Moggill2011: Last Day

Wednesday October 26

At 7, Sara had left for work and Mike and the boys were up - we left in a hurry to get out of the way. Remarkably little traffic too. We were at Golds Creek Lane within an hour. We spent a considerable time along the lane, seeing a few of the squeakers for a change. Swamp Harrier was a trip tick. Both Golden and Rufous Whistler females sang and showed themselves, such drab individuals compared with the colourful males. Several Red-browed Finches gave themselves away by bending grass stems as they made their way down to the seed on the ground.

We arrived in the paddock in time for the mowing men to arrive, what a row as they tended between the graves, mower first then a strimmer. Two men, two pick-up trucks, one with the mower, the other the strimmer! The Lake was a sight, 500+ Pelicans milling about in groups, doing their collective fishing thing.

We departed to the other end, watching Figbirds, Dollarbird and Noisy Friars. When the squawking feral Guineafowl arrived, along with a female Brush Turkey - in case we had food - we left for Kobble Creek.

It had rained overnight, we didn't want to get our sandals wet, so stayed in the parking area, joined by some cheerful Asian fishermen. When asked what fish they were after, either they didn't know or, would eat anything they caught, from their reaction.

Back to the Samsonvale Lake area where the workers were finishing. The Lake was now empty of Pelicans, replaced by a constant stream of Great Cormorants flying through, hundreds of them. The Rainbow Bee-eaters are nesting in the earth heap, not too perturbed by the machinery.

Slowly driving the Lane back to the main road, we were just in time to see a small group of Brown Quail disappear into the verge. Small and very secretive, they seem to melt away.

Next stop, Golds Road (who was Golds?)to check on the nesting Tawny Frogmouths. Yes, they'd hatched two chicks, just visible, behind some greenery, high in the Hoop Pine. I had to try a photo even though it focused on the branches not the birds !

The best experience of the day was finding four Sulphur-crested Cockatoos feeding on the verge. Very common birds and exceedingly raucous but extremely difficult to find one that is photographable.

The ambition is to photo one with their crest up but this only occurs when they land. We tried encouraging them to fly......when they did so, they landed too far away.

A look at that beak tells you why they are so destructive, they can dismantle a house in very little time. Sara's doors and windows are all metal. They are great birds though, we love them.

Terribly hot and humid to-day, hateful. We were pleased to get back to the relative cool of the house and put the fans on. We started packing and generally sorting. Emptying the car was a big part of it, after living in it for six weeks.

Mike left to pick up the boys, then drop Harry at Indooropilly to meet old friends and buy Josh some new goalie gloves. He also bought him some new swimmers, rather tropically patterned Speedos. He donned the trunks and gloves to greet Sara downstairs in the garage.

I think Mojo approves.....

Mike produced some delicious Jamie Oliver burgers with salad for tea, we all chatted, the boys and Mike are playing FIFA, Sara Pam and I are in the living room reading and computing.

We've had a great six weeks, the family worked hard to prepare for us and to make us very welcome. Sad to leave them but delighted to be going home to-morrow.