No rain. Sunny with patchy cloud. Hot. Minimal breeze with variable direction. Track dry.

An early start this morning having installed a frog pond in the garden and been to Quincan Quarry to self load another trailer full of rocks!
Nothing seen along Bunya St or at Allumbah Pocket but struck gold after crossing Lloyd’s suspension bridge. Mother Green Ringtail Possum had set up camp in a new tree just by the side of the bridge and got some very nice views of the offspring and herself. On to the Memorial Bench where a female Eastern Water Dragon was on view among the nearby rocks. In the trees opposite Snodgrass’s Pool was another Green Ringtail Possum with a bulging tum suggesting that she has a joey in the pouch. After walking a few metres we met a lass from Ottawa, Canada who asked what I was looking for with my large lens. When told I had already seen 3 possums she expressed delight so we turned round to view the closest. No sooner had we finished than I spotted a male possum, with all his equipment on display, traversing between trees. This made for another set of images and after this I escorted my new friend back to the Bridge where Mother and Joey had unfortunately almost concealed themselves in the foliage.
Thomas and I set off again to complete our walk and saw very little until The Narrows where a Saw-shelled Turtle came up to breathe. No Platypus were seen, the Golden Orb-weaver was absent but the Eastern Water Skink was again on the rocks under the bridge. Distant Bush Stone-curlews could be seen in the paddock. The Figbird chick seen yesterday was standing up shouting and one of the fathers was doing a good job on his nest.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Eastern Water Skink. Eulamprus quoyii

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

No rain. Hot sun with intermittent shade from fair weather cumulus clouds. Wind gusting from the West and cloud increasing later

The Family of Bush Stone-curlews could again be seen in one of the Bunya Street gardens going down to the Creek. Managed to find the female Green Ringtail Possum with her joey in their discreet high level boudoir at Allumbah Pocket but I’m afraid you will have to take my word that this is what is represented by the brown blob surrounded by leaves! Thomas and I strode out after that but found nothing until a solitary Saw-shelled Turtle awaited at the Log Jam. Even he stayed only a minute or so before slipping back into the water. Another Rufous Shrike Thrush accompanied us on our way to the Highway Bridge where we took a further record of the Golden Orb-weaver. An Eastern Water Skink was lurking under the bridge but it took considerable ingenuity to photograph him. Several Curlews were present in the paddock but while watching them a Platypus appeared at the Northern end of the Viewing Pool and headed off towards the bridge. He was followed by myself and a couple of tourists to see him emerge under the bridge and proceed downstream where I got some reasonable shots. Returned to check that the Figbird colony was all in order and also photographed one of a family of Bush Stone-curlews who are sharing Nick’s Camping Area with a couple from Italy.

My gimlet eyed wife (assisted by her iPad) has just advised me that the Figbird has at least one raucous chick in it’s nest!

Bush Stone-curlews. Burhinus grallarius

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum.

Golden Orb-weaver. Nephila Spp.

Eastern Water Skink. Eulamprus quoyii

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

No rain. Misty early. Very hot in spite of increasing cover from thundery cumulus clouds. Light intermittent breeze. Track dry.

Nothing to be seen at Allumbah Pocket this morning. The darkly coloured Common Brushtail Possum was in a large tree at The Other Side. He didn’t enjoy it when me moved to see his face and moved further up out of view. A Saw-shelled Turtle could be seen from the Memorial Bench but there were no Water Dragons in the vicinity. At the Log Jam there was only a tiny Turtle in residence. No Platypus or Green Ringtail Possums today. Some hopeful ripples at The Narrows proved to be created by a group of active Water Sliders, five of which were busy eating a drowned cicada. The Golden Orb-weaver was in her usual spot close to the Highway Bridge and was enjoyed by a pair of visitors from California. All was well in the Figbird colony and a couple of different representatives were photographed.

Common Brushtail Possum. Trichosurus vulpecula

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Water Strider. Family Gerridae

Golden Orb-weaver. Spp Nephila

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

No rain. Sunny with scattered cumulus clouds. Intermittent breeze to 10 knots. Track dry. Water level steady.

