April Ends

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This amazing little garfish Arrhamphus sclerolepis Günther tried to save himself by jumping in my yak. I was just recovering from a massive explosion coming from just behind me when this little fellow started wiggling around my legs. For a moment the massive fish splash and the sensation on my leg joined forces in my imagination and I just about abandoned ship. I saw several long tail tuna but none attacked my lure.
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The Scarlet Eucalyptus Eucalyptus phoenicea is in bloom and while the majority of Eucalyptus flowers are white this one is a pleasant exception.
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We Will Meet at The Flowering Eucalyptus

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Merops ornatus Rainbow-Beeeater female (insectivore)
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Melithreptus albogularis White Throated Honeyeater (nectar eater)
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Meliphaga notata Yellow spotted Honeyeater (nectar eater)
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Lalage leucomela Varied-Triller (insectivore)
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Accipiter fasciatus Brown GosHawk (bird of prey)
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Wangi Falls

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Wangi Falls are majestic, accounting for the varied flora and fauna as you descend into the creeks which share the bounty.
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The Northern Rosella Platycercus venustus are seed eaters and not found in the Darwin area.
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Hibiscus leptocladu are flowering on the rocky cliffs.
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Wallybees Macropus agilis are few and far between and very shy.
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But the real gems are the Banksia dentata which appear to prefer the freshwater stream banks to show off their form.
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Birds Of the Neighbourhood

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The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii on lookout duty for its flock is on the ground eating seeds.
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The finches are back as the grass seeds become abundant. This is the Crimson Finch Neochmia phaeton.
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This Striated Heron Ardeola striatus was visiting the back of the Mangroves just about dawn.
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Litchfield National Park

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There is still plenty of water going over Florence Falls.

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The Grevllea pteridifolia is in flower and attracts insects to the feast.
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Many flowers such as this Water Lilly Nymphaea vioacea support a host of insects such as this native bee and grasshopper.
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The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita perches low enough on the tree to feed on the grass seeds which are out of reach from the ground.
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A Nine Month Investigation

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About nine months ago during my first visit to the vine forest and as I was extricating myself from the stinging barbs of a vine, I caught a glimpse of a startled bird as it darted away. What was striking was the white bars on its greyish wings. I thought that it would be easy to identify but how wrong I was. A month ago I caught another glimpse of the greyish bird with the sergeant’s stripe on its wing. I was beginning to think that I was imagining the bird.
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For the past two days I have been walking a new route to take some pics of a flowering gum tree and I am amazed to see a pair of these birds catching insects over a small billabong. After some patient watching, it turns out these birds are Dollar Birds Eurystomus orientalis which I have often seen perched on a branch, but never in flight.
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What a beautiful sight they are in flight. One moment they can seem a dull grey but then turn into a turquoise blue with an emerald sheen. All the while showing off the light patch on their wing tips. Who would have guessed!
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To see some amazing pics of Dollar Birds go to:
[http://www.flickr.com/photos/mendistan/472234722]

A Time Of Plenty

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The woodlands are full of shrieking Red-collared Lorikeet, Trichoglossus rubritorquis feeding on the flowering Broad Leaf Box Eucalyptus oligantha Schauer.
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