Weather

No rain. Overcast with some sunny periods. Hot and humid. Cool southerly breeze. Track dry. Water level very low.

Post

Instant action today with “Piratical Pete” the rather battered male Green Ringtail Possum again roosting in the tree which overhangs the Parking Area at Allumbah Pocket. I am sure that a taller man than I would have been able to touch him, but please don’t try !
Searched carefully for “Mrs Green” but unable to find her. Suspect that she and “White Spot” are probably hiding up at the bottom of one of the gardens on the Yungaburra side of the Creek.
Plenty of Eastern Water Dragons seen today with 2 at Horseshoe Rocks, the handsome young male close to the path near Snodgrass’s Pool and “Scarface” on the other side of the path to the Upper Level.
Numerous small birds feeding along the next stretch and obtained photos of a Black-faced Monarch, a Fairy Gerygone and a Dusky Honeyeater.
From the base of the Log Jam Peninsula I noted waves which suggested the presence of a Platypus and hurried along only to find a pair of Pacific Black Ducks hurrying up stream where they managed to scare the only Turtle off the Log Jam in advance of my arrival.
On the way back up the Peninsula another Black Faced Monarch came to join me and provided a better image than the previous specimen.
At Platy’s Pool I spotted another Green Ringtail Possum roosting in one of the nearby trees. I am fairly certain that it was the young male that I have been seeing regularly in the Overhanging Bushes.
Under the Highway Bridge a Platypus was foraging close in under the bank in very dark conditions. I engaged the flash and he appeared briefly in open water which enabled me to obtain at least some evidence of the sighting.
I checked as usual while crossing the Bridge and today 2 Eastern Water Skinks sunbathing on the rocks below. They are always a difficult subject but I was pleased with the image of the larger specimen.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Fairy Gerygone. Gerygone palpebrosa – female or juvenile

Dusky Honeyeater. Myzomela obscura

Pacific Black Duck. Anas superciliosa

Black-faced Monarch. Monarcha melanopsis

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Eastern Water Skink. Eulamprus quoyii

Weather

2 mm of rain in gauge. Overcast with some sunny periods. Light SE breeze. Track dry. Water level very low.

Post

On my own again today.
The Turkey Mound at Allumbah Pocket has increased in size but no signs of activity today.
“Mrs Green” the Green Ringtail Possum was roosting today in the tree right alongside the Suspension Bridge her joey was lying across her right flank but didn’t deign to show his face.
A Saw-shelled Turtle was on a rock close to the Memorial Bench but slid into the water before I could lift my camera.
An elegant young male Eastern Water Dragon was on the left hand side of the path to the Upper Level near Snodgrass’s Pool.
A male Cairns Birdwing Butterfly was flitting around in the foliage on the Log Jam Peninsula.
About 5 Saw-shelled Turtles were present at the Log Jam but were also rather anti-social and all of them had entered the water before I got close enough for good photos.
A very friendly male Green Ringtail Possum was perched in No 4 of the Overhanging Bushes and happy to pose for photos. He was introduced to a couple visiting from Townsville and another Townsville family with a small baby were told where to find him. I hope that they were successful!
Yet another Green Ringtail was found in the Fig Tree overhanging the vacant block and this time the face was just visible. It is quite a large Possum but more than that I cannot say.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Cairns Birdwing Butterfly. Ornithoptera priamus – male

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Weather

2 mm of rain in gauge + a couple of very light showers since. Cloudy with brief sunny periods. Variable southerly breeze. Track damp with water droplets falling from foliage. Water level very low.

