Double-barred finch - gorgeous at Geikie Gorge

Double-barred finch are the sort of bird which cannot help but look gorgeous. We enjoyed the company of this group of about 15-20 birds at Geikie Gorge in the Kimberley region of Western Australia in August this year.

That's going to ruffle a few feathers!

It knows it looks good!

A photo shoot can be thirsty work after all! In our 1.5 hours at Geikie we also saw Rainbow bee-eater, White-bellied sea-eagle and honeyeaters amongst others. You can see the full list here.

When visiting Geikie it is worth knowing that there are boat tours (departure times didn't sync with the hours we had allowed unfortunately).  We walked the 1.5 hour "Reef walk" which takes you along the gorge's eastern walls up the flood plain to where the gorge wall meets the river. A better option may be to combine a boat tour with the shorter loop walk which breaks off from the Reef walk and rises into the limestone ridges. You can find out more about Geikie Gorge here.

Rainbow bee-eater

Brown honeyeater

White-gaped honeyeater

Rufous-throated honeyeater demonstrating its identifying feature

Finally, a few shots showing the environs ...

and a few Red-tailed black cockatoos to boot!

 Bird on!

24 birding moments at Timber Creek

Policeman's Point is located on the Victoria River a couple of kilometres west of the town of Timber Creek in the Northern Territory. There is a picnic area which has become known as a pleasant overnighter. We arrived on a gorgeous sunny afternoon and left late the next morning.

So .... Here are 24 happy birding moments from less than 24 hours staying at Policeman's Point! We'll start with the finches shall we?

1. Enjoyed some nice views of Double-barred finch at sunrise (commando style on the ground for this one - I'm afraid it takes me longer to get back up these days - especially in the early morning!) 

2. I couldn't get very close but here's a few lifers just hanging around together!!! (Crimson finch and Yellow-rumped mannikin plus Brown honeyeater)

3. 'Got a few closer views of Yellow-rumped mannikin

4. On dusk this White-necked heron surprised us by landing on a dead tree at our campsite

5. All you can eat! The flowering Jigal tree does it again for this Brown honeyeater ....

6. and this White-breasted woodswallow .....

7. and this Little friarbird ......

8. and this Little corella.

9. Little corellas have such character

10.  I got very excited by the proximity, light and clarity of view when photographing this Striated pardalote.

11. I enjoyed several encounters with budgerigar 

12. Here they drink from the Victoria River (there was a crocodile just 20 metres to the right of this picture) 

13. In the short time I have known them, I have found White-bellied cuckoo-shrike to be a very photogenic bird!

14. By the look of it this Great bowerbird may have also been visiting the Jigal tree flowers! 

15. Getting used to the youth! I am getting better at recognising juvenile birds such as this young Rufous whistler 

16. The ubiquitous Black kite

17. I spent several minutes with this Mistletoebird.

18. Some flycatcher moments. This Paperbark flycatcher became like a companion during my late morning walk!

19. This one was hanging around the campsite.

20. It took me some time to work out that this bird was a female Shining flycatcher (lifer!). Despite the dull light and distance (the other side of a creek) I had a pretty good look at it for a minute or so.

21. Speaking of lifers, here is a Bar-breasted honeyeater. Unlike anything I have seen before!

22. Another honeyeater lifer was this Yellow-tinted honeyeater ... 

23. and White-throated honeyeater is pretty new to my list as well! 

24. And last but not least, this is probably the closest I've been to Olive-backed oriole!

Here's the Eremaea list of a lazy 39 birds which is more than I usually manage at most sites!

Bird on!