Weather

37.5 mm of rain. Generalised overcast. Few very light showers. Very light breeze strengthening later from NE. Track slightly wet with increasing areas of black mud. Water level high, steady.

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Thomas installed very comfortably in recliner chair so again set off alone. Have taken to carrying umbrella just in case!
Immediate success at Allumbah Pocket where “Piratical Pete” the battered Green Ringtail Possum was perched in the tree overhanging the car park. Took pics from several angles before getting a reasonable view of his face. Two young people who were about to drive away came over and enjoyed the sighting.
Met another visitor at Snodgrass’s Pool who had astutely spotted an Eastern Water Dragon climbing the newly fallen tree trunk. I was hard put to see it myself without the benefit of my big lens. Well done!
A few birds were present in the trees upstream of Platypus Bend and I photographed Dusky and Yellow Faced Honeyeaters.
The insects were less active today and although I could hear plenty of Cicadas none were in sight.
Near Full Tide Island a pair of Currawongs were caroling from the top of a tall tree and deserved a photo.
At Platy’s Pool the Flowering Tree was a hive of activity with plenty of Bees, Christmas Beetles and Honeyeaters. A Scarlet Myzomela was again photographed.
Another Green Ringtail Possum was sighted, this time in No 3 of the Overhanging Bushes. One shot shows a particularly good view of the opposing “thumb” of his right hind leg after which the species is named. Pseudochirops is loosely translated as pseudo or false hand.
At The Narrows I saw two Saw-shelled Turtles taking the air on exposed logs and duly took photos.
Totally failed in my efforts to obtain another view of “Ringneck”, the name I have given to the Platypus photographed with what appears to be a cable tie or similar around it’s neck. Saw no Platypus at all but sat for 20 minutes with a view of a burrow I saw being entered last year and which appears to be still active.
While waiting I photographed a Pale-yellow Robin which came to check me out.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Dusky Honeyeater. Myzomela obscura

Yellow-faced Honeyeater. Caligavis chrysops

Pied Currawong. Strepera graculina

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Weather

10 mm of rain in gauge. Overcast. No significant breeze. Track slightly wet with areas of sticky black mud. Water level risen again by about 150 mm. Boots not required but don’t wear your best white trainers.

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Threat of rain put Thomas off this morning and I think he might have been bored today as I recorded over 300 images!
My first significant sighting was in the group of trees opposite Snodgrass’s Pool where a male Green Ringtail Possum was well concealed in the foliage.
The Flowering Trees were still full of European Bees and some Christmas Beetles, mostly at high levels but I managed to find one or two which I was able to photograph.
Cicadas were noisy in the Gum Trees but I didn’t find any to photograph until the base of Log Jam Peninsula.
The Flowering Tree at Platy’s Pool was full of insects including one unknown to me which takes nectar through a long proboscis while hovering and flits from flower to flower with great rapidity. I have an image good enough to assist with identification but not to be posted.
Numerous Honeyeaters included Dusky and Scarlet were present.
Things got interesting at The Narrows where I came across a Platypus near the start of Stringers Stretch which moved downstream and vanished. Close to the Observation Bench a female Platypus was foraging as she moved downstream. I could see no sign of strictures around her neck but I followed her she passed a larger male Platypus swimming in the opposite direction and then with some difficulty climbed the bank where the Creek turns to the East and entered a burrow.
Resuming my walk I met yet another Platypus at almost the same spot and I soon suspected that she was the “banded” animal which I was seeking. I set about taking numerous images to maximise my chances of positive identification. She eventually entered a tunnel at water level but it only led under the roots and she emerged on the other side where I followed her. After a brief rest she entered a mat of floating weed in which were some semi-submerged branches where she indulged in some extensive scratching and grooming. This involved rolling on her back so I was able to observe that the band goes right around her neck and that spurs are absent from her hind legs confirming her sex.
At this point I was distracted by a Freshwater Snake crossing the same patch of weed and speaking to a colleague who was asking me about the “banded ” Platypus. By the time I completed a brief conversation and photographed the Snake she had disappeared.
While crossing the Highway Bridge I snapped a Eastern Water Skink on the rocks below.
Another Platypus was seen in the Platypus Viewing Pool, scratching as seemed to be the order of the day.
“Tensing” Turtle was enjoying a last visit for a while to the top of his log which looks likely to be submerged by the rain which is falling as I write.
Closer observation of the Bunya Street Bush Stone-curlews revealed not one but two chicks which have been escorted daily to a neighbor seeking food!

