Tawny Frogmouth nears end of sitting down on the job

Male Tawny Frogmouth casual look at things from vantage point in Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park. Been sitting all month, on daytime duty. Female should be close by, to take over the night shift. But search of the area has turned up nothing. Should be seeing her sometime soon, all going well. 

Canna finda betta bitta batta Barra?

Australian Magpie tackles battered catch of the day, Pallarenda, Townsville 

Lucky call closes months of taking it on the chin

Having taken months of failure on the chin, got lucky when visitor to Payets Tower innocently checked call of species eluding me and there, close above - a Black-chinned Honeyeater. One of three on the morning, all typically shifting almost nonstop through the paperbarks just outside the tower. Eighty frames and just the one worth keeping. If at first you don't succeed . . . 

Wandering Whistling Duck takes care to the air

Adult Wandering Whistling Duck dragging its feet at Melaleuca viewing area in the Town Common Conservation Park. Flight never intended to go far because of the need to look after six immatures the parents have been shepherding among the water lilies. For more than two weeks the Whistlers and 6-7 Jacanas had the area much to themselves. As other pools hard by to the north have dried an assorted 200-400 ducks, teal, ibises, lapwings and lesser standouts have moved in. No rarities as yet, but fingers crossed . . .

Somewhere over the rainbow . . .

Rainbow Lorikeet - batwing coral treat

Sunbird, Olive-backer - cocky apple snacker

Brolga up en pointe - rite of springy joints

Back-breaker bags Brown-backer

Back-breaking crawl got me close to Brown-backed Honeyeater before it twigged my presence in Town Common Cons. Pk, Townsville, today. Time I found technique with fewer twinges.

Much easier on the spine catching Nankeen Night-Heron doing daytime flyover this morning.

Even simpler, walk up close and talk to obliging Pelican.

And yesterday at Pallarenda stood comfortably under tree and clicked away after coming upon Osprey ripping into fresh catch. John Dory, I'm told.

   

What's black and white and red all under?

Hazard a bet that it's a WillieWagtail.

Or red on the head and a goose about mistaken mouthful?

Or darting down to mostly green all under?

Or lesser black and whipping black tongue out?
 

Sharp eyes even without promised whizzbang tech

                              

Still waiting for my pre-ordered in-demand mirrorless Canon R5 camera rushed to market to do battle with Sony's groundbreaking A9. Both offer super fast autofocus on the eye (not sure how systems cope with two - and more - eyes). Anyway, above, some recent eyes, sharp enough even though shot without latest whizzbangery. 

Osprey togetherness bears fish but no fruit

Touch of uncommon togetherness lately for Eastern Ospreys (female on right) near their nest in Townsville's Town Common Conservation Park.

Beginning a second breeding cycle for 2020 - after four months ago abruptly quitting incubation at another nest nearby - the birds were seldom together except when swapping incubation roles. Or on the rare occasion the male (above, landing on favoured perch) brought a fish to the nest.

Such closeness stopped some weeks ago. Unable to see into the nest, I hoped the female (above, early this week) was carrying fish back to feed young, which by my reckoning should have been near fully-fledged.

Events yesterday slammed the door on such hope. No birds near nest early on. Later in morning male arrived with fish. Landed in dead tree away from nest (above). Began to eat. Half and hour later the female arrived, with fish. Landed on branch apart in same dead tree. Ate fish. Neither paid any attention to the nest. Conclusion follows that for whatever reasons there will be no young for this pair this year. 

Irony is that both birds are now unconcerned by anyone approaching them, and the nest tree. 

  

Magpie Lark whistles down upon Kite

Whistling Kite finds Magpie Lark whistling down the other day and clearly wishing it elsewhere.

Action came over Rowes Bay Golf Course, close to water hazard residence adopted by two-metre Saltwater Crocodile.

Which has thus far failed to greet me with toothy grin. We live in hope. But keep a safe distance.

Also living in hope, fluttering for prey over nearby salvinia-laden hazard, another Magpie Lark.

And steering clear of the croc's pool, Magpie Goose poses as prettily as the species can manage.