No rain. Sunny with cloud increasing. Light breeze NE veering NW. Track damp, drying. Water level falling slowly.

A pair of Bush Stone-curlews were in a Bunya Street garden this morning in addition to another pair at the Car Park, one of which was performing morning exercises!
The Volunteers were hard at work unloading timber at Allumbah Pocket and had to dodge around them.
No Water Dragons present today but White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum perched in her regular tree. Not much visible of Joey apart from a tail and one ear seen under Mum’s left arm.
A pair of Pacific Black Ducks were swimming slowly at Platypus Bend
Logs at the Jam continuing to emerge from the red waters and one Saw-shelled Turtle was having a sun bake.
A Platypus appeared while I was photographing the turtle and remained in the pool for 10 minutes or more although mostly at the far side. Managed however to get a few photos.
At the Overhanging Bushes a small flock of Silver Eyes were feeding on seeds and performing a few tricks.
Immediately in front of the Platypus Viewing Platform a juvenile Orange-footed Scrubfowl was scratching along the bank.
Scattered Magpie Geese were present in the Paddock with plenty of distant Curlews as well as the pair at the Car park.

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Pacific Black Duck. Anas superciliosus

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Silvereye. Zosterops lateralis

Orange-footed Scrubfowl. Megapodius reinwardt – juvenile

4 mm of rain in gauge. Clear sky early. Overcast increasing. No to light breeze. Track wet. No significant mud or puddles. Creek level fallen since yesterday but have never seen water so red.

Set off alone this morning as dogs exhausted after trip to Cairns yesterday to meet Auntie Susan at the Airport. All now having a lie in on Sue’s bed so did not disturb!
Took some initial images of water level and coloration.
A large male Eastern Water Dragon on a prominent rock opposite the Memorial Bench and was able to photograph him from both sides.
White spot the female Green Ringtail Possum was in tree above and lying on an angled branch so that I was able to obtain a series of images including both Mum and Joey and without tripping over Thomas!
Cicadas and Frogs calling today but unable to sight either. did notice a small Skink, as yet unidentified, on the trunk of a gum tree.
No Beetles or other insects seen today. The recent heavy rain has made the flowers much less attractive.
The Logs are again high enough out of the water to form a Jam and a solitary Saw-shelled Turtle was seen. An Orange -footed Scrubfowl was scuffing through the leaf litter which was sticking to it’s feet making them appear even larger than usual. It flew across the creek.
Near Platy’s Pool and the Overhanging Bushes were several Australian Brush Turkeys pecking through the mud including one with a deformed foot. Apart from that it appeared just as healthy as it’s companions so I left well alone.
Met a friendly couple of Poms, originally from Yorkshire and compared notes re our respective sightings.
Close to the Highway Bridge spotted a Platypus foraging along the far bank. Fortunately it proceeded to the pool under the bridge and provided a virtuoso performance for another photographer and myself.
In the Paddock behind the Car Park birds were far fewer than yesterday and the Domestic Duck (Possibly a Pekin or Aylsebury ) was again present.

View of Stepping Stones

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Large-billed Gerygone. Gerygone magnirostris

Rainbow Skink. Carla spp.

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Orange-footed Scrubfowl.

Australian Brush Turkey. Alectura lathami

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Pekin Duck.

73 mm of rain in gauge this morning, mostly from the storm yesterday afternoon with a top up this morning. Light rain showers from 0600 – 0900. Mostly dry since. Overcast with scant areas of blue sky. No breeze. Track wet but minimal puddles and mud. Drains recently cleaned and working well!

Rain appeared to have ceased for the moment so took the opportunity to go on Patrol.
Water level up considerably since yesterday and Stepping Stones almost all covered. The cups of nearby fungi were still full of water.
White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum in one of her high level perches today and difficult to distinguish details.
An Easter Water Dragon was seen a short distance along the walk.
Two Saw-shelled Turtles were seen briefly at the Log Jam although all the logs were close to being submerged. The photo shows the logs minus Turtles.
At places where there is a slight gradient the running water has left waves of leaf litter deposited across the path.
A Brush Turkey was parading Picnic Peninsula and an Orange -footed Scrubfowl flew across the Creek along the Narrows.
There were a flock of Magpie Geese at the far end of the Paddock behind the Cat Park. A small group of Pacific Black Ducks were resting on the Creek bank across the paddock and included a white interloper!
A few Bush Stone-curlews could be distantly seen around the groups of trees in the paddock.

The Stepping Stones.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

The Log Jam

Astralian Brush Turkey. Alectura lathami

Water Marks on the Walk

Thomas under Highway Bridge

Magpie Goose. Anseranas semipalmata

Pacific Black Duck. Anas superciliosus

No rain in last 24 hrs. Sunny with scattered cloud. No sign of thunderstorm activity as yet. Little or no breeze. Track damp. Puddles drying.

