Tuesday 1st September 2020. 1400 – 1505

Weather

No rain. Scattered cumulus cloud with sunny periods. Gusty southerly breeze to 20 knots. Track dry, firm. Water level up slightly ? why.

Post

Domestic chores and some gardening this morning so set off with Thomas after lunch. Had already commenced days photography as a Bush Stone-curlew had moved into our front garden and was posing for me.
At the entrance to Allumbah Pocket found that the Green Ringtail Possum seen last time was in the same tree and was somewhat easier to observe. Seems to be carrying quite a lot of condition around the abdomen ans suspect that this is a female with a joey in the pouch!
Photographed a large Saw-shelled Turtle on a rock under the suspension bridge and on reaching The Other Side found another Green Ringtail Possum fully exposed while perched on a vine between two trees. He had rather tatty ears and I suspect that it was Peter the Piratical Possum!
Another Turtle was on the rocks just past the Memorial Bench and on the rocks opposite Snodgrass’s Pool a moderate sized Eastern Water Dragon was taking the sun.
On the way to Log Jam Peninsula stopped to photograph the scarlet flowers of a mistletoe clump in a bottle brush. I don’t recall seeing flowers of this colour on mistletoe before so will have to do some study later. While doing this noted a small bird nearby which I again did not recognise. I will advise when I have made an identification!
At the Log Jam I counted 6 Saw-shelled Turtles of assorted size and in a variety of postures. They love the sunny weather.
Bumped into several visiting couples from places ranging from Kirai to Bath in the UK and was able to direct several to some of the wildlife.
At the Overhanging Bushes yet another Green Ringtail Possum was seen but in a difficult light position. He seemed to have very tatty ears again but I did not recognise him.
Platypus not seen today but one of the couples had seen six yesterday evening! It is getting close to mating season.
The Bush Stone-curlew was still resting in the garden and was photographed again to complete our Patrol.