Sunday 20th March 2022. 0830 – 1005

Weather

6 mm of rain in the gauge. Light generalised overcast initially clearing to scattered cloud with sunny periods by the time I returned home. SE Trade wind to about 15 knots. Water level remains high. Track drying out although decreasing small puddles throughout. Full Moon + 2 days

Wildlife Report

I start by publishing photos taken last evening as I watered my hanging baskets when I spotted some large Hawkmoth Caterpillars on the stems of Sunatiens plants. Research shows that there is an Impatiens Hawkmoth found throughout SE Asia and although mine do not look identical it is probable that they could have been imported with the plants which were bred in Japan.
At breakfast time I also got some shots of a handsome Sulphur-crested Cockatoo on our bird table.
Arriving at Allumbah Pocket I immediately saw “Mrs Green” the Green Ringtail Possum in her regular tree and today she was accompanied by another GRP higher up in the same tree . He was very difficult to photograph but from my limited view of his face I think that this is “Popeye” who has obviously become a “live in lover” or perhaps “a friend with benefits”!
In the tree next to the Suspension Bridge, “Nosey”, another female GRP was also at home although facing in a different direction and making photos more difficult.
While crossing the bridge I stopped for some shots of the Fruit Bats down stream, although I could only see three of them in the camp today.
At The Other Side a Spangled Drongo was finishing his breakfast.
Moving on to Snodgrass’s Pool I was disappointed not to spot “Whitespot” another female GRP in either of her trees on the Creek bank. I checked in the trees opposite, taking a little more care than usual and found her with some difficulty hiding behind some very dense foliage. By clambering into a patch of thorny shrubs I eventually managed to obtain an excellent view of her which included the small pink nose of a joey peeping out from her right side!
A moderate sized Saw-shelled Turtle was on the log sloping against the far bank but as I was about to press the shutter he was startled by a passing dog-walker and took to the water. One can’t however be too cross with a fellow Dachshund owner!
At The Log Jam I spotted another Turtle trying to work out how to climb up onto the only significant log which has a small part showing above the water. Gentle oblique lighting made for a rather good photo and to top it off there is a Damselfly on the log.
Nothing else was seen until under the Highway Bridge. The mob of Large-footed Fishing Bats had moved on but there were still a few present including one small group who were vertically above the safety rail!
A Willy Wagtail accompanied me as I crossed the bridge, urging me on with his cheeky call when I stopped to take a shot of an Eastern Water Dragon on the rocks below.
At the Pizzeria Beer Garden both Bush Stone-curlews were present but lying down beside the edging logs with only their heads visible!
Crossing to the East Bank I again photographed the Golden Orb-weaver Spider who has renewed her web and is back in business.
The Chocolate Brushtail Possum was again in the large tree on the bank. He appears to change which fork he sleeps in on a regular basis.
At the Overhanging Fig Tree I first spotted yet another Green Ringtail Possum although in a location with very challenging light conditions. I found a new feature of my computer software which improved the image sufficiently to make it publishable.
Also present was “Tatty” who was sprawled across the tree trunk with her torn ear exposed and eyes again only half open.
Along Bunya Street, all four of the Bush Stone-curlew family were in the shrubbery on the creek side of the road and sitting together displaying their unique posture.