Monday, December 7, 2009

Pre Wet Excitement

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Walking around the open forest adjacent to a mangrove lined river, I have the impression that with the regular small amounts of rain, there is a lot of anticipation that more rain is on its way.
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I have seen many nesting pairs of Northern Fantails, but all of the nests have been wrecked soon after the young start raising their heads above the nests. I wonder if this Goshawk is responsible?
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Brown Goshawk Accipiter fasciatus
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A lone dove has been calling day after day, but as yet his calls have been unanswered.
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Rose-crowned Fruit Dove Ptilinopus regina
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A pair of Cuckoos have been flying erratically from tree to tree. They don’t seem to be feeding and they don’t nest here so I wonder what is driving them?
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Oriental Cuckoo Cuculus optatus
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You never hear them until they stop and then when they start again you cannot believe how loud they are.
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Cicada Unidentified Cyclochila
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There are untold numbers of sticky flies that love the moisture in the corner of your eyes. There are March flies which can leave a bloody mark on your leg. So it is nice when you come across another type of insect which leaves you alone and looks so interesting.
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Native Drone Fly Eristalinus punctulatus
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Three remarkable plants are in blossom.
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Leichhardt Tree Nauclea orientalis
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Wild-Orange Capparis mitchellii
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Wrightia-saligna
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Its amazing how the birds use different parts of the open forest. Some birds specifically hunt on the floor.
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Emerald Ground Dove Chalcophaps indica
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Some hunt in the shrubs and are happy eating the unripe fruit of a native cherry tree.
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Mistletoe Bird Dicaeum hirundinaceum
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