Australia's Wet Tropics

DSC_1870 Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) adult female leaping with joey in pouch in late afternoon. Coombabah Lakelands, Gold Coast *

DSC_1877 Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) mob grazing in late afternoon light. Coombabah Lakelands, Gold Coast *

DSC_2529 Musky rat-kangaroo (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus) this is the smallest kangaroo. It has survived in Australian forests for more than 20 million years. Four similar-looking, and related species once wandered Miocene rainforests.Today, this is the only survivor. It retains the ancient characters of its extinct relatives - opposable thumbs on the hind feet (for climbing), a prehensile tail, and unspecialised teeth, digestive tract and diet, as well as the habit of birthing twins or triplets - note its full pouch! Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2527 Musky rat-kangaroo (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus) this is the smallest kangaroo. It has survived in Australian forests for more than 20 million years. Four similar-looking, and related species once wandered Miocene rainforests.Today, this is the only survivor. It retains the ancient characters of its extinct relatives - opposable thumbs on the hind feet (for climbing), a prehensile tail, and unspecialised teeth, digestive tract and diet, as well as the habit of birthing twins or triplets - note its full pouch! Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2544 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2269 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female walking on beach. Normally shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2034 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female in forest. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2414 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2612 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female in forest. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2273 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2274 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2014 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) head of adult female. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_1976 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) head of adult female drinking. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_1997 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) showing skin colour on head and neck. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2554 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) head of adult female. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_1968 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) head of adult female in forest. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2275 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2040 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female in forest. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2128 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female in forest. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2113 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female in forest. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2086 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female in forest. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2074 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female in forest. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2243 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female walking on beach. Normally shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2244 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female walking on beach. Normally shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2270 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female walking on beach. Normally shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2228 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female standing on beach. Normally shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2235 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female standing on beach. Normally shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2380 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female walking on beach at dusk. Normally shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2338 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female walking on beach at dusk. Normally shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2759 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female visiting house in rainforest. Normally shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2352 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) adult female visiting camp kitchen. Normally shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2393 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) are typically shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, however some individuals spend considerable time foraging along road edges in the early morning. Speeding cars now pose a major threat to cassowaries crossing forested highways. Road crossing signs warn motorists to drive responsably. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2084 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) detail of large feet. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Kuranda National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2448 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) dropping full of rainforest seeds. Cassowaries are important dispersers of large seeds throughout the tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2293 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) detail of footprint in sand. Shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, New Guinea and some of its neighbouring islands. Occurs from sea level to 3,050m in mountain forest. Moresby Range National Park, Queensland *

DSC_2130 Double-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) are typically shy birds of the dense tropical rainforests of Australia, however speeding cars now pose a major threat to cassowaries crossing forested highways. Road crossing signs warn motorists to drive responsably. Kuranda, Queensland *

DSC_1932 Australian brush-turkey (Alectura lathami) a common, widespread species of megapode, or mound-building bird, found in eastern Australia from Far North Queensland to the south coast of New South Wales. Kuranda National Park,Queensland *

DSC_2198 Australian brush-turkey (Alectura lathami) head showing wattle. A common, widespread species of megapode, or mound-building bird, found in eastern Australia from Far North Queensland to the south coast of New South Wales. Kuranda National Park,Queensland *

DSC_2192 Australian brush-turkey (Alectura lathami) dominant male with large yellow wattle. A common, widespread species of megapode, or mound-building bird, found in eastern Australia from Far North Queensland to the south coast of New South Wales. Kuranda National Park,Queensland *

DSC_2534 Orange-footed scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt castanonotus) as with other megapodes, it nests in large mounds of sand, leaf litter and other debris where the heat generated by the decomposition of organic material serves to incubate the eggs. Five subspecies are found across northern Australia, southern New Guinea and many islands in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Kuranda, Queensland

DSC_1895 Orange-footed scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt castanonotus) as with other megapodes, it nests in large mounds of sand, leaf litter and other debris where the heat generated by the decomposition of organic material serves to incubate the eggs. Five subspecies are found across northern Australia, southern New Guinea and many islands in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Kuranda, Queensland

DSC_1899 Orange-footed scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt castanonotus) as with other megapodes, it nests in large mounds of sand, leaf litter and other debris where the heat generated by the decomposition of organic material serves to incubate the eggs. Five subspecies are found across northern Australia, southern New Guinea and many islands in the Lesser Sunda Islands. Kuranda, Queensland

11001-39701 Plumed whistling duck (Dendrocygna eytoni) pair. A rare vagrant with fewer than a dozen records since 1871. They mainly turn up in small groups of less than ten birds. However, when they do arrive, they tend to remain for some time, and may remain for several years. Anderson Park, Hawkes Bay *

11001-44506 Australian pink-eared duck (Malacorhynchus membranaceus) an extremely rare vagrant with a single record, from Mangere, Auckland in 1990. This is the nearest relative to the extinct Scarlett's duck (Malacorhynchus scarletti) which lived in New Zealand and the Chathams during the Holocene period *

DSC_1873 Australian wood duck, or maned goose (Chenonetta jubata) male, a straggler to NZ with fewer than 20 records, typically from the South Island, and Snares. A sister species to New Zealand's extinct Finsch's duck (Chenonetta finschi) *

DSC_1850 Australian wood duck, or maned goose (Chenonetta jubata) male in flight, a straggler to NZ with fewer than 20 records, typically from the South Island, and Snares. A sister species to New Zealand's extinct Finsch's duck (Chenonetta finschi) *

DSC_1849 Australian wood duck, or maned goose (Chenonetta jubata) male on water, a straggler to NZ with fewer than 20 records, typically from the South Island, and Snares. A sister species to New Zealand's extinct Finsch's duck (Chenonetta finschi) *