One of my favourite’ Dire Straits’ song would add perfectly to this slideshow.
Twisting by the pool @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
So! You think you can dance? Got a few of them smooth moves? Well, think again!
Smooth moves @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Michael Jackson himself couldn’t pull off some of these moves.
Dance spectacle @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
An unexpected dance spectacle was just about to unfold. ‘El Bailero’ vs ‘Los Pelicanos’. And I followed them closely with my lens.
Just another day @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Just another ordinary day by the beach at Woody Head. Or is it?
The stage is set @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
While these competitors are waiting for my arrival, let me quickly rewind and introduce you to the candidates.
Los Pelicanos @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Los Pelicanos have featured in a few of my posts. Their abilities don’t need much more introduction.
Double mask @ Deception Bay, Queensland, Australia
Masked Lapwings, on the other hand, have never featured in my posts. They were impressive debutants.
Misunder @ Deception Bay, Queensland, Australia
Most people know these birds as plovers. So did I until recently.
Plovers @ Deception Bay, Queensland, Australia
Fact is, that plovers actually are near cousins to these cloaked birds.
They are scientifically known as masked lap-wings.
Flap wing @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
And boy can they flap-wing. I watched one of them closely one afternoon and called him!?
Nesting and resting @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
‘El Bailero’ is a father.
Black and white @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Things were a little black and white. He has been on nest duty for most of the day. Not moving a muscle.
Restless @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Perhaps it is his first hatch, he was seemingly restless.
Another twig @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
There are only so many twigs he can count.
Motionless in sepia @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
He just couldn’t wait for his life-long mate to return and take over nesting duties.
Chick on the loose @ Deception Bay, Queensland, Australia
The masked lap-wing parents will have heir wings full once these fragile eggs hatch.
Pre-occupied @ Deception Bay, Queensland, Australia
Literally!
Rebel without a cause @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
He was evidently apprehensive. Not even his yellow mask could hide his emotions.
Shaking them feathers @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
He needed to be by the beach to shake-up some feathers and twist them by the pool.
Partner in crime @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Eventually, his partner for life returned.
Deceiving unwanted attention @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
She steps gracefully and carefully towards the nest. She doesn’t want to attract any unwanted attention.
Off the hook @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
El Bailero is off the hook, lining straight to the beach.
Still there @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Mrs lap-wing double-checks the egg count. One, two, three and may the fours be with you!
Come back soon @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
He gets all the fun.
Ready when you are! @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
El Bailero entered the stage and took one look. This is the moment we have been waiting for. Let the salsa contest begin.
We are ready! @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Los Pelicanos acknowledged his objective.
In position @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
They have taken positions already.
Choreography @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Great choreography.
Pirouette @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
A pirouette well executed.
Tit for tat @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Coming back together and…?
Watchful eye of the referee @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
The ‘tit for tat’ is nicely implemented. No error escapes the capable referee in the background.
Hallelujah @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Hallelujah, what an opening. Some just couldn’t believe what they saw. A crowd favourite by far.
Stretching @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
All eyes were on El Bailero. How would he respond to the pelican’s proposal? Will he be able to slap and flap-wing a master performance.
Braking it @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
This bird knew he had to come up with his best moves to edge out these experienced opponents.
Ladies and Gentlemen! @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
He is a lap-wing behind a facade. He is El Bailero!
Buenos Dias! @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
He greeted the jury mexican style. His feathery poncho covered his mask for the opening act.
Not so smooth @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Oh no! A schoolboy error. This isn’t excessively smooth! Did his nerves get the better of him?
Shadow play @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
He had a few more tricks under his belt somewhere, as his shadow appeared as the ‘dancing queen’.
Flexibility @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Incredible position of the mask.
How does he do that? @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
Los Pelicanos were startled. He was only fooling us earlier with his masquerade.
Get inda choppa! @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
How about this for a terminator impression. I am impressed, ‘Arnie’ would be back! And that’s how you do it.
That’s hoe you do it! @ Woody Head, Northern New South Wales, Australia
And we will be back too. After the intermission!
Travels with Ben 
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