Anticipating a good day
31st January 2021
For the last day of January 2021 my wife decided to join me travelling the Tablelands. As I spot this Cane Toad near my car I am filled with anticipation that the day will go well. My children purchased a “Dad Joke” game for me at Christmas …what can I say.
Yungaburra, November 2020.
Back in November last year we visited Yungaburra and got to just see a Platypus. We waited for hours and when one did show up it was too close to take a good photo. My wife wanted to try and see one again.
Tarzali Lakes, January 2021.
I decided this day to take my wife to the Platypus viewing area at the privately owned Tarzali Lakes. I had never been there and wanted to have a look anyway. The owners told us that the Platypus were all nesting and we had pretty much zero chance of seeing any.
A young Australasian Grebe, Tarzalia Lakes.
They offered to let us down to the Lake for free and as we were likely to get the area to ourselves I accepted. (The entrance cost is under $10) .
We decided to have lunch first and glad we did. Not only was the food and coffee excellent but by the time we had finished the rain stopped.
When we arrived lakeside the little duckling (Australasian Grebe) above was the first thing we saw. My wife unfairly I feel referred to it as the ugliest bird she had ever seen. I think that is very harsh considering she has also seen Helmeted Guinea Fowl.
We sat by the Lake for some time watching between the water lilies for any air bubbles that might indicate a Platypus. No luck.
Darting amongst the flowers and vegetation were some beautiful dragon flies which were being hunted by another beautiful blue creature.
Little Kingfisher, Tarzali Lakes.
I nearly got a shot of this Little Kingfisher swooping down to the water to snatch an insect. Tempted to stay and keep on trying I resisted as my wife said “enough” :) If I was on my own I would have stayed there for hours with this little fella.
As we left Tarzali Lake I also spotted some Swamphens in the reeds and a Spotted Drongo in a tree.
The “we are leaving” look from my wife.
On the way back to the Cafeteria at the Lakes you cross a grassy area and it was full of butterflies this day just like Tinaroo weeks before. My wife looked at me and shook her head in disapproval. We were leaving for our next destination.
Bustard Bird, Mt Garnet January 2021.
As we left Tarzali to head out to Swampland near Mt Garnet the rain started coming down. It was still raining when we arrived in the Mt Garnet area. We were driving down a dirt road and spotted a pair of Australian Bustard birds.
These birds freeze like Bush Stone Curlews when interrupted. Once they have had enough they hold their heads high and walk off. They look to me like a cross between a Bush Stone Curlew and an Emu. They stand up to 1.2 metres in height and have a wingspan of 2 metres.
Tablelands Swamp, early December 2020.
Above is a photo of the first Swamp we were going to visit that day taken back in early December during a visit with my family.
Tablelands Swamp, early December 2020.
Late December I visited agin, this time on my own, and the rain was starting to arrive. It appeared to me at the time I could see the end of sunshine and the start of the wet before my eyes. The Swamp was already starting to refill.
Tablelands Swamp, late January 2021.
Above is how that same section of Swamp was on this day a month later. Not just full, it was overflowing and the rain was still coming.
It was amazing to see that day so much water and green growth over the top of trees that only months ago had burnt in the prolonged dry weather.
White-bellied Sea Eagle, Tablelands Swamp, late January 2021.
At Tarzali Lakes we were told to keep and eye out for a White-bellied Sea Eagle that is resident there. He is patiently waiting there for the young Platypus to leave the nest so that he can try to eat them. We did not see that Eagle at Tarzali but we did see two at the Swamps that day.
Last stop for the day would be Wurruma Swamp to check the water level and see the Black Swans. As we sat and drank coffee waiting for sunset a group of them came over and fed in front of us.
Sunset at Wuruma Swamp, late January 2021.
Like most sunsets up the Tablelands it is usually worth the wait. By the time we got to the Swamp entrance on the way home the after burn was still going. Then to finish a perfect day, the clouds parted and revealed what was left of the Wolf moon from a few days before, lighting up the way home down the Gillies.
