Brown Goshawk launches to latch onto early lunch

Brown Goshawk launches from open perch on way to grabbing unidentified insect from patch of leucaena in Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park this morning.

Luck with me because bird dropped onto low perch to start ripping into prey.

Feeding continued on higher branch of nearby tree after bird decided I'd got too close.

Earlier, bit of uncommon colour on roughly cleared foredune with eight Galahs feeding on fallen terminalia nuts. First sighting for me of species at the park.  

 

Little Kingfisher featuring in previous post finally stopped teasing me and sat still at roadside culvert pool in Town Common, Townsville, today. 

Luck continued later on with Rufous Fantail presenting out in the open - best posing I've had from the species in about 15 years.

Rainbow Bee-eater rounded out happy morning.

Look sharp about all the noise for Denoise

You must try Topaz Denoise! After being told by so many so often, I have.  On a free trial. Which proved trickier to set up, as these things too often are.

Anyway. The results? Noisy shots. Noise gone. Great. But good shots without noise don't become great. The Topaz sharpening tools don't work any magic. (Watermark part of free trial)

Forced to use high ISOs? Topaz does trick. Looking for magic on already good shots? Dream on!

Eagle eyes and stork stalk finds birds but not nests

Bit of a slog through chest-high grass hiding many fallen trees along former sand road running north-south from near Jacana hide in Town Common Cons. Pk, Townsville, today hunting for possible White-bellied Sea-Eagle nest. Found one bird.

Think now birds are maybe using tree only as night-roost and day-perch. The pair have had two nests in dead tree close to cycle/walk track collapse in past three years.

Better photographic result today from ongoing effort to find nest of Black-necked Storks somewhere close to samphire flats at northeast of the Common, behind Pallarenda suburbia. Got lucky enough to just fit bird into full frame shot. But of the nest? No luck whatsoever.

Brown Goshawk drops in for brekkie banter

Gidday. Just flying up this track and thought I'd drop in and have a dekko for bit of brekkie. Scared? Why'd I be scared of you, standing over there like a daggy, baggy old scarecrow?

Yes, of course I'm a Brown Goshawk. See my glowering brow? See my rounded tail? See my strong legs? Yeah, I know about that stroppy young Collared Sparrowhawk. Little upstart causing confusion. He'd just better stay out of my way, that's all I'll say.

Hey, there's something moving up the track a bit. Looks right up my alley. See you later . . . 

Rare, up-close meeting with Brown Goshawk in Town Common Conservation Park, Townsville, Saturday morning.

Watching the Burdy close to home

Watch the Burdy? One of pair of Radjah Shelducks, formerly known as Burdekin Ducks, lately sticking close to Rowes Bay Lagoon, Townsville, about 250 metres from my modest abode. 

 Google Radjah for more on this unusual and attractive Australian species with an exotic name. 

Rainbow Lorikeets home in on hollow

 

Sometimes it's a good thing getting that hollow feeling. Rainbow Lorikeets discuss property inspection, Townsville Town Common Conservation Park.

Some just stand and wait . . .

Blue-winged Kookaburra waiting to pounce . . .

Others let others do pouncing for them . . .

But most must pounce for themselves.

White Ibis snatches, swallows snake in seconds

Surprise sight today of White Ibis snatching snake in Townsville Town Common Conservation Park and swallowing it within about 30 seconds.

 First such catch I've seen. And by far fastest swallow by any bird - similar size or larger.

Sorry about lousy pictures but speed definitely of the essence.

Surprise Satin Flycatcher find an easy stroll next door

How smooth is this? Stroll next door - to Rowes Bay Sustainability Centre wetlands - and stumble upon Satin Flycatcher, very, very uncommon to the area. Plenty down south. But Townsville, of course isn't down south. So, spot black bird with white belly on Saturday. Great!

Sunday, with another keen birder, see same species, but to my mind different bird from first. Great again, but pictures inconclusive. No show yesterday or today. Not so surprising. Who knows where birds uncommon to an area will move to? Or when?

Uncommon highlight today: 2m+ Carpet Python, unconcerned by six Great Bowerbirds and a Yellow Honeyeater mobbing it.