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Christmas Beetle

Red Roarer Cicada. aurora

Dusky Honeyeater. Myzomela obscura

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Freshwater Snake (Keelback). Tropidonophis mairii

Eastern Water Skink. Eulamprus quoyii

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

23 mm of rain in the gauge. Stormy sky. Occasional glimpses of the sun. No significant breeze. Track slightly wet with few minor patches of black mud. Water level down about 30 mm but still high.

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Back from early shopping and as this is about the time when we saw the “banded” Platypus, Thomas and I decided to check it out.
Saw little until the Horseshoe Rocks where I was delighted to see “White Spot” the Green Ringtail Possum with joey still riding on her back. Took photos from various angles and was quite satisfied but returned within a few minutes with a Peeramon family including 2 children and a local lady. The older child was delighted and I added to my photo collection.
Cicadas were calling loudly and there were numerous nymph cases on the gum trees along the fence line. With some difficulty I spotted a Red Roarer Cicada on a high branch and offer a not very good photo as it is the first one that I have seen this season.
There were still plenty of shiny metallic Christmas Beetles in the flowering trees but they kept their distance today and no images were recorded.
At the base of Log Jam Peninsula I photographed a female Scarlet Honeyeater and her much more exotic mate in the flowering tree at Platy’s Pool.
Along the Overhanging Bushes we met up with a previously met Townsville couple who were photographing a Platypus which they had been following since The Narrows. I was particularly interested as this was only about 50 metres from the “Banded” Platypus sighting but none of us could see any sign of a band and this was confirmed on the enlarged images.
A Macleay’s Honeyeater was seen at Picnic Peninsula but would not remain still enough for a good photo.
A Rufous Shrike-thrush was similarly uncooperative at the exit from the Walk.
While crossing the Highway Bridge I photographed an even smaller juvenile Eastern Water Dragon.
The Platypus Viewing Pool lived up to it’s reputation this morning with a high speed male Platypus provided a panned image and I also photographed “Tensing” Turtle sitting on top of his upright log.
The Bunya Street Bush Stone-curlew appears to have found his mate again and as usual they preferred a spot with sundry human artifacts in the view!

Storm clouds over The Pinnacles

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Red Roarer Cicada. Psaltoda aurora

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

33.5 mm of rain in the gauge. Overcast. Spitting slightly during Patrol. Light variable breeze. Track damp. Water level up another 10cms. Steppingstones now submerged. Very few logs above water at the Jam.

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Thomas enthusiastic today which is surprising after his experience with the hair dryer after our last expedition.
Nothing seen along Bunya Street or at Allumbah Pocket.
At The Other Side a Macleay’s Honeyeater was in the tree which overhangs the Picnic Shelter but did not sit still enough for a portrait.
Approaching Snodgrass’s Pool a large tree had fallen across the Creek from one of the water side gardens.
Nothing then until Platypus Point where a Barred Cuckoo-shrike posed for us and at last obtained a usable image!
In the Flowering Tree near Flood Tide Island, Christmas Beetles were active and also European Bees and Dusky Honeyeaters.
The trees nearby hosted a feeding group of Yellow-faced Honeyeaters.
The Log Jam was almost fully submerged.
The flowering Tree at Platy’s Pool was also the venue for numerous Honeyeaters and I managed a few shots of a Scarlet Myzomela.
I noticed some disturbance in the water but unfortunately nothing emerged.
In Number 1 of the Overhanging Bushes an unfamiliar and very grumpy looking male Green Ringtail Possum was roosting and took photos with some difficulty.
Studied the environs of my last Platypus siting as we are still trying decide the optimum method of trapping the “ringed” Platypus. At present I am favoring a floating trap modified to preclude drowning of occupants and set close to overhanging grasses where Platypus frequently forage. I plan to seek permission to access the private gardens in the relevant area so that the traps are well away from public interference.
I took some shots of a Lewin’s Honeyeater along Dowling’s Corridor.
Completed the Patrol by spotting a well coloured juvenile Eastern Water Dragon under the Highway Bridge.
We wish all our followers a Very Happy New Year with no Covid19, easier travel to our region, favorable weather and successful spotting.

