Monday 27 July 2009

Bush Stone-curlew

During our stay on Stradbroke Island we had the company of these Bush Stone-curlew or Bush Thick-knees around the caravan park we stayed in. There were at least six of them. While there the lady that runs the park told us about a pair of Beach Stone-curlew but we were not lucky enough to see them this time.

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Bush Stone-curlew (Burhinus grallarius)




Thursday 23 July 2009

Moreton Island 1

Moreton Island SE Queensland. After being badly affected from an oil spill which covered almost all the eastern side of the island it is now showing signs of recovery. Some of the tidal creeks are still closed due to the clean up still in progress.

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Cape Moreton
Still with oil on the rocks.



Cape Moreton
Where the oil did not reach.



War relic on the Eastern Beach of Moreton Island





Looking straight out to sea from the war relic



View to the North



View to the South



Another view along the Eastern Beach of Moreton Island

Tuesday 21 July 2009

Sacred Kingfisher

On our first ever visit to Stradbroke Island off South East Queensland, we came across this Sacred Kingfisher on the beach as we were helping our daughter with her PHD project.

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Note BPW post should read Sacred Kingfisher, not Collared Kingfisher as posted.



Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)







Stradbroke Island

More on our trip to Stradbroke and Moreton Islands to come.

Sunday 12 July 2009

White-cheeked Honeyeater.

This White-cheeked Honeyeater was feeding on a Banksia flower in the car park at Seary's Creek the other week when we were down that way. They are one of the common Honeyeaters found in our Heathland areas.

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White-cheeked Honeyeater (Phylidonyris nigra)



White-cheeked Honeyeater (Phylidonyris nigra)



White-cheeked Honeyeater (Phylidonyris nigra)

Monday 6 July 2009

Brown Thornbill

Some days you just don't feel like doing much, but on this one we had to be down at Rainbow Beach in the morning. After finishing there we met up with Mick to do some bird watching and photography in the afternoon. We ended up at Seary's Creek just outside of Rainbow where there are always birds.
Click on photos to enlarge.


Seary's Creek

We sat at Seary's checking out all the bird activity going on in what was left of the Melaleuca flowers. There were Scarlet Honeyeaters by the dozen. Also present were White-cheeked Honeyeaters, Silvereyes, Grey Shrike-thrush and a Grey Fantail. To top it off an Azure Kingfisher went flying down the creek, (sorry, no photos of that one)



Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)

While Mick was taking photos of the Grey Fantail hawking for insects off logs in the creek, this Brown Thornbill landed in bushes right beside us. After letting Mick know it was there, we both tried for photos. I was higher and closer and able to get a clear shot, whereas Mick would have had to stand up for a better photo, but stayed low as to not make the bird fly away before I could at least get some photos first. Looks like I owe you one Mick.



Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)



Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)



Brown Thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla)



Some of the Heathland vegation at Seary's Creek