Ascent of summer (November).

OK, you've noticed, I'm playing catch-up. After a really hot October November settled into a more normal winter with a good amount of rain that really helped the plants, some of which had been really struggling.  The Koalas appeared to enjoy the change of pace and the males could be heard calling with their deep bass growls most evenings.

Dozy Koala

 I was having a cup of tea one morning when a small parrot turned up on the deck.  Not recognising the species I grabbed the camera and got some shots, but I became a little cautious when it seemed unconcerned about me dashing around.  I became even more suspicious when it hopped up and took a slurp of my tea before hopping onto my finger and made itself comfortable. Yup! not an exotic Australian species, but someone's pet that had escaped.  He was a charming little fellow though, and you will be relieved to know that we found its owner and it was repatriated the following day. Apparently his name was Ragnar and I was quite disappointed to see him leave.

Visiting Ragnar

Meanwhile the joey seen last month had put on some pounds and was now to be seen outside Mum's pouch and happily stretching his legs, although staying very close to Mum for safety.

Red-necked Wallaby and joey.

Off we go.

 A few months ago Furball, one of our cats passed on, and I have been really pleased to see that since her passing the Gecko population has reappeared.  Velvet Geckos are quite a favourite of mine and I had been distressed to see the cat had taken them, but the population seems to have quickly bounced back.

The Velvet Gecko

And then there was another trip up to the far north to visit the site and earn a living, but not one to miss an opportunity....

Blue-winged Kookaburra

The northern species of Figbird

 The Environment Officers invited me to accompany them whilst they conducted water sampling at Footprint Swamp.  In the wet season this would be under 6' of water, but now there's little but a muddy hole, but what a muddy hole!

Footprint Swamp

 From left to right Australian Ibis, Glossy Ibis, Intermediate Egret (rear), Yellow Spoonbill, Australian Ibis, Pied Heron, Australian or Rajah Shelduck and more Glossy Ibis.

Glossy Ibis on the wing

and a Spoonbill

 Further away from the mud wallow, Black-winged Stilt, Masked Plover and Pied heron.

An assortment of waders

 and a few of the resident family of wild pigs, that were probably the root cause behind the muddiness of the hole.

Resident pack of wild pigs.

 Left to right again. Little Egret, Glossy ibis, Intermediate Egret, Glossy Ibis, Pied Heron, Black-winged Stilt, Pied Herons and more Glossy Ibis.

What an interesting group

 The lizards proved interesting as well, and relatively unconcerned by us. This is a Two-Striped Dragon, about 8" long.

The Two-striped Dragon

 And a friendly Rainbow Skink that emerged from the leaf litter to check out our boots whilst we were conducting ground water sampling.

A Rainbow tailed Skink scampers onto a colleagues boot.

The skink tastes the air

A friendly wee fellow

 And over the water....

White-bellied Sea Eagle at Cooktown

Meanwhile back at the ranch!

Regulars (Seen daily)

Australian Magpie
Bar-shouldered Dove
Brown Honeyeater
Cicadabird
Common Bronzewing
Double-barred Finch
Galah
King Parrot

A pair of King Parrots

Laughing Kookaburra
Little Corella
Noisy Friarbird
Olive-backed Oriole
Pacific Black Duck
Pale-headed Rosella

Pale-headed Rosella on the feeder

Peaceful Dove
Pied Butcherbird
Plumed Whistling Duck
Pied Currawong
Rainbow Lorikeet
Spangled Drongo
Sulphur Crested Cockatoo
Torresian Crow
Welcome Swallow

Common (Seen Weekly)

Channel-billed Cuckoo
Little Friarbird
Magpie Lark

A Magpie Lark

Noisy Miner

White-throated Gerygone

White-throated Honeyeater
Willie Wagtail
Yellow-faced Honeyeater



Uncommon (Seen occasionally)

Black-faced Cuckoo Shrike
Blue-faced Honeyeater
Eastern Yellow Robin
Dollarbird
Forest Kingfisher
Grey Shrike Thrush
Leaden Flycatcher
Sacred Kingfisher
Spotted Pardalote
White-throated Treecreeper

Wood Duck

Rare (Seen once)

Common Mynah
Eastern Boobook
Pacific Baza
Pheasant Coucal
Scaly-breasted Lorikeet
Scarlet Honeyeater
Stubble Quail

49-species, which is about all for now. See you next month