Bridled Terns courting

Leanne. Adorable it s the perfect word. The same pair stayed around our tent all week. It was clearly their 'spot'. Thanks, Ram. Since they parked themselves literally on our doorstep, we could hardly miss them.

Thanks Marta. The whole island (74ha) is protected, as it falls inside the Great Barrier Reef marine park. And accommodation is only allowed on a vary small portion of that. The birds are by far the most numerous land animals, and seem very at home with their human visitors.

My partner was using the pool noodle for floatation when snorkeling in the lagoon. And it got claimed right away as a 'perching' spot. yes, that's the female on it in the video, although the male liked to park himself on it a night. I love being somewhere that the animals just accept people, and their things, as part of the ecosystem. The only "problem" birds on the island were the Buff-banded rails, http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/41342005 , who had learned to raid the cafeteria for food.

Isn't he hilarious, Ava. They have the cutest tiny little black webbed feet. And the males get all stamp-y with you if you get to close too them. They'd sit on top of the path lights at night, and then get grumpy with you when you used the path. Funny little birds.