Kakadu/Litchfield in the wet

Greetings everyone,

I went on a brief trip to the Northern Territory last week. I have always wanted to see this area during the monsoon when it is lush and green. It really was a lovely site. The only problem with a visit during the wet was that the highway between Darwin and Kakadu can be cut at anytime should the rains be particularly heavy. This happened on the night of my arrival. I was a little worried about pushing my luck and staying too long in the park since I did not want to miss my flight back to Sydney. I ended up spending 1.5 days in Kakadu NP, 1 day in Litchfield NPand 1 day in Darwin.

Here is a map that shows the location of Kakadu in the top end of Australia. Jabiru in eastern Kakadu is about a 3.5 hour drive from the airport in Darwin.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...011/kakadu.jpg



Kakadu is famous for its wetlands but the area that I liked the most was Nourlangie Rock. This hill is an outlier of the Arnhem Land escarpment. I really enjoyed the vibrant colour and texture of the rocks. Here are a few photos of Nourlangie.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...urlangie15.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ourlangie9.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ourlangie4.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ourlangie6.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ourlangie5.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...urlangie17.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...urlangie11.jpg

Aborigines have lived here for thousands of years. There were numerous caves around the base of the rock with their artwork.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...urlangie16.jpg



I climbed Nourlangie one morning and then wandered around the sandstone blocks and interesting heathland of the summit plateau. A beautiful red-flowered Grevillea was in full bloom. These were attractive to both butterflies and birds. The escarpment in the distance is part of Arnhem Land.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...rnhemLand3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...grevillea3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...urlangie13.jpg



Silver-crowned Friarbird
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...Friarbird1.jpg


I think that these are Wattle Blues (Theclinesthes miskini) but am not 100% certain of the id.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...angieblue1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...angieBlue2.jpg


This native ginger had interesting pink and yellow flowers. It grew along a flowing creek that I followed to the summit.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ngieGinger.jpg

These Clearwing Swallowtail (Cressida cressida) were a beautiful sight. They loved the Grevilleas and I saw them whenever I walked through this area.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...dacressida.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...allowtail3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...allowtail2.jpg


Pandanus were common plants on the rocks along the trail.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...iepandanus.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...urlangie18.jpg


After a good deal of sweating, I reached the summit plateau. There was a small flowing creek here and I spent awhile floating in the water and cooling down. Temps were not all that high, just the lower 30s, but the humidity was extreme and I was constantly dripping with perspiration.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ourlangie1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ourlangie3.jpg


A nice flowering pea:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...langiepea1.jpg

I was happy to see a couple of the special butterflies that only live in this sandstone country. The following are Spotted Opals (Nesolycaena urumelia), Lycaenids with unusually coloured upper wings.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ottedOpal1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ottedOpal2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ottedOpal3.jpg


Rock Grass-Darts (Taractrocera ilia) are another species restricted to this sort of habitat in the NT.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...eRockDart2.jpg


I saw Twin Dusky-Blues (Candalides geminus) around a vine-like plant similar to where I see Varied Dusky-Blues here in NSW.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...n-spotBlue.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...-spotBlue2.jpg


A pretty Reduviid:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...emipteran1.jpg


A Pentatomid:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...hopterran1.jpg

I need help with the id of this Grass-Yellow. I think that it is a Scalloped Grass-Yellow (Eurema alitha) but the similar E. hecabe is also found here along with 4 others of the genus.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...assYellow1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ss-Yellow2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...assYellow2.jpg

Orange Ringlets were commonly seen as they flew along the trail or low over the surrounding vegetation.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...geRinglet1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...geRinglet2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...staadiante.jpg


Interesting flower:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...gieflower1.jpg


Native Hibiscus:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/hibiscus.jpg

Reptiles were not as common as I had expected. On night drives, I saw a few of these Keelbacks (Tropidonophis mairii), one of our few species of the colubrid family.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3.../Keelback1.jpg


