Look sharp to catch Sharpies in action

Sharp-tailed Sandpipers seem under orders to look sharpish and fly sharpishly at all times. Makes life hard for those trying for action pictures with reflexes no longer so sharp. Took three hours sitting at edge of grass island at Pandanus viewing area, Town Common, Townsville, one day this week to finally catch the high wing stretch the birds almost always use on landing.

And didn't get the entire bird in frame for the only takeoff image captured all week. Needed a bit more luck, on top of faster reaction times.

Got the luck today with so-so flight shots of White-browed Crake, the first two of which came as big surprise as at no time did I see the bird in the viewfinder. If in doubt hit the shutter and hope. Once in every year or so the instinct pays off. It's the great plus of digital, almost no cost to taking 500 or so images for 5-10 keepers.

But failed to get anything usable from much aerial tracking of wee Fairy Martins so resorted to the next big bird that came along overhead, Straw-necked Ibis. No beauty, but looking a wee bit sharp.

Egret flaps, Ibises stand out, Neon Bee shines

Oops, toes too long, twigs too tiny, Intermediate Egret fights for balance in the Town Common today.

But casting shadow of its head on inside of wing is a nice touch.

Sharing fast-dropping small pool with the egrets, Australian White Ibis stands shadowed in shallows.

Unlike Straw-necked Ibis, on rock in city park (and sitting in picture folder for weeks: awaiting 'right' opening).

And ... and a bright blue bee. A Neon Cuckoo Bee. It's not just birds that sneak eggs into other species' nests.

Colour here curved to max to show bee as it looks in strong late morning sunshine. Extremely neony!

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Splish, splash I(bis) was taking a bath

Playtime in rare recent road puddle for Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis), one of seven splishing and splashing at Forrest Beach.

Might not get a similar chance for weeks or months with El Nino setting in and no Wet until late December at the earliest.

At Tyto, Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) steps out across a shrinking kidney lagoon (now two lagoons with a mud bar as evaporation takes over).

For the time being the fishing comes easier but this part of Tyto may be totally dry come December.

And then the drizzle turned to rain ...

Getting along happily and snappily with Little Kingfisher (Ceyx pusilla) in Tyto the other day until the odd spot became persistent drizzle. Which became persistent rain. Which continues ... so, two sunnier shots to ease the gloom:

Straw-necked Ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) steps out colourfully on the dunes at Lucinda.

And Australian White Ibis (Threskiornis molucca) pauses from prodding into the Tyto mud (by now well under water again).
Click pix to enlarge