Post

Thomas not wishing to get wet feet or other body parts so approached Allumbah Pocket along.
A very well dressed male Australian Brush Turkey was busy constructing a mound just to the left of the entrance and had placed a large swathe of building material across the path. He was not in the least disconcerted by my presence and continued with his excavations while I photographed him.
On starting across the Suspension Bridge I immediately spotted a Green
Ringtail Possum in the Casuarina Tree to the left of the bridge. It turned out to be “Mrs Green” with her joey who declined however to show his face. Photos were not good as a view of them necessitated looking almost directly into the sun but is was good to see them anyway.
No Water Dragons were seen as it was rather early with little sun.
A Rufous Shrikethrush was on hand and keen to be digitally recorded.
At Platypus Bend a small Saw-shelled Turtle was taking a breath and was photographed in case no others of his specious were on show but this proved not to be the case and three much larger specimens were taking the air at the Log Jam.
Small birds were very active around the Overhanging Bushes and a Yellow-faced Honeyeater and a Pale Yellow Robin were photographed.
The regular male Green Ringtail Possum was hidden in the foliage of Bush Number 1 and a couple on a regular visit from Townsville were passing just at the right time to see him.
After leaving them I photographed a Spectacled Monarch on Picnic Peninsula.
Final sighting of the day was a pair of excited Masked Lapwings close to Nick’s Camping Area.

Australian Brush Turkey. Alectura lathami

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Rufous Shrikethrush. Colluricincla megarhyncha

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Yellow-faced Honeyeater. Caligavis chrysops

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Spectacled Monarch. Symposiachrus trivirgatus

Masked Lapwing. Vanellus miles miles

Weather

No rain in gauge. Patchy cloud with infrequent sunny periods. No breeze. Track dry. Water level very low. A heavy shower for 20 minutes shortly after I returned home.

Post

Managed to remember everything today.
On arrival at Allumbah Pocket found “Piratical Pete” the male Green Ringtail Possum sitting on a branch which overhangs the parking area and would have been less than 1 metre above a 4 x 4 had it decided to park there! He seemed quite relaxed.
While looking around to see if there was a female possum in the vicinity photographed a Spectacled Monarch who was flitting around in the bushes.
Crossed the Suspension Bridge and found “Mrs Green”, the Green Ringtail Possum with joey, occupying the tree next to the support pole of the bridge. Joey was initially sitting in front of Mum with both facing in the same direction but then turned round giving an even better image.
Introduced them to a family from Peeramon who passed at just the right time.
It was a good day for Eastern Water Dragons with one being seen at Horseshoe Rocks and another 2 , including Scar Face, on the rocks opposite Snodgrass’s Pool.
On to the Log Jam where unusually there were no Turtles but a juvenile Water Dragon was lying on the concrete slab at the base of the far bank.
Another male Green Ringtail Possum was seen at No 4 of the Overhanging Bushes and again gave me a good view.
At Picnic Peninsula a Pale Yellow robin followed me along the path.
Another immature Water dragon was on a log along Stringers Stretch.
At the narrows, one of the few Saw-shelled Turtles seen today was taking a breath on the surface.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Spectacled Monarch. Symposiachrus trivirgatus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Weather

No rain. Sky clear apart from cumulus cloud above the Dividing Range on the Eastern horizon. No significant breeze. Track dry. Water level very low.

Post

A false start this morning as had to return to base from from Allumbah Pocket on finding that I had omitted to insert memory card into camera! This did not please Thomas who had decided that he felt strong enough to accompany me today.
Arriving back at Allumbah Pocket I spotted a Macleay’s Honeyeater in a Bottle Brush in front of the Picnic Shelter and scored a photograph.
On to the Horseshoe rocks where an Eastern Water Dragon on the horizon scuttled away before I could get in a suitable position. Going up to the Upper Level I found that he had crossed to the rocks in the Paddock where I was able to get a much better photo.
The smaller male Dragon was on the skyline of the rocks opposite Snodgrass’s Pool and I was able to photograph him from both sides as well as capturing “Scarface” the larger Dragon who was draped among the dead branches on the other side of the path.
No Kangaroos today unfortunately.
On to the Log Jam where no turtles were to be seen but while waiting briefly to see if a Platypus might appear, an Orange-footed Scrubfowl slid noisily down the cliff on the opposite bank. He struggled into the air and flew to a branch overhanging the creek where I was able to record and image.
Numerous Honeyeaters were feeding all along the creek but moving to quickly for the camera until I spotted another Macleay’s near the tip of Picnic Peninsula.
We met there a couple who were very interested in Dachshunds as their daughter has just bought one. Thomas was delighted of course to show off the finer points of the breed!
In the bushes along Dowling’s Corridor a Spectacled Monarch was seen and photographed enjoying breakfast.
Checked out the Vacant Lott Fig Tree and spotted a Green Ringtail Possum in a much more favourable location which yielded some much better photos.
The Bunya Street Bush Stone-curlew was back in his regular post on the Creek side of the road.

