Silver Gull & Black-winged Stilt.

Stradbroke Island again. This time the weather was less than perfect, this Silver Gull must not have much feeling in it's legs as the water was quite cold.

Click on photos to enlarge

Silver Gull (Larus novaehollandiae)

But more like our "Sunny Queensland" the last day was perfect. Near the end of the final beach survey for this trip as we approached the Jumpinpin Bar, we came across this trio of Juvenile Black-winged Stilt. They did not seem to take much notice of the 4wds going past, for as I was taking the photos a couple of vehicles went between us and the birds, but they stayed for more photos.

Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus)

Not sure if they were blown off course during the bad weather the day before as we had not seen them over the previous three days.

Koala (Phaskolarctos cinereus)

The couple of time I have been over to Straddie I have seen the signs saying about Koala's in the area but have not had the time to go and look for them, not that this time was any different. As we walked down a track to the beach one of the locals who came down to walk his dog asked us if we saw the Koala in the tree and he pointed it out to us.

Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

I always find it interesting to watch kangaroo's when they are on the beach as I am not used to seeing them there, being more likely to see them in a paddock somewhere. These ones were picking at the seagrass that had been washed up during the high tide.

During one of our trips down the beach we watched this rainbow.

White-faced Heron and Little Egret

I was following the White-faced Heron trying to get a bit closer for a photo. When I went around a mangrove I saw that a Little Egret was also there. They lined up well for a group shot.

Click on photo to enlarge

White-faced Heron (Ardea novaehollandiae)
Little Egret (Ardea (Egretta) garzetta)

Mullens Wader Roost on a bleak day and a very low tide

Leaden Flycatcher

The day was cold, bleak and overcast for our latest Wader count. Not many Waders about, only 20 Bar-tailed Godwit and 4 Pied Oystercatcher along with 30 Silver Gull, 3 Gull-billed Tern and 2 Caspian Tern at Norman Point. The bush birds seemed to be more active than the Waders.

Click on photos to enlarge

Leaden Flycatcher (Female) (Myiagra rubecula)

Not the best day to take photos of birds with the heavy overcast sky, but I thought I would have a go at this Leaden Flycatcher, turned out better than I thought it would.

Rainbow Beach

Rainbow Beach should only be attempted at dead low tide due to the Mudlo Rocks that have claimed many 4WD vehicles over the years.

Click on photos to enlarge

Looking towards the coloured sand cliffs.

Fresh water seeping out of the sand mass.

Fresh water running out of the sand mass to form the stream flow pictured below.