Mother Green Ringtail Possum was waiting to show off her joey at Allumbah Pocket today. She had changed position slightly, bringing her very close to Lloyds Suspension Bridge with an almost unobstructed view. As is my wont, I chatted to her while I took photographs and she seem to follow everything I said. Magic!
As Thomas and I walked down the hill to the Memorial Bench an Orange-footed Scrubfowl flew across the creek. Looked for Dragons but none present today. Another Green Ringtail Possum, this time a male. was in the tree opposite Snodgrass’s Pool. On to the Log Jam where the only Turtle present was a minute Saw-shelled. A Rakali put in a brief appearance in the downstream pool.
Saw another Rufous Shrikethrush at Picnic Peninsula and the Golden Orb-weaver was still in her web by the Highway Bridge. Half a dozen Bush Stone-curlews were in the area behind the Car Park. All the extended family of Australasian Figbirds appeared to be present with most of the work being done by the girls.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Rufous Shrikethrush. Colluricincla magarhyncha

Golden Orb-weaver. Nephila Spp.

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

No rain. Sun shining from cloudless sky. Hot already. Slight breeze. Track dry.

Mother Green Ringtail Possum with her joey were in their favourite tree this morning but neither of them were awake! Photography was as a consequence somewhat difficult and even when I checked in again at 1030 they were barely awake and not at all keen on a photo shoot. Went on to the Memorial Bench where we met a young couple from France who were excited that they had seen two platypus. I showed them two Eastern Water Dragons which were as usual on the other side of the path and explained to them where to find the Possums. Thomas meanwhile enjoyed a good session of stroking and a few pats! Only one Saw-shelled Turtle was at the Log Jam and did not stay for long. A couple more were seen swimming on the surface. A female Olive-backed Sunbird was investigating spiders webs on the opposite bank and in the photo she appears to have it wrapped around her beak. Perhaps she was collecting it for nest building? Just before the Highway Bridge, Thomas almost had an incident with an unleashed dog which fortunately backed off in response to a ferocious growl! No platypus were seen by us. Several distant Bush Stone-curlews were visible in the paddock behind the Car Park where I also photographed an ants nest in one of the surrounding trees. Mixed sexes were manning the Fiigird nests today and I found yet another nest in the tree in front of Nick’s. Another Bush Stone-curlew was relaxing in a neighbours garden.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudocheirops archeri

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Olive-backed Sunbird. Cinnyris jugularis

Golden Orb-weaver. Nephila Spp.

Tree Ants Nest.

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

No rain. Sunny with scattered clouds. Light SE breeze. Track dry.

Nothing to be seen at Allumbah Pocket this morning except a brief appearance by a Spotted Catbird who didn’t unfortunately stay long enough to be photographed. No Dragons on the rocks. Had just spotted a Green Ringtail Possum in the trees opposite Snodgrass’s Pool when a lady with two grandchildren arrived just in time to view it. I think that the granddaughter may have been more interested in Thomas who certainly enjoyed the experience. A Rufous Shrikethrush was also active in the same tree. The Log Jam was bereft of Turtles but I noticed a welling of bubbles almost at my feet which heralded the appearance of a Platypus. I was fortunate to remain in her company for some minutes while she worked her way downstream although spending much of the time under the grasses covering the bank. Bumped into a young couple from Brazil and directed them towards the Platypus and Possum. Hope that they were lucky. Nothing seen then until the Golden Orb-weaver at the Highway Bridge so tried a slightly different viewpoint. A couple of Bush Stone-curlews were seen distantly in the paddock behind the Car Park. Spotted yet another Figbird nest in the bamboo clumps with again the male sitting. That makes four Australasian Figbird nests that I am aware of in the immediate vicinity. It must be Figbird City.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Rufous Shrikethrush. Colluricincla megarhyncha

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Golden Orb-weaver. Nephila Spp.

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

No rain. Sunny with some scattered cloud. Cool fresh southerly breeze to 15 knots. Track dry. Water level fallen slightly.

On the way along the road spotted a Bush Stone-curlew towards the bottom of a garden and magnification revealed a mate and two chicks which was a good start to the day. Was sorry to note continued absence of Allumbah Pocket Golden Orb-weaver who has I guess been eaten! Was soon distracted by unusual bird call coming from an unfamiliar silhouette on a branch of a dead tree. Did my best with the camera and the computer eventually revealed an Oriental Dollarbird, a breeding migrant known to frequent sparsely timbered areas along water courses.
Buoyed by this find, Thomas and I continued on to the rocks where we found two handsome Eastern Water Dragons including “Stumpy” with the short tail. The Log Jam had only two Saw-shelled Turtles on view today. Once again no Platypuses or Possums. we did manage to spot a Union Jack Butterfly and a Rufous Shrike Thrush who entertained with some gymnastics. Our new Golden Orb-weaver at the Bridge was today photographed from the ventral side which is actually much more spectacular. The female Figbird on the tree in front of Nicks was again sitting. Closer inspection revealed another Figbird and a Magpie Lark also nesting in the same tree!