Barred Cuckooshrike. Coracina lineata

Christmas Beetle

Yellow-faced Honeyeater. Caligavis chrysops

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri – male

Lewin’s Honeyeater. Meliphaga lewinii

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Weather

50 mm of rain in gauge. Overcast with occasional periods of watery sunshine. Light SE breeze. Track damp. Water level up at least 300 mm since yesterday.

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Made relatively early start this morning as last time after substantial rain Platypus were numerous. Thomas declined. He hates getting his winkle wet and if you are a Dachshund it is hard to avoid!
Nothing seen until Snodgrass’s Pool where in the first flowering tree the rain had caused a lot of damage to the flowers although there were still a few Christmas Beetles high in the canopy.
In the trees on the opposite side of the track “Popeye” one of my regular male Green Ringtail Possums was roosting happily on a branch.
A few metres further on I spotted the “fizzing” of a Platypus foraging under water and while getting in a suitable position to take photos, another Platypus popped up at my feet. He was startled to see me and made an emergency dive. The first Platypus lay on the surface after surfacing and was observed by a visitor from Sydney with his English partner. We were then passed by a group of a dozen or so visitors, presumably an organised group, who passed by with no more than a passing indication of interest.
I took the couple back to the Snodgrass’s sign where the Platypus continued to entertain us and two other couples, one with a child and all of them had a look at the Possum.
A Pacific Black Duck also joined the party.
The first couple and and I continued along the Creek and photographed Christmas Beetles at another flowering tree near Flood Tide Island.
A single Saw-shelled Turtle at the Log Jam made off before we could take photos. The logs were considerably less visible than yesterday.
At the tip of Picnic Peninsula we observed a Platypus, lying in shallow water with his head and torso on the bank having a good preen and scratch. On viewing the images I noted a dark band around her neck and wondered if if could be some plastic or other foreign material. I have sought advice on this.
While watching this Platypus, a number of Scarlet Honeyeaters visited the flowering tree at this spot and another platypus appeared from Stringers Stretch and paused briefly at our feet. We had two Platypus visible at the same time for several minutes.
At the Narrows I met Grant, one of my regular followers, visiting again with his two sons.
Along Dowling’s Corridor my new mate from Sydney was smart enough to spot another Green Ringtail Possum high in the canopy which provided some more photos.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Pacific Black Duck. Anas superciliosa

Christmas Beetle

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Weather

No rain in gauge. Overcast. Very humid. Light S – SE breeze. Occasional very light showers. Track moist. Water level low.

Post

Thomas lazy again today.
The Bush Stone-curlew appears to have established his territory in one of the creek-side gardens along Bunya Street.
At Allumbah Pocket the Australian Brush Turkey was guarding his mound but not in the mood to be photographed.
No other wildlife seen until Horseshoe Rocks where I remembered to use the flash and got some good images of the Eastern Water Dragon who was displaying the length of her tail.
In the flowering trees near Snodgrass’s Pool the Queensland Day Moths were fewer in number and higher in the canopy and I was unable to get any photos.
The Christmas Beetles were more cooperative and I obtained some good images including a pair that appeared to be up to no good!
Only one turtle was present at the Log Jam and he slid into the water before I got close enough for photography.
While leaving the Peninsula I photographed a White-headed Pigeon roosting in the large Camphor Laurel Tree
There is another flowering tree at Platy’s Pool where Day Moths, Christmas Beetles and foraging Dusky Honeyeaters were busy.
While trying to get one of them into the viewfinder, an Azure Kingfisher landed on a branch near me and in spite of twigs and leaves restricting the view I managed several good shots. Since my only previous experience of this Kingfisher was at long range in appalling light conditions I was well pleased.
He had no sooner flown, when I noticed concentric waves emanating from the bank at the foot of the tree and sighted a Platypus. She soon emerged from the soup of dead leaves and debris and rounded the corner to move up stream while remaining stubbornly close to the bank. I summoned a group of passing visitors who got a few glimpses of the animal while I moved to a more favourable position and was able to get some photos when she decided to cross to the far bank.
Her passage stirred up a Eastern Water Skink which climbed half way up the bank and was duly photographed.
I then moved on to the base of Picnic Peninsula where I got some more shots of the same Platypus as it had a good scratch and then crossed to my side of the Creek.
I was joined there by a delightful family from Townsville and discovered in the course of conversation that they are fellow Dachshund lovers. Thomas really missed out today!
From under the Highway Bridge I photographed a Saw-shelled Turtle on a rock in the Platypus Viewing Pool.
While crossing the bridge I also took some shots of another Eastern Freshwater Skink.

