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This afternoon, on my second visit to Floriade, among all the
pretty flowers, tourists, a human being masquerading as a kangaroo, ice
creams and persistently sleeve-tugging little nieces, I checked off fifteen
birds within the hustle-bustle of the blooming precincts. Here's the
highlights:
A Grey Currawong un-mulching tulips and three White-winged Choughs doing
likewise. Australian Hobby overhead until Magpies enforced their no-fly zone. We
spotted two Turtle Doves. Willie Wagtail on nest in exotic tree. Two Black-faced
Cuckoo-shrieks which little pony-tails insisted upon calling Blue Jays. Pied
Currawong attempting to gulp down a drinking straw. I wished it success,
probably wouldn't have harmed it judging by some of the remarkable detritus I've
found among the regurgitations of currawongs. About thirty Sivereyes, and the
few I successfully focused upon appeared to have grey chins, so I believe they
were transient birds heading south for the summer.
A nine-year-old, pony-tailed polymath begged my binos because she wanted to
show me something. She casually picked a Floriade petunia and demonstrated how
reversed binoculars can be employed as an impromptu, botanical magnifying glass.
Goodness me and bless my soul! Uncle Jack never knew that.
John Layton
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