hAs I write this particular blog it is snowing outside and taking on the same look as a blizzard. Needless to say it is bloody freezing with a hell of a southerly blowing up the old kilt line. So it's back to the warm climes of the Northern Territory.
We caught the Airport Shuttle at sparrows and it was a great relief to get to the airport. Are these drivers specially trained to hammer up to a roundabout, slam on the brakes and swerve around the corner as fast as possible. They must also take evening classes in tailgating and maximum approach speed towards green traffic lights. Having said that they never had an accident while I've been on board and they are lovely people.
Anyway it was a bit of a shock to get off the plane in Darwin to be greeted by a humid, hot blanket of hot humid air. After picking up the hire car we wended our way to the apartments and went out for a bit of a mung. This turned out to be Greek, well what else in Darwin, the melting pot of cultures to end all melting pots.
The following morning it was again up even before sparrows were flatulant to pick up Ian and Roberto, aka Bobbeee, Bobby or Robert. Meeting a five AM flight has its compensations such as two litres of gin and seeing the sun come up. Well perhaps not the last one.
Later that day we wandered around a little patch of forest before returning to the welcome embrace of a coldie.
To the birds then as I know that is what you are hanging out for, the very first bird on the list was an Orange footed Scrubfowl, which is not surprising as they are everywhere, even in the very small vegetated bit by the swimming pool in the hotel. All in all the first whole day was quiet but isn't that what holidays are all about.
We caught the Airport Shuttle at sparrows and it was a great relief to get to the airport. Are these drivers specially trained to hammer up to a roundabout, slam on the brakes and swerve around the corner as fast as possible. They must also take evening classes in tailgating and maximum approach speed towards green traffic lights. Having said that they never had an accident while I've been on board and they are lovely people.
Anyway it was a bit of a shock to get off the plane in Darwin to be greeted by a humid, hot blanket of hot humid air. After picking up the hire car we wended our way to the apartments and went out for a bit of a mung. This turned out to be Greek, well what else in Darwin, the melting pot of cultures to end all melting pots.
The following morning it was again up even before sparrows were flatulant to pick up Ian and Roberto, aka Bobbeee, Bobby or Robert. Meeting a five AM flight has its compensations such as two litres of gin and seeing the sun come up. Well perhaps not the last one.
Later that day we wandered around a little patch of forest before returning to the welcome embrace of a coldie.
To the birds then as I know that is what you are hanging out for, the very first bird on the list was an Orange footed Scrubfowl, which is not surprising as they are everywhere, even in the very small vegetated bit by the swimming pool in the hotel. All in all the first whole day was quiet but isn't that what holidays are all about.
The specific name for this Brown Honeyeater is indistinca and you can see why. Because of the yellow gape it is either a male or female( OK go figure) but the males in the breeding season have black gapes which they can retain if the conditions are right. However having said that this is most likely a male cos of its size. It's feeding on a grevillia for the gardeners amongst us.
It has been one of the driest wet seasons on record following very dry wets in the past few years so any source of water is gratefully recieved especially if you are a White-throated Honeyeater. Check out the tongue it is not a stick. Or it could be a rude dude sticking his tongue out at the photographer