While on the floodplain, we once again encountered the magnificent sea eagle.
And later on were able to come quite close to the tree it landed on.
It was quite late in the day when we saw it, so perhaps dinner was on its mind?
Tag Archives: fauna
Monsoon Rainforest – Part 4
There were bigger creatures living in the monsoon rainforest.
Along a canal were a whole series of darter bird nests. These extraordinary bird love fishing, and can stay underwater for five whole minutes.
Not too far away lurked our one and only crocodile for the trip – a freshwater crocodile sunbathing on the sandy bank.
And on the lookout for prey.
But the most magnificent site was the one we had of the white-breasted sea eagle, which we had interrupted having its breakfast.
They may not be the largest bird of prey in Australia, but they were large enough for me.
Monsoon Rainforest – Part 3
The monsoon rainforest was alive with all sorts of creatures. Different coloured dragonflies kept us company. This one was a bright red.
In the water were a grand assortment of water birds of many colours.
While up in the trees, the Collared Kingfisher surveyed the scene for a potential catch.
Sandstone Country – Part 6
There are also bigger creatures in Sandstone Country – but being marsupials and nocturnal, they were rather elusive. We did catch sight of these two though, with the help of our knowledgeable guide.
This rock wallaby made a brief appearance under a rock overhang.
And we caught a glimpse of a pair of possums in a rock crevice, out of the midday heat.
Apart from these two larger creatures, that’s all the larger animal action in Sandstone Country, and the end of our visit there – although there’s plenty more to see at Mt Borradaile. Next, we venture somewhere much more watery.
Sandstone Country – Part 5
We had quite a few encounters with the wildlife in Sandstone Country. Being a place with many nooks and crannies, there were many places for creatures to hide.
The smallest first – these green tree ants were definitely the most ubiquitous. Their green bums have a lemon taste, and most tour guides in Northern Australia will coerce encourage you to taste it.
This little beetle (or is it a bug?) had an almost jewel-like shell.
These St Andrew’s Cross spiders were almost as ubiquitous as the green tree ants. Thankfully, they’re not poisonous.
But the most striking small creature was the Leichhardt Grasshopper, first recorded by explore Ludwig Leichhardt back in in his first expedition through the Top End. He lived to mount a second expedition, where he mysteriously disappeared!
Late Summer Beach Walk
Before the wet weather set in, we took a late afternoon walk at Umina Beach to enjoy the clear views across Broken Bay to Lion Island.
The water was warm but had a bit too much weed and jelly blubbers for my liking for swimming.
The wind was certainly up that day, so it was a parasailer’s paradise.
Of course, every day is a good day for dog walking. Once again, fur children of all shapes and sizes were in force along the beach, and generally getting on quite well together.
A winery visit
It’s been several years since we visited the village of Wollombi, so it was high time that we made a day trip up from Umina. The hour-long drive along the Central Coast hinterland back-roads is always a pretty one, and Bridie was up for it, keeping her nose out the window for most of the trip.
At the end of it was Wollombi Wines, a little winery selling some quaffable wines. The light shiraz was particularly tasty. The winery were also hosting the Sculpture in the Vineyards exhibition.
It’s an exhibition that’s exclusive to the wineries around Wollombi, and there were some interesting entries.
Bridie however, didn’t know quite what to think of it all.
Safari Time – Part 6
To cap off our safari experience, we had a few encounters with those magnificent animals, the African Elephant.
We saw them roam the reserve, sometimes from afar.
And at other times, at rather close range.
It’s one thing to see them at a zoo, but another to see them freely roam. I felt very small indeed.
And as a grand finale, just before night-fall, we saw a whole herd on the move. My, weren’t they fast!
And that ends our South African journey. It’s been great to get a taster, but now it’s time to explore closer to home.
Safari Time – Part 5
We were lucky with the weather on our first game drive, but unfortunately that luck wasn’t to hold. The rest of our game drives were cloudy, cold, even rainy affairs.
We did however see some wildlife, like these Vervet Monkeys seeking shelter in the forest.
Or a pair of teenage lions having a snooze in a secluded spot.
Some times, the scenes we encountered were entirely unexpected. Like a lone giraffe, wandering in the mist.
Safari Time – Part 4
Now, on to some of my favourite, more elegant mammals.
We saw a few zebras on the reserve.
Their stripes made them instantly striking and elegant.
And one always has time for a giraffe.
Or two.
Or three!
Their long tongues and necks enable them to access leaves on all sorts of trees and bushes.
Including this spiny acacia bush. Wouldn’t want to get caught on this one…
Static and Silence 