Butterflies Everywhere

Butterflies everywhere you look! The Caper Whites are on the move in their thousands! It would be very interesting to see just how far they go. We live in South East Queensland, and we heard a report they could go down as far as Victoria. Not sure how far North they travel. People may not be aware with the shear numbers of Caper White Butterflies that there are other Butterfly species also migrating with them, like the Meadow Argus and Australian Painted Lady.

Caper White (Belenois java)(Female)

Caper White (Female)

Caper White (Female)

Caper White (Male)

Caper White (Male)

Caper White (Male)

Meadow Argus (Junonia villida calybe)

Meadow Argus

Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi)

 

This Kookaburra was sitting in one of the trees in our back yard, and was being harassed by all the other birds. It had enough, and flew straight for me; then landed on the railing right beside me.

Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

 

For more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday

Glastonbury Creek Cont.

It is always amazing to see all the trees that survive amongst  the rocks and how healthy the grass trees are.

White-throated Treecreeper (Cormobates leucophaeus)

Some of the rocks and Grass Trees.

Cicada shell and fungi

Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

No camp site would be complete without at least one Kookaburra checking you out.  

Rufous Fantail (Rhipidura rufifrons)

In search of a decent photo of a Rufous Fantail, the first two  were taken when we checked out the camp ground before the actual camp, so we knew where the fantail was. All I had to do was sit back and wait for the bird to show itself long enough for some photos, or so I thought!

 

While waiting some people came along to ask us if we knew how to get down to the creek, so we told them where the access was. At this stage I had my back to the trees showing them which way to go, when you guessed it, the fantail sat on an outside branch in full view. So back to waiting! The fantail showed itself by sitting on the wire, and then going down to the ground and back again. At this point the battery in the camera decided to go flat, so the photos are not as clear as I would have liked. Looks like we will have to go back and try again. I did have spare batteries, next time I will put in a new one while I wait.

White-eared Monarch (Monarcha leucotis)

This White-eared Monarch was in a feeding flock that was moving through the trees along the creek, there was also a Fairy Gerygone which was a new bird for us. 45 species all up for the camp. For a full list go to my pages.

For more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday.

Mothar Mountain

Mothar Mountain Rock Pools is only a short drive from Gympie. On a hot day it is a very popular spot for a swim or picnic, or you can go for a walk through the rainforest as we did. It always amazes me when people go for a walk; what do they see around them, or is it just getting from start to finish is all that matters? As I was taking the photo of the orchid people walked past and one of the children said "what are they doing?" only to be told by one of the adults, "looks like they are looking for something on the ground", and kept on walking. 

Click on photos to enlarge.

   Some of the things we saw on the walk, enjoy

 No shortage of rocks in the creek.

 Strangler Fig

 

 Rock Pools

 Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

Orchid

For more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday.

Merry Christmas

 Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas

Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

For more birds visit Wild Bird Wednesday

What can be more Australian than this post !

There are a few animals that stand out to represent Australia, and I would like to share some of them.

On a recent visit to Churingas B&B just outside of town as part of our surveys for "Bird Trails of Cooloola", we were lucky enough to see all of the following, plus lots more birds, 62 species in all.  

Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

Australian King-Parrot (Alisterus scapularis) (Female)

Australian King-Parrot (Male)

 Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus)

Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) 

Will post more birds seen over the 2 days we were there soon.

Frog Chorus & Wet Kookaburra

Good weather for frogs with continuous heavy rain and showers. Thought I might share some of these amphibians with you as they were calling very well last night. Too wet for bird photography although there are some very wet looking Kookaburras about.

Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae)

Laughing Kookaburra

The Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is our largest Kingfisher (40 - 47cm). Its' call is a feature of the Australian landscape. The video and calls were recorded in our backyard when this family decided to stop for a little while. Altogether there were six birds in the group, luckily not all calling at once.