August 2018 - Various

"Pacific Black Ducks, Ross River, Townsville."

This squad of Pacific Black Ducks could see visitors opposite their side of the river feeding other ducks today. They were not going to miss out! (Rossiter Park, Aitkenvale. Nikon D750, Tamron 150-600mm at 500mm, f/6.3, 1/1250sec, Shutter (speed) Priority, ISO 450.)

Late Arrival.

See previous title and caption for flight of Pacific Black Ducks.

White Duck, Ross River, Townsville.

Probably feral. Was dominating native (Pacific Black) ducks on Ross River for territory. See following for probable origins: http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/forum/All-white-duck

Australasian Darters and Little Pied Cormorant.

Rossiter Park, Ross River, Aitkenvale.

Pacific Black Ducks.

Rossiter Park, Ross River, Aitkenvale.

Australasian Darter Flicking Water Off Tail.

Rossiter Park, Ross River, Aitkenvale.

Tropical (Queensland) Huntsman Spider. 1.

Nikon D750 in Manual mode, AF Micro-NIKKOR 200mm f/4D IF-ED Lens on manual focus, hand held, ISO 1600, f/16, 1/100 sec, on board flash and tungsten bulb torch for sidelight.

Tropical (Queensland) Huntsman Spider. 2.

Nikon D750 in Manual mode, AF Micro-NIKKOR 200mm f/4D IF-ED Lens on manual focus, hand held, ISO 1600, f/16, 1/100 sec, on board flash and tungsten bulb torch for sidelight.

Tropical (Queensland) Huntsman Spider. 2. Wide.

Nikon D750 in Manual mode, AF Micro-NIKKOR 200mm f/4D IF-ED Lens on manual focus, hand held, ISO 1600, f/16, 1/100 sec, on board flash and tungsten bulb torch for sidelight.

Tropical (Queensland) Huntsman Spider. 3.

Nikon D750 in Manual mode, AF Micro-NIKKOR 200mm f/4D IF-ED Lens on manual focus, hand held, ISO 1600, f/16, 1/100 sec, on board flash and tungsten bulb torch for sidelight.

Tropical (Queensland) Huntsman Spider. 4.

Nikon D750 in Manual mode, AF Micro-NIKKOR 200mm f/4D IF-ED Lens on manual focus, hand held, ISO 1600, f/16, 1/100 sec, on board flash and tungsten bulb torch for sidelight.

Tropical (Queensland) Huntsman Spider. 5.

Nikon D750 in Manual mode, AF Micro-NIKKOR 200mm f/4D IF-ED Lens on manual focus, hand held, ISO 1600, f/16, 1/100 sec, on board flash and tungsten bulb torch for sidelight.

Tropical (Queensland) Huntsman Spider. 6.

Nikon D750 in Manual mode, AF Micro-NIKKOR 200mm f/4D IF-ED Lens on manual focus, hand held, ISO 1600, f/16, 1/100 sec, on board flash and tungsten bulb torch for sidelight.

"Pelican Landing at Sunrise, Mallacoota Inlet, Victoria."

Seven photographs of the same pelican, taken in quick succession, were combined to reveal what it takes to successfully land one of these majestic creatures on water. It's interesting to note the angle of the pelican's feet before they hit the water. Getting pretty close to the 11 degrees recommended by Airbus A320 manufacturers if you ever have to ditch one in water. Reference: their Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) for emergencies and abnormal conditions. The "most successful ditching in aviation history" (US NTSB) by Captain Sullenberger on the Hudson River in New York in 2009 was testament to his professionalism. He knew, from studying and knowing his aircraft, that the correct ditching attitude was 11 degrees. A very small note in the QRH states this. Any more than that and the aircraft would have slammed down on the water, any less and the engines would have "bit" into the water and caused a break-up. Clever pelican!

Hibiscus Macro. 1.

Nikon D750, Micro-Nikkor, f/4 200mm. Suburban Townsville.

Hibiscus Macro. 2.

Nikon D750, Micro-Nikkor, f/4 200mm. Suburban Townsville.

Hibiscus Macro. 3.

Nikon D750, Micro-Nikkor, f/4 200mm. Suburban Townsville.

Hibiscus Macro. 4.

Nikon D750, Micro-Nikkor, f/4 200mm. Suburban Townsville.

Hibiscus Macro. 5.

Nikon D750, Micro-Nikkor, f/4 200mm. Suburban Townsville.

Hibiscus Macro. 6.

Collared Kingfisher, Long Swamp, Town Common. 1.

The small white spot in front of the eye tells us it's a Collared Kingfisher. Nikon D750, Tamron 150-600mm.

Collared Kingfisher, Long Swamp, Town Common. 2.

The small white spot in front of the eye tells us it's a Collared Kingfisher. Nikon D750, Tamron 150-600mm.

Magpie Goose, Long Swamp, Town Common.

Nikon D750, Tamron 150-600mm.

Egrets, Long Swamp, Town Common.

Nikon D750, Tamron 150-600mm.