Weather

No rain. Sunny with scattered cloud. Hot and humid. Track dry. Moderate breeze varying NE to East and pleasantly cool. Water level falling. Clearing slowly. Moon Last Quarter +1

Wildlife Report

Along Bunya Street I spotted a male Bush Stone-curlew in one of the Creek Side gardens but he was keeping the the family well hidden, at least from me.
At Allumbah Pocket I found a Green Ringtail Possum roosting in the tree immediately to the right of Lloyd’s Suspension Bridge. I believe this to be the female seen several times recently with a joey which is still spending substantial time in the pouch. I think that she is the regular visitor to this locality over the last several years and has been photographed with a succession of Joeys. I have Christened her previously “Mrs Green”.
Today she was introduced to a succession of visitors who did not seem to trouble her.
While crossing the bridge I spotted a Platypus foraging among the Stepping Stones and took a number of photos.
At Horseshoe Rocks and the neighboring rocks I saw a number of Eastern Water Dragons and publish here a number of the better photographs the best of which were obtained at The Upper Level.
In the same area I took a shot of a Pale-yellow Robin who came to check me out.
In the trees at Snodgrass’s Pool “Whitespot” the Green Ringtail Possum was in the same spot with her joey and both exposing their tail ends to the track. Better views were obtained from the Creek side of the tree.
In the trees on the other side of the track a single male GRP was keeping a watching brief.
Nothing was seen then until The Log Jam where 7 or 8 Saw-shelled Turtles were sunbathing. Their poses were not perhaps as entertaining as on my last visit but they seemed to be enjoying themselves.
At Platys Pool I observed waves radiating from the bank and a male Platypus soon appeared. He put in a brief appearance before heading on down stream.
On the sloping logs at the base and at the tip of Picnic Peninsula large Turtles were taking the sun.
Behind the Doctor House a Brown Cuckoo-dove was perched on a horizontal branch and emphasizing his length.
My final sighting of the day was in the trees alongside the footpath through to Bunya Street when yet another Green Ringtail Possum with Joey was seen.

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Brown Cuckoo-Dove. Macropygia phasianella

Weather

No rain. Sunny with scattered cloud. Light northerly breeze. Track dry. Water level very low. Still a lot of sediment. Moon Last Quarter 29/10

Wildlife Report

Nothing was seen along Bunya Street today but a large Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo was spotted in the trees to the right of the Allumbah Pocket entrance. He was very well concealed in dense foliage making it difficult to obtain any good photos.
A juvenile Eastern Water Dragon was noted on the rocks under the Suspension Bridge and ripples downstream were suggestive of a Platypus although none were seen.
At Horseshoe Rocks a larger Water Dragon fled from the path although he stopped after a short distance and posed for me.
In front of the Memorial Bench a Freshwater Snake swam diagonally across the creek at high speed making a well focused photo very difficult.
In the group of trees close to the Snodgrass’s Pool sign a back view of two Green Ringtail Possums was obtained. As I moved around the tree to obtain a better view the female, which proved to be “Whitespot”, changed her position and it was not possible to get a better view of the juvenile.
The Golden Orb-weaver Spider was seen again on the far bank close to Flood Tide Island and in the Bottle Brush trees nearby a Scarlet Honeyeater was enjoying the nectar.
On to the Log Jam which today was hosting a good group of Saw-shelled Turtles in their usual range of poses.
As I was about to leave a Large Platypus emerged from the upstream side of the Peninsula but it was a very brief appearance.
In Number 3 of the Overhanging Bushes a male Green Ringtail was roosting although again difficult to photograph.
While crossing Highway Bridge a very small Eastern Water Dragon was seen on the rocks below and had made himself comfortable on an old sock!
From the Car Park I spotted a Bush Stone-curlew in Nick’s Camping Area and ambled across to get a pic. They are still quite timid at present and tend to run away or try and conceal themselves.
The Coppery Brushtail Possum with her joey was again on full view in the overhanging Fig Tree.

Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. Dendrolagus lumholtzi

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Freshwater Snake (Keelback). Tropidonophis mairii

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta – male

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula – Coppery rain forest colouration

Weather

No rain. Bright sunny day and already getting hot. Cool northerly breeze. Track dry. Water level steady. 4 days after Full Moon

Wildlife Report

An early start this morning after taking my vehicle in for a service.
Bunya Street proved particularly fruitful with the first sighting being an Agile Wallaby in one of the Creek side gardens. She clearly had a joey in the pouch but it was not inclined to show itself.
In the next garden a male Brush Turkey was parading his splendid mating plumage.
On the other side of the fence the Bush Stone-curlews were having an alfresco breakfast and made a good family group.
At the entrance to Allumbah Pocket the Green Ringtail Possum with her joey were still in the same spot and I took several pics before my camera warned me that the battery was flat and so was my spare!
A return to base revealed that the third battery was also u.s. and I had to rob another camera in order to continue.
At the Other Side I took some shots of a nice group of fungi before finding an Eastern Water Dragon on the rocks opposite Snodgrass’s Pool.
A Freshwater Snake (Keelback) was seen following the far bank near Platypus bend.
Near Flood Tide Island a huge Golden Orb Weaver Spider’s web was seen in a tree on the far bank.
At The Log Jam it was too early for the usual Turtles but another Water Dragon was on a log near the concrete slab. He was introduced to a very interested young woman who happened to be passing. We also saw a Wallaby heading along the opposite bank but it was largely obscured by the vegetation.
Along the upstream side of the Peninsula a Pacific Emerald Dove perched on a convenient branch and was photographed.
In the tree next to the fence just before the Foot Bridge the regular Green Ringtail Possum was again in residence.
I arrived at the Platypus Viewing Platform just in time to see a Platypus and to be warned that my replacement battery was also flat. This was to say the least inconvenient as I was suspicious that the animal seen was in fact “Ringneck”.
I took a very poor image with my emergency mobile phone but this is only sufficient to confirm the sighting. Fortunately a young man from Madrid was taking pics with a good camera and he has kindly promised to sent me a copy.
A somewhat frustrating morning!

Agile Wallaby. Macropus agilis

Australian Brush Turkey. Alectura lathami

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Freshwater Snake. Tropidonophis mairii

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Pacific Emerald Dove. Chalcophaps longirostris

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Weather

1 mm of rain in the gauge. Cloudy with sunny periods. North to NE breeze gusting to 15 knots at times. Track dry. Water level steady. More sediment today. Full moon 21st October.

Wildlife Report

I paused along Bunya Street to chat to one of the house owners and muttered that although they were very noisy at night I was seeing very few Bush Stone-curlews. She invited me round to the other side of her house where a family of Curlews with two well grown offspring have got their feet very firmly under the table. I am not surprised that I rarely see them!
Continuing on to Allumbah Pocket the female Green Ringtail Possum with her joey was in the same spot at the entrance and after circumnavigating the tree I managed to get a shot including both of their faces.
Another Green Ringtail was roosting in the tree next to the Suspension Bridge which has always been a favoured spot. I also photographed a juvenile Spectacled Monarch in the same tree.
At the Other Side the rocks were again harbouring a number of Eastern Water Dragons including the large male at the Upper Level.
A pair of Pacific Emerald Doves preceded me along the track before flying into a tree.
A couple of Saw-shelled Turtles were on the sloping log in Snodgrass’s Pool.
On the way to Platypus Bend I saw waves emanating from the near bank and soon found a Platypus foraging under the vegetation. I followed it back to the Pool getting a few good shots until it disappeared. I suspect that there might be a burrow under the large tree near the sign board as Platypus have vanished several times at that location.
On to The Log Jam which was well festooned with Saw-shelled Turtles today although none were finding it necessary to climb on each other.
Several Pale-yellow Robins were hunting along Dowling’s Corridor and one came to show me the lunch which it had just caught.
Just below the Highway Bridge another Platypus appeared and entertained me for some time. It was very busy hunting and emitting a large number of bubbles during it’s dives to the bottom.
I checked the Viewing Pool and Car Park area without success and then crossed the Highway to look for Tree Roos. I thought that I had found one but it turned out to be another Green Ringtail Possum siting high in the canopy where the Roos often rest.
At the rear of The Doctor House a pair of Orange Footed Scrubfowl were parading along the fence and I managed a snap of one.
In the trees alongside the lane through to Bunya Street I found yet another Green Ringtail Possum with a joey who, having been startled by my arrival, jumped to a very precarious position on Mum’s back where it remained as she climbed higher into the tree!