Macleay’s Honeyeater. Xanthotis macleayana

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Orange-footed Scrubfowl. Megapodius reinwardt

Spectacled Monarch. Symposiachrus trivirgatus.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

No rain. Patchy cloud with sunny periods. Variable southerly breeze. Track dry. Water level very low.

Post

On my own again today. Thomas has obviously lost his Father Fixation and prefers to loll in a chair while I am out exercising and broadening my mind!
At Allumbah Pocket an Atherton Scrubwren entertained me for several minutes in the tree next to the Suspension Bridge.
An Eastern Water Dragon was on the rocks opposite Snodgrass’s Pool.
I went up the path to the Upper Level and found “Scarface” the larger Dragon at the same location as in my previous Post.
After photographing him, I turned about to inspect the large tree on the northern side of the path and found that a female Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo had been watching my activities. She was beautifully exposed on an open branch ideal for photography.
Having taken a number of shots I looked around for a possible joey and found the youngster sitting some 5 mtrs away on a different branch and peering out from a concealed position in the foliage. Photography was not quite so easy but I managed a couple of shots.
On then to the Platypus Bend where a pair of Banded Cuckoo-shrikes and a pair of Australasian Figbirds were chasing each other around the trees along the path.
They accompanied me most of the way to Log Jam Peninsula where a solitary Saw-shelled Turtle was inspecting the scenery.
Nothing then until the Fig Tree overhanging the vacant block where I again obtained a bum view of a Green Ringtail Possum.
Along Bunya Street the solitary Bush Stone-curlew was today on the nature strip in front of a nearby property.

Atherton Scrubwren. Sericornis keri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo. Dendrolagus lumholtzi

Barred Cuckooshrike. Coracina lineata

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris male

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Shot of the Day

Weather

No rain. Overcast. Very humid and hot during sunny periods. Track dry. Water level very low.

Post

Felt I needed to get out after a morning spent battling with a stubborn computer. Thomas getting old and tired or just lazy but declined the opportunity to come with me.
Nothing seen at Allumbah Pocket or the Other Side.
An Eastern Water Dragon seen at Horseshoe Rock but as usual difficult light conditions.
A better and more approachable specimen was waiting opposite Snodgrass’s Pool while at the Upper Level on the opposite side of the path was the large Scar Faced Dragon as featured in my last Post.
A total of 7 Saw-shelled Turtles were at The Log Jam, some of them being photographed including one on a submerged log.
At Picnic Peninsula a very relaxed Orange-footed Scrubfowl wandered along the path in front of me and appeared to enjoy posing.
No Platypus seen but an interesting specimen observed from the Highway Bridge. From a distance it looked very like a Platypus and I think that it could be descried in anglo-german as a Flatyfuss!
Missing the Possums I checked out the Fig Tree overhanging the vacant block next to The doctor House and was pleased to find a Green Ringtail Possum is residence but it was rather a bum view.
Final sighting of the day was a Bush Stone-curlew across the road from us in Bunya Street. No sign of the other half or the chick.

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Orange-footed Scrubfowl. Megapodius reinwardt

Flatyfuss ssp.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Weather

1 mm of rain overnight. Overcast with sunny periods. Humid. Cool southerly breeze. Track dry. Water level very low.

