Jabiru

[loose cannon]

Perhaps more of a bird in landscape than a 'proper' bird image but viewing Alan's wonderful image of two black-shouldered kites reminded me of this image I captured a little while back but never got around to processing.

This is a young one and still in the 'ugly duckling' stage. When adult they are a bird of great beauty but much harder to get close to.

Captured on the banks on the Fitzroy river right in front of my campsite.

[P Plates]

I don't think he's an ugly duckling, I quite like the soft browns and creams. Pity he blends into the background a bit.

[tanz]

Lucky you for seeing this guy up close, it is a great photo showing him in his beautiful environment

[Phoenix]

The size of this bird's bill is astounding. Wonder it can hold its head up.
Is that a crocodile in the background?

[loose cannon]

I don't think he's an ugly duckling, I quite like the soft browns and creams. Pity he blends into the background a bit.

Thanks Pp, the bird does blend in a bit and that's a shame...but it looked great through the viewfinder at the time lol. I spent ages trying to get a clean shot with a good background but it didn't happen.

On a brighter note, jabiru numbers have increased quite a bit over the last year or so at this location so I'm hopeful of many more opportunities in the future. They have been a rare sighting in the past.

Lucky you for seeing this guy up close, it is a great photo showing him in his beautiful environment

Thank you Tania, yes it was pretty sweet having a resident jabiru at my campsite. Encounters of this nature inspire me to keep going bush.

The size of this bird's bill is astounding. Wonder it can hold its head up.
Is that a crocodile in the background?

Oh there was a croc cluttering up the background Jo, but I dragged him by the tail on to the bank and told him to stay put till I had my photo.

[sejac]

That's a proper bird image alright. Great shot of a bird in it's environment. Only way it could be improved is with a cute little Poodle in the shot somewhere. Not really....

I'm trying to attract more birds in this heat by parking a Porsche in my driveway next to the swimming pool! But Elizabeth says it ain't goin' to happen. Not the Porsche, not the swimming pool, not nothing ....

[loose cannon]

Cheers Charles.

My mud splattered ancient Hilux in the carport isn't pulling the groupies in as much as I would like either.

[Rob Smith]

Certainly got a great shot Mick. Well done!

[avkomp]

good find.

I dont think the adults are much prettier than the juvis though

[loose cannon]

Thank you Rob and Stephen.