Steve Happ Photography Ramblings and dissertations

Bridge Creek

Coming out of the Litchfield Disneyland, I stopped at Bachelor for some petrol and headed down the Stuart Highway. Half-way to Katherine, I stopped off at the rest area at Bridge Creek. I went for a wander in the afternoon and then again early in the morning.

Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae)

This Gouldian Finch is an adult male Black-faced morph.

Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton)

I think this is a juvenile.

Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis)

Banded Honeyeater (Cissomela pectoralis)

White-throated Honeyeater (Melithreptus albogularis)

Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis albipennis)

Bridge Creek bird list

Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae)
Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton)
Masked Finch (Peophila personata)
Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis)
Forest Kingfisher
Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla kuhli)
White-winged Triller
Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
Spangled Drongo
Bar-shouldered Dove
Paperbark Flycatcher
Red-winged Parrot
White-gaped Honeyeater
Banded Honeyeater (Cissomela pectoralis)
White-throated Honeyeater (Melithreptus albogularis)
Brown Honeyeater (Lichmera indistincta)
Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis albipennis)
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Black Kite
Whistling Kite
Red-collared Lorikeet

Litchfield National Park

I stayed a few days at Wagait Beach, just over the bay from Darwin. I did nothing but chill out and watch television. Finally I went the back way to Litchfield National Park. The first obstacle was a dry river bed, which was full of rocks. It was a rough ride but I made it through. The next hazard was some water in a river crossing. I went to the side and just made it through after a bit of a heart-pumping moment. The first stop was the Bamboo Creek Tin Mine where there were the remains of and old tin mine that was now abandoned.

Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps)

The next stop was Walker Creek. There are camps all along the creek and the water is really clear.

Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii)

The last stop was at Wangi Falls. There was a very nice swimming hole but it was super crowded and in the morning I decided to leave because the place was infested with tourists.

Great Bowerbird’s bower

The Great Bowerbird collects white objects for his bower.

Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)

Litchfield National Park bird list

Brown Honeyeater
Dusky Honeyeater (Myzomela obscura)
Shining Flycatcher
White-throated Honeyeater
Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps)
Little Friarbird
Mistletoebird
Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii)
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
Peaceful Dove
Varied Triller
Great Bowerbird
Rainbow Bee-eater
Blue-faced Honeyeater

Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve

After my Corroboree Billabong cruise, I had dinner at the pub and headed west along the Arnhem Highway and camped just past the Adelaide River. In the morning I drove up the road to Fogg Dam, the premiere spot in the Northern Territory for bird watching. The average rainfall for Fogg Dam is 1368 mm which can vary greatly from year to year. The dry season, May to September, is a cooler drier time with low humidity and little or no rain.

Orange-footed Scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt tumulus)

The Woodlands to Waterlies Walk has several of the natural habitats of Fogg Dam. Fogg Dam catches water from two small creeks that flow onto the floodplains, then into the Adelaide River. The dam wall was built in the 1950’s as part of a project to grow rice in the area. The birds ate all the rice and the project was a massive fail.

Broad-billed Flycatcher (Myiagra ruficollis)

Arafura Fantail (Rhipidura dryas)

Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris)

Grey Whistler (Pachycephala simplex)

Rufous-banded Honeyeater (Conopophila albogularis)

White-gaped Honeyeater (Stomiopera unicolor)

Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii )

Yellow Oriole (Oriolus flavocinctus)

Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum)

golden orb spider

Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve bird list

Orange-footed Scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt)
Rainbow Pitta (Pitta iris)
Arafura Fantail (Rhipidura dryas)
Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris)
Broad-billed Flycatcher (Myiagra ruficollis)
Grey Whistler (Pachycephala simplex)
Mistletoebird (Dicaeum hirundinaceum)
Bar-shouldered Dove
Peaceful Dove
White-throated Honeyeater
Rufous-banded Honeyeater (Conopophila albogularis)
White-gaped Honeyeater (Stomiopera unicolor)
Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii)
Yellow Oriole (Oriolus flavocinctus)
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher
Brush Cuckoo
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Varied Triller

Bird Billabong

After leaving Kakadu National Park, I headed west along the Arnhem Highway until I got to the Mary River National Park. I chucked a right turn and went into see the Mary River Billabong in the afternoon. Not much there except this Brown Goshawk who I disturbed eating some prey on the ground.