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Spectacled Monarch. Symposiachrus trivirgatus juvenile

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Pacific Emerald Dove. Chalcophaps longirostris

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Orange-footed Scrubfowl. Megapodius reinwardt

Weather

No rain. Bright sunny day. Cool Northerly breeze to 15 knots at times. Track dry. Water level fallen by 8 cm since last Patrol and Stepping Stones again usable. Water clarity improved. Full Moon 21/10.

Wildlife Report

Set out early this morning to avoid the heat later in the day.
Struck lucky by spotting a Green Ringtail Possum at the informal entry to Allumbah Pocket and invited a small bus full of adventurous girls to be introduced. They had already been advised to look out for me so I was surprised that they took up my offer!
There was nothing else to be found in the immediate vicinity and they had another date. This was a shame as when they had left the Possum moved slightly revealing an absolutely delightful joey who gazed at me for several minutes.
Met up with another couple of visitors at Snodgrass’s Pool and was able to show them an Eastern Water Dragon on a rock at the Upper Level followed by a another Green Ringtail Possum and joey. This was revealed to be White Spot who had changed her pitch to another tree.
I continued on seeing very little until a Saw-shelled Turtle was photographed in the water at Picnic Peninsula and I also saw a Pale-yellow Robin nearby.
The Coppery Brushtail Possum was again exposing herself in the overhanging Fig Tree but I could see no sign of a joey today.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Weather

21 mm of rain in the gauge after 11 mm on Friday. Bright and sunny with a few clouds to the West. Variable Easterly breeze. Track slightly damp. Water level up by 100 mm plus with Stepping Stones again submerged. Increased sediment in the water. Moon First Quarter + 4.

Wildlife Report

I decided on a later start as this has previously proved good for Platypus viewing but it was very hot today.
Nothing was seen along Bunya Street or at Allumbah Pocket.
As noted above the Stepping Stones were again impassable but a large Saw-shelled Turtle was sun bathing of one of the stones still high and dry.
Another was on a rock in front of the Memorial Bench.
Several Eastern Water Dragons were viewed on Horseshoe Rocks, the rocks near Snodgrass’s Pool and at the upper level and the better examples are posted.
Only two Turtles were on the sloping log and were disposed in an untidy fashion.
A Platypus soon appeared in the Pool but confined herself to the far bank which was not good for photography. A family arrived and were pleased to see her and we were soon joined by a pair of Pacific Black Ducks one of which was dabbling in a completely inverted position.
Only one Turtle was enjoying the Log Jam today.
On the upstream side of Log Jam Peninsula I joined a Korean couple now living in Cairns who were watching a female Platypus heading upstream. I saw her again at Platys Pool but when she approached me the contrasting light conditions made photography well nigh impossible.
Along the Overhanging Bushes section of the Creek I saw another female Platypus heading downstream and being pursued by a larger male at a little distance. I did not observe any close encounter.
I took more shots of the solitary Golden Orb-weaver Spider which remains just below the Highway Bridge.
A pair of Bush Stone-curlews were present at Nick’s Camping Area but they were unusually timid and not at all keen on having their photos taken.
At the Overhanging Fig Tree the Coppery Brushtail Possum had moved her pitch and was presenting her bottom on the left side of the trunk with much better view of her face, claws and tail on the opposite side. Having just reviewed the images I note that there seems to be a separate tail on each side of the tree trunk so there is most likely a joey riding on Mum’s back!
As I emerged from the path onto Bunya Street, a snake crossed the road in front of me and vanished into the garden opposite our house. I went to investigate but was unable to locate it but it looked more like a Tree Snake rather than a Python.