Starting late after shopping, immediately found a mess of possum in the trees to the right of the entrance to Allumbah Pocket. My initial interpretation was of a female Green Ringtail Possum with joey and this was later confirmed on the computer.
While looking for White Spot opposite the Memorial Bench found an Eastern Water Dragon at the upper level on the far side of the fence.
Continued on to Snodgrass’s Pool where there was another Dragon also on the upper level. While there I also recovered and removed the wreckage of an Opera House yabby trap from the paddock.
In the trees opposite Snodgrass’s Pool checked out another Green Ringtail which I thought initially was the male. Closer examination revealed it to be White Spot the female although I was unable to locate her joey. Not that this is unusual for this pair!
Plenty of Cicada calling although none visually observed. Took a photograph of a possible cicada but now believe it to be a Shield Bug. A Christmas Beetle was also photographed.
The prime sites at the Log Jam were today occupied by two juvenile Saw-shelled Turtles.
At Platys Pool a number of assorted birds were feeding on nectar and captured a Dusky Honeyeater.
No Platypus seen which at this time appears to be the usual state of affairs. Am waiting to see if the book as correct and they all appear again at the end of the month.
Coming up from under the Highway Bridge another Water Dragon was observed under the paddock fence but did not make a good photo.
The pair of Bush Stone-curlews have moved to the Eastern boundary of the Car Park which was a previous regular haunt.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Christmas Beetle. Scarabaeidae – Retulinae

Shield Bug. Paecilometis sp. Pentatomidae

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius.

Thunder storm with heavy rain and strong wind 5pm -6pm yesterday with intermittent rumbling through the night. 34 mm of rain in the gauge this morning. Light overcast, clearing with sunny periods. No wind. Track soggy underfoot with the odd puddle but not much mud. Creek water level up about 300 mm

Everything wet this morning and even the Treefrogs have been taking cover.
A pair of Bush Stone-curlews wee seen at the bottom of a garden along Bunya Street and the pair were still hanging out at the Car Park.
A male Eastern Water Dragon was on the usual rocks opposite the Memorial Bench and Miss Longtail was a few metres on.
No Possums or Platypus today. Mammals were in fact conspicuous by their absence.
Cicadas were very noisy but invisible to the naked eye and the Scarab Beetles were also missing.
At the Log Jam 2 adult and one juvenile Saw-shelled Turtle were gracing the logs.
At Platys Pool a Varied Triller was busy in tree overhanging the water and an Orange-footed Scrubfowl preceded us along under the Overhanging Bushes to Picnic Peninsula where it flew to the far side of the creek.
At the base of the Peninsula a juvenile Australasian Figbird was chasing it’s parent while raucously demanding food which attracted the attention of a Barred Cuckooshrike.
A group of Pale-yellow Robins were busy foraging along The Narrows.
A juvenile Eastern Water Dragon could be seen on the rocks under the Highway Bridge and a pair of Pacific Black Ducks swam around the far bend of the Platypus Viewing Pool.
The Figbird Commune seems to be coming to life again with numerous birds squabbling in the tree and at least one nest being attended.

Graceful Treefrog. Litoria gracilenta

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Varied Triller. Lalage leucomela

Orange-footed Scrubfowl. Megapodius reinwardt

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris – juvenile

Barred Cuckooshrike. Coracina lineata

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregellasia capito

No rain in gauge. Clear sky and bright sunshine after early mist. Cool breeze, 15 knots from West.

Nothing sighted at Allumbah Pocket or The Other Side.
On the Rocks opposite the Memorial Bench two Easter Water Dragons were showing just their heads. Went round to rear of Rocks and was able to capture the smaller reptile in dappled light through the bushes but the bigger animal saw me coming and disappeared. Five minutes later when I returned to the front of the rocks he was back again and now displaying his whole body!
White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum was on her high level perch which is actually in a different tree which has denser foliage. Hard as I tried I was unable to find the face of the joey but am sure that there were too many bulges for just one possum.
After walking on for a short distance we met a couple from the Netherlands who each had a love in with Thomas, after which I walked them back to see the Possum and Dragons with the aid of my binoculars.
Loud Cicada calls but none on view and the Beetles could be seen buzzing around the top of the flowering trees but not at low level.
Getting tired of writing “no Platypus today” but if they aren’t there I can’t see them. The Turtles were also absent leaving just a juvenile Water Dragon to peep over the top of the highest log.
Not many birds around either but the Bush Stone-curlews were at the edge of the Car Park.

Easter Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

No rain. Sunny with clear sky. Blustery southerly wind to 25knots. Track damp. Puddle under highway bridge.

Hot and bothered after pruning and general garden tidy in preparation for visitor so set out a bit later than of late.
Rewarded with 2 fine Eastern Water Dragons on the rocks opposite the Memorial Bench and another smaller but with extremely long tail near Snodgrass’s pool.
While photographing noted that White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum was in her regular tree with joey just visible. She has seemed more wary over the past couple of days, I hope that the visitors have not aggravated her. She took off again for a higher level with baby clinging on behind and they settled in a more secure and less visible spot.
Opposite Snodgrass’s Pool the male Green Ringtail was airing himself. He looks quite piratical with his well chewed right ear!
Cicadas were noisy but not visible and neither were the Christmas Beetles. Branches were swaying a lot in the gusty wind so it would have been difficult to capture images anyway.
A pair of Pacific Black Ducks were near Flood Tide Island and seemed quite relaxed.
Neither the Turtles nor Platypuses were out and about today.
An Orange Footed Scrubfowl was strutting along at the Narrows but wouldn’t stay still long enough for a photo.
Quite a number of Magpie Geese and Bush Stone-curlews were in the paddock behind the Car Park with a few Australasian Swamphens. The pair of Curlews were still under the trees at the edge of Park and a Pacific Emerald Dove was also present.

