Sunday with the Apostles

Sunday Oct 16

Not an early start, except for Mike, the tree man arrived 30 minutes before he was due. He was there to give a quote for cutting down the enormous Stringy Bark tree in the back garden (previously. erroneously named as an Ironbark). There's also a big tree with branches overhanging the car port . The quote was A$1500. Waw, that's about a £1000. Another one is coming to-morrow, we hope his quote is less.

Pam and I planned a visit to the Ipswich branch of Bunnings (Aus B and Q) this morning. Sara decided to come with us and then Mike asked why he wasn't invited ! All four adults went in Mike's car, first time on the Moggill Ferry for us. Must go and photo it.

Bunnings was full of what Sara calls Bogans - chav hicks. We got the compost required, Sara chose some cacti and Mike picture hanging gear and we returned, refreshed by the free ice cones provided as we left. Small cups of chipped ice squirted with a flavour of your choice. It was certainly a hot one to-day, in the 30s.

Mike dug a soakaway to take the water collecting outside the laundry room in a storm, Harry and Josh swam, Pam and I vegetated. At 4.30, as it cooled to a comfortable temperature, Pam and I drove the Moggill Ferry road. I saw a Channel-billed Cuckoo there this morning and we saw an interesting looking pond.

The highlight was a family group of Apostlebirds, fossicking for seeds and insects at the side of the road.They're highly sociable birds, gathering in flocks of up to 50 after the breeding season. One youngster kept being left behind and squawking loudly.

The juveniles have brown eyes!

The pond held the usual large number of Purple Swamphens, a few Dusky Moorhens and six Pied/White-headed Stilts.

A little woman in camouflage gear approached us from another car, clutching a tripod and camera. Very quietly spoken and unassuming. A photographer of birds rather than a birder.She told us of another pond near Lowood off the Warrego Highway where she likes to go.

We are now watching New Zealand beat Aus in the other semi. They'll annhilate France in the final....

Phew, the Rufous-tailed Robin at Warham wasn't there this morning. That's two lifers we've missed but maybe wouldn't have got anyway. Maybe the Crane will stay in Suffolk until our return.