Friday 17th September 2021. 1330 – 1500

Weather

No rain. Fine and sunny with a few scattered clouds. Breeze variable southerly. Strong at times. Track dry. Water level low but visibility clearing slowly. Full moon 21/09

Wildlife Report

Nothing was seen today along Bunya Street or at Allumbah Pocket.
While crossing the Suspension Bridge I photographed a large Saw-shelled Turtle on one of the rocks below.
Turtles were numerous today with one on the rocks near the Memorial Bench and a group of variable size on the sloping tree trunk at Snodgrass’s Pool.
Eastern Water Dragons were conspicuous by their absence.
A Platypus was sighted at the base of Log Jam Peninsula less than 5 metres from a tractor which had just been started up by one of the Volunteers and while he was apologising for possibly disturbing the wildlife! It was a good demonstration of just how conditioned the Platypus are to human activity.
I followed the Platypus upstream to The Log Jam and was able on the way to obtain a few photos.
Numerous Turtles adorning the logs were also photographed and at the junction of the main track and the one which goes around the Peninsula I took pics of a Varied Triller.
While walking under the Overhanging Bushes I noticed some ripples along the far bank and retraced my steps to investigate. It turned out to be a Rakali swimming at some speed. It crossed to my side of the Creek and was foraging in the waterline vegetation at Platys Pool where I took some very poor pics.
Close to the Observation Bench along The Narrows a small group of visitors were watching a Platypus which was bobbing up and down feeding within a very small area at the narrowest section of the Creek. I took a series of pleasing shots before leaving them to it.
The Golden Orb-weavers in the Lomandra Clump below the bridge were photographed as usual and while I did so a large male Platypus appeared, crossed the pool under the bridge and continued on to the Viewing Area. The light was insufficient for a photo.
My friend “Calamity” was more wakeful today and I managed to get a shot which included most of both eyes!
Nothing in the viewing Pool or the Car Park but I spotted the silhouette of a Bush Stone-curlew at the far end of Nick’s Camping Area and on walking over found a pair of them although not close together and rather timid.
While stalking them I came across a pair of Crested Pigeons in an interesting pose on some of the Garden Furniture.
The Red Brushtail Possum was back in the Fig Tree in his usual unhelpful position.