2014 - Australia

AUSTRALIA 2014

All images are Copyright 2014 by Wayne Padgett, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved. Materials may not be duplicated for profit-driven purposes.

We spent the month of September pretty much on the edges of eastern Australia (Sydney, Brisbane, Cairns/Port Douglas, Darwin and Melbourne) with a few side trips into the Outback of northern Australia (Kakadu and Litchfield National Parks), and one into Grampians National Park west of Melbourne.  There were so many highlights it's hard to pick out the one shining point of the whole trip. So, below are some day-by-day shots from our visit and it will probably be obvious which days were more packed (more photos). But, it was all good!  ALL GOOD!! 

 

For images of all the plants and animals we saw on our journeys through Australia, visit our other Blog Australia Life - Things Living In-Around Australia.  On that blog we have better organized images of the birds, fish (Great Barrier Reef), reptiles, warm-fuzzy critters, and wildflowers we saw during our month's stay. What an amazing biodiversity the country has to offer.

 Cheers! 

Day 28 -  Wednesday, October 1. Phillip Island Penguins

Today is our last day in Australia. We're went into Melbourne to do some last minute souvenir shopping. Then from there, we took a trip down to Phillip Island to check out the Penguin Parade.  It was just a little more icing on the cake. We took (and paid for) a special VIP tour. There were 10 or us totally being led by Sonya, their tour guide, and we got to go to a part of the island generally closed to the public.  We all wore black rain jackets and dark blue rain pants so we would appear to be rock formations to the little penguins. We were supplied with night vision monoculars that had an infrared beam to help us see and watch these CUTE critters come on land, passing between 20-30 feet from us.  A total of 149 penguins were counted that came near us.  No photos are allowed, but no worries!  They said it's okay to download photos off their web page and share them, so here are a few.

Phillip Island - about 1:45 south of Melbourne

Photo courtesy of http://www.penguins.org.au

Photo courtesy of http://www.penguins.org.au

Photo courtesy of http://www.penguins.org.au

Photo courtesy of http://www.penguins.org.au

Been a fantastic month, to say the VERY LEAST!  Tomorrow we land in Los Angeles about 3 hours before we take off in Melbourne.  And we get home with plenty of time to grab a late lunch as we ease back into the "real world".  Sigh...

Day 27 -  Tuesday, September 30. Grampians National Park

Today was our last day in Grampians National Park and it was a day devoted to flowers. We went looking for orchids and found some.  But we saw a bunch of other things as well. Tomorrow is our last day in Australia, so I'm also including another shot of kangaroos.  These ladies were out in the fields around our motel. One has a joey trying to get back in the pouch (a big joey at that) and the other has the head of her joey sticking out of her pouch.  Pretty cute.

Grampians National Park - About 3.5 hours west (and a little north) of Melbourne

Two mama kangaroos and their joeys

Little Corella, male and female I presume.  They seemed to be attending babies in that hole in the stem below where they are perching.

Brachyloma daphnoides - Daphne Heath

Acacia spp

Tetratheca ciliata - Pink Bells

 Grevillea aquifolium - Holly  Grevillea

Astroloma pinifolium - Pine Heath

Styphelia adscendens - Golden Heath

Lobelia dentata - Angel Sword

Chamaescilla corymbosa - Blue star

Cool fringe-petaled flower less than a dime in diameter.  It's a Thysanotus of some sorts and a photo on the internet makes me think it might be T. patersonii (Twining Fringe-lily), a twining herb endemic to Australia according to wikipedia (which, of course, is never wrong).

And now a couple of Orchids we (Jim) found in a January 2014 burn in the northern part of the Grampians NP off the Mt Victory Road (see area in pink on the map below).  The burn was big and the orchids were plenty.  It wasn't as though they were everywhere you looked, but if you looked closely enough, they were there!

I just found this link to Native Orchids of Australia and I LOVE that the web page is: http://www.retiredaussies.com/index.htm (RetiredAussies.com). Who else would have the time to put something like this together?

Glossodia major - Waxlip Orchid
I'm pretty sure this is waxlip orchid (Glossodia major).  We've seen it a lot of places and the color varies from white to blue/purple.  But, otherwise looks the same.

Arachnorchis venusta - Graceful Spider Orchid
There appear to be over 50 species of spider orchid (genus Arachnorchis) in the state of Victoria, but I'm pretty sure this is a Graceful Spider Orchid (Arachnorchis venusta). It looks just like the photo on the Retired Aussies' web page.

Petalochilus spp. - Fingers Orchid
I see only twelve species of Fingers Orchid (Petalochilus spp) in the state of Victoria on the Retired Aussies' web page, and this and the follow photo are probably the widespread Summer Fingers (P. vulgaris).

Petalochilus spp

Now, this following on looks more like the less common Petalochilus maritimus (Angahook Fingers). I took this photo on 29 September in the Grampians and it's probably just a lighter variety of the previous one, but who knows.  Jim probably found a rare orchid in Grampians National Park!

