Wild Queensland -- Nov 2011

[moloch]

I had to use lots of accumulated leave this year and I never like to waste it at home. So, after returning from Italy, I set off on a photography trip with a friend (Ted) and his son (Andrew) from Arizona. Ted and I explored the deserts in California and Mexico 40 years ago when we were in high school and later at university. Ted also travelled through the outback of Western Australia with me a few years ago. This was Andrew’s first visit. Andrew was keen to see as much of Australia as possible. As a result, we organized the itinerary so that we visited habitats ranging from the dry outback to the wet tropics of north-eastern Queensland. We spent a great deal of time in the car and clocked over 10,000 kms during our 2.5 week trip.

This will be a long post and I will be adding to it for a week or more. I have to apologize for not having the number or quality of butterfly photos as I had hoped. The wet tropics are home to nearly 300 species of butterflies but I have obviously not yet learned their micro-habitats. I saw a few lifers but did not encounter the numbers that I had expected. Mostly, I saw the same species as I have previously encountered. November is the end of the dry and start of the wet in northern Australia. I suspect that the end of the wet may be a better time for butterfly activity in the north. Puddling seems to be rare behaviour with the Aussie butterflies. I found few individuals that were easy to photograph. Most shots were of butterflies sitting on leaves a meter or two above me.

This post will include many photos of habitats, reptiles, birds and mammals as well as butterflies. Most of my butterfly photos will be from the coastal areas since these wetter locations supported more species of butterflies.

Andrew and Ted were keen photographers and I will add a few of their shots as well. I hope that this report will give you an idea of what it is like in this part of the world.

The following map shows the locations of the sites that we visited.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/mapwithlocations.jpg

Aerial photos from north-eastern South Australia. I took these shots while flying back to Sydney from Singapore. The lakes are normally dry salt pans but the interior has been we in the last couple of years. The floods in Queensland eventually made their way to the great lakes of South Australia and most were nearly full, a very rare event.
Nyngan. We stopped for a night along a dirt road between Nyngan and Bourke, NSW.
Windorah. One of my favourite locations in the eastern deserts of Australia. This is in the channel country where water from central Queensland drains into the central salt lakes of South Australia.
Winton. We stayed for a couple of nights in the Eyrean Basin about 100 kms west of Winton. This was a scenic spot with red rock, gibber flats and clumps
Porcupine Gorge.
Mission Beach. This beautiful place was smashed by cyclone Yasi in February of this year. The rainforest canopy was gone.
Chillagoe. This area protects beautiful limestone formations and caves on the lower portion of Cape York.
Georgetown. An old gold mining area at the base of the Cape York peninsula.
Atherton. Beautiful remnant montane rainforest and a good place for butterflies.
Cape Hillsborough. Lovely coastal area near Mackay.
Eungella. Cloud forest that is a must visit place for those who want to see Platypus.
Brigalow Belt. Remnant dry forest that is particularly good habitat for elapids.
Warrumbungles. Rugged mountains with dry eucalyptus forest.


I took these photos of north-eastern South Australia from about 10,000 elevation when flying from Singapore to Sydney in late October. The interior of Australia is wet at the moment and the normally dry salt lakes were nearly full. Water flows into these lakes from central Queensland via the channel country near Windorah. I believe that the red colour in the first lake below was due to an algal bloom.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Aerial%20South%20Australia/flight1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Aerial%20South%20Australia/flight2.jpg

Red dunes, the sort of habitat that I really like to visit. Windorah is a good place to see dunes like this and it was situated only a few hundred kms from the location below.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Aerial%20South%20Australia/flight6.jpg


Ted and Andrew arrived in Sydney at 7am on a Friday. I picked them up a short time later and we immediately set off on the trip. We made a short stop in the lovely Blue Mountains. It was not a good time of day for habitat shots due to the light angle but here are a couple of shots by Ted and Andrew of the Evans Lookout area.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Blue%20Mountains%20Evans%20Lookout/habitat1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Blue%20Mountains%20Evans%20Lookout/habitat2Teds.jpg

It is spring in south-eastern Australia so there are lots of flowers out at the moment.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Blue%20Mountains%20Evans%20Lookout/flower1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Blue%20Mountains%20Evans%20Lookout/flowerWaratah1.jpg

[moloch]