Broad-billed Flycatcher (Myiagra ruficollis)

I think this is a Broad-billed Flycatcher. But still not sure. Probably a Leaden Flycatcher. doh! Edit. Definitely a Broad-billed Flycatcher. Thank you Nikolas.

Leaden Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula concinna)

Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus)

Bird Billabong walk takes you to a shallow billabong that changes its character with the seasons. It is sandwiched between the Mary River Channel and the Mount Bundey Hills. I met a bunch of people on a bird tour with Experience the Wild – NT Bird Watching and Nature Tours. (www.experiencethewild.com.au)

Red-collared Lorikeet (Trichoglossus rubritorquis)

Amazing shot of the underside of the wings. Very colourful.

Silver-crowned Friarbird (Philemon argenticeps)

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster flavigaster)

Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus dumetorum)

I think this is barred morph immature Brush Cuckoo.

Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris )

White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica)

Mary River National Park bird list

Brown Goshawk (Accipiter fasciatus)
Red-winged Parrot
Red-collared Lorikeet
Spangled Drongo
White-winged Triller
Banded Honeyeater
White-throated Honeyeater
Silver-crowned Friarbird
Little Friarbird
Rufous Whistler
Willie Wagtail
Northern Fantail
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster flavigaster)
Brush Cuckoo (Cacomantis variolosus dumetorum)
Leaden Flycatcher (Myiagra rubecula concinna)
Broad-billed Flycatcher (Myiagra ruficollis)
Great Bowerbird
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike
Masked Finch (Peophila personata personata)
Red-tailed Black-cockatoo
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Little Woodswallow
Green Pygmy-goose
Radjah Shelduck
Plumed Whistling-duck
Black-fronted Dotterel
Glossy Ibis
Brolga
Pied Heron
White-faced Heron
White-necked Heron
Masked Lapwing
Royal Spoonbill
Australasian Darter
Whiskered Tern

Corroboree Billabong Wetlands Cruise

I stopped at the Corroboree Tavern on the Arnhem Highway to book a boat ride on the wetlands. The booking process was a little random without my phone signal so I just went out to the billabong and booked in for the sunset cruise which turned out fantastic. The boat driver was from Surrey in England and took us all around the billabong to see birds and crocodiles.

Comb-crested Jacana ( Irediparra gallinacea) – juvenile

This one might be about ten days old.

Comb-crested Jacana ( Irediparra gallinacea)

This baby is only a few days old. Very young.

Bar-breasted Honeyeater (Ramsayornis fasciatus)

Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae)

This female Australasian Darter is swallowing a decent sized catfish.

Pheasant Coucal ( Centropus phasianinus)

Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni)

Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

Dingo

Keelback water snake

Corroboree Billabong bird list

Straw-necked Ibis
Australian White Ibis
Australasian Darter
White-bellied Sea-eagle
Comb-crested Jacana
Bar-breasted Honeyeater
Red-winged Parrot
Little Friarbird
Pied Heron
Pheasant Coucal

Dingo
Keelback snake
Saltwater Crocodile
Freshwater Crocodile

Aurora Kakadu Resort

The Aurora Kakadu Resort is just west of the South Alligator River. I rocked in there yesterday just expecting a bite to eat and a coffee. I haphazardly asked what the price for camping was and lo and behold it was only ten dollars for an unpowered camp. This will do me I thought. Very good value. They have hot showers, drinking water and a swimming pool. woot!

Orange-footed Scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt tumulus)

I got some really bad photos of the Orange-footed Scrubfowl. As soon as they saw me they took off into the trees and started bobbing up and down. Very weird. Hopefully I will get some better photos when I get north.