Brown Tree Snakes (Boiga irregularis) were common. They often put on a great show. Malaysia and Singapore are home to a number of species of this genus.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...TreeSnake2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...TreeSnake1.jpg


... poor thing had a tick on its eye. I did not notice it at night or I would have removed the pest.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...TreeSnake3.jpg



I always think that the name of this snake is an odd one. It is a Children's Python (Antaresia childreni). A python for children? That just does not sound right.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ensPython1.jpg


I also bumped into a few large pythons. Both Olive (Liasis olivaceus) and Water Pythons (L. mackloti) are numerous in the park. Both are similar in appearance so I am not certain of their identity. I think that they are Olives but I could be wrong.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ivePython5.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ivePython1.jpg


... this one was huge and heavy bodied.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ivePython4.jpg


... many more tomorrow night!

David, the Clearwing Swallowtail is very beautiful, and you have captured a spectacular moment. Now, anyone being tempted to travel down to Australia to shoot those? :bsmile:

Beautiful shots, David.
Your butterfly shots seem to improve with each outings. For example, in the mating Wattle Blues pair shot, you are able to get parallel to the butterflies and also manage to secure a clean bg. :cheers:
The spotted Spotted Opals, Clearwing Swallowtail and Orange Ringlets are beautiful butterfly.


Er, removing a tick from the snake's eye? You are the man :)

Thanks very much, Anthony and Loke.

Loke, I often think that I am parallel to the butterflies but then am disappointed when I view the shots on the computer. It really is hard to get the angles right but then I suppose it requires lots of practice and lots of photos of the subject.

I will add shots from Litchfield before long.

David, I often zoom to 100% when previewing the shot to check if the head/apex of forewing/tip of hindwing are sharp. If not, i will always try to get more parallel to the butterfly. Try to take more shots in the future to serve as an insurance! :cheers:

David ,

Thanks for sharing these wonderful shots!! The Clearwing Swallowtail is a real show stealer.

Your first pair of mating Wattle Blue is in a classic perfect parallel and at eye level to the butterfly.

I find it easier to establish broadside parallel from a slight distance before closing in, this will also minimize lateral movement when moving in for the shot.

To get eye-level , it is easier to lower yourself below its perch till the legs are obscured , then move up slightly till all the legs are visible. This will also lessen the shadow cast on the perch.

No birds?? I recall the wet season is also the bird season and the flocks of birds was always a threat to aircraft when we have to stage through Darwin from Singapore to the east coast of Australia.


Cheers!

Wow, another wonderful place on earth.
Thanks for sharing - many well-taken shots.

Thanks for the info on techniques, Anthony and Sunny. I will give these a go next time that I am out in the field.

Thanks, Federik. Kakadu is a great place for a visit.


I will add a few more reptiles, wetland habitats and then move on to Litchfield NP.


Gehyra nana was a lifer.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ngiegecko1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ngiegecko2.jpg


Both Amphibolurus gilberti and A. temporalis live in the park. They look quite similar so I am not certain of the id. I think that these are Gilbert's Dragons due to the relatively short tail.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...rtsDragon1.jpg




Here are a couple of the numerous Carlia skinks. I am not certain but think them to be C. amax and/or C. rufilatus.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...11/Carlia2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...11/Carlia1.jpg


I think that this is Ctenotus essingtonii.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...eCtenotus1.jpg


another shy Ctentous sp. There are several striped species like this in Kakadu so I am not certain of the id.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...eCtenotus2.jpg

Kakadu is famous for its wetlands. At this time of the year, the flood plain was full of water and all sorts of life. Crocs were numerous. I was amazed by the local fishermen who often stood right at the edge of deep pools while casting and retrieving their lures. A few guys were even wading waist deep in a creek and throwing a net to catch bait fish. I always had the impression that such activities would end with an attack.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...loodplain2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...loodplain3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...loodplain6.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...loodplain7.jpg


