Arriving in Queensland

First impression of Queensland: it’s the most tropical place we’ve ever been. A slap of humid air reminds you you’re nowhere near home, and it’s a new world. Doing any physical exertion is the equivalent of standing in a sauna underneath sprinklers. It’s also one of the most beautiful places we’ve ever seen. A mosaic of grassy rolling hills, impenetrable rainforest, beaches reaching the horizon, and a backdrop of fluorescent blue water. It’s equal parts encouraging and hard to believe that there are still places in the world this untouched. We step off the plane and immediately hop a ride to our AirBnB that abuts one of our target birding sites: Centenary Lakes and Botanical Gardens on the edge of Cairns (pronounced “cans” of beer).

Not more than two minutes after stepping out on our casita balcony, Elias spots a nest with black butcherbird chicks:

And a watchful adult: