Little Kingfisher featuring in previous post finally stopped teasing me and sat still at roadside culvert pool in Town Common, Townsville, today. 

Luck continued later on with Rufous Fantail presenting out in the open - best posing I've had from the species in about 15 years.

Rainbow Bee-eater rounded out happy morning.

Jourama birds stay on after burnoff

Dawdled around Jourama Falls woodland and creek forest today after planned burnoff 'exceeded expectations'. Birdlife little affected: 33 species listed during my walk, including Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster), though pictured bird was snapped nearer the coast yesterday.

Also from another day but again on show today, Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons). Bird was following a Brush Turkey through the understorey at Jourama last week. The burnoff  was never a threat to this species, which seldom leaves the rainforest shadows.

Large-billed Gerygone (Gerygone magnirostris) seldom go far away from creek, naturally enough given they build their long skinny nests over water, Another bird from another day, but also seen today.

Fantail, Monarch flit into sharp focus

Rewarding session in Jourama Falls forest brought Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons) onto favourite perching place and into sharper close focus than the quick-flitting species usually allows.

Shame that all the tail didn't quite fit into this full frame image.

But Spectacled Monarch (Symposiarchus trivirgatus) on the same perch did fit the full frame almost perfectly and needed no sharpening, though it's possible in-camera sharpening (jpeg) shows on some monitors..

Rufous Fantail does flit tease

Couple of Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons) teasingly flitting about near Jourama Falls camp area the other day. Not an easy species to pin down.   

Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa) as usual in greater numbers and more willing to pose.

As was this moth, Erebus crepuscularis, showing keen interest in the base of several trees near the falls parking area. Wingspan about 6cm. (Thanks, DF, for correct ID)

Hello, young Yellow-spotted spotted

Came upon new-fledged Yellow-spotted Honeyeater (Meliphaga notata) near Jourama Falls today.

Both parents busy ferrying food for their youngster. No luck in getting direct feeding picture, and quickly lost contact when little one fluttered off down the creek.

Also busy at Jourama, Pied Monarch (Arses kaupi). Top image from today, other from earlier visit. 

Chased after a Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons) but missed picture and must make do with above taken on a Broadwater track a while back. 
   

Tawny Grassbird stands out

Plenty of noise and sightings from Tawny Grassbird (Megalurus timoriensis) these days though as usual the birds seldom stand out from their habitat of blady grass and twiggy small trees. Bird above posed briefly in Tyto yesterday.

As did Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusilla), with small catch. Stared resolutely away in spite of encouragement to turn for the camera.

Elsewhere, Mangrove Robin (Peneonanthe pulverulenta) seen wrestling with a monster wriggler of unknown identity. Passing honeyeater spooked the robin, which polished off prey within deep cover.

Finally got a reasonable image of Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons). Quicksilver species rarely sits still, so above image from Seymour River, just north of Ingham came with more than a little luck.

Also found a Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris) near the river.
Click pix to enlarge