Looks like Caladenia spp - some kind of Fingers Orchid

Pyrorchis nigricans - Undertaker Orchid
This is the only place in Australia where we found this orchid and it was abundant in one little spot in a recent (January 2014) burn. Cool little guy!

Pyrorchis nigricans - Undertaker Orchid

Day 26 -  Monday, September 29. Grampians National Park

Drove from Melbourne to Grampians National Park. Got in around 1:30 p.m., ate lunch, checked into our room at the Grampians Motel, then went looking for orchids up in the burned area along the Mount Victory Highway.  Looks like they had a BIG fire here last year - this one doesn't look like it was set by the Australian natives.  Of course, Jim is the one who finds nearly all the orchids - I just take photos of them.  But it was a successful day. And, of course, it's about midnight so I'm just going to post a few shots and will try to finish tomorrow... Tomorrow it's supposed to rain, but maybe not until later in the day.  We still have lots to see in Grampians National Park, but we'll see what the weather has to hold and we'll go from there.  Down to our last two days in Australia.

Probably Petalochilus carneus - Pink Finger

Thelymitra antennifera - Rabbit Ears Sun Orchid

And now for a little fun with Spider Orchids. All the following photos were taken on the same day in the same general area of Grampians National Park.  I think they're all different species, but then I probably would given the fact that I want to see as many different orchids as I possibly can.  So... you be the judge.  Different? Or the Same???

Possibly Arachnorchis venusta - Graceful Spider Orchid

Arachnorchis oenochila - Wine Lipped Spider Orchid

Arachnorchis sp aff colorata - Nelson Spider Orchid

Day 25 -  Sunday, September 28. Aireys Inlet to Melbourne

Today we drove from Aireys Inlet, where we stayed last night at the Lightkeepers Inn. It was a busy night on the Great Ocean Road and we lucked into a fine little motel - needed a bit of work, but the people were great and the room was comfy. And the Greek restaurant next door served the best pork shoulder I think I've ever eaten - with apple and cabbage (Yum!). 

In Melbourne, we got to meet a friend of my sister's, Marika, and had a really fun night.  

Melbourne to Great Ocean Road via Airey's Inlet, ending at Port Campbell

Jim and Marika at Doyle Front Hotel outside Melbourne, Australia

Day 24 -  Saturday, September 27. Great Ocean Road... again

So we made up for yesterday.  We stopped off again to see the Twelve Apostles and they were maybe prettier than the night before with real sunlight on them (see below).  Then, we found koalas and we found orchids! And lots of both.  The koalas were on the Grey River Road in Kennett River - most of them about 1.5-2.5 km up from the highway junction (see map below).  The orchids were in the Anglesea Heathlands natural area above Anglesea in a portion of the Great Otway National Park.

Four or five of what's left of the Twelve Apostles

Grey River Road location

And Now... the ORCHIDS

We found them in what was signed as the Otway National Park, and I'm pretty sure they were in the area shown on the map below.  I took photos with my point-n-shoot camera that has a built-in GPS system, but do you think I can figure out how to find that data in the photos???  Oh well...  I tried.  Regardless, here are some shots from that locations, wherever it was.

I'm pretty sure this is where we were when we found the orchids. From Anglesea, find Noble Street and take it to where it ends on Harvey Street, turn right and drive past the big homes on your left.  There's a wide spot on the left with the above sign next to the dirt road and a trail into the park.  Orchids are scattered in the more open areas.

 

Plumatichilos sp aff plumosa - Large Bearded Greenhood

Diuris orientis - Donkey Orchid

Thelymitra antennifera - Rabbit Ears Sun Orchid

Glossodia major - Waxlip Orchid

Arachnorchis venusta - Graceful Spider Orchid

Day 23 -  Friday, September 26. Great Ocean Road

Got up this morning and hit the road for the Twelve Apostles via the Great Ocean Road on the southern coast of Australia.  We were told to see the orchids in Anglesea and the koalas in Kennett River. We saw one orchid (see photo below) and no koalas because we had no idea what we were looking for.  After some time spent on the internet tonight, I know where to go tomorrow.  Back to Kennett River (1.5 km on the Grey River Road) and back to the Anglesea Heath, where at least 80 different species of orchid live and grow.  We did make it to the Twelve Apostles, just as the sun was setting.  That was great timing! Spent the night at the small (7 room) Waves Hotel in Port Campbell. 

Caladenia alata - Fairy Orchid

Twelve Apostles - Great Ocean Road

Day 22 -  Thursday, September 25. Travel day to Melbourne

So, we saw lots of birds yesterday - photos I didn't get a chance to post.  But here are just a few especially for Nancy C (I'm depending on you, Nancy, for corrections - please).  We checked out a few last minute places before heading back to Darwin and a 6:15 p.m. flight.  Mostly, we hit Yellow Water again - saw a few more birds and another crocodile. But then we ended the day with what seemed like a never-ending flight on Virgin Australia.  Seats were packed on the airplane (hardly room for my knees), they were the most uncomfortable I've ever sat in, and we didn't get into Melbourne until 11:00 p.m. LONG day... (whine, whine, whine...).

Australian Darter

Radjah Shelduck

Plumed Whistling-Duck

Little Pied Cormorant

Black-necked Stork

Glossy Ibis (pretty sure)

Australian Darter (Female)

Magpie Goose

Whistling Kite

Day 21 -  Wednesday, September 24 (Happy Birtday, sister Sue)! Cheers from Yellow Waters near Cooinda in Kakadu National Park
Life is like a bowl of crocodiles...at least that's how we feel today.  Just add water and they appear fresh and ready to bite right through the boat side. We saw tons of birds as well, but once again, I've waited until after my Ambien kicked it, so it's too late baby, now it's too late.  I'll post a few crocs, then we're done for tonight. We get in late tomorrow night into Melbourne - flight lands at 11:00 pm. Then, after we get our car and drive to the motel, we'll be totally done.  Keep your eyes open for more postings on our Friday, September 26.  Ciao for now!

Crocodile Rock On!

I remember when rock was young
Me and Suzie had so much fun
Holding hands and skimming stones
Had an old gold Chevy, a place of my own

Read more: Elton John - Crocodile Rock Lyrics | MetroLyrics

But the biggest kick I ever got
Was doing a thing called the Crocodile Rock
While the other kids were rocking round the clock
We were hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock

Well, Crocodile rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can't keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh, lady, mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile rocking was out of sight

White-bellied Sea Eagle

White-bellied Sea Eagle with catch (fish) of the day

Look at those eyes!

April - Knock 'Em Down Storm Season!

Day 20 - Tuesday, September 23.  Nourlangie Region of Kakadu National Park

Spent most of today in the Nourlangie Region of Kakadu National Park looking at Aboriginal rock art and a couple of Billabongs. Our first stop was at the Barrunggui and Anbangbang rock art site.

Dancing

Dancing

Dancing

Nabulwinjbulwinj was a dangerous spirit who ate females after striking them with a yam! Totally dangerous dude!

Namarndjolg (left) and Namarrgon the Lightning Man

Barrginj - Namarrgon's wife

Above: Barrginj - Namarrgon's wife; Below: Family groups of men and women on their way to a ceremony.

 After our first stop, we walked along the Anbangbang Billabong.We saw a black-necked stork chasing a egret, a whistling kite chasing an egret, egrets dancing (mating ritual, I believe), whistling-ducks (both wandering and plumed), and a really cool dragonfly just hanging out and watching all the activity.

Black-Necked Stork

Whistling Kite

Egrets dancing

Egrets dancing

Black-necked stork chasing an egret

Black-necked stork chasing an egret

Whistling kite chasing an egret (bad day for the egrets)

Whistling kite chasing an egret

I think these are plumed whistling-ducks

Dragonfly

Then, during the heat of the day (about 36 deg C), we did a 3.5 km round trip walk to the Nanguluwur Rock Art Site.  We were questioning whether or not this hike was going to be worth it, but after we got to the site, we had absolutely no regrets whatsoever! The art wasn't interpreted as well as on the previous site, but it was still totally amazing.  I think a little research on my part and I can find out more about what these images represent.  Not tonight, though... it's after 10:00 p.m. and I need my beauty rest!

View of one of the main panels at the Nanguluwur Rock Art Site

Barramundi fish appear in a lot of the rock art here

The sign at the site noted the following: "Change has always been a part of Aboriginal life but the greatest changes have occurred since contact with European cultures. Ships like these were seen in the area between 1880 and 1950 when they brought supplies to buffalo hunting camps on the floodplains of the Alligator Rivers, and returned to Darwin with Hides. Many Aboriginal people worked in these camps. The work was seasonal, so people could return to their country to carry out the cultural activities necessary to maintain spiritual links with the land."

Hands

There was cotton-like seed coming out of the mature fruit of this plant.

Day 19 - Monday, September 22.  Kakadu National Park

Got up slowly this morning and after checking out of our Darwin hotel at 10:00 a.m. we drove east to Kakadu National Park.  We're staying at the Crocodile Hotel, just above the right hind leg (see top left of the photo from www.wotif.com web page).  

Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel

After checking in, we drove up to Ubirr Rock to check out the rock art, some dating back more than 5,000 years.  Here is just a sample of what we saw today - some very amazing works of art!

Long-neck turtle

Ubirr Rock art

Sorcery Figure

Barramundi and Alligator rock art

Wallaby (bottom center) and Barramundi rock art (with a little Photoshop poster edges added)

Tasmanian Tiger rock art

Kakadu National Park Ubirr rock art

Kakadu National Park Ubirr rock art

Ubirr long-neck turtle rock art

View from Ubirr Rock

Termite mounds (bottom of photo in gray dirt area) from Ubirr Rock

Smoke from fire burning in Kakadu National Park

Dr. Lizzardo at Ubirr Rock

This and the following shot are for Nancy C.  Any clues what they are?

Unknown (Seen at Windows on the Wetlands)

Red-neck Dove

 

Cheers from the head of the Crocodile

Pretty yummy brownie with ice cream (except those marshmallows - what the...)

My birthday dessert - lemon/lime Crème brûlée with ice cream.
Très Yum!

Day 18 - Sunday, September 21.  Litchfield National Park

Took a drive south of Darwin to Litchfield National Park. This park is known for its termit mounds that are perfectly aligned north/south. Studies of the mounds show that if they were aligned any other way, the sun would heat the inside of the mounds significantly higher. And here it is, the end of winter in norhtern Australia, and the outside temperature got up to 38 degrees Celsium (100 deg. F).  Of course, the temperature doesn't vary much throughout the year - mean maximum temperatures in Darwin range from 30.6 in the middle of winter (June/July) to 33.3 in the middle of summer (November).  We were lucky enough today to see a fire burn the forest right up to the highway.  We believe it was intentionally set, because the only signs we saw were those warning drivers to turn on their headlights when driving through the smoke.  I took some videos of the fire, but won't post them now because of the cost of using the internet (data isn't cheap down here).  We got to experience a little bit of what Australia's outback looks and feels like.  Tomorrow we're off to Kakadu National Park for the rest of our stay up in the Northern Territory.

 

Cathedral Mound, Lithfield National Park

Termite Mounds with fire in the background

Termite Mound

Termite Mounds

Termite Mounds

Jim above Tolmer Falls

Creek above Tolmer Falls

Yellow-flowered monocot (3 petals) above Tolmer Falls

Yellow-flowered scroph-like plant above Tolmer Falls

Really cool flower above Tolmer Falls

Here it is again!

Tolmer Falls

View of Australia's outback from Tolmer Falls overlook

Wangi Falls

Smoke above Wangi Falls

Spider at Wangi Falls

Day 17 - Saturday, September 20.  Darwin, NT,  Australia

Got an early morning (7:40 a.m.) flight to Darwin from Cairns and went straight to the botanical gardens after a 9:45 a.m. arrival.  It's now 2:30 p.m. and its hot (and humid) outside, so we've checked into our room and are deciding what to do with the rest of the day here.  Tomorrow, we're driving south to see some cool termite mounds in Litchfield National Park.  Monday we're off to Kadaku National Park (staying at the Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru).  Have I mentioned that we're having a GREAT time? 

Sending good energy up to Anne Boeder today.  September 20 was Jill's birthday and a day for celebrating her life.

Flying into Darwin, NT

Aptly named the Cannonball Tree (Couroupita guianensis) at the Darwin Botanical Gardens

Cannonball Tree (Couroupita guianensis) flower

We're just going to have to wait a while until somebody can figure out what this one is.  Pretty cool though!

Orchid: Bulbophyllum makoyanum.  On the internet I read that it is "...from Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo and the Philippines in lowland forests at elevations up to 300 meters in elevation."

Phalaenopsis amboinensis "...is named after the island it is from: Amboine Island and Sulawesi, Indonesia." (Note: if it's on the internet, it HAS to be true)

Epidendrum atropurpureum reclassified as
Encyclia cordigera "...this beautiful orchid ranges from Mexico, though Central America and Northern South America, and reportedly into Brazil."

Tropical Pitcherplant (Nepenthes spp.) "...of Southeast Asia and Australia."

Day 16 - Friday, September 19.  Just kind of driving through the Atherton Tablelands

Just a quiet drive day from Port Douglas to Cairns by way of the Atherton Tablelands. It's about 4:30 p.m. and we're in our motel doing laundry.  We're actually lucky to get a room in Cairns at all.  The G20 is meeting here this weekend  (we hear the town is covered with policemen) and it's the beginning of a 3 week school holiday.  We got a room outside town and we leave at O'dark:30 a.m. for Darwin, so we're just fine! Here are just  couple of shots from the drive today.  If we do head into town, maybe I'll post a few more later tonight.

Brown Honeyeater (I think)

Osprey

Orchid

Orchid

Orchid

Day 15 - Thursday, September 18.  Great Barrier Reef

Today's blog is dedicated to our dear friend, Jill Dufour, who passed away on September 1, 2014 (see below).

Today was one of those lifetime bucket list events!  Snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef.  The winds were relatively calm, the sky was blue, and the day was just plain outrageous.  Since we've been in Australia, we've had nothing but outstanding days.  I mean, really!  We got to see giraffes at the Sydney Zoo with the Sydney Opera House in the background. We got to see humpback whales waving to us with their flippers off the coast of Brisbane! We spent a morning wandering around Lamington National Park with Mick O'Reilly, son of one of the brothers who opened up O'Reilly's Guest House. We got to see the biggest salt water crocodile either of us ever want to see again at a wildlife park south of Brisbane.  We saw a 6+ foot goanna (monitor lizard) wandering around the visitor center at Daintree National Park environmental center... But today, we got to see the beautiful Great Barrier Reef and learn about some of the things that are most threatening its future - pollution and warming temperatures. We learned about invasive starfish that are eating the faster-growing corals, then starting on the slower-growing corals when their first choice runs out.  

But on the positive side, what we saw today was spectacular. We went on a tour with Wavelength out of Port Douglas.  They only do snorkeling (no divers) and they have precedence on some of the finer spots to snorkel on Opal Reef. Our crew was Ali Dowling (skipper), Emma Scott (in charge of marine biology at Wavelength), and Tim Henry (our paramedic and assistant guide).  Wavelength is an ecotourist company, and we totally loved hearing from the experts about what we were seeing and their passion about the reef! 

Also,today we were gathering the energy of our dear friend, Jill Dufour, who passed away on September 1, 2014. The following is from Jill's obituary:

Jill was an extraordinary soul who lit up every room she entered. She was kind to everyone no matter his or her station in life. She made everyone feel valued. She had a huge network of loving friends. Someone once said that Jill never met a stranger. She had an incredible sense of humor and a sharp wit. And, oh my, was she smart. She was a talented biologist, forest ranger, musician and artist. She was always cooking up some scheme or adventure. Among her hobbies were backpacking, sailing, drawing, guitar, woodworking, pickle making, fishing, fountain pens, cooking and the list could go on. 

Saturday, September 20 is Jill's birthday and a celebration of her life will be held at the Wildwood Recreation Site in Sandy, Oregon (outside Portland).  We can't be there physically, but we will be there in spirit, just as Jill was with us today on the Great Barrier Reef.  With all our love, the following images are dedicated to Jill.

Jim and I on an early morning ride with skipper Ali Dowling (Image taken by Emma Scott, Wavelength Tours)

Early morning excitement for a day on the Great Barrier Reef (Image taken by Emma Scott, Wavelength Tours)

First jump into the water at the Great Barrier Reef
(Image taken by Emma Scott, Wavelength Tours)

Emma Scott (marine biologist) & Ali Dowling (skipper) - Wavelength Tours

Great Barrier Reef Coral

Great Barrier Reef Coral with blue fish in there somewhere

Jim and Me (bad selfie!)

Cool Fish (if anyone knows what these "Cool Fish" are, let me know and I'll label them)

Saddled Butterflyfish - Chaetodon ephippium

Redfin Butterflyfish - Chaetodon trifasciatus

Blue-spot Butterflyfish - Chaetodon plebeius

Great Barrier Reef Coral

Jim snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef

Cool Fish

Cool Fish

Two Cool Fish

Cool Spotted Fish

Humpback Snapper-Lutjanus gibbus

Humpback Snapper-Lutjanus gibbus

Cool Red Fish

Great Barrier Reef Green Coral

Emma taking photos

Great Barrier Reef Coral

Blue Coral

Two Cool Fish

Jim and the Wavelength boat

Blue fish in coral

Emma brought this sea slug up to show us

Emma Scott showing us the ooze (natural sun screen) out of this sea critter

Jim and another dude snorkeling on Opal Reef

Emma Scott taking photos of Nemo!

Giant Clam

Giant Clam

Giant Clam (Image taken by Emma Scott, Wavelength Tours)

 

Giant Clam Video

Pink Coral

Marine Biologist, Emma Scott, taking good photos for the rest of us

Three-legged sea turtle

I'll figure out what this fish is...

...ditto

Great Barrier Reef fish

Great Barrier Reef fish

Great Barrier Reef fish

Great Barrier Reef fish

Coral on Great Barrier Reef

Coral on Great Barrier Reef

Coral on Great Barrier Reef

Fish on Great Barrier Reef

Fish on Great Barrier Reef

Emma Scott with sea cucumber

Great Barrier Reef coral

Great Barrier Reef coral

Green Sea Turtle

Jim snorkeling

Jim snorkeling

Blue fish in front of Coral

Clownfish (Amphiprion spp.) Image taken by Emma Scott, Wavelength Tours

 

Day 14 - Wednesday, September 17.  Daintree National Park - Drive to Cape Tribulation

Went in search of cassowaries today, but never found any.  There are something like 1200-1500 birds left in the wild, and they look like they're some kind of dinosaur creature.  Regardless, we saw some beautiful scenery, a large goanna (monitor lizard), and wandered along a few beaches and one botanical walkway. Not a bad day!

Mount Alexander overlook in Daintree National Park - Cape Tribulation Section

Goanna (Monitor Lizard) about 6 feet long, in Daintree National Park - Cape Tribulation Section

Same goanna (Monitor Lizard) in Daintree National Park - Cape Tribulation Section

Fan Palm (Licuala ramsayi)

weird bumps on leaves

Beach in Daintree National Park - Cape Tribulation Section

Mangrove tree on beach in Daintree National Park - Cape Tribulation Section

Spotted mangrove (Rhizophora stylosa) seeds

Another day in Australia - Life doesn't suck at all!

Restless Flycatcher in Daintree National Park - Cape Tribulation Section

Interesting flower growing out of the bark of a (Eucalyptus?) tree in Daintree National Park

Orange-footed Scrub Fowl on the beach in Port Douglas, QLD, Australia

Sunset in Port Douglas, QLD, Australia

Day 13 - Tuesday, September 16.  Cairns to Port Douglas with a side of Mossman Gorge in Daintree National Park

Drove up to Port Douglas from Cairns today - staying at the Port Douglas B&B. The coast highway (Captain Cook Highway) was beautiful. I guess I'm getting pretty good at this drivin on the wrong side of the road.  And driving is the only real way to spend some time seeing the things we want to see.  After the drive up and a quick lunch down in Port Douglas (and after we checked in for our Thursday snorkel tour to the Great Barrier Reef) we drove up to Daintree National Park - Mossman Gorge Section.  Teresa P. better be ready with her plant taxonomical guidance.  I'll post a few shots tonight before my pill kicks in. I give it 5 minutes!

Dysoxylum spp. (Meliaceae) - Yellow Mahogany maybe?

Beach along Captain Cook Highway north of Cairns.

Golden guinea vine (Hibbertia scandens; Dilleniaceae)

Mossman Gorge

Gardenia

Dysoxylum spp. (Meliaceae) - Yellow Mahogany maybe?

Mushroons on dead tree

Clubmoss or Spikemoss (Selaginella)

Pill has kicked in!  Good night all!

 

Day 12 - Monday, September 15.  Kuranda plus

 So, this morning we took the Kuranda Scenic Rail from Cairns City Center to Kuranda. Sat across from a couple ladies from Melbourne (Lorraine and Anne Marie). The train ride was fun, but wouldn't do it again. There's a tram that we took down that was much more fun than the train ride. It went just over the tree tops, had a couple of stops where we could walk around the rainforest, and just plain had better scenery. While in Kuranda we stopped off for a pastry and a flat white, strolled through the butterfly zoo (Australian Butterfly Sanctuary), ate lunch, then took the tram down. 

Lorraine and Anne Marie from Melbourne (Anne is actually from Ireland, but has been in Australia just short of 40 years)

Kuranda Scenic Rail

Red Lacewing

Cairns Birdwing (male)

Cairns Birdwing (female)

Barron Falls

Basket Fern

Jim on Skyrail from Kuranda!

A few just for Teresa!

Orchid

 

Day 11 - Sunday, September 14.  Flew from Brisbane to Cairns (pronounced Cans).

Got a morning flight out of Brisbane and flew to Cairns on Virgin Australia - a two hour flight.  As we got closer to Cairns, flying over the Pacific, I saw the western edge of the Great Barrier Reef. Cannot wait to go snorkeling out there on Thursday!

Great Barrier Reef southeast of Cairns

Went to check into our hotel (Tropical Queenslander) and it felt kind of creepy to me. It wasn't close to anything, but maybe a hospital, and it just had a bad feel to it. So, we went to a nearby mall and had lunch at a little cafe that had internet service.  I found us a different hotel within walking distance to lots of restaurants and the Esplanade - Mid City Luxury Suites. SO much better.  Took a walk along the Esplanade and saw some cool birds.

Masked Lapwing

Australian Pelicans

Australian Pelicans hunting

Tomorrow we take a train up to the town of Kuranda in the mountains above Cairns, then we'll take a tram back down.   Too much fun!

 

 

Andrew & Francis at their home in Ormeau, QLD, Australia.  Thanks for the GREAT hospitality!!!

 

Day 10 - Saturday, September 13.  Brisbane's Gold Coast

Took a drive up the Gold Coast Highway (M1). Our original intent sas to take the Ferry from Cleveland over to North Stradbroke Island, which we eventually did. But not until after taking a little side trip into one of Queensland's national park.  They tempted us with Koalas and Kangaroos, but after hiking around for about an hour... nothing.  

Banksia

There's a pretty blue and gold bird somewhere in the middle of this photo

Kookaburra

Australian Magpie

We then stopped in Cleveland to find an ATM and to buy a couple flat whites and date scones and we met two lovely ladies from that town. Elizabeth and Kerry were both retired and enjoying life tremendously (much like a couple other gents we know).  We chatted for about 30 minutes then were finally off on our way to North Stradbroke Island.

Elizabeth (L) and Kerry (R) from Cleveland, Queensland, Australia.

 And our trip to North Stradbroke Island turned out ot be 2 hours on the ferry (1 hour out/1 hour back) and a total of 1 hour on the island (20 minutes driving to a scenic view point, 20 minutes wandering, and 20 minutes back to the ferry). But it was a fun day regardless.