Paperbarks (Melaleuca sp.) grew out on the flooded areas as well. This was the habitat of Bar-breasted Honeyeaters, a new bird to me.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...loodplain8.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...oodplain11.jpg


Brown Honeyeaters were also common here and in the monsoon rain forest. They were drably coloured but had loud, cheerful voices.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...oneyeater1.jpg



One of my favourite birds up north is the Black-necked Stork (formerly known as the "Jabiru"). This one is a juvenile but I saw adults as well.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...loodplain5.jpg

Magpie Geese seemed to be the most abundant or at least conspicuous bird in the wet areas.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...loodplain1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...loodplain4.jpg


Radjah Shelducks ("Burdekin Ducks") have a nice pattern.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...esShelduck.jpg


This Broad-banded Awl (Hasora hurama) was flitting about on plants just above the mangroves that lined a river. I had an interesting experience while photographing this butterfly. The river bank here was tiered and I had hopped down one level to try and get closer to where it frequently rested. There was another drop in the bank and then the mangroves commenced. While taking a shot, I heard a loud crashing through the mangroves and then a big splash in the river. I had disturbed a large croc that I had not seen. It blended well and I only realized it was a few meters away when it fled to the water.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...-bandedAwl.jpg


After Kakadu, I headed over to Litchfield NP. This park is only about 90km south of Darwin. The habitat here was generally dry eucalyptus woodland with deep gorges. Some of these supported monsoon rain forest. Here are a few shots of the park. The monsoon rains made butterfly photography difficult. There was plenty of activity but just in those brief periods of time when the sun was out.

Tolmer Falls
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...lmerFalls1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ldhabitat1.jpg


Giant termite mounds:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ldTermite1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ldTermite2.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...fieldpalm3.jpg

William, these are almost like the palmetto thickets in the Everglades, don't you think?
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...fieldpalm2.jpg



This Spotted Opal was on rocks near Tolmer Falls.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ottedOpal4.jpg


I found an area with flowers near Wangi Falls. This proved to be an excellent site for butterflies when the sun was shining. Here are a few of those that I observed.


My favourite was this lovely Orange Lacewing (Cethosia penthesilea). I saw beautiful, pristine males drifting about but they rarely seemed to land. I was only able to photograph worn individuals. This butterfly you, of course, know well. In Australia, it is restricted to the top end of the Northern Territory.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...eLacewing5.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...eLacewing6.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...eLacewing3.jpg



I only saw one of these nice Blue-banded Eggfly (Hypolimnas alimena).
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...dedEggfly1.jpg


Blue Argus (Junonia orithya)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...BlueArgus1.jpg

Blue Argus
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...BlueArgus2.jpg


Meadow Argus (Junonia villida)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...adowArgus1.jpg


Swamp Tiger (Danaus affinis)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...wampTiger2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...wampTiger1.jpg


Lesser Wanderer (Danaus chrysippus)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...rWanderer1.jpg


Small Brown Crow (Euploea darchia) -- these always remained in the dark interior of the forests. It also was the smallest of the three crows of the area.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ommonCrow2.jpg


Common Crow (Euploea core)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...uploeacore.jpg


Two-brand Crow (Euploea sylvester)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...asylvester.jpg

David: I agree with you that they both look quite similar. I'll be heading down to Florida in about a month's time and hope to do a little bird and butterfly photography. Meeting up with my brother from Alaska and we'll mostly spend time with my mom, whose in her 90's. Plan to visit Corkscrew Swamp which is located not far from the Everglades proper. Might try Sanibel Island, which is mostly for birding.

Each time I get interested in possibly visiting Australia one day, you put up a nice display of snakes and that has the calming effect that i need. Fortunately the lads up in Singapore mostly complain about leeches and mosquitos which i can tolerate. I did run across a rattlesnake (a young one) in Florida a few years ago and must admit he was quite beautiful. I'm sure he packed a whallop if disburbed!

