Look at me

Amidst grey clouds and spots of rain we went for a long walk to the upper reaches of the Georges River scouting out possible platypus and owl locations. 

Along the way this delightful Variegated Fairy-wren graced us with his presence. He jumped among the branches showing off his breeding plumage, whilst the female timidly stayed hidden in the bushes.

Sad demise of a Collared Sparrowhawk

Over the last month we have been watching a group of birds flying between the trees near Lynwood Park soccer oval. At first the birds where so high up it was hard to identify what they where. After a few days we figured out they where Collared Sparrowhawks. 

For the last few days they have been missing and this morning we found one of the them dead. It appeared to be a juvenile and had an unusual dark green foam around its mouth and lots of greenish poo. The neck was very floppy but there where no visible external wounds.

So we wondered had the bird:

• eaten a poisoned animal
• been chased by a predator bird into a tree and crashed
• or what?

Windswept cliffs make for messy hair

Rosco on the return walk having a rest

Today we went for a walk near Kiama, along the coast from Loves Bay to Werri Lagoon. The Kiama Coast Walk was opened in 2009 and is 6 kilometres long. Along the way you see cliffs, smashing waves and sea birds soaring into the clouds.

Cold water and dragons

Stephen abseiling Bowens Canyon, Mt Wilson, NSW

Eastern Water Dragon

Today the water was freezing in Bowen's canyon, At the exit point of most Blue Mountains canyons you share the rocks with an Eastern Water Dragon. They come in a variety of sizes and colour markings, the one pictured is a female or juvenille. The spikes along their spine make them look prehistroic however they will happily eat crumbs from easter buns as they scamper around the rocks.

Many Eastern Water Dragons appear to be territorial and the same dragon can be at the exit point in the same canyon year after year. Wonder what they they do for entertainment in the winter months when there are no canyoners passing by.