Hail to two standout stayers of the year

Time to farewell 2011 and welcome 2012 - by hailing two of the Tyto stayers, species not even Cyclone Yasi could blow away: Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) and White-browed Robin (Poecilodryas superciliosa).

Happy New Year!
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Honeyeater conned by Koel

Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis) about to feed caterpillar to the cuckoo planted on  it, an Eastern Koel (Eudynamys scolopaceus), near Tyto wetlands.

Young Koels demand food for weeks until even the most dutiful parents turn their backs on the greedy offspring. 
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Santa presents Little Bittern presence

Look what Santa brought me today in Tyto! Live Australian Little Bittern (Ixobrychus dubius) to play with. 

Just the present for a birding boy, though asking for its presence is a tall order.

And it didn't really want to play very much at all. But that'll do me. Thanks, Santa! And Merry Xmas faithful followers.
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Black Bitterns ever watchful

The rains begin and Black Bitterns (Ixobrychus flavicollis) get busy in many shadowed Tyto pools. Haven't had luck catching them standing about in water. 

But they have stopped flying far off when first spooked, being content to gain a tree and watch me try to get close - then flying far off! (Female above, male top.)
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Pale-faced wallaby stands out

Unusually pale-faced Agile Wallaby stands out amid the Tyto lushness. Female animal may be aged, though no less agile than hundreds of others to be seen some mornings. And even big, burly old males don't go white. 
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Bush-hen nothing to crow about

Cackling aplenty in Tyto lately, but only image of Pale-vented Bush-hen (Amaurornis moluccana) nothing to crow about. Early onset of Wet hasn't helped, with cover everywhere thicker than usual.

Rains also mean less action overhead. Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) showed up this week, turned up its nose at fish floating belly-up (too large, probably) and left with tongue hanging out.
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How can you tell he's from the Shaky Isles?

Evidence coming up in three shakes . . . 

Macleay's Honeyeater (Xanthotis macleayanus)

Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)

Brown Cuckoo-Dove (Macropygia amboinensis)
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Kite flies for easy pickings

With Tyto fish deaths comes the Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus). First downpours of this season's Wet last week brought usual rush of fish large and small into newly flooded  areas. 

Not all made it safely back (perhaps, like salmon, they're not destined to). Dead fish dropped on footbridge - possibly one too many for lone Brahminy - previously thrived by 'hoovering' lagoons, often in large surface schools. ID to come. 
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Mistletoebirds out and about

Caught male Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum) more or less in the open yesterday near Tyto lookout. Angle does justice to breast colour but misses the glorious dark blues on the back.

Female, from an earlier day, possibly seeking webs for one of the species' soft 'baby bootee' nests.  
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Crimson Finch takes a break

With the species busy nesting all over Tyto as the Wet starts to pour upon us, male Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) takes time out near the hide yesterday.
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Spot of Woodswallow swallowing

Takes more than a spot - or a lot - of rain to stop White-breasted Woodswallow (Artamus leucorynchus) if insects are flying. Dragonfly (maybe Neurothemis stigmatizans) today's victim near Tyto hide.

Can't be hunting all the time. 
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Frogs sitting pretty

The Wet's arrived early and frogs are sitting pretty. Tiny (20mm) Eastern Dwarf Treefrog (Litoria fallax) - all-Aussie green and gold scene.

Solid (100mm) White-lipped Treefrog (Litoria infrafrenata) settles for very green theme, with white edges.
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Triller comes down to earth

More male White-winged Trillers (Lalage sueurii) than usual in Tyto this season. Not such happy news for these excitable would-be breeders: fewer females than usual.

And because the males twitter hyperactively about the treetops - trying to attract females - it's been a trying time seeking a decent picture.

Today, at last, a bird foraging on the ground - with remarkable success. 

  One of many morsels grabbed in march across the grass.  

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Who's the prettiest boy ... then?

Few prettier sights in Tyto than male Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton) in prime plumage.

Splendid up close.

Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus) offers colourful challenge.

Intermediate Egret (Ardea intermedia) looks lovely in early morning light.

Male Cotton Pygmy-goose (Nettapus coromandelianus) floats in subtle beauty.  
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Awake-up Snipe allows walk-up

Posted super Latham's Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii) images earlier in year, but today's presented greater challenge, being totally open walk-up rather than drive-by.

It's satisfying having a wary bird accept - even if nervily - intrusion into its space.

In this case, bird chose to walk off and get on with feeding, in Tyto yesterday.
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Clean as a Whistler

Big branch got between us, but male Rufous Whistler (Pachycephala rufiventris) didn't get clean away and makes for tidy study of feather details.

Also provides chance to run image of female, also taken in Tyto.
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Cheeky faux de grass bottler

Cheeky little Tyto bottler savours of springtime, abounding with verdant, faux de grass overtones and striking bokeh. 

Agile Wallaby (Macropus agilis)
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Catchlights catch them watching

Three images from Jourama Falls reflect wildlife awareness of the intruder among them: Rainbow skink (Carlia rostralis) keeps a cautious eye out.

Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris) casts a backward look.

Male Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto) glances sideways.

Meanwhile, revised, noise-reduced Pied Monarch (Arses kaupi, with mantid) looks sharper.
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