Stormy Weather

For the last few days I have been waiting to see if Cyclone Hamish - a category 5 storm - would pass by out to sea or cross the land somewhere close. By Sunday evening heavy clouds were building to the north.
From then onwards the wind picked up and there was driving rain. It certainly has not been weather to go out in and risk getting my camera wet! However, by yesterday the cyclone was passing further down the coast well out to sea and was being downgraded. Today it is even further out to sea and listed as a category 2 storm. The wind is dropping and the rain is not as heavy and only intermittent. The tides over the last few days have been listed as the highest for the month but this morning I went down to Tin Can Bay foreshore to look for myself. The storm has pushed in extra water and the tides are much higher than expected. We had huge tides in January but even though the ones this month were listed as being 200mm lower, this morning's tide was actually higher than those in January. I sat in the car, turned out of the wind and lowered one window to take photos and stay dry.

The road out to Norman Point was close to being covered with water.
Norman Point looking back towards Tin Can Bay.
Crab Creek picnic area.

At Crab Creek the rain briefly stopped so I got out with a rain coat on and my camera clutched under one arm and under my coat. These Grey-crowned Babblers were busily pecking at food on the ground. I have never seen this bird around here before and would have like to get a few more photos but the rain was starting again.

Was this a game to hang up-side down - or just a way to search for insects under the branch?