Spider hunting

Following their usual pattern Scarlet Robins have reappeared in the local bush in fair numbers after being largely absent over summer.

In this sequence an adult male was being accompanied by a female, both birds using concealed perches to hunt for prey. A wolf spider fell victim to the male, pounced upon from a low hanging branch.

I was intrigued by the last image. A tiny bead of dew suspended from the bill of the male, a prelude to yesterdays ‘autumn break’ … 56mm in total.

Few other birds were around on a still, warm afternoon – White-eared Honeyeater, Grey Currawong, Brown Thornbill, Buff-rumped Thornbill and a calling Australian Owlet-nightjar.