Look sharp to catch Sharpies in action

Sharp-tailed Sandpipers seem under orders to look sharpish and fly sharpishly at all times. Makes life hard for those trying for action pictures with reflexes no longer so sharp. Took three hours sitting at edge of grass island at Pandanus viewing area, Town Common, Townsville, one day this week to finally catch the high wing stretch the birds almost always use on landing.

And didn't get the entire bird in frame for the only takeoff image captured all week. Needed a bit more luck, on top of faster reaction times.

Got the luck today with so-so flight shots of White-browed Crake, the first two of which came as big surprise as at no time did I see the bird in the viewfinder. If in doubt hit the shutter and hope. Once in every year or so the instinct pays off. It's the great plus of digital, almost no cost to taking 500 or so images for 5-10 keepers.

But failed to get anything usable from much aerial tracking of wee Fairy Martins so resorted to the next big bird that came along overhead, Straw-necked Ibis. No beauty, but looking a wee bit sharp.

What's a little mud, grass, tidy, tickle between friends?

White-browed Crake strolls across drying area at edge of Payets Tower pool in Townsville Common, ignoring intruder slopping alongside in mud-enclosed boots. But what's a little mud between friends?

Bit wetter underfoot for Comb-crested Jacana. Not quite in the clear either. But what's a little grass between friends?

Below the tower, Crimson Finch cleans up (as requested) after getting stuck into sticky grass seeds. But what's a little tidiness between friends?

In the tower itself, resident Possum also happy to smile (well, sort of) for the camera. No madness this, being up the pole: warmth, protection, peace (most of the time). But what's a little tickle between friends?







 

Godwit tailed across mud just in time

Early morning walk out on Tyto mud came just in time yesterday to capture sole Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) of the season feeding at western end of main lagoon. Overnight came the Wet. Goodbye now to such walks till late 2015.

Goodbye too to Spotless Crake (Porzana tabuensis) foraging out in open near the hide. Species likes secure footing, vanishes inside scleria when the rains come.

Even White-browed Crake (Amaurornis cinerea) won't be so easily walked up on as prey becomes harder to find with the lagoon's rise. On the plus side, Bitterns Black and Little will be among growing numbers of birds benefitting from the Wet. 

Masked Lapwing youngsters stand out

Cute youngsters showing out in wetlands these days, without often standing around for picture, so happy to come upon pair of Masked Lapwing (Vanellus miles) juveniles up close at Mungalla Station.

Pretty sure I've got them both: their parents weren't much help.

Very helpful in Tyto  the other morning, my favourite White-browed Crake (Amaurornis cinerea). The more I talk the closer the bird walks.

Unlike distant Eastern Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla tschutschensis) in Mungalla today. Flighty migrant kept whizzing across muddy Palm Creek, forcing me into gumboots. Much squelching came to nothing much bar a boot full of mud and salvinia. Still, first sighting for me this season. 

White-browed Crake stepping out

Weed mat in front of Tyto hide starting to offer footing and  feeding White-browed Crake (Amaurornis cinerea) finds just right. 

Birds look right at home in the scleria too. Spotless Crake today also out briefly, but too quick for the  camera. Tomorrow ...

Missing something in brown study

Something's missing from this image of White-browed Crake (Amaurornis cinerea) in Tyto Wetlands. It's not the feet.

And from this Pale-vented Bush-hen (Amaurornis moluccana), pictured in creek pool close to the crake's territory. Again, not the feet.

Missing are pairs of little and larger black shadows darting through the thick cover alongside and in the creek. Have had no luck this breeding season in capturing pictures of the many chicks scurrying with parents throughout the wetlands. Already, their juvenile black plumage will be giving way to immature browns. Did someone say brown study?

Darter one among many making a splash

Distant Little Bitterns exciting visiting Birdlife photographers this weekend, but not making same splash as this Australasian Darter (Anhinga novehollandiae) indulging today in circular water ballet of unknown cause. Some say rounding up fish. Seems not so to me, though who knows?

Can always rely on a splash of red from Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton), though usually more tidily feathered..

Similarly attractive - and tidier - Red-browed Finch (Neochmia temporalis).

Stepping out in style near the hide this morning, White-browed Crake (Amaurornis cinerea).

And stepping out near the entrance before latest scrub slashing moved it along, Buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis).

Pink-eared Ducks tuck into Red Azolla

Pink-eared Ducks (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) popping up in many places lately, including first time listing in Tyto Wetlands.

They share a taste for Red Azolla with - among others - Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa).

Chasing prey amid azolla and mud yesterday, Pacific (White-necked) Heron (Ardea pacifica).

And recently stepping out on Pink Lotus, Water Snowflake and azolla, White-browed Crake (Amaurornis cinerea).