Leaden Flycatchers stick to site in the open

Stern talking to didn't stop Leaden Flycatcher building nest low on open branch in small paperbark almost on major Tyto track. But female, above, stopped flitting away when I began talking to it as I approached. Male - sharing sitting duties, mainly in early morning - not so keen on conversation. The birds - or other pairs - have used the same tree for more than six years, without previously building in such an exposed position.

Close by, caught Little Shrike-thrush with insect extracted from cracked bark of Cheese Tree. This and many other species has been busy building and breeding lately. The nests are always tucked carefully away in shadowy foliage, often in Cheese Trees,

Captured so-so images of Welcome Swallow on the wing the other day. But no results from efforts to catch White-breasted Woodswallows on the wing as they come and go near the Tyto hide, building a nest in a major vertical fork (as usual) of a large paperbark. Rubbing failure in - and evidence of the breeding rush - another pair of Woodswallows this morning darted here and there feeding a ravenous youngster.

Grimmer sign of hunger in the wetlands, found this Agile Wallaby feeding near entry track yesterday. Seemed almost unaware and unhampered by gaping surface wound, result of Dingo or dog attack. Bits of ear also missing. Dried wound looked infection-free, so animal appears a lucky survivor.

Welcome variations mark New Year

One Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) may not mean a northern summer, but this southerner adds up to a farewell to 2013 and a welcome to 2014.

One look seems a bit mean, so two variations on the original full-frame image...

... and an additional one for luck.

Here's to counting on a great 2014! 

Welcome Swallow coming in at speed

Bit of action in stiff breeze at Mungalla Station today with foraging Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) returning to stick in the shallows.
Images arranged to appear as one sequence but compiled from three bursts. Nothing too technical. Though Canon 7D can be 'noisy' of interest to some may be properties of the five images: 3 @ 1/2000 ISO400; 1 @ 1/4000 ISO800; 1 @ 1/8000 ISO3200.

Big swallow would be more than welcome

Juvenile Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) in Tyto today just one of many youngsters sitting around in nests and on branches impatiently awaiting incoming fare.

Almost alongside the swallow, Rufous-throated Honeyeater (Conopophila rufogularis) was getting fast service from both parents.

And near the main lagoon, Red-backed Fairy-wren (Malurus melanocephalus) about to make delivery to nest artfully hidden in bladey grass a metre from major track.  

There's behaviour badly acted and behaviour acting badly

Red-capped Plover (Charadrius ruficapillus) gets wires and fake injuries a bit crossed on Lucinda sandspit. Fluttered away ever so piteously, then at full stretch gave the game away. And still I came close to stepping on eggs.

In Tyto, juvenile Welcome Swallow (Hirundo neoxena) suffers unwelcome piggyback attack. Assault lasted 2-3 minutes before all bar victim flew off. Perhaps it somehow mixed with wrong siblings. Assault was quiet, though images noisy because of high ISO to capture flight.