An All Australian Line Up

SquareUp Photo Challenge: Camping at Carnarvon Gorge, October 2020 #31

With at least 210 different types of birds and 54 species of native mammals living within the national park, sightings of Australia’s unique animals at Carnarvon Gorge are guaranteed. We’ve seen some, like the eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies, cockatoos and kookaburras many times before but seeing them again is always a joy.

eastern grey kangaroo

swamp wallaby

sulphur crested cockatoo

kookaburra

But sightings of echidnas and platypuses in the wild are rare and we’d only ever seen either once before outside of a zoo or wildlife park. Imagine our excitement when this echidna came strolling right by our camp sight. It was intent on searching for food and wasn’t at all bothered by our presence.

echidna

Several platypuses live in the section of Carnarvon Creek which flows through the Takarakka campground. A viewing platform set well back from the creek allows campers to watch from a distance as the platypuses emerge from their burrows at dawn and dusk. The fading light of early evening meant our photos didn’t turn out well, but the experience of watching these elusive little creatures in their native habitat was a highlight of our week at the gorge.

platypus

In January I’m joining in with Becky’s Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word up. Look for #SquareUp

Upstairs

SquareUp Photo Challenge: Camping at Carnarvon Gorge, October 2020 #30

A Loo With a View ~ The Carnarvon Gorge Edition 

At Carnarvon Gorge the walking track

goes on and on and on.

Through the forest and over the creek,

it’s very, very long!

(10 kilometres one way 😬)

There’s a loo at the beginning

And a loo right at the end.

But in between there’s only one,

With steps you must ascend.

(designed to house the composting mechanism underneath but I like to think it also keeps animals out 🙄🤞)

If you visit Carnarvon Gorge

And spot this loo beside the track,

Don’t be like me and walk right past.

You might end up running back!

(based on a true story 😀 )

In January I’m joining in with Becky’s Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word up. Look for #SquareUp

More loos with beautiful views!

The original Loo With a View

Loos with views in Western Australia

The highest loo view in Australia

Loos with views around Australia

Loos with views – The Cruise Edition

Loos with views – The Hawaiian Edition

Loos with views – The English Edition

Loos with views – The Canadian Edition

Loos with views – The Kevtoberfest Edition

Loos with views – The Western Queensland Edition

or just search #looswithviews

Ganging Up

SquareUp Photo Challenge: Camping at Carnarvon Gorge, October 2020 #29

Dozens of tiny red-browed finches call the bush around Carnarvon Creek home. They move at lightning speed, landing for a few seconds on the creek bank before flitting away again. They may be small, but when they gather in a flock you can hear them before you see them.

In January I’m joining in with Becky’s Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word up. Look for #SquareUp

Resting Up

SquareUp Photo Challenge: Camping at Carnarvon Gorge, October 2020 #28

Butterflies rest for a just few seconds before taking off again.

Clearwing Swallowtail

Euploea climena

Common Brown

In January I’m joining in with Becky’s Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word up. Look for #SquareUp

Close Up

SquareUp Photo Challenge: Camping at Carnarvon Gorge, October 2020 #27

The hairy fruit of a sandpaper fig may not look tempting but once the skin is removed, the flesh inside is very sweet.

In January I’m joining in with Becky’s Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word up. Look for #SquareUp

Own Up!

SquareUp Photo Challenge: Camping at Carnarvon Gorge, October 2020 #26

In the words of that well-known Sesame Street song, one of these things is not like the others and it definitely doesn’t belong. Two of these pretty flowering plants are Australian natives while one is native to south eastern Africa.

Can you guess which one is not like the others?

Pimelea aka Queen of the Bush

Balloon Cotton Bush

Smooth Darling Pea

The balloon cotton bush is the unwelcome intruder. Originally imported as an ornamental garden plant, it quickly spread into bushland areas and is now regarded as an environmental weed.

In January I’m joining in with Becky’s Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word up. Look for #SquareUp

Gazing Upwards

SquareUp Photo Challenge: Camping at Carnarvon Gorge, October 2020 #25

In the side-gorges leading off the main gorge, it’s tempting to spend all your time looking at what’s overhead.

Warrumbah Creek Gorge becomes so narrow you can touch both sides with outstretched arms. Rising vertically on either side of the track, the walls almost close in and, unless the sun is directly overhead, the passage is dim and cool.

The Amphitheatre is far more light-filled and spacious but the sandstone walls of the massive cavern rise just as steeply.

In Wards Canyon the track is protected by the overhanging rock,

while in Mickey Creek Gorge it winds around the moss-covered stone.

On the way to the Moss Garden giant tree ferns act like oversized umbrellas, providing welcome shade.

Just make sure you’ve stopped walking before you gaze upwards.

In January I’m joining in with Becky’s Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word up. Look for #SquareUp

Up Above, Down Below

SquareUp Photo Challenge: Camping at Carnarvon Gorge, October 2020 #24

Bright sunlight filters down through the forest, casting intriguing shadows on the track.

While some bring welcome relief as the morning temperature rises,

cycad

fan palm

others are simply ornamental.

tree fern

In January I’m joining in with Becky’s Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word up. Look for #SquareUp

Up Late

SquareUp Photo Challenge: Camping at Carnarvon Gorge, October 2020 #23

Another perfect day at Carnarvon Gorge comes to an end.

Takarakka Lookout is an ideal place to sit for a while, watching as the sun sinks behind the mountains.

Day is done!

In January I’m joining in with Becky’s Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word up. Look for #SquareUp

Up Early

SquareUp Photo Challenge: Camping at Carnarvon Gorge, October 2020 #22

To avoid the heat of the day we began our first walk into the gorge not long after dawn. This whiptail wallaby, ready for breakfast, had the same idea.

In January I’m joining in with Becky’s Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word up. Look for #SquareUp