Dawn brought a bonanza of finches. In about two hours of photographing at a small pool along the stream at Campbell Springs, Isaw saw 8 different species of finches. Just for the record they included Gouldian, Masked, Long-tailed, Double-barred and Crimson Finches as well as Chestnut-breasted, Yellow-rumped, and Pictorella Mannikins. I even picked up a Zebra Finch later in the day at Katherine making for a 9 finch day. Not bad at all, especially considering the trouble I had in Kununurra where I couldn't find a finch. Anyway, the highlight of the mornig was the above image as you may guess. A beautiful adult in great light. If Ihad to nitpick, I would rather there not be a shadow across his/her breast but I will take what I get adn not complain a bit. I also got a chance to photograph the single Pictorella Mannikin that came in to drink very briefly but after reviewing the images they aren't as sharp as I would like. Oh well, you win some and you lose some.
Ispent the middle part of the day resupplying and refueling in Katherine as well as getting caught up on email and things like that. Eventually, Iheaded out of town towards Pine Creek. My original plan was to stay at a spot near Pine Creek but whenI arrivved it was a bit croweded and I really wasn't up for tramping around looking for Button-quail. So Ileft there and headed back south a bit to a river crossing where Ihope to find Hooded Parrots in the morning. Nothing came in to drink this evening but hopefully that will be different tomorrow. Just have to wait and see.
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