Thursday 20th January 2022. 1300 – 1435

Weather

No rain in the gauge. Light overcast early thickening as day progressed. Still some short sunny periods. SE breeze to 15 knots at times. Track very slightly damp. Water level down and Stepping Stones almost available for use. Moon Full + 2 days

Wildlife Report

On arrival at Allumbah Pocket today I was greeted by a Rufous Shrikethrush and a Spangled Drongo both of which were prepared to have their photos taken.
“Popeye” the Green Ringtail Possum had found a slightly different pitch in the tree next to the Suspension Bridge and was only just visible from the track but from the Bridge he provided a good image.
As I crossed the bridge I heard a splash as an Eastern Water Dragon left the water in a hurry and I was able to catch him on the rock which he then climbed.
No one was at home on the Catbird’s nest this morning.
Over the past few days I have noted a number of large webs belonging to Orb-Weaver Spiders of the variety which roost at the periphery of a web by day and rebuild each evening. I checked out a large but damaged web under one of the tall Syzygium Trees near Snodgrass’s Pool and discovered the owner under a leaf at the attachment of one of the major support strands. They are always difficult to photograph but I got a couple of reasonable images.
This was followed by an Eastern Water Dragon on the Middle Rocks and another at the Upper Level.
At Snodgrass’s Pool a juvenile Saw-shelled Turtle was emulating “Tensing” Turtle and perching on the top of a branch well above the water level.
Cicadas of several species were calling today and Red Roarers could be seen in profusion in some of the Grey Gum Trees. I took shots of one group who then started passing “rain” and I was able to catch one in the act! I also found and got a shot of a Green Baron on the trunk of a Bottlebrush.
Along this section of the track I also saw an Eastern Water Skink at the water’s edge.
At The Log Jam several Saw-shelled Turtles were present including a trim female who was admiring her reflection in the water. I watched as a much larger male sneaked up onto her log and crept towards her. She was obviously taken by surprise when he got closer and did not look particularly pleased. He continued on regardless until he was mounted on top of her. I think that I now know at least one reason for Turtles climbing on each other!
At Platy’s Pool I spotted another Green Ringtail Possum on one of the lower level trees and a visiting family arrived just in time to see him.
A few metres on I took more images of the very large Golden Orb-weaver Spider who today was parceling up a cicada.
Under the Highway Bridge I saw that the Yungaburra Volunteers have almost finished building a substantial wooden barrier fence along the edge of the track. It should certainly make things much safer when it is wet and muddy. They should be commended for their efforts.
While crossing the Highway Bridge a squally shower arrived as I watched a Platypus continue foraging while completely ignoring the weather. I managed to get a couple of shots before seeking cover.
When the rain eased slightly I spotted a Bush Stone-curlew at Nick’s Camping Area so I started across the paddock.
The heavens then opened making me wish that this was not the day I had decided to leave home without my umbrella. By the time I had reached the limited shelter of a Bamboo Clump I was soaked and keeping my camera more or less dry under my hat.
From the cover however I got some shots of the pair of Curlews looking out at the rain.
Deciding that I couldn’t get much wetter I continued on across the Highway in search of Tree Roos but it was even worse under the trees so I sheltered under the Overhanging Fig Tree. I soon found that I was sharing the cover with one of the spotted Catbirds who was squawking in the canopy overhead.
When the rain eventually eased I continued on taking photos of another Green Ringtail along the lane to Bunya Street and a shot of the Magpie Lark sitting on it’s nest.