So it has been a peculiar week or so, a week where little has gone to plan. If a trip to north Queensland is on the cards for you here’s a tip, don’t trust forecasts. One thing you will notice is that the forecast for the week changes daily and the meteorologists are masters at pretending as though nothing has changed. Yesterday, we thought we would head to Centenary Lakes to try to spot the Great-billed Heron (Ardea sumatrana) that has been hanging around but alas the rain came pouring down the moment we arrived. The summary of our efforts is this photo of three Magpie Geese (Anseranas semipalmata). The streaks you can see in the photo is the rain!
Thankfully the weather was kinder today, by which I mean dry, not comfortable. I went out to the Esplanade at low tide and left when it was half in. My binoculars are currently broken and I am awaiting some new Nikon Monarchs but it was a good day none the less. Some interesting species seen were the Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus), Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), a couple of dark morph Eastern Reef Egrets (Ardea sacra) and an Eastern Great Egret in full breeding plumage.
This was my first sighting of the Common Sandpiper at the Esplanade, or anywhere for that matter. A pretty good day considering the lack of proper glass! I also drew a couple of sketches. The Grey-tailed Tattler’s (Tringer brevipes) size always seems to surprise, leading me to double take when identifying them. I find a sketch is a good way to set yourself straight.
The pelicans were nice and close earlier so here is a sketch of a sleeping bird I made.
Don’t laugh, drawing from life is tricky. Particularly in the heat of the middle of the day during the Cairns wet season.