These Long-tailed Pea-Blues (Lampides boeticus) were numerous.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Blue%20Mountains%20Evans%20Lookout/LampidesboeticusLong-tailedPea-Blue2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Blue%20Mountains%20Evans%20Lookout/LampidesboeticusLong-tailedPea-Blue1-1.jpg


Australian Painted Lady (Vanessa kershawi)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Blue%20Mountains%20Evans%20Lookout/VanessakershawiAustralianPaintedLady1.jpg


Varied Sword-Grass Brown (Tisiphone abeona)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Blue%20Mountains%20Evans%20Lookout/TisiphoneabeonaVariedSword-GrassBrown1.jpg


I believe that this is a Dark Shield-Skipper (Signeta tymbophora). It appears to only have a few white spots rather than a long streak above the brand. This would separate it from the similar Dingy Grass Skipper (Toxidia peron) and Bright Shield-Skipper (Signeta flammeata).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Blue%20Mountains%20Evans%20Lookout/SignetatymbophoraDarkShield-Skipper1.jpg


We then continued on and eventually camped along a quiet dirt road between Nyngan and Bourke, NSW. Geckos were numerous on the road at night in this area of red sand.


I love the eyes of these Southern Spiny-Tailed Geckos (Strophurus intermedius). Most of the spiny-tailed geckos have colourful eyes like these.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Nyngan%20to%20Bourke/Strophurusintermedius2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Nyngan%20to%20Bourke/Strophurusintermedius5.jpg


This Box-patterned Gecko (Lucasium steindachneri) was gravid. An egg is visible through the skin of the abdomen.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Nyngan%20to%20Bourke/Lucasiumsteindachneri2.jpg

[moloch]

Gehyra variegata is one of the most common and widespread geckos in Australia.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Nyngan%20to%20Bourke/Gehyravariegata1.jpg

Habitat shot of the area where we camped.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Nyngan%20to%20Bourke/habitat.jpg


We got up early and continued the long drive to Windorah. Windorah is situated in the channel country of south-western Queensland. The road crosses several of these including Cooper's Creek.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/habitat20.jpg

These pools were full of fish and attracted huge numbers of birds.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/habitat21.jpg


White-necked Herons lined the bridge over the creek:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/BirdWhite-neckedHeron.jpg


Glossy Ibis, the most uncommon of the three species of ibis in the area.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/BirdGlossyIbis.jpg


Little Corellas were numerous in the trees along the creek.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/BirdLittleCorella1.jpg


Black Kites were abundant.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/BirdBlackKite.jpg

[moloch]

The little town of Windorah is surrounded by red dunes.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/habitat12.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/habitat11.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/habitat10.jpg


This dry country is not ideal for butterflies. I did see many of these tiny Two-spotted Line-Blues (Nacaduba biocellata).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Lycaenid1-1.jpg

There also were a few Chequered Swallowtails (Papilio demoleus) in the area.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/ChequeredSwallowtail-1.jpg


The red sand was good for reptiles. These long-tailed Canegrass Dragons (Diporiphora winneckei) were common in shrubs along a fence line. The one in the first photo below held its tail in a very odd manner.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Diporiphorawinnecki1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Diporiphorawinnecki2.jpg


Female Central Military Dragon (Ctenophorus isolepis). This species was also numerous on the dunes.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Ctenophorusisolepis3.jpg

[moloch]

One of the most interesting observations was of this Gould's Monitor (Varanus gouldii) that was raiding a snake nest. We saw the monitor digging and it allowed us to slowly approach and photograph it. It continued with the digging, would temporarily disappear from sight but would then emerge with an egg. It swallowed these whole and then repeated the process a number of times. I would imagine that this was a nest of one of the large elapids such as a Western Brown Snake (Pseudonaja nuchalis) or a King Brown Snake (Pseudechis australis) that are common in the area.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Varanusgouldii1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Varanusgouldii3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Varanusgouldii4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Varanusgouldii6.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Varanusgouldii5.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Varanusgouldii5a.jpg


... closeup of the hole that it dug to get to the eggs.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/AndrewGoulds.jpg


We also saw Yellow-spotted Monitors (Varanus panoptes) sometimes walking along the streets in the town. This one had been standing beneath a sprinkler on a hot day.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Varanuspanoptes1.jpg

[moloch]

