This was a very pleasant day out in the bush in Royal National Park on a walk led by Brian Everingham for the National Parks Association of NSW. In the part, as well as Brian, there was Valerie, Sue B, Jung Soong, Esther, Ken, Derek, Eve, Erden, Sue W and myself.
We stared off from Wattamolla. Before the walk began there were a few photographic opportunities. Near the creek a few Water Dragons were enjoying some time in the Sun.
In the scrub was a nice Eastern Spinebill.
We then set off along the Coastal Track. There were plenty of wildflowers out.
At Wattamolla Creek – the small dam was full.
Upstream were some interesting plants growing in the water.
Water Ribbons (Cycnogeton procerum)
We continued walking north. The track climbed up through a rocky area. Here there were some nice Gymea Lily flowers.
Plenty of New Holland Honeyeaters were out. And more wildflowers.
Brain pointed out the differences between male and female Casuarina plants. It is only the female that has the fruit –
Male Casuarina
Female Casuarina
Little Wattlebird
We then reached the cliff lines. Here was a good place to stop for a rest and to admire the view.
Here there are some interesting Aboriginal sharpening grooves and rock engravings.
Ken spotted a Peregrine Falcon perched on the cliffs below us. It was eating a bird.
It then flew along the cliffs – and it landed at its scrape (nest). With the help of our telephoto lenses we could just see its mate sitting presumably on some eggs. Not long after it flew back to its original spot.
We then headed off to Little Marley Beach where we had lunch. White there we noticed he flock of Silver Gulls to the north – probably after Baitfish.
We then walked back the way we had come.
At the Peregrine Falcon nest, there was one bird sitting on eggs at their scrape. Closer was a Rock Warbler.
Then a military jet flew past at high speed.
Back at Wattamolla, most of the party headed home. Ken, Erden and myself afrwelled the others and then headed out to Providential Point to see if we could spot a Sea Eagle or some whales.
At the point, we waited with our cameras ready, and sure enough a Sea Eagle did fly overhead. It then started circling around looking down at something. Curious!
Nearer, another Rock Warbler was playing in the rocks.
A short while later, we were talking with a NPWS worked and he told us that there was a dead whale washed up in the bay below us. We climbed down for a look.
It seems the whale was a Streamlined Roqual.