By early August we had crossed the border and were staying at Kununurra in northern WA . We were ready for a powered site but the caravan park staff were only able to offer us an unpowered site in the overflow section:
Compared to the powered site gridlock this was brilliant and we happily went without power for another few nights!
The Comb-crested jacana were a family favourite. We loved watching them walk on top of the lily-pads and other vegetation of the lake.
This Intermediate egret hunted near our van quite happily.
Intermediate egret
Straw-necked ibis
Here are a few shots showing the acrobatics of Australian reed-warbler:
Masked lapwing - this northern (nominate) race has considerable variation from the race we have down south (which was previously commonly known as Spur-winged plover)
Whiskered tern
Buff-banded rail (seen while searching for better views of the lifer, White-browed crake, below)
White-browed crake - there were several of these in our corner of the lake
Great egret contemplating his claws
This water lizard (?Merton's monitor) was lazing within metres of our caravan.
Lily-pad Lagoon, Kununurra
A bit of filter fun on a photo of my brother's campsite
We spotted and photographed this Buff-banded rail from the car as our family arrived at Silverleaves on the weekend. They do appear to be regulars here - we see them from time to time.
Buff-banded rail, Silverleaves, Phillip Island
5.07pm
I went back to see to see if I could get some better shots and all I found was this:
Buff-banded rail, suspected road kill (the concrete is the shoulder of the road)
I don't really think it is the same bird (a little cold and stiff) but it was still pretty disheartening. Rails hold a special little place in our birding sphere. It was a long time before we ever saw one and since then we have always been excited to spot them again!
I find it hard to fathom how this occurred as the road is a 40km/h pedestrian-shared space. My only guess is that there were vehicles moving both ways and in evading one vehicle the bird has moved into the path of another. It is a narrow road and cars have to move to the side to pass each other.
Google StreetView, Honeysuckle Ave, Silverleaves. The grassed area is currently a lake!
Music, great coastline, festival fun ....... and birds. Yes, this may become an annual post topic (see Mr Qwirk & the kestrels)!
We have just returned from this year's festival. Today I noticed this banner which captured all things good about the PFFF!
The festival can be as big or as intimate as you like. I am a big fan of the American folk-blues singer Eric Bibb (along with thousands of others). He easily filled the largest stage:
Highlight in this performance? "Don't you ever let nobody drag your spirit down". Youtube clip features an earlier performance (some other festival, some other person's camera).
But often it's the gems you take away from more intimate stages that you remember most. He we see Liz Fencham, April Verch (Canada) and the Australian-Irish duo Hat Fitz and Carla Robinson pictured here with Jeff Lang (right) adding a second guitar.
"But where are the birds?" I hear you complain! The images selected are those readily seen at Port Fairy and were captured within the town area.
Long-billed corella (Cacatua tenuirostris)
This Buff-banded rail (Gallirallus philippensis) wasn't sure whether it should cast a shadow or a reflection for the most interesting shot!
Singing honeyeater (Lichenostomus virescens)
I'm tickled when birds sit on television antennae. I like to think that there must be something good on! On this occasion it is the introduced European starling (Sturnus vulgaris). This Black-shouldered kite (Elanus axillaris) was hunting overhead as we walked to the festival arena.
Hoary-headed grebe (Poliocephalus policephalus)
I did that thing where you pretend you're not interested in the diving bird until he dives - then you scurry to a better position! When he pops up again you can see them think "Crikey! (ozzie bird) I thought you were way over there!" The Hoary -headed grebe can dive with an unnaturally large explosion of water for such a little bird "Pop!"
Black-faced cormorant (Leucocarbo fuscescens)
I have only seen this species twice - both times at Port Fairy
where they are readily seen
And yes Mr Quirk was a Port Fairy sighting again this year!
Enjoyed an hour or two at Fishers Wetland at Phillip Island on the morning of New Year's Eve (it works quite well - the gurlz drop us off as they are visiting the Churchill Island farmer's market).
I enjoyed a "lifer" being Australian Spotted Crake. Being with Richard saved me the need to later finger through field guides as he was able to tell me straight away what this handsome little fellow was (a few piks later, distant but cooperative).
The highlight of the day was a Buff-banded rail of the relaxed variety who was happy to hang around for a few snaps (we walked away from him in the end!). This is not a resort area but I was reminded of Graham Pizzey's words:
"shy, mostly keeps to cover but becomes remarkably tame on some island resorts"
This link takes you to an earlier post featuring my muggle (non-birder) Mum's picture of a funny looking bird wandering through their cafe while on Lord Howe Island!
