Wednesday 14 May 2008

Spectacled monarch

Kingfisher Park near Julatten in Far North Queensland boasts a bird list as long as your arm. Being the world's second worst bird watcher, I only ticked off a thumb's worth but I was happy with that. The spectacled monarch (Monarcha trivirgatus), an active and attractive flycatcher, is one of the more frequently encountered species on the list.

Did I say it was active? I spent the best part of an hour trying to snap this fellow as he darted and danced through the foliage above my head. I got him in the end. Sort of.






The next day, one of the little charmers perched on the back of a chair as I had my breakfast on the patio. Who says birds don't have a sense of humour?