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Oriental Dollarbird. Eurystomus orientalis

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Union Jack Butterfly. Delias mysis

Rufous Shrikethrush. Colluricincla megarhyncha

Golden Orb-weaver Spider. Nephila Spp.

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

No rain. Sunny but with scattered cloud. Patchy breeze to 15 knots at times. Track dry.

Back on deck after another day off with vertigo. Thomas and I sorry to note the absence of the Golden Orb-weaver from her web at Allumbah Pocket. The web was still in good condition so perhaps she was taking a RDO. Walking across the bridge we immediately saw that the water level had risen 25-30 cms since our last visit. We haven’t had any rain so can only conclude that there is an obstruction to the flow downstream. Let me know please if you know why.
A small but well marked Eastern Water Dragon was on a rock close to Snodgrass’s Pool and as we arrived at Platypus Bend a Freshwater Snake came swimming downstream. Got a surprisingly good image considering the speed at which it was moving. Must have got the panning just right! Only two Saw-shelled Turtles at the Log Jam today and one didn’t stay to be photographed. No Platypus or Possums. At Picnic Peninsula glimpsed an Orange Footed Scrubfowl making off into the undergrowth. Must have been taking a break from digging up my garden! The other Golden Orb-weaver was still in place just downstream of the Highway Bridge. A distant Bush Stone-curlew was out in the open in the paddock adjoining the Car Park and a mob of noisy Rainbow Lorikeets were having a ball on a huge palm flower at Nick’s Camping Area. It was girls turn today at both of the Figbird nests.

Eastern Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Freshwater ( Keelback) Snake. Tropidonophis mairii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Golden Orb-weaver. Nephila Spp.

Rainbow Lorikeet. Trichoglossus moluccanus

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

No rain. Sunny with scattered cumulus clouds. Some thunderheads on eastern horizon later. Track dry.

No Post yesterday as suffering from a bout of vertigo. I don’t mind falling in the water but would hate to fall in with my camera and lens!
Thomas and I checked out Allumbah Pocket and the only resident on view was the Golden Orb-weaver. Met a couple from Germany at the Memorial Bench where they had just spotted an Eastern Water Skink. Had a chat and showed them the Eastern Water Dragon just across the path in a regular spot. Three Turtles were at the Log Jam, one being a Krefft’s Short-necked while the others were the regular Saw-shelled. Saw several large turtles just below the surface but reluctant to poke up their noses. At Platy’s Pool a Freshwater Snake swam at some speed to a mass of weed in mid stream, paused for a photo opportunity and then proceeded to and climbed the far bank. No Platypus or Possums again today. The large Golden Orb Weaver was still in the same spot on the approach to the Highway Bridge. A pair of Bush Stone-curlews were at Nick’s Camping Area and the boys were sitting on both Figbird nests. Just reminds the rest of us males that just because you wear a fancy suit doesn’t let you off child care!

Golden Orb Weaver. Nephila Ssp.

Eastern Water Skink. Eulamprus quoyii

Easter Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Krefft’s Short-necked Turtle. Emydura krefftii

Freshwater (Keelback) Snake. Tropidonophis mairii

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris

No rain. Clear sky with few scattered clouds. Light southerly breeze. track dry.

CAUTION. You may not wish to continue if you don’t like spiders.

Checked out Allumbah Pocket where Golden Orb-weaver was well illuminated showing complicated structure of her web which is suspended from a single point by multiple strands in the form of a tepee. I have tried to show the detail of this. Met a couple from Brighton, UK and chatted to them about the wildlife and the Isle of Wight. They had already seen a couple of Platypus and were doing better than I. While photographing an Eastern Water Dragon opposite the Memorial Bench was interrupted by a local family with a dog. Although on a lead he was quite aggressive towards Thomas who was quite willing to respond! At the next group of rocks I showed them another Dragon but was somewhat distracted by the canine byplay! Another strange day with no Turtles on view and missed out on Platypus and Possums also. Just before the Highway Bridge found another Golden Orb-weaver. This one was at chest height, range about 1.5 metres and absolutely huge. Her location permitted me to photograph from the ventral as well as the more usual dorsal side. A Bush Stone-curlew was just over the Fence from the Platypus Viewing Platform. At the bamboo clump the male Figbird flew off the nest as I approach but at the nest in front of the Pizzeria the female Figbird was happy for me to photograph her.

Golden Orb-weaver. Nephila ssp.

Easter Water Dragon. Physignathus lesueurii

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres flaviventris