Flooded? Forget it!
Late February 2024
Clearwing Swallowtail, Silver Valley, February 2024.
During February I had high hopes of picking up where I left off on my last visit to Chillagoe but with some cooler weather. It was not to be in the end :( I got to spend time with this Clearwing Swallowtail in Silver Valley but my time in Chillagoe would amount to zero.
Bushfire sunset at Chillagoe, late 2023.
As I approached Chillagoe there was a lot of water over the road and more rain falling. I could get through but would I get back out? I decided to turn around and headed out to Silver Valley near Mt Garnet.
Silver Valley
The road into Silver Valley, February 2024.
The rain had stopped in Silver valley when I arrived but there was a fair bit of water over the road in places. Nothing that worried me so I continued to head in.
At the main water flow I found a steady stream of that soapy looking water I associate with Silver Valley. I sat for a while and then started to wander around the creek bank.
I think these are native flowers and I quite like them. Such a pretty flower on a harsh looking stem. I was not the only one interested in those flowers on this day.
Clearwing Swallowtail butterflies were feeding on the pollen and I decided to spend some time photographing them. LOL an hour or two passed very quickly as I strolled around following the butterflies.
I enjoyed lunch by the creek and decided to head out to Wurruma Swamp next to see if anything was happening there before heading home to Cairns.
Wurruma Swamp was very full of water and nothing much was happening. I spent a few hours taking photos of Comb Crested Jacana and then decided to head home.
On arriving home I discovered a fair chunk of my camera gear has issues so I have bitten the bullet and sent it in to see if it can be repaired. Might not be many photos from me for a while especially of birds until my gear comes back…….if it can be saved :(