FNQ Part 2 – The Daintree river with Chris Dahlberg

A very early start from Kingfisher lodge to make the 6AM departure from the Daintree river – This trip was a absolute highlight and a MUST do should you come to this part of the world.

Best to time your trip with a low tide in the morning – Chis’s website lists what has been sighted every morning.

LEAVE your super tele lenses at home – you will not need them – a 300mm would be just about perfect, first day I took my 500mm and I was TOO CLOSE – Yes you will be getting that close to the birds. A 200-400 zoom is perfect. Photographic opportunities started before I even got on the boat with a azure kingfisher perched on the rail of the boat next to us.

Make no mistake – this is geared toward PHOTOGRAPHY – Chris knows this river like the back of his hand – lots of highlights…

Black Bitterns

Papuan Frogmouth with chicks

Nesting flycatchers

Azure Kingfishers

Sirateted Heron

Nankeen Night Heron

The boat is open so be sure to take a Hat and sunscreen, I used a monopod although the front of the boat does have a raised section so a tripod could quite comfortably be used – whilst you do get very close to the birds Chris is not stupid – he does not stay long at a nest site, you will get a chance for a few shots before he moves on but as it should be his major concern is for the welfare of the birds. Azure Kingfishers were quite common although with such a large area it was very hard to find a spot were they would continue to return to – so flight shots were hard to come by.

The tides comes in very fast here – in Barret creek  we ventured under a bridge to see a Papuan Frogmouth and chick – we could only stay a couple of minutes otherwise we would not have made it back out under the bridge – when the tide comes in – it really comes in.

Black Bittern - Easily flushed from their hiding places - often seen as they leave

Fronted up again the next morning at 6AM for a second trip – easily the best $55 you will spend, so may birds seen and at such close quarters, You just HAVE to do this trip – Dont miss it!!!!!

Two trips was hardly enough for me – Bit late in the year, prime time according to Chris is October – Guess were I will be come next October

Shining Flycatcher on the nest

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