Friday 20th March. 0750 – 0855

Weather.

8 mm of rain in gauge. Sunny with scattered cloud. Cold wind from south. Track wet with numerous puddles and plenty of mud. It appears that the ground is saturated so even a small fall of rain tends to lie on the surface.

Post.

Left home before 8 am in an attempt to avoid the Volunteers arriving for work. After chatting along Bunya Street with a neighbour, only just made it and were pursued along the Walk by a ride on mower!
The Golden Orb-weaver at Allumbah Pocket was absent this morning so has either been eaten or is in hiding.
An Easter Water Dragon was on the Horseshoe Rocks opposite the Memorial Bench.
Again no sign of White spot the Green Ringtail Possum but her mate was in the trees at Snodgrass’s Pool.
At the Log Jam noticed a disturbance in the water on the upstream side of the Peninsula which suggested the presence of a Platypus. On getting closer discovered that a large Saw-shelled turtle was biting large chunks from a ripe fig in a tree hanging just above the water. Something else that I have never observed before.
Saw little else along the remainder of the walk. No Platypus and very few birds.
The Orb-weaver web near the Highway Bridge was beautifully decorated with water droplets this morning and my photo of the spider is the best yet!
The Bush Stone-curlews had moved to Nick’s Camping Area which seems typical of when it has rained during the night.

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Not a very good photo. Should have used a higher speed or fill-in flash.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

On the bank at Snodgrass’s Pool. Early morning sun causing excess contrast.
Need to chose a better time of day!

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Turtle biting chunk from ripe fig hanging above the water.
Now appears to be trying to swallow the remainder of the fruit!

Orb-weaver Spider. Ssp unknown

Water droplets decorating the web.
Spiders head seen between the anterior legs. The red dots are eyed below which are the black fangs with light reflecting from them

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

At Nick’s Camping Area