Sunday 7 May 2017

Hiking Down Under

After 4 years of our weekly Wednesday walk, my group, the Hungry Hikers, have all but exhausted the possibilities of our local area. As I now walk with another group on Thursdays, the overlap is even greater. Still it is enjoyable to return to old trails.
This is a catch up of the last few weeks.

Seventeen Mile Rocks Riverside Parkland.


The showers predicted, came as we completed our 9 kms.

Caloundra Coastline - ominous and we did have to take shelter twice and drove home in heavy rain.


Lota Wetlands - heavy sky, but only a light sprinkle.


Brisbane City walk, including the old Botanical Gardens.



Berrinba Wetlands


This is a lonely Processional Caterpillar.
They live underground in a silken nest and emerge in a continuous line to feed. I've never seen so many as on this walk. Just fascinating to watch. I have recently learnt that their hairs, if ingested by pregnant horses when feeding on the grass where the caterpillar discards its skin, will abort their unborn.



My laptop has been away having its screen replaced. In that time Country Mum from the "Farm-ily" blog, has posted a nest of these caterpillars, but hanging from a tree. Cousins?

http://www.ourfarm-ily.com/2017/05/may-2-2017.html



Morning walk on my own with my new camera.

The old camera still took great images but the dials decided to do their own thing and the cost of repairs were too great. 
After much deliberation, I have stayed with a point and shoot. It is a Sony HX90V and is the newer version of the camera I am replacing. 
Its 30x zoom, made me very happy with this shot, of what I believe to be, a Double Barred Finch. With the naked eye, I had no idea of its lovely appearance.

2nd Berrinba visit.





Mt Beeburrum - 1st visit and we have been feeling it in our thighs ever since, it was soooooo steep! The views were amazing.





I was very pleased with my new camera again.
I was standing 2 metres away and the butterfly was fluttering its wings continuously.

From here we made the short drive to Mt Ngungun. A stroll in the park after Mt Beerburrum.



Wattle

Seventeen Mile Rock Parkland



There is always so much beauty to find in our great outdoors down under.
I would love to read your comment.

9 comments:

  1. I struggle sometimes with redoing the same trails, but as you've found, there is always something new to see. Looks like your fall is a warm one.

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    1. Our winter is too! The downside of living in the tropics, we don't see fall colours.

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  2. Lots of great hikes! Congrats on the new camera - looks like it takes great pics.

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  3. I'm glad you're enjoying your new camera! The butterfly and bird photos turned out great. Even though we may repeat our adventures - whether it's walking trails or working cattle - there's usually something new to experience and see. Thanks for sharing through your pretty pictures!

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  4. I could walk those trails over and over again! I love the purple lilies.

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  5. You new camera is doing a great job... as is the person behind it!! I do love seeing all your walks.

    Our processionary caterpillars haven't ventured out of that nest yet. It will be interesting to see them when they do.

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  6. Lovely photos as always. I feel I'm really getting to know your neighborhood now!

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  7. Oh my goodness, that is the scariest video I have seen in a while! (I'm a forest owner. :))
    Gorgeous photos, Helen. Wonderful landscapes and very cute birds, especially the Double Barred Finch, of course.
    Have a great weekend! xx

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  8. Stunning photos of the double barred finch and the butterflies. I understand what you mean about exhauting local possibilities. We have just bought electrically-assisted bikes which is going to open up a whole new world (without stressing our knees!).
    And we have the processional caterpillars in the Loire as well. What a catastrophe.

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