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Pacific Black Duck. Anas superciliosa

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Weather

No rain. Bright and sunny in the morning with cloud starting to build after midday. Variable E – NE breeze. Track dry. Water level very low. Moon First Quarter + 1

Wildlife Report

Light cloud cover and the threat of later storms encouraged me to leave home somewhat earlier than of late to try my luck.
Along Bunya Street I spotted a Brush Stone-curlew in one of the Creek Side gardens although at some distance and surrounded by deep shade. I was somewhat surprised to find on the computer that I had actually photographed a family group.
At Allumbah Pocket I took a few shots of a Spectacled Monarch at close quarters.
Several Eastern Water Dragons were seen briefly on the Horseshoe Rocks and those opposite Snodgrass’s Pool but I only managed to photograph one on the path up to the Upper Level.
Several Saw-shelled Turtles were reposing on the sloping tree trunk in the Pool.
At Platypus Bend several Scarlet Honey Eaters both male and female were busy in the white Bottle Brush tree and with a bit of patience I managed a few shots of one.
Nothing then until the Log Jam where the Saw-shelled Turtles were out in force and I have printed a selection of them including one which was busy eating algae from a submerged log.
At Picnic Peninsula I got some images of a cheeky Pale-yellow Robin.
In the tree on the paddock side of the path just before the Foot Bridge my regular Green Ringtail Possum was at home and less obscured by foliage than usual. This enabled me to reach the conclusion that as Possums have only one tail, it must in fact be a female with a joey starting to overflow the pouch!
Platypus were conspicuous by their absence today, perhaps due to the earlier time slot.
One of the Golden Orb-weaver spiders is still business at the Lomandra Clump below the Highway Bridge and appears to have made a good meal of a Green Cicada.
Nothing was seen on the bridge or from the Viewing Platform but on crossing the road I found the female Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo and her joey sitting alongside each other on a branch. Numerous photos were taken.
The Coppery Brushtail Possum was displaying flagrantly in the overhanging Fig Tree and was actually identifiable rather than being a red blob.
At the Quincan Cafe I took some shots of a Friar Bird enjoying the Silky Oak flowers and in the garden across the road from home another pair of Bush Stone-curlews have set up camp.

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Spectacled Monarch. Symposiachrus trivirgatus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila pilipes

Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. Dendrolagus lumholtzi

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Hornbill Friarbird. Philemon yorki

Weather

No rain. Sunny in the morning but clouding up after midday. Short sunny periods in the afternoon. Light Easterly breeze. Track dry. Water level very low. 6 days after New Moon.

Wildlife Report

Cloudy sky making it more pleasant to walk than in full sun.
Our garden has been playing host this morning to a juvenile Brush Turkey and although I am not particularly hospitable towards the adults of his kind it is difficult to dislike this perky little fellow.
Nothing of interest to report along Bunya Street although there were a few small birds feeding around Allumbah Pocket including a Pale-yellow Robin of which I took a snap.
While crossing the Suspension bridge I photographed a juvenile Eastern Water Dragon on one of the Stepping Stones.
On reaching The Other Side another Pale-yellow Robin and a Brown Cuckoo-Dove presented themselves to the camera.
Water Dragons were in profusion today, two being seen at the Horseshoe Rocks, another two among the rocks near Snodgrass’s Pool and two more including a large Specimen at the Upper Level.
A solitary Saw-shelled Turtle was on the sloping Log in the Pool.
At Platypus Bend a Scarlet Honeyeater was enjoying the white flowers of a Bottle Brush and while taking photos a Freshwater Snake slipped into the water and swam to the far bank.
On to the Log Jam where a profusion of Saw-shelled Turtles were on display and some of them photographed.
Just past Platys Pool a visiting couple were watching a pair of Platypus mating but by the time I got close enough to record the event the female was beating a hasty retreat.
I spotted one of my regular Green Ringtail Possums in the tree at the corner before the Foot Bridge and took his photo.
At The Narrows another Platypus was feeding in very shallow water and giving a splendid display to a small group of visitors. This is one of the best spots along Petersons Creek for obtaining close up shots of Platypus so I added to my collection.
I checked out all my regular spots at either side of the Highway Bridge without any success although a Laughing Kookaburra wanted to warn his mates of my presence on the bank of the vacant lot.

Australian Brush Turkey. Alectura lathami juvenile

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Brown Cuckoo-Dove. Macropygia phasianella

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Freshwater Snake. Tropidonophis mairii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya Latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Laughing Kookaburra. Dacelo novaeguineae

Weather.

Fine and sunny with a few scattered clouds. Variable southerly breeze. Track dry. Water level very low. 3 days after New Moon.

