Hiding away in the rainforest

Rainforest  offers enticing shelter from streaming summer rays, but shrouds  most of its birds. Spent 10 minutes up Paluma Dam way  yesterday begging this Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons) to sit still. 

During same wander along the dam road, came upon Grey Fantail (Rhipidura albiscapa). Didn't seem to like flash, so pumped up ISO. Result: noisy picture of quiet bird.

Unlike this Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris), which 'chooff-chooffs'  about the Jourama Falls forest most mornings.

Even quieter most days, Grey-headed Robin (Heteromyias cinereifrons). Another of the birds hiding away in the Paluma gloom.

Almost always to be found somewhere in tropical rainforest, Pale-yellow Robin (Tregellasia capito). As often the case, bonus closeup of tree trunk, near Wallaman Falls. 

So too with female White-throated Treecreeper (Cormobates leucophaea), also  close to the falls. If only more species would take to marching up well-lit trunks, though the treecreeper isn't a rainforest specialist.

Treecreeper rainforest highlight

Quick trip to high rainforest near Wallaman Falls yesterday found only this White-throated Treecreeper (Cormobates leucophaea) close to the camera. Then the clouds rolled in and the rain poured down.

No greater luck in the quest for Victoria's Riflebirds earlier in the month, when this wary Eastern (Common) Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata) caught the eye.

More frustration today in Tyto with several sightings of Black Bitterns (Ixobrychus flavicollis), but only one distant bird standing still for a second.

Here's a sharper image of a more co-operative bird, Striated Heron (Butorides striata) sitting deep in mangroves near the coast.
Click pix to enlarge