 

North Stradbroke Island Ferry

Us on the North Stradbroke Island Ferry

Our car (and Jim) North Stradbroke Island Ferry

North Stradbroke Island

North Stradbroke Island

Banksia on North Stradbroke Island

North Stradbroke Island vista

Then the day was topped off when Francis and Andrew invited their friends David & Martin and Gordon and Frank over for dinner (roast pork, potatoes, peas, carrots, gravy, and apple pie for dessert) and conversation.  The PERFECT ending to a PERFECT stay in Brisbane.  Thank you Francis and Andrew for your Incredible Hospitality!!!  You're the best!

 

 

Day 9 - Friday, September 12.  O'Reilly's Guest House, Lamington National Park

Thank You, Teresa and Nancy for the recommendation!  O'Reilly's was a real treat! The 6:45 a.m. bird watching tour was outstanding.  Then follow that up with over 2 1/2 hours naturalist with Mick O'Reilly - son of one of the original guesthouse built in the 1930's.  We would still be there tonight, but they were totally booked (we checked back in with them about 6-8 times to make sure they had no cancellations, Really!.  So we made it back to Francis and Andrew's for the night and I'm going to start out by just posting a few from the day,

First, for Teresa...Let's hear it for satin bowerbird's nest, and the fabulous king parrots!

Absolutely WONDERFUL Aussie lady with a King Parrot on her head!

Just a King Parrot

Satin bower's birds nest

Now just some random stuff from the day - it's 11:45 p.m. in Brisbane, QLD and my drugs kicked in 30 minutes ago!

Crimson Rosella on Jim

Crimson Rosella on Jim's head

Eastern Yellow Robin

Eastern Whipbird

Male Regent Bowerbird

Satin Bowerbird

Male Australian Brush Turkey

Superb Lyrebird

Red-bellied Black Snake

Python!!

Trap Door Spider hole

Lewin's Honeyeater

Pink orchid

Our room at O'Reilly's - lower right room (58) with balcony

Crismon Rosella trying to sell shirts in O'Reilly's Gift Store

One for Nancy C

View from the bar at O'Reilly's

 I'm going down!!! It's after midnight. Later I'll post photos of Mick O'Reilly, son and nephew of some of the original O'Reillys who started the guesthouse in the 1930s. Mick brought the whole place to life.  I also took videos of him telling stories and will do my best to post those later today, I guess, since it is 12:19 a.m on Saturday, 13 September.... g'night all! 

Day 8 - Thursday, September 11.  Lamington National Park

Went to the the Brisbane Airport today and rented a car then headed to O'Reilly's Guesthouse (OK, Teresa and Nancy - we DID make it to O'Reilly's). On our way we stopped off in Canungra for lunch and to pick up some groceries to take up to O'Reilly's so we wouldn't have to spend $60 on dinner and $30 on breakfast.  We then drove 20 km up the highway from Canungra towards the guesthouse (which is 35 km from Canungra) and saw a troop of kangaroos, so I stopped the car to take a photo with my phone.  Unfortunately, I didn't have my phone. Last I remembered seeing it was at the airport, 3 hours earlier. I did NOT want to drive all the way back to the airport to get my damn phone.  I thought that at the most, we would drive back to Canungra to see if I might have left it at the Outpost Cafe where we at lunch. Sure enough... there it was! The young lady working behind the counter saw me when we walked in, smiled, and asked if I was looking for a phone. What a relief!  So after driving 20 km up the road, 20 km back down the road, then 35 km back up the road to O'Reilly's, we finally got a room, dropped our stuff off, then quickly walked up to the bar and ordered a couple glasses of wine and watched the sunset.

Outpost Cafe in Canungra, QLD, Australia where I left my phone.

Australian Shiraz

View from (our) Room 58 at O'Reilly's

Sunset from the Bar at O'Reilly's Guesthouse

Then we went back to our room and found the constellation, Crux - better known as the Southern Cross... Guess it turned out to be an okay day!

Southern Cross

Southern Cross mixed in with lots of other beautiful stars.

When you see the Southern Cross
For the first time
You understand now
Why you came this way
'Cause the truth you might be runnin' from
Is so small.
But it's as big as the promise
The promise of a comin' day...
    -Stephen Stills, Rick Curtis and Michael Curtis

Day 7 - Wednesday, September 10.  Mount Tamborine 

We just had a pretty quiet day with friends Francis and Andrew today.  Took a drive up to Tambourine Mountain and went to the botanical garden up there.  It's EARLY spring, so not much is in bloom yet.  But here are a few things to share....

Eastern Spinebill

Eucalyptus flowers

Magnolia

Violet

Orchid

Orchid

Port Wine Magnolia

Beetle

Brisbane

Day 6 - Tuesday, September 9.  Brisbane Whale Watching and More

It's late (almost midnight) and we got up at 5:00 a.m. this morning to go whale watching.  I'm just going to post photos right now. Will do my best at filling in the information very soon. But for now...

