I passed this tree on several occasions walking to a lookout at Katherine Gorge. Each time I passed it was being hammered by a number and variety of birds that impressed me no end. This was late July (the dry) and the tree had few leaves and had a red flower. I have only just tonight worked out that it is known as the Bauhinia or Jigal tree (
Bauhinia cunninghamii). You can also
read here about how the plant got its aboriginal derived name "mother-in-law tree".
Birds seen frequenting this one specimen included Red-winged parrot, Great bowerbird, Rufous-throated honeyeater, Brown honeyeater, White-gaped honeyeater, Yellow oriole and Paperbark flycatcher. For me many of these birds were lifers!
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Red-winged parrot |
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Rufous-throated honeyeater |
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White-gaped honeyeater |
Finally a few shots from a river cruise. This was a scenery and gorge experience, not a bird-watching exercise. However the site of something flying towards us - large, grey and like nothing I had ever seen before had me scrambling for the long lens....
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The only shot I managed of this Great-billed heron was as it flew downstream along the gorge. |
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Little black cormorant |
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White-faced heron unsure about the kayakers |
Bird on!
Nice way to pick up a few lifers with some great pictures to boot.
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