Stalking the Zitting Cisticola

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis) at home on grass stalk at Orient Station, southeast of Ingham. So natural and everyday.

But stalking Zittings for years has delivered few clear closeups, except with the birds on barbed wire: not so natural. Naturally I'm delighted.

Cassowary paddle takes in mud pie

Toddled off to Wallaman Falls today and found Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) paddling in a mud puddle.

Showing off killer profile.

Showing off killer inside toe.

Bit of a cough or sneeze.

And finishing off with a nice bite of clay (known to counter toxins/deficiencies in diet). 

Jourama Falls change of pace

Change of pace: Jourama Falls today ...

... to Waterview Creek tumbling through trees ...

... and flowing by the camping area.

Rare finds among the raptors

Rare find today at Jourama Falls as this Square-tailed Kite (Lophoictinia isura) circled near the camping ground before dropping from sight amid trees on the other side of Waterview Creek. My first sighting of the species for some years. Pity about the picture.

Bit better images of Black-shouldered Kite (Elanus axillaris), in Tyto Wetlands yesterday ...

... and also along Orient Station road.

And little Australian Hobby (Falco longipennis) sitting in middle of back road the other day. Inched up for capture (and trip to vet) when bird flew off without hint of harm (in spite of seeming breast wound). Happy days!      

Standout spotted among raptors

Standing out among raptors near Orient Station lately, an industrious Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) quartering low for quarry to spook from long grasses and flooded hymenachne.

Bird has received cool reception from resident pairs of Brown Falcons and Black-shouldered Kites, and local Black Kites, but aerial exchanges too far off for worthwhile pictures.

But here's a Black Kite (Milvus migrans) coming a bit closer along the highway at Cattle Creek the other day.

And this young White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), perhaps in second-year plumage, showed up with a sibling and an adult (presumed parent) this week.

Mangrove Robin reveals nest site

Bit of luck at the end of Orient Station road today with Mangrove Robin (Peneonanthe pulverulenta) giving away nest site.

Bird sits neatly in cup, which sits neatly in thick fork of dying mangrove.

Here's a closer look at one of the nesting pair, taken previously.

Elsewhere along the station road recently, pair of Brown Quail (Coturnix ypsilophora) venture briefly from cover.

And an Australian Bustard (Ardeotis australis) does a little morning preening and flapping.

Grey-headed white-breaded return for paradise chase

Many mornings, few returns from Jourama Falls lately, seeking clear view of Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher (Tanysiptera sylvia). Bird above one of two still in area, so chase goes on.

As does quest for closer looks at Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azureus), along same section on Waterview Creek, not far from base of falls.

But all the ambling on the road, stumbling along the creekline and bumbling through the forest has turned up a first for the falls: Grey-headed Robin (Heteromyias cinereifrons) seems  taken by dark patch beside creek, barely above sea level, when its usual habitat is higher in the ranges.

Right at home beside the robin is this Australian River Turtle (Emydura spp.), showing the cheek of one too often given an easy feed by those who can't resist chucking bread at anything that moves in or on the water.

They should know better, said Carl, one of my many morning mates, a sharp-eyed Black-throated Rainbow Skink (Carlia rostralis). Even wholegrain is bad, but these nongs are all white-breads. 

Pair well worth storking about

Loving pair of Black-necked Stork (akaJabiru Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) drawing attention at Cattle Creek, noted flood point passing under the Bruce Highway just south of Ingham.

Proud parents of two flighty youngsters, the adult pair bond with short dances when coming together after spending time apart fishing, or just standing around.

Female (yellow eye) smaller than her mate.

But has taken more fish when I've been watching.

Not that he's impressed by her catches. 

Phallus palace feast for dull days

Nothing like an aphrodisiac to brighten a dull, rainy day, so they tell me. And it's a dull rainy day in Ingham, so feast your eyes and whatever other senses you like on this phallus palace at Broadwater Forest Park:  stinkhorn mushroom (Dictyophora indusiata). Read all about its delights at:aphro

Finding birds at the double

Caught up with this Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) by the roadside the other day.

Found myself under observation before spell was broken and bird zig-zagged off

Also got two characteristic views of White-browed Robin (Poecilodryas superciliosa), at Jourama Falls yesterday.

And this Lewin's Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii) at Wallaman Falls uncharacteristically paused long enough for another lucky double.