The Birds Head Clockwise Round Australia

Sunday, 17 January 2016

The Birds and the Beasts Part One

I know my family are wondering how we/ I am coping with the insects, particularly the spiders. Well, overall so far so good!

I did find an ear-wig in my knickers, but thankfully I wasn't wearing them at the time. The most bugy place was Lake Lyell where we did encounter a very large female huntsman, about as big as my hand, and yes it was in Nelly (the trailer). Sadly, it received a fatal blow from Better Homes and Gardens, but this was far more favourable than the possibility of a sleepless night and having a heart attack if it crawled on me. We have had a few mossie bites, they seemed to like Simon while camping in Forster. The wonderful Aussie flies are around particularly in Condobolin where we are now, but they are not too bad, the Corellas at are far worse. At first thought it was School children cheering at a sporting event, but no it was the birds, I have never heard such a racket.

A Table of Spots

Mosquitoes - Yes
Butterflies - Common Brown, certainly very common at Macquarie Woods and White ones!
Flies - Yes
Grasshoppers - Yes, there were so many hopping about at Macquarie Woods when you walk pass long grass that Scoobie didn't know what to make of it.
Birds - lots
Spiders - one large huntsman, there have been others but nothing substantial.
Snakes - none
Roos - lots of greys
Wombats - none
Koalas - none
Turtles - one, the one I caught at Ophir!
Echidnas- none
Emus - none
Camels - none
Scorpions - one

If there is anything you would like us to spot on our way round please let us know.

A pair of Wood Ducks

Galas

I want a drink

White Faced Heron

Kingfisher

And again!

The same heron!

More Wood Ducks

Crimson Rosella

Eastern Rosella

Close Up of the Flock

Flock of Birds

Lots of Grey Roos

Two cute Roos

A strange Termite mound

Large Praying Mantis

An amazing moth!

Philippa's arty shot of Dandelion seeds

Sunday, 10 January 2016

Ophir 4th Jan

Ophir was our next stop, the site of the first official recorded gold discovery. This campsite was down by the river via off road tracks and a steep decent down to the river. The area is run by a trust and they do a great job of keeping the site clean and informative for visitors. There is a 2km walking track which has signs along the route pointing out things of interest along the way. The cuttings and adit mines made by the miners were everywhere. Phil and I explored one of these mine shafts with the dogs and a head torch. It was a bit low and a bit narrow but it was an experience (see the photos below)

We had resident Azure kingfishers on the opposite bank of the river. I went fishing and caught a nice red fin (perch) Phil went fishing for yabbies and caught a turtle, I just keep getting outdone!!

There are some great off road tracks in the area and the walk up the river was stunning. No nuggets found (apart from the ones Scoobie made)

27th Dec Macquarie Woods Vittoria State Forest

Our next port of call Macquarie Woods, without doubt a beautiful campground. About 25km East of Orange. We ended up spending over a week here, wildlife was amazing Roos everywhere Shaggy and Scoobie going nuts trying to chase them on a lead not getting the fact they aren't going to get far.

Saw all manor of parrots and other birds we are ticking of our list in the bird book. Phil will be putting up some of our pics of the various critters we have seen in a separate post.

Our first time with all the kit up on Nellie which was good.

We had a great visit to Millthorpe a historic town with some very friendly people, Phil met someone she used to work with who owned the antique shop, small world.