Ida Falls Walk (and a Visit to the Clarence Caves) – 25 July 2024

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Dave Noble

Ida Falls is a waterfall close to Lithgow, and is located near the old Zig Zag Railway. It is one place that I have never visited and been on my list of places to visit for a while (like Ahearn Lookout last week). I had suggested it to Bob for a walk venue a while back, and he suggested it for this weeks walk.

We travelled up to Bell and then headed out along the Chifley Road. Bob then parked near the top of Scenic Hill. This was the spot where we intend  to be the end of the walk. It was not a pleasant place – with blackberries and plenty of dumped rubbish. Continue reading →

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Sydney Park Birds – 24 July 2024

Posted on July 27, 2024 by Dave Noble

I had spent a few hours in the morning along the Cooks River, and then later in the afternoon, I headed to Sydney Park at St Peters to see what birds were there.

Here are some that I saw – Continue reading →

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Cooks River Birds – 24 July 2024

Posted on July 27, 2024 by Dave Noble

I spent an enjoyable morning along the Cooks River looking for birds. I was joined for the first bit by Valerie, and then I later met up with Michael, anointed local bird photographer.

I met Valerie at Illawarra Road, and we walked down to Gough Whitlam Park.

Here are some birds we saw – Continue reading →

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Birds at Barton Park – 23 July 2024

Posted on July 27, 2024 by Dave Noble

Barton Park, which includes the Landing Lights Wetland, has been one of my regular local venues for bird photography, but I had not been there since mid April. Probably due to the fungi season.

So I made my way there via two buses. Part way, I photographed a few birds at the Cooks River near the Princes Highway. Continue reading →

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Royal National Park Orchid Walk – 22 July 2024

Posted on July 27, 2024 by Dave Noble

This was another walk led by Brian Everingham with the National Parks Association of NSW. We visited three areas of Royal National Park to look for orchids.

The Forest Path

We walked down a short section of the Forest Path where previously we have seen orchids.

Pixie Cap Orchid – Acianthus fornicatus

Nodding Greenhood Orchid – Pterostylis nutans Continue reading →

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Cooks River Birds – 21 July 2024

Posted on July 23, 2024 by Dave Noble

I was heading to a nice luncheon at Earlwood. It was at a townhouse near Waterworth Park, so I walked there along the Cooks River with enough time to look for and photograph some birds.

Here are some birds I saw on my walk – Continue reading →

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Wolli Creek Fungal Field Study – 20 July 2024

Posted on July 23, 2024 by Dave Noble

I joined the Sydney Fungal Studies Group, together with Wolli Creek Preservation Society for a field study in Wolli Creek Regional Park. We had find, but cold weather on the day, but the less up period had been dry, so not that much fungi was out, and what we did find was in poor condition.

After meeting at Girrahween Park, we set off down the track, keeping a lookout for fungi. We continued down to near the Flying Fox camp before returning to Girrahween Park for lunch. Continue reading →

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Birdwood Gully – Fungi, Orchids and Birds – 19 July 2024

Posted on July 20, 2024 by Dave Noble

I wanted to find out how the fungi was going at Birdwood Gully at Springwood. Recently I have found the fungi very poor in Sydney and I was wondering how the moister gullies of the Blue Mountains were going.

It turned out to be a fairly quiet short trip.

On the walk down, I found plenty of Greenhood Orchids. Continue reading →

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Ahearn Lookout Walk – 16 July 2024

Posted on July 18, 2024 by Dave Noble

Bob and myself decided to do a walk out to Ahearn Lookout in Nattai National Park. Neither of us had been to the lookout before, and it has been on my “to do” list for a fair while.

So we headed down to Hilltop, and were soon on Wattle Ridge Road to the parking area. we then set off along the fire road, and took the turn off to Starlights Trail, and then turned off that and took the track out along a ridge that goes to Ahearns Lookout.

Not many of these roads and tracks is marked on the current topographic maps, but they are marked on Open Street Maps. Continue reading →

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Thin Ice VR at the Australian Museum – 15 July 2024

Posted on July 18, 2024 by Dave Noble

Gary had invited a group of us to join him to see the Thin Ice VR at the Australian Museum. In the group was Gary, Sue, Valerie, Suzanne and myself. We had all booked in to the 10:45 am session. We met for coffee in the museum cafe and then headed to the entrance of the exhibition.

Before entering the VR part, we entered a room with some interesting things to see. Here are the outfits they used – Continue reading →

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