OVER THE BORDER

Clare and I headed off to Lismore in northern New South Wales back in early October, for a family re-union with her rellies. We stayed in a local caravan park and in between the various family gatherings we were able to get out and about the local area for a bit of sightseeing.

On a drive out to New Italy via Coraki we stopped for some raptor watching among the rolling hills and farmlands. This kite very kindly flew on to a high perch close by and gave us stunning views through our binos. 

Black-shouldered Kite.

  

On the way back to Lismore that afternoon the weather became unsettled and we could see some activity ahead.

Our return route was leading us straight towards some decidedly unfriendly looking skies.

We were approaching the storm front at an angle and soon caught up to the towering face of the 

monster. In the end it was it was all show and not much blow, thank goodness! 

 

The morning of that same day we had stopped in for a walk in Rotary Park Rainforest Reserve at Lismore Heights, hoping to see some bush birds.There weren't too many feathered fliers but plenty of furry ones. It looked like a colony of fruit bats had taken over the area for their daytime roost and the noise and smell of hundreds of these much maligned creatures was quite overpowering. Nevertheless we did the circuit without any mishaps and even saw a few birds including some nesting White Ibises.

      

Grey-headed Flying Fox

Just hanging around.

NEW PICS FOR A NEW YEAR

We've had some night time visitors the last few weeks and they've cleaned up 

the fruit off the cocos palm in our backyard. I counted nine up there one night

and they can be quite noisy as they squabble and climb around the fronds.

Grey-headed Flying Foxes

I hadn't realised how long their wing "hooks" are and how these 

appendages help their agility.

There was another winged creature hanging upside down,out on the 

back verandah.We seem to find a lot of creepy-crawlies out there.

I think this may be some kind of cricket.

I visited a local dam today.There were about thirty Black Swans spread over 

the water and some Little Black Cormorants and a single Whiskered Tern

preening and resting on the pumphouse.

Little Black Cormorants

Black Swans

Poona Dam looking towards Kureelpa.

I found this fungus on a bush track nearby.

It was a dainty cup shaped mushroom about 10cm tall.

I tried to identify it through the internet but was unsuccessful.

Back in the backyard these Silvereyes were waiting patiently for their turn

 in the birdbath. Afterwards they partook of some mutual preening 

and canoodling. 

Although we have had a very wet spring and summer so far with record rainfalls in the area, we are high and dry here in Kureelpa. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those people affected by the massive flooding further north and west. I know what they are going through, having endured the 1974 floods in Brisbane.