Wildlife Report

It is nearly 2 weeks since my last walk along Petersons Creek as I have been laid up with a most unpleasant virus infection which was not fortunately Covid 19.
I saw nothing along Bunya Street or at Allumbah pocket.
As I walked over the Suspension Bridge my first impression was of the extent to which the water level had fallen and is is now possible to cross to The Other Side using the Stepping Stones.
I soon spotted an Eastern Water Dragon relaxing on one of the stones and as I took photographs a large male Platypus swam between the stones and disappeared down stream.
Two more Dragons were spotted at Horseshoe Rocks and on the Rocks opposite Snodgrass’s Pool and several Saw-shelled turtles were sun bathing on the sloping Tree Trunk in the Pool.
I had no sooner taken shots of these when a small Platypus appeared near the far bank and I introduced her to a lady from Mareeba and her visiting Father from NSW who happened to be passing.
A male Platypus, probably the same animal I had seen at the Suspension Bridge, then appeared on the scene, obviously trying to make contact with the female but without success.
At the base of Log Jam Peninsula a female Platypus was seen heading upstream with another nearer the Log Jam heading in the opposite direction and the marauding male one again joined in the action!
Several handsome Saw-shelled Turtles were gracing the logs in the Pool.
In Number 3 of the Overhanging Bushes a small male Green Ringtail Possum was presenting himself beautifully to the visiting Public. I had already been told about him at the Log Jam and myself showed him to a visiting family.
Nothing more was seen until I checked out the Creek bank at the bottom of the vacant lot and was surprised once again to find a juvenile Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo with it’s mother high in the canopy. They seem to have adopted this spot as a regular part of their territory.
Finally I visited the Coppery Brushtail Possum displaying his nether regions in the overhanging Fig Tree.

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. Dendrolagus lumholtzi

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Weather

No rain. fine and sunny with some scattered clouds. Variable southerly breeze. Track dry Water level low, steady. Moon Last Quarter – 1

Wildlife Report

Today escorted Maree, one of my regular followers along the Petersons Creek Walk.
With a few minutes to wait I noted a group of Scarlet Honey Eaters in a flowering Bottle Brush near the entrance to the informal entrance to Allumbah Pocket. Fired off a few shots and captured this image of what I believe to be a juvenile female who lacks her mates gorgeous colours.
We found nothing until we were abut to cross the bridge when I observed a Green Ringtail Possum roosting in the tree immediately to the right of the bridge and very close to the support cable. A splendid view of his rear end was available from the bridge but a glimpse of his face could be obtained from the opposite side of the tree.
While crossing the bridge I detected a slight movement on the vegetation at the water’s edge and this proved to be a rather nice juvenile Eastern Water Dragon.
Another larger Dragon was seen at Horseshoe Rocks and yet another on the rocks closer to Snodgrass’s Pool.
This let us to observe a collection of Saw-shelled Turtles on the sloping tree trunk in the pool.
While photographing these a Platypus appeared almost at our feet and stayed long enough for some good shots.
As we neared the Log Jam a small female Platypus was seen heading downstream at speed.
At the Jam itself three Turtles were displayed on the logs although one had managed to hide itself under the overhanging vegetation.
On the upstream side of the Log Jam Peninsula a third Platypus was seen also headed downstream and we were joined by a couple from Brisbane.
At the Overhanging Bushes another Green Ringtail Possum was found in Bush Number 3 although at an unusual spot in the foliage.
On our way to the tip of Picnic Peninsula a loud splashing alerted us to a small Water Dragon as it ran across the water surface making use of the floating leaves until safely reaching the far bank.
A final Ringtail Possum was photographed where I had last seen him in the bush immediately before the Foot Bridge.
Along Dowling’s Corridor I photographed a large Golden Orb-weaver Spider. followed by another and the black and red morph in the Lomandra Clump just below the Highway Bridge.
While doing this we noted a Platypus making a lot of splashing under the Bridge and I wondered if there was mating behaviour going on but a family standing a lot closer assured me that they only saw one animal.
I did see a single Platypus in the Viewing Pond but suspect that it was the one previously seen under the Bridge.
No Tree Kangaroos were around today but we were well pleased with three Green Ringtail Possums and four Platypus.

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta – female / juvenile

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Ssp Nephila