Tag: Cairns

Bad Day to be a Crab…by Brad Marks

Well, when I said in a previous post I was going to take a “break” I had no idea that was going to turn out to be literally. Some would say I might have jinxed myself, others might look at my recent history and invested in the predictive market. As a guiding rule, I prefer to focus on rehabing one injury at a time – stay focused, put the effort in, get past it and prioritize whatever is left. I was having issues with a joint in one of my fingers prior to retiring with a nod to typing being a major component of my career for all 31+ years. I exited the grind, it seemed to get better, started hurting again and then broke my elbow – new priority. Continued to hurt, then broke my ankle – new priority. Having been cleared of that latest injury, went back to my elbow surgeon to FINALLY deal with the finger. Words you do not want to hear when the doctor pulls up your xray – “Whoa, that joint isn’t just damaged, it’s obliterated!” Optimistic day, meet Craptastic day. Looking at joint replacement or joint fusion – for certain, my guitar days are officially over. Got a shot in the joint to relieve some of the pain until I make a decision. As a result, my break may extend longer than originally intended – at least until I can hit the E-C-D keys again. Worry not, for Brad has a number of great posts from their jet-setting adventures already in the queue to entertain you!

Take it away Brad…

One day during our Australian photo assignment, Jan and I went different directions.  The tour group’s activity for the day was to go to the Great Barrier Reef, something I’ve always wanted to see.  That is, until the wave conditions on the day were expected to be between 1-2 meters high (3-6 feet).  Gads!  Intrigued readers know of my fondness for small boats in rough seas . . . NOT! (see here)  I made the choice that day to keep my feet firmly planted on land.  Jan, who’s afraid of nothing (learned to ski Double Black Diamond runs when she was about five) went on the boat ride to Green Island on the Great Barrier Reef.  She did tell me later that several people succumbed to motion sickness on the rough 45-minute transit to and from Green Island and that I would NOT have had a good time on the boat.

Once the tour bus took the rest of our group to the boat headed for Green Island, I grabbed my Aussie hat and went outside to see what the tidal flats of Cairns (pronounced “cans”) were offering that day.  After an hour of photographing shore birds and wading birds in the tropical sun, something caught my eye in the trees to the right.

Sacred Kingfisher found by Brad Marks in Cairns, Australia

That’s NOT a wading bird!!! Hit the jump to read more about this fishing royalty!

Continue reading Bad Day to be a Crab…by Brad Marks

White-Faced Heron…by Brad Marks

Hi folks! Rather big week for me personally. I mentioned previously I had a follow-up with my ankle surgeon last Thursday. Have to admit, was pretty apprehensive going in not really knowing what that outcome would be, which ended up being great news and not so great news. On the great front, ankle appears to be healed (as it is probably going to get) and fairly strong. All that rehab work paid off and now officially released to push it even harder and continue getting it to ultra-condition. Then the mood dampener came when he admitted the current level of “pain” will continue for some time – in the 1.5 year range. Apparently the residual level of annoyance still being experienced with shattered elbow will also occur with this latest injury. I can deal with this discomfort now that I know it has structural integrity. Celebrated with a 9 mile run yesterday (longest since the injury back in October 2024) and today went for a 25lb ruck for 7.5 miles on the hardest hills on the Illinois River bluff. I’m back baby hahahaha! As mentioned previously, I am taking a break (to develop the training plan for this October’s 100 miler race) and will be digging into Brad’s adventure queue – did I hear cheers, I think I heard cheers.

Take it away Brad…

How many times have you been birding and taking photographs when you think you know what the bird is in the viewfinder?  Happens to me all the time.  Not!

After breakfast on our first day in Cairns (pronounced “cans”) in Queensland, northern Australia, Jan and I decided to wander along the waterfront during very low tide.  Our assignment from Intrigued HQ was to photograph anything that flies for future stories.  Just “up” the beach from our hotel (towards the Equator to the left looking out over the water), a squadron of Australian Pelicans catches Jan’s eye.  Off she runs to take some photos.  About the same time, this heron-sized bird flies into view and I begin to wander to the right, or “down” the beach, to catch some photos.  At first glance, through the tiny viewfinder, I think it’s a Little Blue Heron.  It’s about the right size and color.  I do notice there are some interesting colors and a bit of what looks like aging on its face.  You know how some breeds of dogs (and Intrigued photographers) get white-faced when they are older?  That’s what this looked like.  I’ve only seen an adult Little Blue one time, but never a really old one.  I take a few (dozen) photos and move along.  Then my subconscious realizes something didn’t look quite right.  Maybe this is a teenager in between juvenile and adult plumage?  Nope.  A morph with a Snow egret?  Again, no dice.  This is a whole new bird from what we’ve seen before.  In other words, a +1 in birding parlance.

White-Faced Heron found by Brad Marks in Cairn's Australia

Did some devious clown bird throw a meringue pie in that Heron’s face? Hit the jump to learn more about this intriguing international specimen!

Continue reading White-Faced Heron…by Brad Marks

Who is that Masked Bird?…by Brad Marks

For some reason I continually forget February is a short month – even worse since leaving the grind when I had the end of the month “Explain how you earned our money” reports to remind me the calendar is about to roll (and the bank account grow). I am sure someone out there is going “Just look in the bottom right corner of your screen nitwit!“. The important thing is I need to stay on top of the posts or we will miss our self-imposed monthly quota. I had intentions of digging into my photo backlog queue and writing up a post today, but Linda offered to go chase a Snowy Owl that had been spotted about an hour away…that requires zero decision time ha. We ended up finding TWO of them which made my day (missed that check all of last year). In my jubilation, forgot about the post until it was too late, but you are in luck. Brad was at the ready with another of his adventures from “Down Under”. Last time I brought you a new bird that traveled to us, this time we are bringing you a new bird that Intrigued packed its bags for.

Take it away Brad…. (Note, Brad and Jan are out on assignment so replies might be delayed)

On our first full day in Cairns (pronounced “cans”), Queensland Australia (north side), Jan and I went outside our beachfront hotel after breakfast to see what we could see before our first group activity started.  Even in October, Cairns is very warm and humid.  Remember, it’s on the other side of the Equator, the seasons are reversed.  Essentially, we were in Australia in “April” for them.  Cairns is in the tropics so temperatures don’t vary all that much winter to summer.  Well, except from Fahrenheit to Celsius for travelers.  The high temperature that day reached 28C, or 82F, with 110% humidity.  A very warm day for me, but about average for this time of year for Cairns.  Important stats to know when carrying very large glass outside after it has been sitting in an air-conditioned hotel room overnight.  We let the cameras and lenses warm up slowly to prevent condensation on all of the glass elements.  Wandering around with a large camera and 200-500mm lens garners a lot of attention. 

Talk about having egg on your face ha… hit the jump to learn more about this exotic looking bird.

Continue reading Who is that Masked Bird?…by Brad Marks