No rain. Sunny. Clear sky with few scattered clouds. No breeze. Track dry with some residual damp patches and mud which needs navigating around. Water level falling slowly.

Cody much better this morning but up with him several times during night so a late start. Thomas elected to come on Patrol as the only way of getting any attention!
Bush Stone-curlews at the same spot along Bunya Street but only two of them today.
No Possums visible at the usual spots and saw nothing until the Grey Gum trees near Platypus Bend where, alerted by the Cicada calls, we spotted a group of three low down on a tree trunk. One was a Red Roarer, the other two Floury Bakers.
Nothing more seen until the Log Jam where we met up with some Pommie friends from a previous Patrol. They had seen a Platypus close to the Suspension Bridge.
We progressed in company until just below the Highway Bridge where another Platypus appeared and entertained us for several minutes.
Under the bridge a solitary Bat was roosting. Ears looked a little smaller than in the bats seen previously but do not know enough to identify them.
Very little bird life in the Paddock this morning and only one Bush Stone-curlew was at the Car Park.

Bush Stone-curlews. Burhinus grallarius

Red Roarer Cicada. Psaltoda aurora + Phantom Knight . Psaltoda brachypennis

Red Roarer. Psaltoda aurora

Phantom Knight. Psaltoda brachypennis

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Bat. Species unknown.

Only 1.5 mm of rain in gauge. Sunny with scattered cloud. No breeze. Track drying slowly. Stepping stones and Logs still mostly submerged.

The upper branches of one of the taller trees along Bunya Street were very busy today with a Rainbow Lorikeet performing his morning preen as were two male Australasian Figbirds, while two Laughing Kookaburras looked on.
None or our friends to be seen at Allumbah Pocket but as we crossed the suspension Bridge spotted a Platypus disturbing the water about 50 metres down stream. Photograph confirmed the diagnosis.
At The Other Side a family of Bush Stone-curlews were pretending they were invisible and striking some interesting poses.
White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum and her Joey were in another high level perch in the same tree and apart from her spotted ear there wasn’t very much to see.
Another unfamiliar GRP was in a Creek bank tree at Snodgrass’s Pool
A very fine Eastern Water Dragon was posing for us at the Upper Level and was showing signs of moulting.
As we surveyed the scene at the Log Jam another Platypus appeared against the far bank. She dived and reappeared almost under my feet where the sunlight created some interesting images.
At Picnic Peninsula I saw a White-headed Pigeon vertically above me providing an interesting shot.
The Paddock today was occupied by groups of Australian White Ibis and a few Swamphens.
The pair of Bush Stone-curlews were at the Eastern side of the Car Park.

Rainbow Lorikeet. Trichoglossus moluccanus

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris – male

Laughing Kookaburra. Dracelo novaeguineae

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Australasian Swamphen. Porphyrio melanotus

Only 2..5 mm of rain. Sunny with scattered clouds. Cool southerly breeze. Track drying well with only a few really muddy spots and puddles. Water level falling slowly.

Cody unwell yesterday and during night with gastroenteritis. Fortunately much better this morning but made us late to commence Patrol.
Need not have rushed as did not remove dust cap from lens until the Viewing Platform as saw nothing to photograph.
Unusual for a Sunday morning in that we only saw one family group along the Walk and they were moving so fast that they wouldn’t have seen anything if it had been there to see!
A large group of Bush Stone-curlews were just over the fence in the corner of the Paddock – I counted 14 – and mixed among them were 4 Australasian Swamphens.
The resident Curlews were still present at the East side of the Car Park.
A couple of Welcome Swallows were on the power ling in front of the Medical Centre.

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Australasian Swamphen. Porphyrio melanotus

Welcome Swallow. Hirundo neoxena

Only 2 mm of rain. 90 % cover with low level mackerel sky clouds. Glimpses of blue. No breeze. Track wet with puddles becoming increasingly muddy with repeated foot traffic and a calf loose along the walk! Water level falling slowly but stepping stones still well covered.

Dogs declined to accompany me today. Visitors with bags of treats are a greater attraction!
Saw a juvenile Olive-backed Sunbird on the fence opposite our drive which made an interesting composition.
A family of three Bush Stone-curlews were in one of the gardens along Bunya Street. They were looking exhausted after their early morning performance.
Nothing seen at Allumbah Pocket or The Other Side.
Opposite the Memorial Bench, White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum was on a slightly different high level perch in the usual tree. She seemed mildly interested to see me but Joey kept his head well down leaving his tail in full view.
No Dragons around this morning and only saw a solitary Saw-shelled Turtle taking a breath at the Log Jam.
Met a family from Mackay with some serious photographic gear and gave them instruction where to find the Possums. They reported seeing 2 Platypus.
Found a Platypus along the narrow section near the Overhanging Bushes and had to follow her back to Platy’s Pool before I had the opportunity to take some photos.
Nothing else until the Car Park where the regular Curlews were in attendance while a mob of their cousins looked on from the paddock.

