January 2020 - Various

Mannikin in Flight and Mannikin Feeding.

D850: 1/1000 sec, ISO 1100, 600mm, f/6.3. 150-600mm lens at 600mm.

Sole Mannikin.

Sole Mannikin. Crop.

Scaly-breasted Mannikin Feeding on Grass Seeds.

Mannikin Trio.

The 'No Bombing' pool sign goes up tomorrow!

Scaly-breasted Mannikins, suburban Townsville. Nikon D850, 1/500 sec.

"New Year, New Day, New Growth." Crop.

As if to celebrate the rain we had this morning, this pod of new Blood Lily growth is bursting with esprit de vie. (Suburban Townsville. Camera: Nikon D850, Program AE, 1/160 sec, ISO 200. Lens: AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor f/2.8G IF-ED at f/6.3. Editors: Photoshop CC 2020, Nik Pro 4 Filters Tonal Contrast and Vignette Lens, Topaz De-Noise AI.)

"New Year, New Day, New Growth."

As if to celebrate the rain we had this morning, this pod of new Blood Lily growth is bursting with esprit de vie. (Suburban Townsville. Camera: Nikon D850, Program AE, 1/160 sec, ISO 200. Lens: AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor f/2.8G IF-ED at f/6.3. Editors: Photoshop CC 2020, Nik Pro 4 Filters Tonal Contrast and Vignette Lens, Topaz De-Noise AI.)

Newly blossomed Blood Lily.

"Blue-faced Honeyeater. Up close."

Recommend enlarged view. This birdi is not easily mistaken for any other. Its golden-green upper parts and pure white underbody distinguish it from similarly sized species with similar behaviour, such as Friarbirds, Wattlebirds and Miners (vs. Mynahs). The striking blue facial skin is two-toned, with the lower half a brilliant cobalt blue. (Suburban Townsville. Nikon D850 and Tamron 150-600mm lens at 600mm. Luminar 4 AI Image Enhancer filter and Topaz DeNoise AI.)

"Moonrise and Sunset, Kings Canyon, NT."

From a 4WD + Caravan sojourn there back in 2016. Vantage point was the official campsite. Climbed and walked the top the next day. Well worth the drive west of the more central tour circuit and the physical effort.

Mannikins Ascending, Descending and Feeding.

Suburban Townsville.

Ibis and (African) Blood Lillies.

Front yard, suburban Townsville.

Ibis and (African) Blood Lillies. Crop.

Front yard, suburban Townsville.

"Australian Pelican, Coalmine Beach, Walpole Inlet, WA, 2013."

Flashback to our motorhome holiday in south west WA in September 2013. Camped at Coalmine Beach overnight. Part of our first taste of an RV-type road trip holiday. Loved it! Bought The Land Rover Discovery 4WD and the first caravan soon after. Then a second, new caravan in October 2015. Plan to get back to WA this year and head north this time.

Doe navigating our way out of Coalmine Beach, Walpole, WA. September 2013.

Desert Rose - Watercolour.

From a Panasonic FZ-2500 image.

Desert Rose seeds about to be picked up by the wind.

"What's for Breakfast?"

Rainbow Lorikeet, suburban Townsville.

"What's for breakfast?"

A Blue-faced Honeyeater peels back the paperbark looking for insects.