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Pacific Black Duck. Anas superciliosus

Australasian Swamphen. Porphyrio melanotus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Pacific Emerald Dove. Chalcophaps longirostris – male

15.5 mm of rain in gauge. Some high level cloud + scattering of cumulus. Sunny periods. Fresh SE wind to 20 knots. Track moist. Puddle under Highway Bridge.

Volunteers along the walk this morning refurbishing drains to alleviate flooding if the Wet Season arrives in earnest. Probably wise as Jennifer’s sister arrives on Wednesday from UK for her 6th visit at this time of year and has yet to experience a proper Wet!

First sighting this morning was an Eastern Water Dragon in the rocks opposite the Memorial Bench.
Found with some difficulty White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum who had switched to her high level perch and was sitting with her joey completely concealed. She then decided to stretch her legs and walked down a sloping branch with the joey perched in precarious fashion across her shoulders before turning round and climbing back. At this point the little one was under her belly and she appeared to grab him, whereupon he squirmed around with his tail pointing in all directions like a worm on a fish-hook! Eventually they settled back on the same perch with the baby keeping watch behind. Met two young guys from Hamburg, Germany during this performance and they were able to have a look through my binoculars.
Cicadas were again noisy but none visual and the Scarab Beetles were active.
At the Log Jam three Saw-shelled Turtles were having a pleasant sunbathe.
No Platypus put in an appearance today but the Bush Stone-curlews were in the same spot at the Car Park.
Saw a gentleman there who admired Thomas and commented on his length. I doubt that he will ever see this but it is not true that all animals have the same number of vertebrae!

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Christmas Beetles and Flower Scarab

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

No rain. Sun shining but cloud spreading in from the West. Nil to light breeze. Track damp.

Early start today as a lot to do and rain forecast later.
A Laughing Kookaburra welcomed us along Bunya Street but was not unfortunately an omen for a busy morning.
Allumbah Pocket was empty of wildlife, neither of the Green Ringtail Possums were at home and a solitary female Eastern Water Dragon was found only with difficulty.
The insects at least were active and obtained photos of Christmas Beetles, a female Red Roarer and a Red Roarer nymph case.
A male Australian Brush Turkey was strutting his stuff at the Log Jam Peninsula. I rarely complete the walk without seeing at least one and don’t tend to photograph them very often but this guy clearly wanted his moment of fame!
Platypus and Turtles were both absent today.
The ever reliable Bush Stone-curlews were camped today under a tree between the barbed wire fence and the Car Park. I often wonder at the strange places some creatures chose to hang out when they have miles of country available and pick a noisy, smelly spot with a fair amount of risk from vehicles and domestic animals.

Laughing Kookaburra. Dacela novaeguineae

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Christmas Beetle. Scarabaeidae – Retulinae

Red Roarer Cicada. Psaltoda aurora -female

Australian Brush Turkey. Alectura lathami

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

16 mm or rain in gauge. Sunny with moderate cover of cumulus clouds. No breeze. Track damp.

After crossing Lloyd’s Suspension Bridge spotted a Green Ringtail Possum in the tree just to the right (downstream) of the bridge cables. Very difficult to distinguish through dense foliage but reviewing the image clearly shows a small possum on the back of another which has GRT stripes. My conclusion is that this is the first Mum of the season with her offspring which I haven’t seen for some weeks.
After checking The Other Side saw a large male Eastern Water Dragon which ran from the upper level path under the fence. Don’t often see them on flat ground and was interested to see him running with head and front legs up and tail horizontal above the ground just like other large lizards. Also saw another male Dragon at the other end of the upper level but this one did not move a muscle.
Found White Spot, the Green Ringtail Possum, but with some difficulty as she had gone up into the foliage in her regular tree. Couldn’t see a sign of joey but guess he was tucked in somewhere.
Red Roarer Cicadas were very noisy today with many to be seen quite close to the ground. Calls of other cicadas also heard and one photographed but id being researched at present.
The Christmas Beetles and Flower Scarabs are still very active and were seen and photographed again.
At the Log Jam, three Saw-shelled Turtles were posing and obviously wanted to be photographed.
No platypus seen today but I suppose you can’t have everything!
Behind the Car Park I photographed the pair of Bush Stone-curlews at Nick’s Camping Area and walked across for a shot of the Magpie Geese. As I pressed the shutter, some kind soul slammed his car door! The results were quite interesting.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Red Roarer Cicada. Psaltoda aurora

Red Roarer Cicada. Psaltoda aurora – female

Christmas Beetle. Scarabaedae subfamily Retulinae

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Magpie Goose.