Olive-backed Sunbird. Cinnyris jugularis

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

13 mm of rain in gauge. Sun shining. Scattered patches of mackerel sky clouds. Occasional gusts of breeze from varied direction. Track wet with numerous muddy puddles. Water level gone down slightly.

Accompanied this morning by the trusted Thomas.
None of our friends at home at Allumbah Pocket but met a couple of the Volunteers starting work.
White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum had moved to her alternate location in the trees opposite Snodgrass’s Pool bringing her much closer to the camera. Joey was in front of Mum having a good cuddle which produced some excellent shots.
A short distance on at Platypus Bend a Platypus was seen and provided us with a brief long distance photo opportunity, but a couple of images turned out rather well.
The only visible Log at the Log Jam was today providing a perch for a large Eastern Water Dragon. His large head and red chest showed him to be a male but his “clothes” looked rather baggy. I wondered if he is in the process of shedding his skin?
Nothing seen then until the Car Park where the resident Bush Stone-curlews were standing separately but both indulging in their morning preen!

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

14 mm or rain in gauge. Clear sky with some patches of high level cloud to North. Low level cumulonimbus extending slowly from SE. Little or no wind. Track wet with numerous muddy puddles and extensive mud cover over low lying areas and paths which follow waters edge. Creek level down 300 mm since yesterday. Current still strong.

Started on my own today as Thomas felt like a lie in.
Nothing to be seen at Allumbah Pocket.
White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum with her Joey were in their regular high level perch opposite the Memorial Bench this morning but with very little on show. Mum’s white ear trim with the signature white Spot can be seen at upper right in the photo. The mass immediately to the left of this appears to be Joey’s back and it would appear that he is now perching independently but very close to Mum.
At Platypus Bend sighted a Platypus on the surface but it dived rapidly, never to be seen again.
Nothing then until Platy’s Pool where I caught a small Saw-shelled Turtle taking a breath.
At The Narrows a female Brush Turkey was investigating the new layer of mud and got her photo taken to boost the numbers.
Excitement at the Viewing Platform where concentric waves were radiating from some overhanging grass suggesting the presence of another Platypus. Turned the big lens onto the area and discovered the perpetrator to be a large Saw-shelled Turtle digging in the shallows!
A Peaceful Dove perched in front of me at the Car Park and the Bush Stone-curlews were at the East side of the Park although one of them was barely visible.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Australian Brush Turkey. Alectura lathami.

Peaceful Dove. Geopelia placida

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius.

65 mm of rain in gauge. Overcast with watery sun, clearing from NW with high cloud. No breeze. Track wet with muddy puddles. One or two ephemeral streams crossing track and water damage to downhill sections. Path under Highway Bridge has been submerged and is more slippery than usual. Alternative access to the Walk from behind safety barrier on the north side of the highway definitely safer.
Interested to observe condition of Walk and Creek after yesterdays heavy rain.
Creek water level is high with Stepping Stones completely under. ALL low lying areas have been submerged and covered with more than 10 mm of very sticky red mud. Advise use of gumboots or similar if you wish to access these area.

The chocolate Brushtail Possum was sound asleep in her Mistletoe clump at Allumbah Pocket.
No sign of Green Ringtail Possums this morning. I have noticed that White Spot usually goes elsewhere following heavy rain.
A Platypus was seen at the Memorial Bench and followed me along the Creek to Platypus Bend. It kept it’s distance in the main but was observed “hovering” against the strong current.
Took numerous photos of water damage, mostly temporary, along the banks and Flood Tide Island had been completely submerged.
Another Platypus was seen at the base of Log Jam Peninsula and got some better photos.
At the Log Jam, the tip of the Peninsula had been under water as had the large rock opposite and an Eastern Water Dragon was lying on top of the vegetation and debris.
Another Platypus was foraging on the downstream side of Picnic Peninsula around a mat of floating debris held stationary by a waterside bush. She stayed with me for several minutes and some good images resulted.
The water had been up above the path under Highway Bridge depositing a large branch which I returned to the water. The path has been left slippery as noted above.
A mixture of White and Straw-necked Ibis were browsing in the Paddock viewed from the Walk entrance.
The usual mob of Bush Stone-curlews were surrounding the rocky outcrops in the paddock adjoining the Car Park, where the regular pair of Curlews were hanging out.

Walk Condition Images

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

White and Straw-necked Ibis. Threskiornis ssp.

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

20 mm of rain since yesterday. Overcast with few glimpses of blue sky. No breeze. Track wet with muddy puddles.