Windorah has not had rain since last March and it was quite dry near town. This Yellow-spotted Monitor looked skinny and in poor condition.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Varanuspanoptes3.jpg


Night drives produced this Jewelled Gecko (Strophurus elderi). This species is a spinifex specialist and is hard to find. I rarely see field photographs of it. It is agile and climbs with ease through the stems of the grass.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Strophuruselderi2a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Strophuruselderi4.jpg


This is an appropriately named Rainbow Bee-Eater.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/RainbowBee-eater1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/RainbowBee-eater3.jpg


Although dry, there were a few plants in flower.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/flower4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/flowerconvulus1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/flowerconvulus2.jpg

[moloch]

This was a really odd coloured pea:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/flower5.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/flower6.jpg


We headed about 100km west of Windorah into the Eyrean Basin. I hoped to be lucky and be able to show my friends a Fierce Snake but it was too hot when we reached the area. The snakes live in the cracks of clay and do not need to bask much during the hot summer. I think that they would be more easily sighted during the winter months.

The basin is dry country:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/habitat1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/habitaat2.jpg


I always check out this area to see Ring-tailed Dragons (Ctenophorus caudicinctus) that live on rocks beneath the trees.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Ctenophoruscaudicinctushabitat.jpg

... female Ring-tailed Dragon
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Ctenophoruscaudicinctus1.jpg

... male Ring-tailed Dragon
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Windorah/Ctenophoruscaudicinctus3.jpg

[moloch]

We left Windorah and then drove for a day up to the Eyrean Basin west of Winton. Along the way, we passed eucalyptus trees that were infested with mistletoes. I've read before that mistletoe is the host plant of the Azures (Ogyris sp.) so we stopped and had a look at the plants. We immediately found a number of these colourful butterflies. Unfortunately, they remained high in the trees. Also, the males seemed to be in continuous combat and rarely would land for more than a few seconds at a time. I managed to take a few shots of the males but could never photograph the larger females that had a couple of orange spots on the outer upper wing.

Satin Azure (Ogyris amaryllis)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/ButterflyAzureMistletoe.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/ButterflyAzure1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/ButterflyAzure2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/ButterflyAzure3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/ButterflyAzure4.jpg


Caper Whites (Belenois java) were also common in the area and visited the mistletoe flowers.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/ButterflyCaperWhite1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/ButterflyCaperWhite2.jpg

[moloch]

The Eyrean Basin west of Winton was a scenic place. We were lucky to arrive at the start of the wet. Clouds built up during the day and the colours of the sunset were beautiful. Later that night, we experienced torrential rain and nearly continuous lightning. We had to take shelter since we could not see the road and there were flash floods in some of the creek crossings. These conditions stimulated reptile activity and we had one of our most productive night drives the following night.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/habitat2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/habitat6.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/habitat4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/habitat3.jpg


Spinifex grew in large clumps here. These seemed to form outwardly growing ovals so were no doubt from the same original plant.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/habitat1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/habitat1a.jpg


Our campsite where we waited out the storm on the first night. At night, we could not see lights in any direction. We were all alone in this empty part of Australia.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/habitatcampsite.jpg


These pretty red native roaches were numerous on the road.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/cockroach1.jpg

[moloch]

Strophurus krisalys look similar to Northern Spiny-tailed Geckos but have a blue rather than orange mouth lining.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Strophuruskrysalis1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Strophuruskrysalis2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Strophuruskrysalis3.jpg



Prickly Knob-tailed Geckos (Nephrurus asper) were seen a few times. These are big geckos with a massive head and a bizarre, tiny tail that ends with a ball.

... adult
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Nephrurus1.jpg

... juvenile
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Nephrurusasper3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Nephrurusasper4.jpg


Pale-striped Ground Geckos (Lucasium immaculatum) are nicely marked geckos that mostly have an inaccessible range. This area seemed to be good for the species and we encountered several on the road.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Lucasiumimmaculatum1.jpg


Tessellated Gecko (Diplodactylus tessellatus) were found a few times.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Diplodactylustessallatus1.jpg

[moloch]

Marbled Velvet Geckos (Oedura marmorata) were big, colourful geckos. They have distinctive juvenile and adult colourations.