Post

Having slept for the duration of my last Patrol, Thomas was feeling more energetic this morning and decided to come along.
No Possums at the entrance to Allumbah Pocket today but in the tree on the creek bank next to the Suspension Bridge a Green Ringtail Possum was in full view just above eye level. This was a male with a severely mangled right ear who I have previously named “Piratical Pete”. I haven’t seen him for a while although this tree was very popular with other GRPs about 12 months ago.
A family of three with three dogs appeared at this point and were keen to view the Possum although one of the dogs was more interested in a male Brush Turkey who happened to be crossing the track!
The Eastern Water Dragon which has been at Horseshoe Rocks recently was showing off her full length today and what a tail she has!
A Saw-shelled Turtle was on the waterside rocks near the Memorial Bench.
Another Turtle was the sole occupant of the Log Jam and another was seen taking a breath at The Narrows.
Along the upstream side of Log Jam Peninsula a Bordered Rustic Butterfly in Wet Season form was feeding on the Singapore Daisy flowers which infest the bank.
Not a very active morning along Petersons Creek. Perhaps my friends had decided to attend Yungaburra Market today and were not yet back.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Bordered Rustic Butterfly. Cupha prosope

Weather

No rain. Bright, sunny and hot but with large storm cells building along Western horizon. Cool Southerly breeze at times. Track dry. Water level very low.

Post

On my own today as even Thomas thought it was too hot to accompany me!
At the entrance to Allumbah Pocket I immediately saw a mass of Possum in the trees above the garbage bin and if you are able to sort out exactly what is what then you are cleverer than I am! By entering the drain I was able to obtain a view of the female Green Ringtail Possum’s face and once orientated I found a position from where the joey’s face could be seen. No white spot so have decided to name this girl “Peta” which makes it easier to know which Possum I am talking about!
As I was about to cross the Suspension Bridge I noticed a bird swoop down onto the Boiler House path. A closer look revealed a Pale-yellow Robin sitting almost on the ground and recorded an image.
Continued over the Bridge and at Horseshoe Rocks saw a small Eastern Water Dragon and another slightly larger. Light was not perfect for either of them.
No sign of White Spot today so carried on to The Log Jam where a pair of Saw-shelled turtles were nicely grouped. A smaller specimen was on another log.
At the base of the Peninsula a pair of male Rufous Whistlers were chasing each other from one side to the other. I presume that they were engaged in a territorial dispute and found a small nest nearby although it may belong to someone quite different.
At Platy’s Pool a couple of Silvereyes were foraging in the foliage.
Final sighting of the day was the small male Green Ringtail, still in Bush No 1 but much more helpful. Perhaps he is at last getting used to my regular intrusion!

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Rufous Whistler. Pachycephala rufiventris

Silvereye. Zosterops lateralis

Weather

No rain in gauge. Overcast. Southerly breeze, fresh at times. Track dry. Water level continues to fall. We need some rain!

Post

Nothing seen at Allumbah Pocket so decided to investigate the downstream section of the Creek. Went as far as the point where the path turns uphill away from the Creek but saw nothing apart from a Rufous Shrikethrush and a Varied Whistler.
Returned to the Suspension Bridge and found an Eastern Water Dragon on Horseshoe Rocks but unable to get a decent photo.
Then excitement as “White Spot” the Green Ringtail Possum had returned to one of her haunts next to the rocks and now has her joey riding happily on her back. Had a chat with her and took photos from several angles.
Another Water Dragon was on display on the rocks opposite Snodgrass’s Pool. This male appears to have a facial injury with some tissue loss exposing his teeth. Possibly injured while fighting with a rival.
At the Log Jam a solitary Saw-shelled Turtle was taking the air.
At Number 1 of the Overhanging Bushes the small male Green Ringtail Possum was as usual well concealed but persistence produced a couple of images.
Was able to introduce him to a couple visiting from Brisbane.
At The Narrows just below the Highway Bridge I stopped to photograph a Turtle breathing on the surface and noted some ripples being generated from beneath the overhanging roots on the far bank.
After a few minutes a Platypus emerged and swam across to the near bank where he continued to forage along the bank. I took a few indifferent photos.
While crossing the Bridge we observed and photographed an Eastern Water Skink and then went to see if the Platypus could still be seen from the village side of the Creek. Sure enough a couple of distant shots were obtained.

Rufous Shrikethrush. Colluricincla megarhyncha

Varied Triller. Lalage leucomela

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Eastern Water Skink. Eulamprus quoyii