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale blowing

Humpback Whale breaching

Humpback Whales

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale waving

Humpback Whale

Humpback Whale

After whale-watching we went for an afternoon visit to Currumbin Wildlife Park

Cute Lizard!

Kookaburra

Birds of Prey show at...?

Some kind of owl

Sacred Ibis

Noisy Miner

Parrot-looking bird

Pretty Lily-like flower

Dingos

Wombat

Mama Koala and Baby

Rainbow Lorikeet

Francis and Friends

Birds of Prey show

Day 4 - Sunday, September7. Blue Mountains near Katoomba

Today started out wet and pretty much stayed that way all day.  We had a couple respites from the foul weather, but it was what it was - wet!  Still, how better to see a rainforest than in the rain! We took the train from Syndey then took the hop on, hop off bus to some of the sites in the Blue Mountains.  Not a bad day overall.  Here are a few shots.  it's actually bedtime, so  I may not write too much tonight about what we saw.but I promise I will - very soon. Off to Brisbane and a visit with friends Francis Spencer and Andreew for a week of fun and sun!

Raining in Katoomga

white flower - Teresa can help!

Rain forest at it's best

More rain forest

Look!  Some sun!!!

1  

Tree fern frond

Sulfur crested cockatoo in the rainforest!

More rain forest

Banksia

Some little white flower - Teresa??

Orange legume type thing?

White flower again

Philly Cheesesteak pancake!

We made it to the rainforest!

Day 3 -  September 6. Sydney Harbor Captain Cook Cruise + Manly Harbor

This morning we took the morning Captain Cook coffee cruise around they Sydney Harbor. It poured rain for over an hour, but then started clearing up and ended up being beautiful.  Then, after lunch in The Rocks neighborhood of Sydney, we took the Manly Ferry to, where else, Manly. We watched surfer dudes for about an hour, ate dinner, then took the Manly Ferry back to Circular Quay in Sydney.  Another fun day!

Captain Cook Cruises

Sydney Opera House from Captain Cook Cruises

Captain Cook Cruises

Choppy water on the Captain Cook Cruise

It's raining... It's pouring...

The Old Man is Snoring...

Luna Park from Captain Cook Coffee Cruise

Captain Cook Coffee Cruise

Walking across Sydney Bridge (not us!)

Sydney Opera House from Captain Cook Coffee Cruise

Manly Ferry

This Way to (be) Manly

Manly Wharf

Sun shining on Manly Beach

Surfer Dude at Manly Beach

Surfer Dude at Manly Beach

Flying Surf Board at Manly Beach

Surfer Dude at Manly Beach

 

Day 2 - September 5, 2014. Sydney's Taronga Zoo

We spent the entire day today at the Taronga Zoo with a fantastic view of Sydney (see photo of giraffes below).  We never thought we'd spend the whole day there, but what a zoo! We had a kangaroo run (hop) right past us and stood just a few feet from a kookaburra! And the wallaby with a little joey in its pouch... not a bad day at all.

Taronga Zoo Wharf

Giraffes with Sydney Opera House as a backdrop

Mama and baby chimpanzees

Chimpanzee

Lion

Lioness

Cassowary (looks like a dinosaur bird to me)

Wallaby

Wallaby with Joey in her pouch

Red Kangaroo

Ringtailed Lemurs

Kookaburra

Saddest sight at the zoo

Gorilla

Day 1 - Tuesday, September 2.  LAX

Cheers from LAX!  Soon off to Sydney

Still Day 1 - Thursday, September 4.  Sydney

We Made It!!!  Our first day in Syndey and we walked our butts (and feet) off.  After flying for 2 hours from Salt Lake to LAX, a 4 1/2 hour layover (Thank You BIG TIME to Nancy and Gail who picked us up, fed us, and walked us so we didn't have to sit in the airport terminal all that time), and a 14 1/2 hour flight from LAX to Sydney, we stayed up until after 8:30 p.m. Sydney time (4:30 a.m. Salt Lake City time) to get our bodies adjusted to the 16 hour time change.  We done good.  But we ended up walking for nearly 12 hours (seemed like 12 days) all around Sydney Botanical Gardens, around the Opera House, and god knows where else!  It's 8:38 p.m. and I'm DONE for the day!  Just a few photo to show you around Sydney.

Nothing says Syney like the Syndey Opera House

Syndey Opera House

Smile! We made it to Australia!!!

Syndey Opera House

Outstanding Dendrobium or King Orchid (Dendrobium speciosum) with Sydney Opera House in the background

Grass Tree (Xanthorrhoea media) with a bee (lower right)

While this doesn't look like other photos of Pineapple Lily (Eucomis pole-evansii) I've seen online, at least one other person took a photo of this very plant (photo found on Flickr) and obviously saw the same sign next to the plant as I did.

Tree fern frond

Banksia

And now for the birds

Sacred Ibis

Australian magpie

Silver gull

Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo

Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo

Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo