Monday 13th September 202. 1245 – 1430

Weather

1 mm of rain. Bright sunny day with scattered cloud. SE breeze. cool and brisk at times. Track damp but drying. Water level remains low. Moon First 1/4 on 14/09

Wildlife Report

A lot of old friends visited today together with numerous turtles and 4 platypus.
“Chocolate” the Brushtail Possum was snoring gently in the mistletoe clump while her joey appeared to be performing gymnastics while hanging on below the branch. The precise anatomical details were difficult to fathom but the images give the general idea.
As I crossed Lloyd’s Suspension Bridge I note a lot of waves arising from the Yungaburra bank and after moving around a bit I confirmed the presence of a Platypus.
After photographing a Brown Cuckoo Dove which was perched on one of the Stepping Stones I made my way down to the water’s edge just downstream of the bridge and found that the Platypus had also crossed over and was foraging along the West bank but so close that no worthwhile images could be obtained.
A lone Saw-shelled Turtle was on a rock close to the Memorial Bench and a group of them were lined up on the sloping log in Snodgrass’s Pool.
I detoured to the Upper Level and said good day to “Scarface” the Eastern Water Dragon who seems to be enjoying the extensive area of sunlit real estate exposed by the recent slashing.
Returning to the track I spotted the Green Ringtail Possum in the tree on the bank of the Pool and soon ascertained that she was as I had surmised “White Spot” with her new joey. I had a lengthy chat with her but she declined to reply.
Close to Platypus Bend I saw a female Leaden Flycatcher and managed to grab a few pics.
Near Full Tide Island I photographed a Shining Bronze Cuckoo but his partner remained elusive.
A group of Saw-shelled Turtles were adorning the select perches at The Log Jam and as usual provided a good selection of images.
A second Platypus was seen rounding the tip of Picnic Peninsula and then foraging along the far bank.
A third Platypus was seen briefly at The Narrows but was not inclined to interact with me.
I again photographed the Golden Orb-weaver spider and the red and black morph.
The Brushtail Possum was visible in the bush near the centre of the Highway Bridge and my suspicions were today confirmed. Tails are present on both sides of the image (marked with a white *) so the Name Highwayman will have to go. I have decided to call her “Calamity” after the renowned Wild West gunslinger Calamity Jane.
At the Platypus Viewing Pool another Platypus was present and I watched it for a while in the hope that it might be “Ringneck” but this was not the case,
The Red Brushtail Possum was in the overhanging fig tree and actually showing his face.
Several Scarlet Honeyeaters were photographed in the Bunya Street Bottle Brush Trees.