No excitement at Allumbah Pocket this morning. No sign of Possums or Platypusses.
In fact nothing seen until Log Jam Peninsula where a Pacific Black duck was strolling along the path.
At the same time a couple of Rainbow Bee Eaters were enjoying their breakfast in the tree above.
At the Log Jam an Eastern Water Dragon was looking over the top of a large and looked as if he might be about to deliver a speech!
Saw a small flock of Black Faced Cuckooshrikes around Platy’s Pool and one stayed still long enough to be photographed.
A Saw-shelled Turtle was on a log along The Narrows which the Turtles seem recently to have found.
A few White Headed Pigeons were in the trees alongside the Highway Bridge and one was amenable to a close up.
The Bush Stone-curlews were looking very sorry for themselves and one pair had sought shelter at Nick’s Camping Area.

Pacific Black Duck. Anas superciliosus

Rainbow Bee-eater. Merops ornatus

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Black Faced Cuckooshrike. Coracina novaehollandiae

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

White-headed Pigeon. Columba leucomela

Bush Stone-curlew.

4.5 mm rain in gauge. Dark, overcast and drizzling early, progressing to steady rain. Light wind from NNW. Track wet with numerous muddy puddles. Slippery in places. Take care on steps down to and under Highway Bridge.

Late start on Patrol this morning after a few errands but short term online forecast appeared promising so decided to give it a go.
Pleased that I did as a Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo was spotted without stepping off the bitumen a Allumbah Pocket. It proved to be concealed in dense foliage in the trees to the right of the entrance path and it proved impossible to obtain a good clear image. I did manage to capture sufficient to leave no doubt as to it’s identity and shared the view with a tradesman who stopped off for a quick break before his next job. Thomas enjoyed his attention too!
Within a few metres , Chocolate the Bushtail Possum was found in the Mistletoe clump in the tree next to the Picnic Shelter but was not in the mood for showing her face.
Near the Memorial Bench, White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum was in the same spot with Joey once again hiding his face. Perhaps he has zits and is embarrassed by them?
On the rocks close to Snodgrass’s Pool the long tailed Eastern Water Dragon was draped in a pose almost identical to her last appearance.
A couple of Saw-shelled Turtles were out of the water at the Log Jam but they were hardly sunbathing! While photographing them, a juvenile Water Dragon splashed into the water within a metre of me and swam across the pool!
In one of the River Oaks along the bank at Platy’s Pool I was surprised to find another Green Ringtail Possum completely exposed on a branch about 5 metres above the ground although the second GRP that I ever saw was in foliage at the base of the same tree!
By this time it had started raining seriously but I had come prepared with a plastic bag in which to protect my camera.
It was easing by the time I emerged from under Highway Bridge so I was able to snatch a shot of an Australasian White Ibis in the Paddock.
At the Viewing Platform I met two ladies who wanted a rundown on what I had seen and as the rain came on again they departed in their car to Allumbah Pocket. I hope they were lucky!
I just had time to take a photo of the pair of Bush Stone-curlews who hang out at the Car Park before hightailing it for home.

Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo. Dendrolagus lumholtzi

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Australasian White Ibis. Threskiornis molucca

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus Grallarius

14 mm of rain in gauge. Cloud cover 50% with sunny periods progressing to full cloud cover with intermittent light rain. Wind light North Westerly. Track wet with numerous muddy puddles.

Photography this morning commenced before leaving home when two large birds were spotted copulating in the large Gum Tree behind us in George Mather Park. The big lens revealed that they were a pair of Eastern Koels which have been calling for months but remaining elusive so I was delighted to snap them.
After debate and review of the online forecast, set off for a quick Patrol leading a somewhat reluctant Thomas as Mother was in the kitchen cooking!
The Chocolate Brushtail Possum was in the mistletoe clump at Allumbah Pocket with nothing but her nether region on view.
As we arrived across the Suspension Bridge at The Other Side a juvenile Australian Brush Turkey was investigating the leaf litter before moving into Private Property.
Opposite Doreen Child’s Memorial Bench, White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum was in her predictable spot high in the canopy. At least one good shot was obtained.
No Water Dragons seen today . Not really their sort of weather, and the Cicadas were also silent.
Saw a Sacred Kingfisher at The Overhanging Bushes and included the very average photo for lack of material.
A small Saw-shelled Turtle popped up it’s head along Stringers Stretch and was duly recorded.
At the Viewing Platform, a group of Bush Stone-curlews were in the close corner of the paddock and one actually came through to our side of the fence.
My best shots for the day were taken along Bunya where a Bottlebrush in full flower had attracted numerous Metallic Green Christmas Beetles, a Ulysses Swallowtail Butterfly and a pair of Scarlet Honeyeaters. The latter unfortunately declined to be photographed.

Eastern Koel. Eudynamys orientalis

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseucochirops archeri

Sacred Kingfisher. Todiramphus sanctus

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Christmas Beetle. Scarabaediae – Retulinae ssp ?

Ulysses Swallowtail Butterfly. Papilio ulysses