... juvenile:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Oeduramarmorata1.jpg


... intermediate between juvenile and adult:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Oeduramarmorata4.jpg


... adult:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Oeduramarmorata7.jpg



Gehyra robusta lived in drains beneath the road.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Gehyrarobusta1.jpg


When the road crossed gibber flats (areas with small, polished stones) we found a small but interesting dragon. These were Pebble Dragons (Tympanocryptis cephalus), little dragons that mimic rocks. When frightened, they pull their legs against their body. Their tails are usually whitish in colour and resemble a dry stick.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Tympanocryptiscephalus4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Tympanocryptiscephalus5.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Tympanocryptiscephalus2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Tympanocryptiscephalus1.jpg

[moloch]

Burton's Snake Lizard (Lialis burtonis) are lizards that belong to the flap-footed lizard family (Pygopodidae). These lizards are closely related to geckos and are primarily found in Australia. Burton's Snke Lizards vary greatly in colouration. This one was particularly nice.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Lialisburtonis2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Lialisburtonis4.jpg


This Spinifex Slender Blue-tongue (Cyclodomorpha melanops) was a lifer to me. It moved to the shade of Andrew's leg and then climbed to his head.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Cyclodomorpha1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Cyclodomorpha2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/CyclodomorphaAndrew.jpg


This Stimson's Python (Antaresia stimsoni) was on the road late on the second night in this area.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Antaresiastimsoni1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Antaresiastimsoni3.jpg

[moloch]

The highlight of the evening was finding this wonderfully marked Common Death Adder (Acanthophis antarcticus). It was a gentle snake and sat placidly while we took photos. This species has a highly toxic bite but it would be difficult to be bitten unless the snake was handled.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Acanthophisactus1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Acanthophisantarcticus1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Acanthophisantarcticus3.jpg


Strange grasshopper that looked pebble-like:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/grasshopper1.jpg


Burn's Dragons (Amphibolurus burnsi) were common along the road and on trees in the Eyrean Basin. They would wave their hand when disturbed.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Amphibolurusburnsi1a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Amphibolurusburnsi2.jpg


We also found one of the similar Gilbert's Dragons (Amphibolurus gilberti). This was also a hand-waving dragon.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Amphibolurusgilberti1.jpg


This frog would scream harshly at us if we approached it. I believe that it is in genus Cyclorana but am not certain of the species. The distribution of the various burrowing frogs is not that well known yet in the interior.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Cyclorama2.jpg

[moloch]

We found a couple beautiful Yellow-spotted Monitors (Varanus panoptes) the next day. These are fearless animals that quickly become adjusted to one's presence and then will continue with their foraging.

When I first stopped the car, the monitor reared and looked annoyed. It soon became calm and walked on.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Varanuspanoptes83.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Varanuspanoptes85.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Varanuspanoptes1.jpg

Sometimes, they will lay flat like this as if they are hidden from view.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Varanuspanoptes2.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Varanuspanoptes82.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Varanuspanoptes5.jpg


Andrew was thrilled to watch this big lizard at such close range. It walked right past him.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Varanuspanoptes8Andrew-2.jpg


... it crossed the road and continued to hunt through the spinifex
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Varanuspanoptes8.jpg

[moloch]

This Freckled Monitor (Varnaus tristis) ran across the road in front of us and then climbed a tree. We stopped to photograph it. While watching it, the monitor detected a Burn's Dragon that we had not seen on a branch further up the tree. The monitor lunged at it and the dragon leapt head-first from the tree. The monitor also leapt after it and we watched the chase as the dragon bi-peddled (ran on hind legs) with the monitor less than a meter behind. The lizards ran across the road before the monitor gave up and walked by us again. It was an incredible sight but much too fast for photos!
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Varanustristis1.jpg


Ring-tailed Dragons (Ctenophorus caudicinctus) were numerous on the gibber/spinifex flats. Males often used the termite mounds as lookouts.

... female
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Ctenophoruscaudicinctus1.jpg

... male
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Ctenophoruscaudicinctus2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/Ctenophoruscaudicinctus3.jpg


Spinifex Pigeons lived in the same area as the Ring-tailed Dragon. These pigeons act more like quail than a typical pigeon. They were fast runners and usually only would fly as a last resort.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/SpinifexPigeon1.jpg

... displaying male. The female was nearby.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/SpinifexPigeon2.jpg


Inland Dotterals are a well disguised nomad of the outback. This one was sheltering in the shade of a road sign.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Winton/InlandDotteral.jpg

[WillFolsom]

David;

Your travels are all very nicely documented. You certainly have fun on your travels and capture a lot!