Australasian Figbird (Specotheres vieilloti ashbyi)

The adult male of the top end sub-species ashbyi has bright yellow underparts and hindcollar and the mantle is olive-green, not grey.

Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)

In the morning I went on the Gungarre Forest Walk which was nearly four kilometers long. I was very happy when I came out the end of it. There were lots of rainforest patches along the walk but not that many birds.

Red-winged Parrot (Aprosmictus erythropterus)

Momma feeding a baby.

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster flavigaster)

Agile Wallaby – male

backlit spider

full moon

Aurora Kakadu Resort bird list

Orange-footed Scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt tumulus)
Varied Triller (Lalage leucomela rufiventris)
Australasian Figbird (Specotheres vieilloti ashbyi)
Yellow Oriole (Oriolus flavocinctus)
Straw-necked Ibis
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike
Red-winged Parrot (Aprosmictus erythropterus)
Red-collared Lorikeet
Australasian Darter
Australian Pelican
Little Egret
Magpie Goose
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita fitzroyi)
Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea sanguinea)
Galah
Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii)
Magpie-lark
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Blue-winged Kookaburra
Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster flavigaster)
Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
Bar-shouldered Dove
Peaceful Dove

Mamukala Wetlands

After the Kakadu Info Center, I headed to the Mamukala Wetlands. In the morning they were having a bush tucker walk so I tagged along and found out some nice information about what indigenous people eat in the bush.

Varied Triller (Lalage leucomela rufiventris)

I thought this was a White-winged Triller with a stripey belly at first. doh!

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster flavigaster)

Rufous-banded Honeyeater (Conophila albogularis)

Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)

The male is on the left with the longer tail streamers.

Long-tailed Finch (Poephila acuticauda hecki)

This adult Long-tailed Finch looks like he is collecting nest material.

Butterflies

There were heaps of butterflies on this bush near the bird hide.

After the Mamukala Wetlands, I headed west and stopped off at the South Alligator River and a few crossings where I saw lots of Glossy Ibis, Radjah Shelduck and various other water-birds.

Pied Heron (Egretta picata)

Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)

Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii)

Kakadu National Park bird list

Peaceful Dove
Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster flavigaster)
Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea)
Straw-necked Ibis
Glossy Ibis
Australian White Ibis
Yellow Oriole (Oriolus flavocinctus)
Brown Goshawk
Paperbark Flycatcher
Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus)
Long-tailed Finch (Poephila acuticauda hecki)
Crimson Finch
Varied Triller (Lalage leucomela rufiventris)
Little Friarbird
Rufous-banded Honeyeater (Conophila albogularis)
Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii)
Pied Heron
White-headed Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus)
Masked Lapwing
Little Kingfisher
Radjah Shelduck
Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)
Channel-billed Cuckoo

Burdulba Creek and Ubirr

From Cooinda area, I headed north to Burdulba Creek and slept at Malabanjbanjdju Camping Ground. The mosquitos were horrendous. There were millions of them. I had to make friends with some backpackers to hang around their fire to get some relief from the stinging hordes. In the morning I had breakfast as quickly as possibly and headed for the creek and the surrounding billabongs.

Pacific Baza (Aviceda subcristata)

Little Friarbird (Philemon citreogularis)

Silver-crowned Honeyeater (Philemon argenticeps)

You can see why they get their name.

Rufous-throated Honeyeater (Conopophila rufogularis) – juvenile

Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus) – female

The next day I headed towards Ubirr and camped at the Merl Campground. Same story with the mosquitos. I went for a walk around the camping aread and in the morning drove to the Ubirr area where I walked around the roads and the riverfront near the East Alligator River. I learnt the word for Northern Territory aboriginals – binning.

immature Peaceful Dove

I have no idea what this is. Very likely a juvenile something. edit. Peaceful Dove.

Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis)

Very backlit. Something different.

Long-tailed Finch (Poephila acuticauda hecki)

Spangled Drongo

I think this is a Spangled Drongo but the shiny blue wing patch seems a bit weird to me.

