Sacre bleu! Blind shots not Sacred blur

Sacred Kingfishers showing out in seasonal return to Town Common Conservation Park these days. Pair active bathing around Payets Tower this morning triggered some forget-the-viewfinder point, shoot and hope. And, wonder of wonders, a half decent result. 

Later in the morning, Australian Hobby returned to snatching dragonflies from near surface of Melaleuca viewing area lagoon. It also repeated previously seen hostility toward passing immature White-bellied Sea-Eagle, driving it away from the area. No such aggression toward mature bird perched nearby. 

Young Brolga stands out from the rest

Looks a bit lost in full frame image from Pandanus viewing point in the Town Common but maturing Brolga more trusting than the few others to be seen roaming in the distance.

Walked up on bird yesterday morning and ended openly close to it and chatting about this and that.

Of special interest, much younger bird lately seen with parents more than twice its size. Can't remember ever seeing Brolga near Ingham with any but flying juveniles. Got no help with this question.

Also in the area, returning pair of Bush Stone-curlews. Problem: heavy traffic at their preferred site, hard beside road. Compare distrusting look above ...

... with relaxed pose of one of 24 sunning recently in the city's Anderson Park.

Also on ground for a few days, scruffy parasite-afflicted Magpie Lark. Mud-grubbing species appears subject to both more unwanted passengers and facial diseases.

Not such a risk for Horsfields Bronze-cuckoo, which will feed on and near ground but spends much time calling from atop highest tree in the area. Bird above teased for a week before coming within shot.

Similar story with Sacred Kingfisher, another more often seen flashing off into the distance.

Sacred dive heads day of splashy catches

Catching Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) on the dive one of several highlights at Mungalla Station over weekend.

Can't claim super reflexes for this one. Bird was one of three launching from atop Leichhardt tree and swooping on insects just above water level and on hymenachne growing along the edge of pool below.

And White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) happened along overhead in time for leisurely tracking. The major blessing is having the underwings well lit.

Catch of the day for Whiskered Tern (Chlidonias hybrida) came with the bird's only deep dive. After mostly scooping smaller fish from the surface, the bird took a steeper line into the water. It wasn't where I'd been focussing. No time for viewfinder so spun lens on gimbal and jammed shutter button for high-speed burst (almost always have camera on the setting). My catch not quite so perfect as bird's. Splashy though.

No such luck in Tyto today. Managed to draw glare from Pacific Baza (Aviceda subcristata). It's a mark of the species' acceptance of people that this look came after much arm-waving and whistling.

Looking sharp before El Nino takes over

Looking sharp and nicely balanced, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata) stands poised in the disappearing water at the western end of Tyto Wetlands.

Looks likely with deepening El Nino there'll be no rain for three months so long before Xmas the Sharpie won't be hanging around this part of the lagoon.

Nor will this Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) be able to stand around with wet feet in this side pool along the northern boundary of the wetlands.

And Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) on branch overlooking a deeper section of the main lagoon may also be facing a dry outlook by December. Interesting times ahead ...

Peregrine Falcon rips into highway prey

Go to a big city where Rock Pigeons flock and you may find Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) nesting on skyscraper ledges but morning encounter near Ingham falls into category of rare sightings.

Bird was ripping into Masked Lapwing beside the highway hard by local airstrip. No way of knowing if the dead bird was a direct kill or road victim. Note blood and feathers on talons.

Same morning and another rarity: first local sighting by me of Black-chinned Honeyeater (Melithreptus gularis). Trying now to see whether the species has just popped in for fleeting visit or might be spreading along the coast.

Elsewhere, female Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) comes up with fish and insects from Mungalla Station pool and surrounds.

And female Blue-winged Kookaburra (Dacelo leachii) does a bit of scowling at Orient Station. 

On second thought ... loosen up!

Sometimes too much bird really is too much. Posted this Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) on Feathers and Photos. Okay, but ... too tight a crop most thought.

They preferred looser crop.

But maybe not too loose.

And here's my own second thought ...

... with Cotton Pygmy-goose (Nettapus coromandelianus) at Tyto.

Kingfishers bring splashes of colour

Splash of colour at Mungalla Station as Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) dries off after diving into morning ablutions.

Same perch, hungrier eye looks for breakfast.

At Tyto, Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii) lights up wooden  handrail.

And Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusilla) shines in sun

and cloud on favourite creek possie.

Sacred Kingfisher happy little bugger

Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) can be little buggers to sneak up on but this one at Mungalla Station yesterday was so enjoying sneaking up - and down - on many little bugs it ignored the Toyota Troopy following along the fenceline. 

Rare rubberneck at some Red-necks

Eight very uncommon visitors standing in shallows at Mungalla Station today. Plenty of  Red-necked Avocet (Recurvirostra novaehollandiae) further south but seldom seen this far northeast. Be interesting to see if they stick around.

Still wandering about the place today, this Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis), one of four calling Mungalla home these days.

Another home bird (seen again today in family of four, but photographed last week) Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus). Cool, eh?

Tantalising glimpses of paradise

Don't see many Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfishers (Tanysiptera sylvia) near Ingham. Caught this seasonal migrant deep in creek forest at Jourama Falls yesterday. Long white tail streamers just visible. Quick glimpse and no picture today. 

What's needed is for the bird to sit up nicely like this Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) at Dungeness recently.

After that there's the little matter of processing the image to get the best out of it. Or not such a little matter ...

Little Kingfisher talks back

Ha! Take this and the next all you who prick the pride of the Tyto knowall with your banter about the mythical Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusilla).

My little friend and I enjoyed many magic minutes together this morning at the footbridge to the lookout. Much more peaceful without those southern interlopers, said one of us. And the other agreed. But we both smiled, I swear. (The ALB stayed away again!)

Bit of a turnup today also, with six Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus) seen here and there. 

And here's a male Leaden Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula) from Saturday at the Osprey tree pool (where the LK was briefly to  be found).

Not too much action at the hide over the weekend but this Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) showed some interest in previous paperbark nesting site, and did a quick robin impression. Apparently it can't do LKs.
Click pix to enlarge