William

[bluefin]

Another great series, with a huge variety of good shots David. :cheers:

[Angiud]

Your country is simply amazing and I would like to stay there too!

Great and interesting pictures. And I love the desert/arid environments

[moloch]

Thanks very much, guys.

After two interesting days near Winton, we drove on to Porcupine Gorge NP near Hughenden. This was only a short drive of a few hours. Unfortunately, there were bush fires in the area so it was smoky and conditions for photographs were not good.

Along the way, we stopped at a lookout with several large Queensland Bottle Trees (Brachychiton sp.). These fat trees remind me a little boabs from the Kimberleys or baobabs from Madagasgar.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/habitatbottletree.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/habitatbottletree2.jpg


The gorge was filled with smoke. Something interesting here were the large fish that could be seen in some of the pools far below. They were dark and looked like huge Sooty Grunters.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/habitat1.jpg


The habitat above the gorge was dry eucalyptus savannah.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/habitat2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/habitat3.jpg


My friends thought that this must be one of the native Coral Bean (Erythrina sp.) Trees.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/habitatcoralbean.jpg


We went for a night drive but only saw a single fast pygopodid and many marsupials. Rufous Bettong were numerous. These were small macropods that are not much larger than a rabbit.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/RufousBetong.jpg

Andrew's shot:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/RufousBetong2.jpg

[moloch]

Andrew also photographed this Spectacled Hare Wallaby. This species was new to me. It seemed to be fairly common in the area.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/AndrewSpectacledHareWallaby.jpg


After awhile, we gave up on the night drive and walked to a lookout. Although it was dry, we found this huge Green Tree Frog sitting on the trunk of a tree.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/GreenTreeFrog1.jpg


We called it a night and Andrew and I headed to our tents. Ted visited the washroom and soon we heard the call of "Snake!". Ted saw what looked like a cord wrapped around one of the floorboards but it did not look right to him. He had a look under the washroom and saw the head and tail of the snake so he called us over. It turned out to be an interesting little elapid that was new to me, a Pale-headed Snake (Holocephalus bitorquatus). We watched it for awhile. It was methodically checking the cracks between the floorboards for geckos. On one occasion, we saw a Gehyra dubia emerge and run for its life when the snake checked the crack where the gecko had been hiding.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/Hoplocephalus1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/Hoplocephalus2.jpg


One of the Cryptoblepharus skinks. I have not yet checked the distribution vs. species so don't yet know the identity of this little Snake-eyed Skink.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/Cryptoblepharussp1.jpg


The following day, we drove on to Mission Beach. While heading towards the coast, we stopped briefly at the White Mountains NP. I hoped to be lucky enough to find the Dark Opal (Nesolycaena medicea), an endemic butterfly that is active in November. I soon found a bronze-coloured butterfly and thought that I had found my target. After taking a photo, I realized that I had the much more common and widespread Twin Dusky-Blue (Candalides geminus).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/blue1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/blue2.jpg


We also saw this large, freshly killed Greater Black Whip Snake (Demansia papuensis). This species is an impressive elapid that is extremely fast. The normal sighting is of a black snake racing across the road. I guess that this one just was not quick enough and it had been struck by a car.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Porcupine%20Gorge/DemansiaGreaterBlackWhipsnake.jpg

[moloch]

We arrived at Mission Beach in the late afternoon. Mission Beach is a coastal village that is surrounded by rainforest. Unfortunately, Cyclone Yasi did enormous damage to the area when in struck in February of this year. The rainforest canopy is gone for now. It will be a number of years before the plants regenerate to their prior beauty.

