 

So too with female White-throated Treecreeper (Cormobates leucophaea), also  close to the falls. If only more species would take to marching up well-lit trunks, though the treecreeper isn't a rainforest specialist.

Pale-yellow Robin drops in

Pair of Pale-yellow Robin (Tregellasia capito race nana) recently turned up at Jourama Falls, more or less at sea level and well below their usual highland rainforest habitat. 

Not so uncommon in creekside forest near the falls, Pied Monarch (Arses kaupi).

Macleay's Honeyeater (Xanthotis macleayanus) isn't so keen on cluster figs but has a taste for insects among the fruit in the camping area.
Click pix to enlarge  

Pale-yellow Robin stands out

Trip up Wallaman Falls road today failed to locate rarities but added to Pale-yellow Robin (Tregellasia capito) collection.

Also got close to Macleay's Honeyeater (Xanthotis macleayanus), without any luck in the pose.
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Round robin roundup off target

Grey-headed Robin (Heteromyias cinereifrons) not target of latest trip up to Wallaman Falls yesterday but yet again no Riflebirds came into range.

Missed this Pale-yellow Robin (Tregellasia capito) picking at a worm and then had to settle for worm's eye view of bird on branch.

And from Tyto many sightings but no sharp Black Bittern pictures, so White-browed Robin (Poecilodryas superciliosa) completes round-robin.   
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Wompoo twigs to nest viewer

Trouble with rainforest, it's full of damned trees! Wompoo Fruit-Dove (Ptilinopus magnificus) peers from part-built nest in high forest west of Ingham today. Took several minutes to get partial view and this dodgy, distant image after spotting pair coming and going through dense growth. Birds waited till I got tripod in place - and then took off! So I did too.  

Glimpsed a few Pale-yellow Robins (Tregellasia capito) but caught bird above during an earlier drive up the range.

And no Grey-headed Robins (Heteromyias cinereifrons) around, so here's one from another recent trip into rainforest.  
Click pix to enlarge  

Robin best in rainforest chase

Two perfect mornings at start of week! So, off to Wallaman Falls under bright blue sky yesterday to chase little birds in the rainforest.

Pale-yellow Robin (Tregellasia capito) best of dodgy pictures. Species seen only partially, and high up in towering trees, included Golden Whistler, Large-billed Scrubwren, Topknot and Wompoo Pigeons, Spotted Catbird, and Yellow-breasted Boatbill.

Earlier in the day found this Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides) soaring away after being pestered by Willie Wagtail.


Headed to the beach today, hoping for raptors fishing. Osprey, White-bellied Sea Eagle seen at distance. Brown Goshawk grabbing at tidal debris close to picnic area trees!

But only this Lesser Crested Tern (Thalasseus bengalensis) flew within camera shot.