A COASTAL WALK

A couple of weeks ago I had some time after work to have a stroll along the walking paths of Caloundra and Moffat Headlands. There had been some heavy weather through earlier and although it was windy the rain had ceased, allowing me to take a few shots and check out the birdlife.  

Looking towards Caloundra from the Headland shore.  

Rockscape below Caloundra Headland.

As I wandered along looking out to sea, a large bird alighted on a branch of one of the many large Norfolk pines that have been planted along this stretch of the coast. It sat quietly preening and fluffing up it's plumage.
Being overhead it gave me the opportunity to take an unusual shot.

Headless raptor.

The bird was an Osprey and it eye-balled me from it's perch till I moved on and left it in peace.
These magnificent raptors nest in the pines and I have seen a pair attending a nest behind the control cockpit of a crane on top of an apartment block building site in town.

Eastern Osprey

My walk along Moffat Headland gave me the chance to observe some Australasian Gannets do their spectacular plunges for prey and to appreciate their mastery of the windy conditions. I watched their antics through my binos for about 20 minutes before the showers came back with a vengeance.

View from Moffat Headland.

Australasian Gannet.

The following day the weather had improved dramatically, the sun was out and these lorikeets made the most of some fresh seed in our backyard feeder.

Rainbow Lorikeets

And this fantail was still hanging around even though most of his mates have started heading south as the weather slowly warms.

Grey Fantail

SNAKES ALIVE

These friendly neighbourhood reptiles have been very active over the last month, with this tree snake showing its aggressive streak when being photographed (through a glass door!) on the back verandah.

Brown Tree Snake

A pair of Common Tree Snakes have taken up residence in the shed, but they are quite shy and will disappear behind the peg board when approached too closely.  

Common Tree Snake

This whip snake was basking on the front porch and quickly moved on after posing for a couple of shots.

Yellow-faced Whip Snake

Besides the plethora of scaly visitors some over-wintering birds have been visiting the garden including Grey (pictured) and Rufous Fantails and Striated Pardalotes.

Grey Fantail

I went for a walk with my daughter and her fiance a couple of weeks ago to our local waterfall. The birds were scarce but it was a gorgeous day and the falls were flowing well after the recent rain.

Kureelpa Falls

Johnny (walker) on the rocks. 

We also had the chance to do a walk again through Petrie Park in Nambour, where the Water Dragons were relaxing and fungi were growing well in the moist conditions left over from our wet autumn.

  

Eastern Water Dragon

I also got some great views of the Barred Cuckoo-Shrikes that were active in the fruiting figs that flourish in the park, and a not so great photo of an individual high up. 

Barred Cuckoo-Shrike