Another nice walk organised and led by Brian Everingham for the National Parks Association of NSW. Then plan was to catch the ferry to Bundeena and then walk along Jibbon Beach, around the headland, and then continue on the track that leads to The Coastal Track where it starts.
Early in the morning, it had been raining. Quite heavily. But while we were on the walk, the weather was quite reasonable. Only short time with very light rain and then later a period of Sun. This meant a very pleasant walk.
In the party were Brian, Valerie, Deb, Ross, John, Joanne and myself.
We were soon off along Jibbon Beach. Brian pointed to an interesting tree – a Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis anarcardiodes) –
The fruit of this tree are apparently edible once ripe.
We were soon across the beach and in the littoral rainforest. Part of this has been fenced off to protect it from deer.
Here is a New Holland Honeyeater –
We were soon at Shelley Beach – which is aptly named.
We then walked anticlockwise around the headland. We spotted no whales or interesting birds.
This may be Daviesia alata –
Then we arrived at the Aboriginal rock engravings.
We stopped for lunch nearby, and spotted a few birds –
White-browed Scrubwren
Superb Fairy-wren
The track was damp in places –
Dragonfly
Large Grass-skipper (Montasinga trimaculata)
Weevil on a Flannel Flower (Actinotus helianthi)
Darwinia fascicularis
Common Grass-Blue (Zizina labradus)
White-bellied Sea Eagle
New Holland Honeyeater feeding on the nectar of Mountain Devil –
Melaleuca sp.
Wedding Bush (Ricinocarpos pinifolius)
Philotheca sp.
Melaleuca sp.
We were intrigued by this mallee form of what looks like Angophora costata –
Red Beard Orchid (Calochilus paludosus)
Blood Lily (Haemodorum sp. (probably Haemodorum planifolium)
Red Beard Orchid (Calochilus paludosus)
Common Ringlet (Hypocysta metirius)
A very pleasant day out in Royal National Park. Many thanks to Brian for leading, and also for many of the identifications.