Had a wonderful surprise in Cairns last Friday when there were 9 Spotted Whistling-ducks on the freshwater lake at Centenary Lakes. I recognised them immediately after searching unsuccessfully when I was in Weipa this year but had not expected to see any in Cairns. Apparently they had flown in to this lake just hours before I arrived. Sometimes you can be lucky.
I have included some pictures of them bathing as they came right up out of the water. More from this week away later as I saw a number of new birds.
Sue
I suspect they heard you were coming, Sue.
Wish I knew how to get the word out to all those other birds that I am eager to see!
Sue
Great Stuff Sue! Have not seen one of these yet.
Wow, I didn't even know SWDs were a thing!
Ryu
Canberra
Aiming for DSLR-quality shots with a bridge camera
Brilliant Sue
Definately a new one for me ,
Love that last pix, that duck almost looks like Harrier jet on vertial take off
Dont take life too seriously, it never ends well
Well done! Got to be happy when they come to you. One that I haven't seen yet either.
These birds were first recorded at Weipa in 1995 and there is a small colony there now. In 2012, they were reported in Cairns and the Daintree. Numbers are very low so I was lucky.
Sue
These are beautiful photographs.
elizabeth
Oh wow! Lucky you!