The bird leaned over, plucking a small bluish-black fruit from the tree and then holding it in its bill. Its red tongue seemed to roll along the outside of the fruit like it was testing the taste before swallowing it. Gulp and the fruit went down the gullet. Although this took a fraction of a … Read more
The fluffy flowers were waving in the light breeze when suddenly, a Blue-faced Honeyeater flew into the tree and began to probe the blossoms. The blooms had long, thin, white anthers that ended in pink. Each must have been an inch or more long. The nectar was at their base in what looked like a … Read more
The Atherton Tablelands is a high flat plateau, 2400 ft elevation, that extends across eastern Queensland near Cairns. A series of volcanos spread basalt lava across this area, and it is now fertile agricultural land. We’d been cruising the back roads looking for birds. Brolga and Saurus Cranes fed in many pastures, and several small … Read more
“Don’t even think about it,” I imagined this dove saying to me as if I might be contemplating stealing his prospective mate. He had leaned forward, puffing out his chest and body feathers to make himself look grand. His bluish-black bill was tucked on his chest, his irises had taken on an intense yellow sheen, … Read more
Flashes came from down in the thick brown grass. A blotch of white, then some black, then a little red, one flicker seemed the same color as the grass. Two birds were moving in jumps, dashes, and twists. It had to be two with that much movement, but I could never get more than a … Read more
The Trip The goal was to learn more about the country’s ecology and find birds, crocodiles, reptiles, insects, and plants. We planned stops in tropical forests, dry sclerophyll forests, open plains, and even the Great Barrier Reef. Over the coming months, I will do a series of posts on this trip, visiting key sites and … Read more
When I was young, I loved going downstairs on Saturday mornings in mid-winter to watch Tarzan movies. Johnny Weissmuller’s call would reverberate through the house to my mother’s vexation. In my pajamas, I would curl up in a blanket on the floor in front of our black and white TV and become engrossed in the … Read more
I rounded the corner and spotted her sitting beside a bush. Her fine features, dainty little hands, and smooth curves took my breath away. I couldn’t help but stare at her. She flexed open and shut her delicate small fingers and brought her hands together and then apart as she chewed quietly on something. Occasionally, … Read more