Here are a few before/after shots of the Mission Beach area:

Mission Beach in Nov 2010:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/habitat3a.jpg

... now
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/habitat3.jpg


Lacey Creek area in Nov 2010:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/habitat2a.jpg


... now
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/habitat2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/habitat1.jpg


Birds, butterflies and reptiles were all relatively scarce. I was very pleased to see this Southern Cassowary one afternoon. There seemed to be little fruit available and I was afraid that their numbers might have been decimate by the cyclone. I spoke to the volunteers at the information centre and they think that only 9 Cassowaries were killed at Mission Beach by the cyclone. Mission Beach is the best place in Australia for this big bird.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/Cassowary3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/Cassowary1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/Cassowary2.jpg

[moloch]

Butterflies were relatively scarce but I did see a few. One of the more common species on this visit was the Large Green-banded Blue (Danis danis), a gorgeous species. Depending upon the light, its colour varied from turquoise to bottle green.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/DanisdanisLargeGreen-bandedBlue3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/DanisdanisLargeGreen-bandedBlue2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/DanisdanisLargeGreen-bandedBlue1.jpg


The Green-banded Blue (Nacaduba cyanea) had similar markings but was much smaller.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/NacadubacyaneaGreen-bandedLine-blue1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/NacadubacyaneaGreen-bandedLine-blue2.jpg


I saw Black-spotted Flash (Hypolycaena phorbas) on several occasions.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/HypolycaenaphorbasBlack-spottedFlash2a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/HypolycaenaphorbasBlack-spottedFlash1.jpg


Common Grass Blue (Zizina labradus)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/Zizinia1.jpg

[moloch]

blue1: still working on the identification
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/blue2.jpg


blue2: still working on the identification
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/blue1.jpg

Orange Bush Browns (Mycalesis terminus) were one of the most common butterflies along the forest edge.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/MycalesisterminusOrangeBushBrown1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/MycalesisterminusOrangeBushBrown2.jpg


I found a single Orange Plane (Pantoporia consimilis) at Lacey Creek
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/PantoporiaconsimilisOrangePlane1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/PantoporiaconsimilisOrangePlane2.jpg


Ambrax Swallowtail (Papilio ambrax)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/PapilioambraxAmbraxSwallowtail1.jpg

[moloch]

Skippers are always difficult. I think that these are Greenish Darter (Telicota ancilla) rather than Northern Large Darter (T. ohara) due to the pattern of the underwings.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/TelicotaancillaGreenishDarter1a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/TelicotaancillaGreenishDarter2.jpg


Darter of some sort (Telicota sp.)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/dartlet4.jpg


I think that the following are Wide-brand Grass-Darts (Suniana sunias):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/dartlet2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/dartlet1.jpg


We found this lovely Jungle Carpet Python (Morelia spilota) on a drive near Mission Beach.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/LitoriamoreliaJunglePython1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/LitoriamoreliaJunglePython3.jpg

[moloch]

Brown Tree Snakes (Boiga irregularis) were the most commonly encountered snake near Mission Beach.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/BoigairregularisBrownTreeSnake1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/BoigairregularisBrownTreeSnake3.jpg


Litoria jungguy are sexually dimorphic with small yellow males and large brown females. These frogs were common along Lacey Creek.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/Litoriajungguy1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/Litoriajungguy2.jpg


We also saw a couple of the White-lipped Tree Frogs (Litoria infrafrenata). These are the largest of all tree frogs.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/LitoriaWhite-lippedFrog1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/LitoriaWhite-lippedFrog2.jpg


Creek Frog (Litoria rheocola)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/Litoria2.jpg


This Striped Possum was looking for insects in a rotting tree.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/StripedPossum1.jpg

[moloch]

Rhinoceros Beetle
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/Rhinobeetle1.jpg


Robber Fly eating a preying mantis:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Mission%20Beach/robberfly1.jpg

[atronox]

Nicest shot of a living Nacaduba cyanea i've seen.:grin2:
This sp mimics the poisonous Danis/Psychonotis spp. and forms a mimicry complex with several other unrelated spp. which explains why it's so different and lacks the typical Nacaduba markings.

[Great Mormon]

The Danis danis is such a beautiful butterfly! Thanks for sharing :)

[Angiud]

David, forgive me but I don't remember... I see many beautiful pictures with a great DOF. Which camera and lens do you use? :)

[moloch]

Thanks, guys, and for the interesting info, Antonio. Sometimes I see Small Green-banded Blues as well but did not find any of those mimics on this trip.

Antonio, I use a Canon 40D and Tamron 180mm (butts) or Canon 100mm (night herps). Habitat shots are with a Tamron 18x250.

