Offsetting the acid frog

This was the scene the other morning in the Lower Mooloolah River Wetlands Reserve. There's a big tree-planting operation going on, and ponds being dug. They're re-wilding what has been farmland, and previously was wetland.

And it's largely for the benefit of two species of endangered acid frogs. More here, from the Sunshine Coast News: SCN article, August 2022

 

 

 

It's an offset project though, implying there's a developer somewhere nearby who's also benefitting. In fact I've just read the notice more carefully, and the development in question is the Sunshine Coast Airport expansion.

Noosa Marina Market

Last Sunday's market at Noosa Marina, which is at Tewantin. It has the advantage of finishing at 2pm, rather than 12 noon, so it's easier to get to for some families!  Rather tame compared with those other markets, but that was a welcome change. No crowds, and easy to get served at the many nice cafes there.

Munia, silverbill, mannikin? Don't ask Google!

These were in the Lower Mooloolah River Environmental Reserve this morning. A big family group of ........ not sure what.

My usually brilliant Pizzey & Knight bird book wasn't immediately helpful, so I asked Google, as you do, with a reverse image search.

Google came up with scaly-breasted munia, or Indian silvertail. Neither are Australian. Then it tried yellow-rumped mannikin. Closer, but only in the Northern Territory. Back to  the book then, and after studying the mannikin page carefully, I think I've cracked it. I think they are chestnut-breasted mannikins. There are males, females, and juveniles in there.

Ramadan moon

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venus too, taken the other night in Maroochydore.

Dogboarding!

 

 

 

 

 

Lots of dogs riding paddleboards and kayaks on the Maroochy River lately. It's all the rage!

Sacred

A Sacred Kingfisher, no less. I haven't met one this close up before. And it was a very unceremonious meeting.

I'd been wondering what the smell in the garage was. Hoped that one of the humans in the household hadn't had an unrecorded 'accident'. Then someone pointed out to me the very sorry looking mascot protruding from the front grill  of my car. I had a recollection of seeing a bird disappear in front of me a few days earlier, but none of any bump. 

He got a respectful burial in the rubbish bin, along with all the wriggling maggots bursting out of his belly.

Mooloolaba's triathletes

I watched some  of the Mooloolaba Triathlon events last Sunday. In the main one, competitors start with a 1.5km ocean swim. Then it's a 20km cycle ride, and they finish with a 10km run. There's people coming and going from all directions, so as ever I wasn't sure what was going on, but these were some of the leaders.

 

The fastest of the men did it all in 1hr, 46min, 45sec. The fastest woman did 2hr, 3 min, 6 sec. 

 

I'm thinking I'll let all these people race against each other for another year or two, before I launch myself into this sport, and thus take them by surprise!

 

A few action videos:

Here be dragons!

 

 

There be water dragons at least! And lots of them in Alexandra Headlands this morning. I was making my way towards Mooloolaba and the Mooloolaba Triathlon. They held their ground, and I stepped around them.

Maleny Dairies

In McCarthy Rd, Maleny, there's a dairy with a difference. As in, it's set up as a little tourist attraction. You can tour the factory, feed the calves, enjoy a very relaxed outdoor morning tea or lunch, and generally get a feel for the old-fashioned dairy farm that it isn't any more. You get to buy all kinds of milk products too, including your actual Maleny milk, swimming with actual cream even.

 

 

We'll be back there soon to do the factory tour proper, and to stock up with more yummy stuff.

Ginger!

 

The Buderim Ginger factory, which is in Yandina these days, not Buderim, is one of those 'must-see' local tourist attractions that we've actually postponed seeing until now. Thought it might be a crass tourist experience, but no, it's really pleasant, and really fun. (Or else we've become crass tourists, but so be it!)

They're very proud of the slogan they admit making up themselves: 'The World's Finest Ginger'. It's grown in several locations around Queensland, and processed here. It's definitely pretty good, and they make all kinds of products with it, mostly sweet and yummy.

 

 

 

 

 

We did the factory 'tour and taste' experience, lunch in the cafeteria, and a walk around the find-the-gruffalo rainforest loop. Then 4 days later, we were back to ride the Ginger Train. Fabulous fun!

Heavenly conjunction

 

 

 

Venus and Jupiter, the two brightest planets, close together in the evening sky today, along with a bunch of bats heading out for their night's adventures. The planetary alignment was best a couple of nights ago, but we had overcast skies then.

Choice Coastal Cafes #15: Concept/Riba Kai

It's in Newspaper Place, Maroochydore, in a bit of an industrial zone. We've tried to get to this one before, but couldn't seem to park anywhere near it. Today being Saturday, no problem.

And it's rather excellent. Very trendy, nice coffee - they roast their own.

Strangely, it seems to have two names: 'The Concept', and 'Riba Kai'. I asked the waitress what 'Riba Kai' meant, and she said: "river food". 

I don't think that's Kabi Kabi language, and my further research showed me that 'Riba' is river in Catalan, while 'Kai' is food in Maori.    Hmmmm........

Where eagles dare

 

Like the top of Mt Cooroora, near Pomona, for example. This Wedge-Tailed Eagle was very at home surveying his kingdom. 

 

I was having a well-deserved sit-down, recovering from the exertions of climbing the steep and somewhat challenging track.

Evening beach scenes

 

 

The view to the west from Mooloolaba Spit beach this evening.