I spent a fair bit of time today watching this kookaburra, hoping it would burst out laughing. (It’s my dream to video one of them laughing.) Instead, she just watched me back. I think this bird is a female, because she has only a small amount of blue marking on her wings, and none on her tail.

Her rear view makes me giggle, with that top knot of feathers:

And the other profile:

I think she’s wishing I’d fade into the sunset:

Common name: Laughing Kookaburra

Scientific name: Dacelo novaeguineae

Approximate length: 47 cm

Date spotted: 14 December 2014

Season: Summer

Location: Manly Dam National Park, Allambie Heights, New South Wales, Australia

Latitude/longitude: 33°46’37.4″S 151°14’50.1″E