CHannel Billed Cuckoo .... a first for me

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birdie
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CHannel Billed Cuckoo .... a first for me

Today I decided to walk a 6km circuit to take in a bird hide in the Burrum National Park. Left it late to go so it was 32degrees for most of the walk ...phew! the amazing thing is that I saw nothing much in the mangroves because of the heat even though I could hear them, but on the way through the bush walk I heard what I thought was a Koel call, and when I looked up this fine looking bird was there. I am still confused about the call but would walk twice that distance for a close up look again at this kind of bird. What an impressive looking specimen they are.... and so big!


Also saw this Olive Backed Oriole, another first for me. I think it may be a juvenile

So that is two more for my list ... woohoo!

Windhover
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That's far better than I have ever managed. Well done. Like the Oriole too! :)

GregL
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Have you been hearing the oriole? - I quite like their call.

birdie
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Thanks Akos, I was actually very disappointed with my shots as I took heaps, but muffed the settings on the camera in my haste and half of them were way under exposed. I am finding on this trip that I am turning to manual settings more and more as the metering on board just doesn't cope with the various lighting situations I have been in.
Also had some fun last night with lightning as a storm blew over, but again, didn't have the right equipment with me and had to make do with 30sec exposures and a lens cap!! Maybe another one will roll in tonight LOL

Another first for me today was a small dove I noticed at the top of the trees, and couldn't see the colours clearly because of backlight. On closer inspection it turned out to be a Rose crowned Fruit Dove...... so 3 firsts on the one walk. :')
apologies for the poor quality but it was a first for me anyway in the bush
can anyone tell me if this could may be a rufous whistler? I could hear a very pretty call but this was as close as I could come to a shot.
SOrry if i have posted this shot above already

Sunshine Coast Queensland

Araminta
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Birdie, your photos are so beautiful, they are overwhelming ! If I could hear the whistler, I could tell you, I had them for years at my place,but it's one of the birds, that sadly didn't come back this year.You must be so fit, if you go on these walks every day. I just love your photos!!

M-L

birdie
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Thanks Araminta, I am glad to share them with you and glad that you get so much enjoyment from them. As for the fitness, well.... it is coming. If there is the chance of a bird at the end of it I just find the energy from my motivation :')

As for the Channel Bills, well I finished the day off with a walk around a local wetland and got to witness the best close up flyover with the CBC and the poor crow trying to keep up with it. Got a pic but they were travelling at a fantastic rate so it wasn't the best.
All in all..... a great day's birding with a new BOP and a few more birds this evening as well.

Sunshine Coast Queensland

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