Beach and Bush 1 (June)

Seems so long between posts - and given it is almost the end of November, my last post in May certainly supports that. Not for the first time, a sense of perhaps a "quiet" period of photographing was dispelled quickly once I started reviewing photos since May to share. My initial surprise was just how many worth sharing happened in June ... so here is the first of several posts showing my limited meanderings as the wet year continued.

As much to remind me, as any viewers, clicking on the images will allow you to see them larger and not worry about the text if you wish.

So to begin we have some familiar sights along our wander around Shaws Bay in Ballina - an attractive walk now it is paved all the way around. First up is a little wattlebird perched among the tentacles of the casuarina pine. Then a pied butcherbird perusing for movement on a low-hanging dead branch, while a masked lapwing struts along the grass verge on the other side of the walkway.

Next up I have one of my favourites, a striated heron sitting rather mournfully and looking quite bedraggled on a mangrove branch. The breeding plummage did not seem to be attracting much joy .

After the walk and on the way behind the park on some open grassed area, these next three images show a newly hatched masked lapwing out exploring. Gorgeous little fluffballs they are! Some afternoon sun shining through the young plummage accentuates the "fluffy". Good to see not wandering too far from mum, then getting right back to be sure. Patience allowed a closer shot once it started wandering off again offering a slightly clearer view of the young plummage. I shall return in coming days to keep an eye on their progress ...

That was the "beach" part of the title; now for the "bush" ... a wander around Victoria Park during the week when it is blissfully devoid of other humans to be enjoyed in all its pristine glory - the quiet, the wind in the leaves and branches, the quiet, the sounds of the birds so they can seen, the quiet (I really like the quiet) ...

First up, one of my clearer photos of a noisy pitta - this one "standing tall" and showing the variety of plummage colours from head to tail (and rump). Others a little later (below) will offer you some sense of their character via different looks 😉.

That quiet ... it fosters patience and heightened awareness for listening ... I hear an eastern whipbird not too far ahead ... then quiet again ... movement this time, just at the base of the walkway ... what is that ... YES!!!! At last, a decent view of this elusive, wonderful sounding bird. Below is the original photo showing the view in the patch of sunshine. A good view of the head and comb and colours. Ah, this alone makes for a REALLY good visit - this bird will no longer feel quite so elusive 😁. The second photo below has been cropped and digitally zoomed in to show those features a bit more clearly. Quite the "punk"!

Just around the bend beside the walkway a grey fantail was living up to it's name on the slenderest of branches while it chittered about the trees.

Finally, back near the initial path fork another noisy pitta was unusually co-operative and photogenic, if a little annoyed at first that it had been spotted - if looks could ... 

The second of the photos shows a more relaxed pose having just completed a bit a feather ruffle and preen; the final one, just ensuring I know it is keeping an eye on me. So, as you can see, some days you just never know how fortunate you are gong to be!

The final part of this post was a quick visit and short walk along the Hind trail in the Broadwater National Park. Once again, some familiar birds, but always a treat being able to see and hear them in this truly ancient and unspoiled environment. I have simply labelled each of these, but do note that the third photo is a new sighting for me, once again the surprises are provided.

The melodius brown honeyeater

A young (far less melodious!) noisy friarbird

Black-faced woodswallow

White-faced honeyeater feeding on the edge

Rainbow bee-eater basking in late afternoon light

Rainbow bee-eater looking into the late afternoon sun.