Yellow Oriole (Oriolus flavocinctus)

Kakadu National Park bird list

Pacific Baza (Aviceda subcristata)
Little Friarbird (Philemon citreogularis)
Silver-crowned Honeyeater (Philemon argenticeps)
Rufous-throated Honeyeater (Conopophila rufogularis)
Nankeen Night-heron
Radjah Shelduck
Plumed Whistling-duck
Green Pygmy-goose
Straw-necked Ibis
Black-necked Stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus)
Pheasant Coucal
Little Black Cormorant
Rainbow Bee-eater
Bar-shouldered Dove
Peaceful Dove
Grey-crowned Babbler (Pomatostomus temporalis)
Red-winged Parrot
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike
Long-tailed Finch (Poephila acuticauda hecki)
Spangled Drongo (Dicrurus bracteatus)
Yellow Oriole (Oriolus flavocinctus)

Yellow Waters Cruise

I was up at 5:30am for the 6:45am cruise from Cooinda Lodge in Kakadu National Park. The boat ride cost me a hundred bucks but it was well worth it. I was a bit skeptical at first but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Our captain Dennis was a really funny guy who knew the area and was a local indigenous man.

Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea)

This dad Comb-crested Jacana had to look after the kids because mom took off after she pumped out the eggs.

Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea)

When something threatens the chicks, the dad grabs up the babies under his wings to protect them.

Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton)

Some very young Crimson Finch chicks being fed.

Plumed Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna eytonii)

There were thousands and thousands of Plumed Whistling-ducks on the banks of the billabongs. They do not dive in the water for food but feed on the land.

Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae)

This is a male. The female has a white tummy.

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)

Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto )

The Shining Flycatcher female has a chocolate back. She is very different to the all-black male.

Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii)

Just as we were getting off the boat, this lady spotted these pair above the wharf.

Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

There were a few crocodiles during the cruise. I think this is a female because there is only one male in the territory.

Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

I love big close ups of reptiles. The textures are amazing.

Kakadu National Park bird list

White-bellied Sea-eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster)
Magpie Goose
Little Pied Cormorant
Little Black Cormorant
Australasian Darter (Anhinga novaehollandiae)
Plumed Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna eytonii)
Green Pygmy-goose
Nankeen Night-heron
Great Egret
Comb-crested Jacana (Irediparra gallinacea)
Crimson Finch (Neochmia phaeton)
Magpie-lark
Australian Pelican
Whiskered Tern
Sacred Kingfisher (Todiramphus sanctus)
Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii)
Pied Heron
Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto )
Swamp Harrier

Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

Mardugul Camping Ground

My third camp was at the Mardugul Camping ground, just south of Cooinda Lodge. In the afternoon, I went for a walk across the bridge at the Brett Hochman Crossing.

Rufous-banded Honeyeater (Canopophila albogularis)

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster flavigaster)

I have no idea why this is called a flycatcher when it is a robin. Doh!

Great-billed Heron (Ardea sumatrana)

I saw this Great-billed Heron on a paperbark tree island. It was a nightmare shooting into the sun so I had to process it to get it half way decent. Still not great. But it is a new bird so woot!

Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto) – male

Frillneck Lizard

Crocodile

The next morning I went for a look at the Gun Gardun Walk near where the tent camping is. I saw a few Red-collared Lorikeets and maybe a Northern Fantail. I went to the bridge again and was looking for some Shining Flycatchers but no go. I helped an aboriginal lady get some paperbark leaves for flavouring in cooking for the hotel.

Kakadu National Park bird list

Lemon-bellied Flycatcher (Microeca flavigaster flavigaster)
Great-billed Heron (Ardea sumatrana)
Rufous-banded Honeyeater (Canopophila albogularis)
White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike
White-winged Triller (Lalage tricolor)
Green Pygmy-goose
Radjah Shelduck (Tadorna radjah)
Shining Flycatcher (Myiagra alecto )
Little Pied Cormorant
Red-collared Lorikeet
Northern Fantail (Rhipidura rufiventris)
White-bellied Sea-eagle
Channel-billed Cuckoo
Paperbark Flycatcher
Radjah Shelduck

Frillneck Lizard