Stone the crows! Gravel-voiced pair hit road too early

Torresian Crow (updated 8/9 to Australian Raven after maturing juveniles revealed telltale pink patches on necks) siblings quit their Townsville Town Common nest too early yesterday morning resulting in some anxious moments on the road through the park before I guided them into safer spot.

Though unable to fly well, four hours later they were high in eucalyptus and being fed by parent.

Youngsters doing well elsewhere include White-bellied Sea-eagle juvenile (parent above) rescued last week from beneath nest (this week flapping vigorously for carer Deb Carter) and its sibling still in nest near Freshwater Trail.

Meanwhile, meet Snaggletooth, Freshwater Crocodile snuck up upon beside Ross River the other day. Got to within three metres but could not capture more than part of jaw and head.

Today, caught Red-bellied Black Snack snoozing in the sun along the earth dam wall between Freshwater and Bald Rock in the Common. Barely pink in northern habitat.

Brown Snake proves an obliging subject

Wonder of wonders! Went out today geared up for snakes rather than birds and found an obliging 1.4m Brown Snake waiting patiently for me.

Very patient in fact. Lay motionless for series of long shots alongside much-used track between Pellarenda and Jacana hide in Townsville Town Commmon Conservation Park.

Sensed that I needed look at other side of head.

Must always get good look at the forked tongue. Then slid quietly away when I was done.

Bit like Red-bellied Black Snake a few days earlier. Apologies for single frame from bad video but be thankful I cut 50 seconds of boring inaction while I walked around another co-operative reptile.

And here's a placid Water Python happy to have me get close. So placid it didn't move when unaware passing hiker planted size 11s within 1.5m of its head. (Amazing what some fitness freaks miss seeing in their heedless headlong matches.)

But Freshwater Crocodile basking within 20 metres of popular Ross River walking path not so keen on posing for closeups. Stayed in place for an hour between being photographed as I birded in Ross River Bush Gardens and my eventual drive through suburbia. But hit the water in a hurry when I tried sneaking within 10 metres.

My Red-bellied Black too late to claim fame

Learned the other day my various images of Red-bellied Black Snakes held significance beyond their dubious technical qualities. Seems the northern sub-race, race or species (taxonomy up in air) has not be formally introduced and described. Or something ... see here for much detail.

So, too late to claim any laurels, here's another look at a one-metre specimen found snoozing in the morning sun along Palm Creek on Mungalla Station the other day. Shy, as always, snake snuck off into thicker grass once I got out of its way.

Another friend of older vintage, 'my' Tyto Saltwater Crocodile, popping up on old sunning spot in main lagoon, many months after last sighting. And the really good news, the croc trap has gone down the road to needlessly chase another old favourite, a longtime resident in Cattle Creek.

Striped skink snake's snack

Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) puts death bite on Eastern Striped Skink (Ctenotus robustus) near the Tyto lookout today. The 70cm snake didn't like my presence and slid into clump of sedge to swallow skink. Saw some of the action, but view much obscured. All over in about five minutes.    

Two ticks Grey-headed Robin: nix snakes

Ticked Grey-headed Robin (Heteromyias cinereifrons) as species of the morning yesterday in Broadwater State Forest Park, 45km west of Ingham.

Several birds sighted close up in the rare riverine rainforest remnant.

This bird already had a tick. Didn't see the parasite at the time in the jungle gloom.

Ticked off today to miss this 90cm Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) capturing and swallowing striped frog. The kill occurred three metres from me, but snake's head always hidden under flattened grass the frog unwisely ducked into.

Also ticked off at inability to get clear shot of this two-metre Water Python (Liasis mackloti) at its retreat, a broken culvert at a nearby sugar cane ditch.
(Click pix to enlarge)  

Slough puts snake at risk

Came upon this Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) coiled on track in short grass yesterday.

Too open and hazardous a spot for a species usually extremely alert and sharp-eyed.

Though no sign elsewhere about body, slough seems to have begun at the eyes.

Snake senses me though it cannot see well, if at all. A gentle push with small stick encouraged it into safer cover.  

Winged whingers and sweeter singers

Tawny Grassbird (Megalurus timoriensis) perches high during 10-minute burst of persistent calling with partner in Tyto.

Most members of the species most of the time sound somewhat aggrieved: two in 'concert' top the bill as winged whingers. Totally unfair to the birds, of course.

Elsewhere, Horsfield's Bushlark (Mirafra javanica) decorates roadside barbed wire and adds sweet song series to the morning. But Bushlarks always sound happy.

All human nonsense of course, sound alone often being unreliable guide to birds' state of mind. Just as high praise for the 'beauty' of other birds' songs is unfair to lesser songsters. It's all in the mind, you know!

Also mostly in the mind, fear of snakes. Above, young Red-bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus) intent on a scent trail. After spotting snake I crawled toward it, hoping for action closeup, perhaps even threat display. Didn't happen. Snake ignored me until I was about 1.5 metres off (minimum focus for 300mm lens) and then sped off down a weedy bank. I know snakes aren't for everyone, but such meetings are fun. So long as there's no risk of harm to snake or to me!