Australia Day 10: Ayr to Ingram

We've seen 142 species so far this trip (only 21 of which I've seen in other countries).

My life list is up to 1,415.  

So far this year I’ve seen 725 species, making this my biggest year so far (my previous record was 721 in 2022).🎉

male and female (striped tail)
Red-tailed Black Cockatoos

Blue-winged Kookaburra 

a better shot of a Rainbow Bee-eater

Pheasant Coucal with breakfast

male Great Bower bird, the architectural designer
of this fabulous bower with a white and red 
color theme

Male bower birds build elaborate “bowers” to attract
mates.  They are generally meticulously constructed
out of twigs and decorated with found objects. 
Males almost entirely will stick to a color theme 
they have chosen.  In this case white with touches
of red.  The bowers are kept clean, and the objects
are placed in particular patterns, such that if they
get moved, the male will put everything back where
it belongs.  These are not nests, but more of a stage
where the male bird will dance and court 
potential mates.  Nests are built in nearby trees.

back of the bower - notice the carefully placed red
items that look like a flower bouquet (the round
thing is a ponytail holder)

Dingo (wild dog)

wild boar and piglets