Wednesday 6th January 2021. 0930 – 1045

Weather

30 mm of rain. Overcast with frequent showers. Mostly light but if I had not taken an umbrella with me on Patrol I would have returned like a drowned rat. Occasional gusts but mostly no wind. Track wet. Increasing areas of mud. Water level steady but rising immediately after heavy rain.

Post

Taking down Christmas decorations this morning and when almost all baubles and figurines had been removed I discovered a self invited animal which outshone all the others. A delightful Graceful Treefrog was sitting on a branch above a wooden ornament!
Set off on Patrol bearing an umbrella and glad that I did.
At The Other Side spotted “Popeye” the Green Ringtail Possum in the tree behind the Picnic Shelter and he watched me carefully as I took his photo.
Two Eastern Water Dragons sprinted from the rocks near the fence and vanished into the paddock before I could lift my camera.
A Black-faced Monarch was much more cooperative and sang his heart out as I snapped him.
No Dragons to be seen on the fallen tree at Snodgrass’s Pool but a small Saw-shelled Turtle had occupied it today.
A lot on insect activity in the flowering tree near Flood Tide Island and grabbed a few shots of Christmas Beetles. Numerous Honeyeaters were again present but kept well out of my way.
I had no sooner finished when the Heavens opened but I continued with umbrella raised.
By arrival at Platy’s Pool the rain was easing and the nectar feeders were again very busy.
A Macleay’s Honeyeater was particularly acrobatic and avoided most of my efforts but not this one.
Another male Green Ringtail Possum was roosting again in No 3 of the Overhanging Bushes.
Numerous Honeyeaters also at Picnic Peninsula and again elusive.
Under the Highway Bridge I briefly glimpsed a Platypus which emerged in a hurry from under the bank and it did not reappear.
The rocks beneath the Highway Bridge where I often observe juvenile Water Dragons and Freshwater Skinks were inundated this morning by water runoff from the road.
The Bunya Street Curlews were sheltering this morning in the centre of a bed of Swamp Lilies in their home garden. Mum was lying with her wings outspread to shelter the chicks and the head of one is just visible peeking out from under her left wing.