World’s Best Ice Cream (oh…and Noisy Pitta)
November 2006
It was rum and raisin ice cream that did it…helped me get my shots of a Noisy Pitta, that is!
While out sound-recording, my husband Peter had seen Noisy Pittas along one of the tracks in Eungella National Park. I’d had only brief glimpses of them, and we’d heard their raspy “walk-to-work” songs occasionally. I was ambivalent about putting much effort into trying to photograph them, though. We’d only seen them at dusk when there was barely any light. Plus play-backs of their song, which we’d tried in some other places, didn’t seem to attract them into view. So, despite Noisy Pitta being one of my target birds, we decided to forget about the species and leave Eungella after lunch.
At Eungella township, we’d been staying at a caravan site that was also home of Angie’s Café. Their homemade ice cream, especially the rum and raisin flavor, is without a doubt the world’s best. As we drove out of the park to leave, Peter turned off into the caravan site instead of driving straight past. “What are you doing? We’re leaving, aren’t we?” “Got to have one last ice cream,” he replied. On impulse I thought, OK let’s stay one more day and I’ll give the pittas a try.
Not holding out much hope, I lugged my equipment down the track early next morning. As I rounded a bend, a dark bird flew up from the ground ahead of me, landing on a vine overhanging the track. It was a Noisy Pitta! I quickly attached my flash (which I don’t like to carry mounted on the camera when I’m walking along for fear of damage), and was able to get several shots.
Eat more ice cream!