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Christmas Beetle.

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Azure Kingfisher. Ceyx azureus

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Eastern Water Skink. Eulamprus quoyii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Weather

11 mm rain in the gauge. High level cirrus cloud with lower level cumulus driven by SE Trade Wind. Sunny periods. Track damp. Water level has risen slightly after several showers over Christmas.

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Thomas an I set out quite early this morning to settle down our digestive tracks after several days of over indulgence and try out my new 100 – 300 mm Panasonic Lumix lens.
On the way along Bunya Street sighted a Bush Stone-curlew in one of the creek-side gardens and the benefits of 12 x magnification were immediately apparent.
Met some neighbours and fellow Dachshund owners at Allumbah Pocket before photographing a Brush Tailed Possum in the Mistletoe Clump in the tree near the Picnic Shelter.
Met another couple, also with dog, at the far end of the Suspension Bridge and went on to The Other Side where a Spangled Drongo was calling loudly from a tree top.
In a large tree near the exit from the grassed area a Brown Cuckoo-dove was taking a spell.
At Horseshoe Rocks an Eastern Water Dragon was in residence. Conditions were very dark but manged to record an image of sorts. (Should have used the built in flash!)
Approaching Snodgrass’s Pool is the first of a number of similar trees which are now in flower and this was being visited today by a mob of North Queensland Day Moths with several pairs performing their mating dance. European Honey Bees were also in evidence as were a few Christmas Beetles but these were too high in the tree to photograph.
Moving towards Platypus Bend, the buzzing of Beetles and Bees could be heard from a similar tree with more advance flowers and I photographed both. I would be interested to have an identification of both the Tree and the Christmas Beetle if AG or any other viewer could help.
At the Log Jam a couple of Saw-shelled Turtles were displaying themselves and continued to do so as a pair of Pacific Black Ducks swam past.
At Picnic Peninsula the granddaughter of the aforementioned Dachshund owner introduced herself and was kind enough to make Thomas’s day. She and her partner are visiting from Sydney.
While talking to them a pair of Lewin’s Honey Eaters appeared on the scene and were photographed at two separate locations.
Along the narrows I was fortunate enough to find a Platypus foraging very thoroughly along the bank and was able to get some good shots.
The new lens appears to do what I wanted and I am sure that I will be continued to be pleased with the results.

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Brush Tailed Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Spangled Drongo. Dicrurus bracteatus

Brown Cuckoo-dove. Macropygia phasianella

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

North Queensland Day Moth. Alcides metaurus

Christmas Beetle. Calloodes grayanus ??

European Honey Bee. Apis mellifera

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Pacific Black Ducks. Anas supercilious

Lewin’s Honeyeater. Meliphaga lewinii

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Weather

No rain. Scattered cumulus clouds. Mostly sunny. SE breeze. Track dry. Water level remains very low.

Post

Solitary patrol again today.
Nothing to be seen at Allumbah Pocket or The Other Side.
One of the regular Eastern Water Dragons was at Horseshoe Rocks.
In the trees at the upstream end of these rocks I was pleased to spot a female Green Ringtail Possum with her joey and even more please when I realized that it was “White Spot” who I have not seen for some weeks. Both of them remained quite happy while I explored different view points and took a series of photos.
On the rocks near Snodgrass’s Pool I saw another Water Dragon, this one quite colourful but with and area of white skin around it’s mouth. Have never seen this before but will report further if I see it again.
Near Platypus Bend a pair of Eastern Yellow Robins were feeding although at a greater distance than desirable.
Nothing seen at The Log Jam but as I left the Peninsula another Yellow Robin appeared and although closer I did not manage to get a well focused image.
The final sighting for the day was a male Green Ringtail Possum in the Fig Tree which overhangs the vacant lot near the Medical Centre.
Few visitors were seen along the Creek this morning although the village was busy because of the Christmas Market.

