Bird Watching in Australia

At the Daintree River, Queensland, Australia.

In Far North Queensland (or FNQ as Australians refer to it) the Daintree River is the hub of bird activity. On one visit I sat by a rainforest pool that I knew the tiny, but beautiful, Little Kingfisher (Alcedo pusilla) frequented. These kingfishers are found only in the northern coastlands and are not easy to observe.

The water was dark and still, reflecting the tangle of over-hanging vines and palm leaves. A dipping dragonfly rippled the surface, then a Ulysses butterfly appeared. I thought this brilliant blue butterfly was the Little Kingfisher for a moment, as it was at least as large as the bird I was waiting to see. Then suddenly the Little Kingfisher darted to a small branch conveniently overhanging the pool. Diving swiftly into the pool after its prey, it then alighted again on the branch for a moment, before swiftly disappearing into the tangle of rainforest. I watched for a number of hours, quietly enjoy the peace and beauty of my surroundings. Every twenty minutes, as regular as clock work, the tiny bird appeared for a tantalizing few moments.Its upperparts were a deep, intense blue, underparts were white and its black feet were minute, especially when compared with the large black beak

Items from my sketch-book

Little Kingfisher

Ulysses Butterfly