After Mission Beach, we drove to Chillagoe for a couple of nights. This is an interesting area with lots of limestone outcrops and caves. There were thunderstorms each night.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/habitat6.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/habitat12.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/habitat2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/habitat10.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/habitat14.jpg


The surrounding habitat was dry eucalyptus savannah. Large termite mounds were numerous in some area.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/habitat11a.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/habitat1.jpg

[moloch]

These rocky habitats were good for lizards.

Outcrop Rock Skink (Liburnascincus mundivensis). I found several on rocks at the mouth of a cave.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Carliamundivensis1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Carliamundivensis2.jpg


Chillagoe Litter Skink (Lygisaurus rococo). This little skink is only found at Chillagoe. They seem to be crepuscular.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Carliarococo1-1.jpg


Lined Rainbow-Skink (Carlia jarnoldae). Males are particularly colourful.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Carliajarnoldi2.jpg


Lively Rainbow Skink (Carlia vivex)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Carliavivex2.jpg


One of the Snake-eyed Skinks (Cryptoblepharus sp.)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Cryptoblepharus1.jpg


Barsided Skinks were often seen near the entrance or within caves. I think that these are Northern Barsided Skinks (Eulamprus brachysoma) but am not certain of the identification.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Eulamprus1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Eulamprus2.jpg

[moloch]

We saw a few of the Two-lined Dragons (Diporiphora bilineata). These were often tame and allowed close approach. The one below was watching something between Andrew and I. It then hopped off the rock, ran to our feet and captured a walking stick that we had disturbed. It ate this while standing right at our feet.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Diporiphorabilineata1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Diporiphorabilineata2.jpg


At night, Ring-tailed Geckos (Cyrtodactylus tuberculatus) were abundant on the rocks. These could be quite large.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Ring-tailedGecko1.jpg


We found a single Northern Velvet Gecko (Oedura castelnui), a really beautiful species.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Oeduracastelnui3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Oeduracastelnui4.jpg


New to me was a Zigzag Velvet Gecko (Oedura rhombifer).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Oedurarhombifera1.jpg


Prickly Geckos (Heteronotia binoei) were fairly common. I also saw a single Nactus chevreti but do not have a photo.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Heteronotiabinoei1.jpg

... Andrew's shot of another:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Heteronotiabinoei2Andrew.jpg

[moloch]

This Tree Dtella (Gehyra variegata) was oddly marked.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Gehyravariegata1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Gehyravariegata2.jpg


Dubious Dtella (Gehyra dubia) were common.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Gehyradubia2.jpg

Burton's Snake-Lizard (Lialis burtonis)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Liasisburtonis1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Liasisburtonis2.jpg

Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularis)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Boigairregularis1.jpg


Andrew found this Spotted Python (Antaresia maculosa) at night near a cave. It looked as if it was waiting to ambush a bat.
(Andrew's photo)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/AntaresiamaculosaSpottedPythonAndrew-1.jpg


Blue Argus (Junonia orithya) are beautiful butterflies. They were common in the grassy areas.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/ButterflyBlueArgus1a.jpg

[moloch]

The entrances to caves attracted large numbers of butterflies. Most of these were Common Crows (Euploea core) but I also saw a few Two-brand Crows (Euploea sylvester)and Lined Grass-Yellows.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/habitat3.jpg

Common Crow (Euploea core)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/EuploeacoreCommonCrow1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/EuploeacoreCommonCrow3.jpg

... one perched on snake skin, probably that of a Spotted Python (Antaresia maculosa)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/EuploeacoreCommonCrow2.jpg


Two-brand Crow (Euploea sylvester)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/EuploeasylvesterTwo-brandCrow1.jpg


Lined Grass-Yellow (Euema laeta). These were shy and invariably landed where they were at least partly hidden by dry grass.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/ButterflyLinedYellow1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/EuemalaetaLinedGrass-Yellow2.jpg


Lurcher (Yoma sabina). Only observed once when it stopped briefly on the trail.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/YomasabinaLucher1.jpg

[moloch]

Clearwinged Swallowtails (Cressida cressida) were common but they rarely seemed to settle. Andrew found and photographed this male.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/CressidacressidaClear-wingedSwallowtailAndrew-1.jpg


Huntsman
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Spiderhuntsman1.jpg


Tarantula
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Chillagoe/Spidertarantula1.jpg

[Blue Jay]

Uncle David, blue 2 is a slightly tattered Ciliate Blue. There is a black spot beside the "blue fur" on the hindwing, no spot on the hindwing cell. There is also a small orange spot surround the black hindwing tornal spot.:cheers: Sorry can't help id blue 1. I'm very confused with Lycaeninae.:mad2:

[atronox]

1st lycaenid is very likely Nacaduba berenice berenice.:)

[moloch]

Thanks very much for the help, Brian and Aaron. It is great to have help with these from guys in Singapore!

