Tuesday 14th January. 0810 – 0915

2.5 ml rain in gauge. Overcast sky. No precipitation during patrol but at 1050 steady light rain. Track damp, increasing.

Nothing seen at Allumbah Pocket but while crossing Lloyd’s Suspension Bridge observed ripples coming from the creek bank vegetation just upstream of the Stepping Stones. Went immediately to the Memorial Bench and a Platypus soon came into view, close enough for some worthwhile pics.
Left her to forage while photographing a Pale-yellow Robin, looking for non existent Water Dragons and checking out the known Possum roosts.
Continued on to Snodgrass’s Pool where White Spot the Green Ringtail Possum had moved overnight. My first shot showed no sign of her joey apart from a large bulge over her tummy. A series of images show that Possum joeys are subjected not only to considerable danger but also a lot of discomfort and reveal how they are forced to move around to alleviate this.
The Platypus by this time had caught up with us and we strolled along to Platypus Bend in her company capturing several more images before leaving her in peace.
The tree near Flood Tide Island was once again abuzz with beetles and bored Thomas again by stopping for more photography. Also captured a Cicada nymph case and a Saw-shelled Turtle taking a breath.
An Orange-footed Scrubfowl took off across the creek as we approached the Log Jam as did the only Turtle in residence and a pair of Black Pacific Ducks.
Another Megapod was at Picnic Peninsula and much more cooperative, remaining for several minutes while I attempted to obtain some half decent pics.
Nothing else to report apart from a Rufous Whistler seen whistling in the bushes around the Car Park and that Thomas was bored out of his mind as we saw not a single visitor to make a fuss of him!