Australia, Cape York, Iron Range NP

[moloch]

Thanks, all.

Chee,
The birds at the waterhole were very nice. I think that we saw 15+ species stopping by for a drink.


Loke,
Yes, it does look like a smile. I think that they are one of the most beautiful of the Aussie geckos.



CherHern,
The death adders were on the road at night. Once in the leaf litter, they are virtually invisible. I find most of the snakes by night driving ... driving slowly on moonless nights. Snakes will often rest on the road at night to absorb some of the retained warmth. Also, they are much easier to see when they are on the move on an open road.

I stay out of strike range but get as close as possible. For big snakes like the King Brown, I stay a meter or so away but get much closer to the smaller species like the death adders.


Aaron,
I saw a gorgeous green Caria a couple of times along a forest stream but I could never get close enough for a photo. What a stunning species! Other riodinids included a couple that vaguely resemble in size and shape the dragontails. A fair number of the riodinids would land beneath leaves so were hard to photograph.


Regards,
David

[moloch]

Here are a few more photos of Cape York.

Cycads were common in places:






Carlia storri -- Skinks are the abundant reptiles in Australia. We have more 427 species at the moment but new ones are discovered or species are split every year.




Fire-tailed Skink (Morethia taeniopleura) -- a little rock dweller.



We saw a couple Brown Tree Snakes (Boiga irregularis). There are relatives of this species in Singapore and Malaysia. These are rear-fanged colubrids but are not dangerous to people (unless you let the snake chew on your finger for awhile!).



... odd little scorpion




Crocs are common in the north. It is important to be careful whenever near creeks and rivers like this:



Regards,
David

[butterfly_effect]

great great stuff! Thanks so much for sharing

[atronox]

Aaron,
I saw a gorgeous green Caria a couple of times along a forest stream but I could never get close enough for a photo. What a stunning species! Other riodinids included a couple that vaguely resemble in size and shape the dragontails. A fair number of the riodinids would land beneath leaves so were hard to photograph.

Must've have been rly exciting.
I think if i were to go and if i'd seen one for the first time i'd probably freak out!xD
The dragon tail-like ones, i suppose u mean Chorinea?

[moloch]

Hello Aaron,

The following riodinid is what I thought to be like a dragontail. It is Rhetus arcius and a real beauty.



I also saw what I think to be R. periander. It had a similar pattern to the above butterfly but it only remained on top of the leaf for a moment. When I lifted my camera, it zipped to the undersurface. It was disappointing not to be able to capture the lovely colours of the butterfly.



Regards,
David

[Commander]

Wow! What a stunning butterfly!

[Silverstreak]

What a beauty!!!!..........never in my wildest imagination a riodini could spot such tails and colors!

David many thanks in opening our eyes!!!

[moloch]

If you would like to see some great photos of the Frilled Lizard, look at the bottom of this thread. Henry takes some incredible photos!

http://www.fieldherpforum.com/forum/....php?f=2&t=645

Regards,
David

[Banded Yeoman]

The riodinid is some kind of beautymark