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Yellow Robin. Eopsaltria australis

Weather

No rain in gauge. Overcast sky with cloud clearing from East. Intermittent variable breeze. Track slightly damp in places. Water level remains low.

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Thomas exhausted after entertaining two granddaughters and a great granddaughter this morning but whinged constantly in my absence after opting not to come on Patrol.
Being keen enough to make the effort I was rewarded by a view of “Mrs Green” the Green Ringtail Possum and glimpses of her joey in the trees to the right of the entrance to Allumbah Pocket.
Before reaching the bridge I saw and photographed a Pale-yellow Robin and a White-headed Pigeon which was roosting in the tree next to the bridge.
Checked out “The Other Side” and in the tree overhanging the Picnic Shelter I was delighted to find a female Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo with her joey. Mum was extremely cooperative and photogenic but joey was quite timid and didn’t emerge from the dense foliage. I did manage to obtain one shot with which I was pleased.
Several Saw-shelled Turtles were on the rocks near the Memorial Bench and two Eastern Water Dragons were close to each other on Horseshoe Rocks.
Two more Saw-shelled Turtles were sunbathing at the Log Jam while a couple more were swimming on the surface.
Failed to find the regular male Possum at the Overhanging Bushes but came across him in the tree half way along the Foot Bridge where it crosses a small tributary. It is developing fruit at the moment which might have attracted him.
The the last sighting for the day was and Eastern Water Skink seen from the Highway Bridge.
A good haul of sightings today and some quality images!

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo. Dendrolagus lumholtzi

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Eastern Water Skink. Eulamprus quoyii

Weather

12 mm of rain in gauge. Generalised light cloud with watery sunshine at times. Intermittent variable NW breeze. Track damp. No discernible change in water level but water coloured by recent run off.

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Photography commenced before leaving home this morning when “Cuthbert” our semi regular visiting Bush Stone-curlew called demanding breakfast at the front door.
After satisfying our own appetites, Thomas and I decided to go on Patrol and at Allumbah Pocket came across the Brush Turkey tending his mound.
Close by, “Mrs Green” and her joey were in the tree next to the Suspension Bridge but she had clearly got out of the wrong side of bed this morning and after a very short sojourn took herself up into the canopy leaving baby to follow her.
Although I knew exactly where she was it proved virtually impossible to obtain further photos which caused me to ponder how many creatures I fail to spot on the average day. I guess it must be quite a few!
At Horseshoe Rocks I sighted an Eastern Water Dragon which I photographed from the Upper Level before seeing a much larger specimen. At this point the battery warning signal on my camera let out a loud beep which frightened it away!
I was able to get a shot of a Saw-shelled Turtle on one of the rocks near the Memorial Bench and a couple more Turtles were sun bathing at the Log Jam.
Approaching the Highway bridge I saw ripples arising from close to the bank and anticipated a Platypus but was slightly disappointed when a pair of Pacific Black Ducks appeared.
Under the Highway Bridge we met a couple from Townsville with a baby in a pushchair and had a short chat.
As we left them I caught a glimpse of an Orange-footed Scrubfowl swooping down into the trees on the far bank.
From the Car Park we saw that the cattle were in Dowling’s Paddock and that a couple of Egrets wearing breeding plumage were enjoying their company.
While crossing the vacant lot to investigate the overhanging Fig Tree, I heard the unmistakable cries of a pair of Scrubfowl calling each other and a quick detour enabled me to get a shot of one of them.

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Australian Brush Turkey. Alectura lathami

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Pacific Black Duck. Anas superciliosa

Eastern Cattle Egret. Bubulcus coromandus

Orange-footed Scrubfowl. Megapodius reinwardt