William

Beautiful shots David! Your butterfly photos are improving by leaps and bounds! My favourite is the last shot, where the butterfly is nice and sharp with a flower perch. Hope to see more butterflies from Australia! :cheers:

Termite mounds are natural architectural wonders:grin2:

Thanks, Anthony.

I like the way that you phrased this, William.:bsmile:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WillFolsom

Each time I get interested in possibly visiting Australia one day, you put up a nice display of snakes and that has the calming effect that i need. William

---

Aaron,
You are right about the termite mounds. Unfortunately, I did not take photos of the termite mounds in Kakadu due to heavy rain. They were different with narrow but parallel sheets of mud.



Here are the final few photos from Litchfield and then the Darwin area. In Darwin, I visited the botanical gardens and then an area known as East Point. The latter had an elevated walk through mangroves where I found Red-headed Honeyeaters and Green-backed Gerygones. There must of been butterflies that were mangrove specialists in the area but I did not encounter any.

Litchfield NP:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ldhabitat2.jpg


Dusky Knight (Ypthima arctous): our one and only Ypthima.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...DarkKnight.jpg


Dingy Ringlet (Mycalesis perseus): this is a wide ranging species that you know doubt recognize.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...gyRinglet1.jpg



Fuscous Swallowtail (Papilio fuscus): this is a different looking race to those that I saw in Mission Beach last November.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...allowtail1.jpg



Lemon Migrant (Catopsilia pomona)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...onMigrant1.jpg


Spotted Rustic (aka Leopard) (Phalanta phalantha): another wide-ranging species. In Australia, it is only found in the Darwin area.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/Leopard1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/Leopard3.jpg

Caper Gull (Cepora perimale): those that I have seen in Queensland had yellow outer hindwings so these looked odd to me.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...alianGull1.jpg


Small Pearl-White (Elodina walkeri)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...inawalkeri.jpg


Sword-brand Grass-Skipper (Neohesperilla xiphiphora)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/skipper9.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ldskipper3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...fieldNPNT2.jpg


It seems like these skippers should be easy to identify with their orange veins to the termen. I think that it looks most like a Bright-orange Darter (Telicota augias) but am not certain.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3.../skipper10.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/skipper7.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ldskipper2.jpg

Not certain but maybe one of the Palm-Darts (Cephrenes sp.)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/skipper8.jpg


A couple of the numerous and similar grass-darts. These are tiny and about the size of a bee.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...grassdart1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3.../skipper11.jpg



Varied Eggfly (Hypolimnus bolina)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...mnusbolina.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...mnusbolina.jpg



Water Python (Liasis mackloti)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...terPython1.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...terPython2.jpg




Keelback (Tropidonophis mairii)
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3.../Keelback2.jpg

Feral Hogs like this animal are real pests in much of Australia.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ldferalhog.jpg


A buck Agile Wallaby:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...1/wallaby1.jpg


Another wallaby:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3.../Wallaroo1.jpg


Tarantuala on road at night:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...Tarantula2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...tarantula1.jpg


Partridge Pigeon, an NT top-end endemic:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...idgePigeon.jpg


Pied Imperial Pigeon: abundant in the north
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...rialPigeon.jpg


Grey Whistler:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...eyWhistler.jpg

Finally, a few shots of Darwin in the wet:
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...11/Darwin3.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...11/Darwin2.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...11/Darwin1.jpg


... well, that is it. I hope that this has given you an impression of what it is like in the tropical Northern Territory during the monsoon.

There are quite a lot of common species between Kakadu and Malaysia/Singapore.

Hmm, for the Dusky Knight, I think it can claim the "Common One Ring" title :bsmile:. More on the rings can be found on this blog.

Just wonder, is there a "Common Two Ring" out there?:thinking:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by moloch

Dusky Knight (Ypthima arctous): our one and only Ypthima.
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c3...DarkKnight.jpg
[/IMG]

---