Heathland of the Iron Range (Photo by Narca) The Iron Range… what does that name conjure for you? For me it’s synonymous with remoteness, a place of mystery, a place with rich interweaving of viney rainforest, heathlands, and mangrove-fringed tropical beaches. Its fabled birdlife crisscrosses … Continue readingThe Iron Range
Male Cairns Birdwing (Photo by Narca) We weren’t in Australia at the best season for butterflies to be on the wing, yet a few were flying in the tropical northeast, and the butterfly house at Kuranda gives splendid photo ops at any time, of several … Continue readingThe Butterflies of Oz
A Gathering of Galahs (Photo by Narca) Most of us grow jaded with what’s familiar. However awesome the spectacle, however exquisite the trogon, once we’ve seen a hundred or a thousand, or twelve thousand, we eventually stop seeing––seeing––them. Noel is exceptional in this regard. In … Continue readingGalahs in Every Light
Little Red Flying Fox (Photo by Narca) South of Musgrave on the Cape York Peninsula is a chittering, rustling, squabbling, aromatic colony of 2.5 million Little Red Flying Foxes––reportedly the largest flying fox colony in Australia. We find our way to the edge of the … Continue readingLittle Red Flying Foxes
Powerful Owl on Mt. Coot-tha (Photo by Narca) Our friend John Coons, a leader for Field Guides, has given us a tip about where to find a Powerful Owl: the track at Mt. Coot-tha near Brisbane. We arrive there and find a whole maze of … Continue readingThe Powerful Owl
Spectacled Flying Foxes in Cairns (Photo by Narca) Cairns in Queensland is justly famous for offering splendid birding along its Esplanade and excellent diving and snorkeling along the Great Barrier Reef. Not everyone, however, knows about the colony of huge bats––Spectacled Flying Foxes––that roosts in … Continue readingOf Pythons and Flying Foxes
Tree fern in Lamington’s forest (Photo by Narca) Lamington National Park’s system of hiking trails penetrates the ancient, mossy Antarctic Beech forest, a relict from deeptime––from the misty, long-ago era of Gondwanaland. Antarctic Beech, a species of Nothofagus, is related to our oak trees, although … Continue readingLamington’s Ancient Forest
Sunset along the Mitchell Highway (Photo by Narca) Australian skies are brilliant, and their sunrises and sunsets magnificent. One such sunset graces the evening as we approach Bowra Station. Bowra Station in southern Queensland, near the town of Cunnamulla, has become justly famous in birding … Continue readingBowra Station’s Falcons and Parrots
Platypus at Eungella National Park (Photo by Narca) Eungella National Park in Queensland encompasses lovely montane forest where pools of the Broken River support a thriving population of Platypus, one of Australia’s two monotremes (egg-laying mammals). We arrive at the visitor center in late … Continue readingPlatypus at Eungella and Yungaburra
Young Wedge-tailed Eagle (Photo by Narca) The Australian language is hauntingly like–and unlike–its American counterpart. We immediately begin to play with the slang. If you happen to drive past a wedgie (Wedge-tailed Eagle) or a tree full of cockies, just chuck a U-ey, mate, … Continue readingThe Language of Oz