No rain. Bright sunny day. Light breeze. Track dry.

Accompanied by both dogs who met a kindred spirit on The Other Side which all enjoyed. A platypus was seen at Snodgrass’s Pool, setting the tone for the day as 3 others followed although none in starring mood. Several Saw-shelled Turtles at The Log jam along with the second Platypus which remained immersed in the weed mat throughout. The Green Ringtail Possums were back in their favourite spot and enjoyed showing them to two couples from NSW. Further Platypus seen at either end of the narrows interspersed by a visit from a Pale-yellow Robin. It was a surprise to see a small turtle perched on a log a metre above the water in the centre of the Viewing Pool. Amazing how well they are able to climb when they have a mind to. The pair of Bush Stone-curlews were back behind Nick’s Restaurant.

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum

Green Ringtail Possums. Pseudochirax archeri

Pale-yellow Robin. Tregallasia capito

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

No rain in past 24 hrs. Sunny in cloudless sky. Strong breeze from SE ruffling water. Track dry.

Late start today after weekly shopping. All too much for Cody. Saw very little until Log Jam where there were no less than 9 turtles sunbathing. Occurred to me immediately that the specimen on the prime log was different than usual and after intensive study and comparison believe that this was a Krefft’s Short-necked Turtle. Took numerous photos. Continued on to see 2 turtles on upstream side of Picnic Bend. The second animal was showing similar behaviour to that observed previously. Why are so many of my subjects scratching when photographed ? Could they be allergic to me!

Kreff’t Short-necked Turtle. Emydura krefftii

Distinctive features in comparison to Saw-shelled Turtle are slightly different shape of carapace without serrations, yellow streak passing backwards from eye, yellowish streak on lower jaw and lack of spines on neck.

Saw-shelled Turtle. Elsya latisternum

Distinguishing features – edge of carapace serrated, lack of streaks behind eye and on mandible and neck spiny.

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Bright sunny day. No Rain yesterday. Light cool breeze. Track dry.

Not a very productive walk this morning. Plenty of songbirds around but more interested in breeding than sitting still. Motto for today “Feathered fornicators frustrate fotographers!” Very fleeting glimpse of only one platypus. No possums in evidence. Day was made by flock of ducks soaring over the meadows behind the car park. There was obviously a rising thermal as the ducks were soaring and wheeling and joined by a small group of Ibis and some Sarus Cranes much higher and disappearing into a light mist.

I also captured some video of the Ducks which is not supported by the blog. It can be seen on my Facebook Page

Plumed Whistling Duck. Dendrocygna eytoni

Straw-Necked Ibis. Threskiornis spinicollis

Whistling KIte. Haliastur sphenurus

Overcast with brief sunny periods. No rain. Track damp.

Full crew on deck this morning and birds busy at Allumbah Pocket. By the time we reached the centre of Lloyd’s Suspension Bridge I had photos of Rainbow Bee-Eater, Spotted Catbird, Lewin’s Honeyeater and Scarlet Honeyeater. After that things unfortunately cooled off. Saw 3 Platypuses but only one gave me the time of day, the others being seen fleetingly at some distance, either side of Picnic Bend. One Saw-Shelled Turtle was on the logs but having a bad hair day and did not wish to be photographed and that completed the morning’s activities.

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Rainbow Bee-Eater. Merops ornatus.

Spotted Catbird. Ailuroedus maculosus

Lewin’s Honeyeater. Meliphaga lewinii

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

2 mm rain overnight. Overcast with occasional light drizzle. Track damp.

Not very inviting so set out with both dogs a little later than usual. Numerous Honey Eaters taking nectar from Bottlebrushes along Bunya St. and bird life continued along Petersons Creek bank. No possums around this morning. The odd Saw-Shelled Turtle testing the air. Fleeting glimpse of a Platypus at the Log Jam but a stalwart performer at Picnic Bend.

Scarlet Honeyeater. Myzomela sanguinolenta.

Varied Triller. Lalage leucomela.

Spectacled Monarch. Symposiachrus trivirgatus.

Saw-Shelled Turtle. Elseya latisternum.

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Overcast with occasional drizzle. 1.5 mm in gauge overnight. Track dry.

I different sort of walk today as I went unaccompanied to meet with members of the Yungaburra Land Care Group who do a mighty job caring for Petersons Creek and it’s associated walks. We enjoyed morning tea provided by the volunteers before being joined by Shane Knuth, State Member for Hill, to discuss ways of overcoming concerns regarding the potential for injuries to users of the walk. This mainly involves the area beneath the highway bridge which becomes very slippery when wet and as it slopes towards the water there is the added risk of immersion in the creek! Fruitful discussions were held and out Local Member is hopeful that we can achieve a successful outcome.

A flight of Sarus Cranes flew overhead as we were commencing our meeting which may have been a good omen. We were fortunate to see a Platypus feeding near Platypus Bend and I was also able to show Shane the female Green Ringtail Possum and her joey in her usual spot in the Overhanging Bushes.

Sarus Crane. Grus antigone

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirops archeri

Assorted Humans. Homo sapiens

Dull. Overcast. Light breeze. Track dry.

Set off with both canine companions and found bird life along Bunya St lively around flowering Bottlebrush trees. Birdlife remained active along track. Fleeting glimpse of a Saw-Shelled Turtle at the Log Jam. A platypus downstream, of Picnic Bend was providing entertainment for 2 groups of tourists while enjoying breakfast and diving repeatedly in a small area. Another distant platypus observed in Viewing Pool and numerous other birds observed, several new to me.

Yellow-spotted Honeyeater. Meliphaga notata.

Brown Honeyeater. Lichmera indistincta

Atherton Scrubwren. Sericornis keri

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Spotted Catbird. Ailuroedus maculosus

Rainbow Bee-Eater. Merops ornatus

Bush Stone-curlew. Burhinus grallarius

Australasian Figbird. Sphecotheres vieilloti

Hornbill Friarbird. Philemon yorki

Cold morning. No rain. Cloudy with sunny spells. Track dry.

Busy day ahead to set out fairly early with both my boys. Today was the turn of the Green Ringtail Possums of which I saw 2 pairs. Only 3 Platypus showed up and none really met my exacting standards. Numerous visitors shared these sightings including Dave who lived in Bairnsdale at the same time as us and a neighbour who has been hanging out to see a Green Ringtail Possum.

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirax archeri

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Green Ringtail Possum. Pseudochirax archeri

Chilly, but a beautiful sunny morning. No wind. Track dry.

Most birds, beasts and persons appeared to have stayed in bed this morning as saw only 2 people 2 Platypus and a Figbird. A very photogenic platypus travelling between Picnic Bend and The Narrows and the second made a cameo appearance under the Highway Bridge. A cheeky Australasian Fig Bird was making a lot of noise on the topmost bamboo shoot next to the car park. I rather like today’s offering!

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus. Female.

Australasian Figbird. Specotheres vieilloti (male)

Sunny. No rain. No wind. Dry track.

Both dogs with me today, Cody having recovered from his toe infection. Only one platypus seen downstream of the Log Jam but he gave a virtuoso performance to myself and a group of tourists including a couple from NZ. A couple of Saw-Shelled turtles were observing from the logs. The Bush Stone-Curlews had moved to the car park boundary but booth lying down again. Perhaps they were the birds we heard wailing at 0400!

Platypus. Ornithorhynchus anatinus.

Bush Stone-Curlew. Burhinus grallarius