Mid January, my early morning walk took me back to the Eagleby Wetlands. With the on going drought years, they were a very sad sight. They were dry and weed ridden. The trail beside the Albert river was very pleasant.
I was thrilled to spot, what I believe to be, a White Bellied Sea Eagle. Alas, a flock of Noisy Minor birds chased it swiftly away.
A cute Red Fairy Wren.
28 January
The Hungry Hikers arrived at Coombabah Lake Conservation Park by 7am, having negotiated the commuter traffic quite smoothly. There were no picnic tables, but ever resourceful, we still managed to enjoy a relaxed cuppa, before setting off hiking.
About 5 days prior to our hike, this part of the coast had a deluge of rain fall in a very short period of time, creating chaos on the roads and in some low lying homes. Thankfully the trail wasn't as damp as it might have been.
The park is a haven for literally hundreds of kangaroos and wallabies.
Recovery from a bushfire.
Coombabah Creek 
Boardwalk along an inlet. 
Paper Bark Melaleuca's enjoying the flooded swamp.
Spot the one lone duck, before it too, flies away. 
This section of the trail came to a very deep, watery end. 
Rather than retrace our steps, I managed some bush bashing and found a path that was negotiable. The Hungry Hikers have just been given the all clear to follow. 
It was at this point that the mosquitos descended in their hordes. Note the arm waving. Our pace increased rapidly. 
So wonderful to see 'green' returning and replacing the brown vistas of the past 6 months.
I would love to read your comment.
Oh, such a wonderful green, fresh, soothing post! The kangaroos and wallabies look so cute. :)
ReplyDeleteHow are the mosquitos there? Are their bites very bothering?
Have a lovely beginning of the new month! Hugs!
Yes Sara. The return of the green has been rejuvenating in so many ways. Councils spray to control msquito infestations so overall in suburbia they are not a problem. All our homes have insect screens. Some people have a reaction to their bite as in extreme itchiness. It's best to avoid bites as they can transmit Ross River Fever a viral infection causing fever, rash, joint pain and tiredness over a period of weeks. More wonderful rain has fallen so the month of March is off to a great start. Have you signs of spring?
DeleteHi Helen: Great shots of the eagle, a spectacular bird indeed. It seems that your poor country goes from one climate-induced disaster to another, with fires and drought being replaced by floods. I was looking at a whole bunch of climate models recently and I fear that based on the predictions that I examined (all done by serious climate scientists, by the way) it is only going to get worse.
ReplyDeleteDavid the the floods produced in central Queensland and Australia are drought breaking for the property owners. Thankfully they haven't been intense as in the 2017 flodds which saw large cattle losses. I follow a site called "Who got the Rain". Overall the comments are of relief and rejoicing and the hope of follow up rain.
DeleteLovely to see it green again! Nice shots.
ReplyDeleteYes it is wonderful. Everywhere is amazingly green and lush. Such a contrast to 2 months ago.
DeleteLove all the kangaroo photos!
ReplyDeleteAs we arrived early, they were quite active.
DeleteLovely to see the 'wet' but you can keep the mozzies.
ReplyDeleteI hear you re the mossies, but unless visiting wetlands, they aren't too much of a nuisance.
DeleteNice! A multiplicity of marsupials!
ReplyDeleteAlas, we didn't spot any koalas. Had we been not chased by the mosssies, we may have seen them in that area. We have before.
DeleteThat sea eagle has a lethal beak! Seeing all those kangaroos in one place is magical. I was surprised you can get so close to them. Another great hike in a greening landscape. (I guess the mosquitos also like the rain!)
ReplyDeleteAs this area is very popular with walkers, the 'Roos' are comfortable with ones presence.
DeleteThat looks like a great hike. I recall seeing a sea eagle once. They're so big, at first I thought it was a person skydiving!
ReplyDeleteI always love returning here.
DeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteStill rather disappointed that I only saw the briefest glimpses of Kangaroos on our trip.
ReplyDelete