Brian, I was also thinking that to be one of the Ciliate Blues. I think that Pale Ciliate-Blue (Anthene lycaenoides) was the more likely.

Aaron, I reached the same conclusion. I think blue1 was a Large Purple Line-Blue (Nacaduba berenice).


After Chillagoe, my friends and I shifted out to Georgetown. Georgetown is an gold-mining town at the base of Cape York. One of these abandoned mines has a dam that can be quite good for some of the northern birds. I also wanted to see if the Merten's Water Monitors were still along the creek where I found them 5 years ago.

The drive out passed through dry country. I usually stop at this creek since it is usually good for a variety of lizards.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/habitat2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/habitat1.jpg


I checked this pool again and found Merten's Water Monitors (Varanus mertensi). They were here on a herping trip back in 2007. This was pleasing since Cane Toads were abundant. The monitors have obviously learned not to eat the toxic pests.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/habitat3.jpg


We stopped initially in the afternoon. The temperture was in the low 40s so was too hot to see much. It did not take long, though, to find a couple of these.
Merten's Water Monitors (Varanus mertensi)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/VaranusmertensiMertensWaterMonitor1.jpg


Then next day, we stopped by earlier in the morning and found these while they were still heating up. One of them gaped but I don't know whether this was a threat or part of its thermoregulatory behaviour.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/VaranusmertensiMertensWaterMonitor4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/VaranusmertensiMertensWaterMonitor2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/VaranusmertensiMertensWaterMonitor3.jpg


As long as we moved slowly, the monitor would allow us to approach for photos.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Andrew1.jpg

[moloch]

These little Shaded-litter Rainbow Skinks (Carlia munda) were abundant.
male:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Carliamunda.jpg

female:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Carliamunda2-1.jpg


These Kapoks or Silk Cotton Trees (Bombax sp.) were fruiting. Red-winged Parrots were ripping into the seed pods. Red-wings were gorgeous birds in flight with the lime-green bodies and scarlet wing patch.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/bombaxAndrew.jpg

male Red-winged Parrot:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Red-wingedParrot1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Red-wingedParrot1a.jpg


female:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Red-wingedParrot2.jpg


Lousy shot but this was a lifer and one of the few species of butterflies that I saw in the Georgetown area.
Spotted Grass-Blue (Zizeeria karsandra)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/ZizeeriakarsandraSpottedGrass-Blue1.jpg



We went for a night drive but saw very little. The best find was this Curl Snake (Suta suta):
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Sutasuta1.jpg

[moloch]

We also found a couple of these Burton's Snake-Lizards (Lialis burtonis). They certainly vary in colour.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Lialisburtonis1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Lialisburtonis2.jpg


We saw a skinny "gecko" and stopped to find this nicely coloured Two-lined Dragon (Diporiphora bilineata).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Diporiphorabilineatus2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Diporiphorabilineatus1.jpg


There was very little on the road. We finally decided to walk and had much better success. These small pythons were common. I am not certain about their identity. I assumed that they were Spotted Pythons (Antaresia maculosa) but when I look at the book, it seems that Stimson's (A. stimsoni) would also be possible. Most of these were found in ambush positions along a dry creek or in trees.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Antaresiamaculosa1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Antaresiamaculosa4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Antaresiamaculosa5.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/Antaresiamaculosa6.jpg

[moloch]

We blundered into this snake and immediately jumped back until we realized that it was a harmless Keelback (Tropidonophis mairii).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/TropidonophismairiiKeelback1.jpg


spider
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/spider1.jpg


Tawny Frogmouths "sang" all night at the campground. The next morning we found a pair and their kids.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/TawnyFrogmouth1.jpg


... a native milkweed (Andrew's photo)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c386/moloch05/Queensland%20Nov2011/Georgetown/milkweedAndrew.jpg

[Common Mime]

Always enjoy your reportage thread, David. Great stuff!