Brian Everingham had suggested a few dates for some walks, in Royal National Park or nearby. I suggested a visit to the sea cliffs north of Wattamolla to see the young Peregrine Falcons I had been fortunate to photograph two weeks earlier. Brian thought this was a good idea, and we were joined by Sue, Valerie and Elaine.
We had a most interesting walk.
One the way to the cliffs, along the Coast Track, we spotted some orchids –
Hyacinth Orchid – Dipodium punctatum
And some other flowers –
Xyris sp.
Angophora hispida
More orchids – Large Tongue Orchid – Cryptostylis subulata
Wattamolla Creek –
Water Gum in flower – Tristania sp.
Christmas Bush
Botany Bay Weevil
Horned Orchid – Orthoceras strictum
Mountain Devil
Hakea sp.
White-browed Scrubwren
At the sea cliffs, we settled down to wait for the juvenile Peregrine Falcons to appear. One flew past –
It circled around and flew back –
Some more waiting on the cliffs.
Elaine pointed out some Pygmy Sundews – Drosera pygmaea –
We then spotted one of the juvenile Peregrine Falcons perched on the cliffs –
A Great Egret flew past, and was suddenly attacked by the juvenile Peregrine Falcons –
All three juvenile Peregrine Falcons took to the air –
Later we spotted a White-bellied Sea Eagle out to sea.
One of the juvenile Peregrine Falcons came after it –
Then a quiet period. We spotted an old inscription on the cliffs –
The some nice, but too distant flying, by the juvenile Peregrine Falcons –
One came our way –
One the walk back –
New Holland Honeyeater
Variegated Fairy-wren
Fringe Lily
Angophora costata
It had been another very nice outing. On the way out, we stopped at Audley for coffee. And special thanks to Valerie for a lift down and back. Much appreciated.