South of Auckland, New Zealand

This morning, Vilis and I revelled in the blessed coolness of 18°C in Auckland, the weather a far cry from the circa 30°C temperatures and high humidity we had experienced in Townsville, North Queen...

Farewell to Oz

At 4:30 a.m., the tropical summer night featured stars sprinkled among wispy clouds tinted orange by Townsville’s lights, bush stone-curlews wailing, spangled drongoes squeaking, and black flying fo...

Townsville, Australia – A Birder’s Paradise

At 5:10 a.m. I set out cycling/birding, the sky brightening with the incipient sunrise. Curved palm leaves formed green, fringed screens erected against pale light. The Townsville summer dawn had a ta...

Aussie Bird Awards

At 5:15 a.m., moisture glistened on Townsville lawns, and cloud vied with blue sky overhead. Cycling hard, I rode the Ross River Parkway, exchanging dawn greetings with other parkway users whom I mont...