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October 2016
Atherton Tablelands, QLD, Australia
Part 6
Wompoo Fruit-dove (Ptilinopus magnificus)
The aptly-named Superb Fruit-dove is only about half the size the Wompoo Fruit-dove. It is a shy species that despite its bright colours can be very difficult to find.
male Superb Fruit-dove (Ptilinopus superbus)
Wompoo Fruit-dove (Ptilinopus magnificus) |
Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum) |
The tiny Mistletoebird is the only member of the flowerpecker family that occurs in Australia. The individual in the photos above and below was a very regular visitor to this particular bush and could be seen most mornings feasting on the fruit.
Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum)
female Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis) |
displaying male Victoria's Riflebird (Ptiloris victoriae) |
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displaying male Victoria's Riflebird (Ptiloris victoriae)
I spent over 100 hours watching Victoria's Riflebirds strutting their stuff on several different display perches throughout September and October. I don't think I could ever get tired of watching them perform their spectacular dances!
displaying male Victoria's Riflebird (Ptiloris victoriae)
displaying male Victoria's Riflebird (Ptiloris victoriae)
male Victoria's Riflebird (Ptiloris victoriae)
I stuck a shorter lens on for the shot below as I liked the way the palm frond was curving around the bird and wanted to get more of the background in the photo...
male Victoria's Riflebird (Ptiloris victoriae)
displaying immature male Victoria's Riflebird (Ptiloris victoriae)
In many ways, watching the immature males practicing their displays was more entertaining than watching the adults. Whereas the adults would only switch into full display mode if a female was present, the immatures would often enthusiastically display on their own or duet with other immature males. And when a female turned up they went absolutely mental!
immature male Victoria's Riflebird (Ptiloris victoriae) displaying to a female
Grey-headed Robin (Heteromyias cinereifrons)
Grey-headed Robin is a large, chunky, terrestrial robin that is only found in the highland rainforests of the Wet Tropics of NE Queensland.
Hornbill Friarbird (Philemon yorki)
male Golden Bowerbird (Prionodura newtoniana) |
"Cathedral Fig Tree" |
The Cathedral Fig Tree is one of several impressive strangler figs that can be found in the rainforests of the Tablelands. This particular tree is estimated to be around 500 years old.
White Fig (Ficus virens)
MacLeay's Honeyeater (Xanthotis macleayanus) feeding on Faradaya splendida flowers.
Faradaya splendida is a beautiful, vigourous vine that commonly adorns trees on the margins of rainforests. The fragrant flowers are short-lived but are sufficiently abundant that finding a branch in full bloom was not too difficult. The one below was about 5m above the ground and was photographed using my 600mm lens.
October Glory Vine (Faradaya splendida)
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They may not be used or copied in any form without prior written permission.
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