White Faced Robin

This pretty bird inhabits tropical rainforest so I often see them on my wanderings. They feed off flying insects and can be found perching on mid to low branches. 

Beautiful Butterfly

A pretty Common Crow butterfly just hanging out.

Tranquility

A short drive from home there is a walk through the rainforest, which runs alongside a creek and finishes up at a beautiful waterfall called Tranquility. Its such a nice little part of the world, with some great wildlife. Here's a couple of pics from my last visit.

Frilled Neck Lizards

This has to be my favourite of all the reptiles.The Frilled Neck Lizard is quite a large lizard and can be spotted with a little patience and a good eye, hanging out on the tree trunks in the tropical savannah in Far North Queensland.

When frightened this lizard spreads out the frill on its neck and opens its mouth to try and scare off predators. It really is quite a display. One of the many reasons I love these dragons so much.

This one we spotted on one of our exploration drives around the area and he is very handsome.

Boyds Forest Dragon

I was lucky enough to go on tour with my hubby the other day. He works as a Tour Guide for a local company and takes visitors from all over the world and introduces them to the fabulous rainforest, wildlife, beaches and history that the area we live in has to offer.

Whilst on tour we spotted this fabulous Boyds Rainforest Dragon, who was a little annoyed at our presence so presented us his dewlap (the loose fold of skin under his chin ) to make his annoyance known.

We didn't bother him for long, but I did manage to get a couple of nice pics.

Mossman Gorge

Recently I paid a visit to one of my favourite local spots with my family. Unfortunately, what was once a beautiful natural rainforest area which could be accessed by anyone at any time, has now been turned into a money generating, tourist encouraging, over crowded monstrosity.

Much to my disgust the so called "Discovery Centre", does not educate, advise or provide the average Joe with any information about what they are about to see and experience, but does however exhibit some art (which is for sale), hosts a gift shop (with more stuff for sale), has a cafe (ditto) and of course numerous points of "sale" for bus tickets to get you down to the Gorge (as you are no longer able to take yourself!).

It really was quite horrific, even the bus ride was just that. No running commentary about where we were going, no introduction to the ancient rainforest and all it's beautiful secrets. NO...just herded onto the bus, given a ride to the Gorge with a dozen other people who we then had to spend the next 2 kms trying to distance ourself from so that we could actually enjoy the Gorge in all its splendour and in peace.

 But unfortunately that wasn't to be. We even walked past a group of young people who were fiddling with their iPad, incredulous that there was no internet reception!!! What?? No internet? In the oldest rainforest in the world. GOOD LORD! Sigh.

 Even the Boyd's Forest Dragons were conspicuous in their absence.

I was angry for a while. Now I'm just incredibly sad.

That was the last time I will ever be visiting Mossman Gorge.

Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog

This is, without a doubt my favourite frog photo to date. These little frogs are very common in our garden and are incredibly vocal when we have any rain.

Form an orderly line....

These finches are Paulies favourite! There can be hundreds of them all at once lined up on our garden fence. Very cool!

Thirsty

Not such a great quality photo as it was taken with a very old camera. But a great pic nevertheless, that just had to be posted! We came across these thirsty Pelicans on our travels up the West Coast of Australia. Who said animals were dumb?

Cane Toads

Being a resident of Far North Queensland, it would be quite odd if I didn't have at least one photo of a Cane Toad! Actually, I have many. In fact I find them to be quite fascinating creatures. Most people find them revolting, I think they are pretty handsome (in a warty toady kinda way!!!)
For those of you that don't know, the Cane Toad (Bufo marinus) was introduced to Far North Queensland in 1935 in a failed attempt to control cane beetles. The cane toad has rapidly spread throughout Australia and it is now considered to be a threat to the environment.

Cane toads have a large toxic gland situated behind their ear, this toxin is believed to have contributed to the deaths of many native animals who have attempted to eat them.

Home Sweet Home

This wonderful piece of architecture is a spider nursery. Quite eye-catching, don't you think?

Hermit Crab

I found this cool Hermit Crab while I was walking along a beach on Stewart Island, NZ.