Flora, Fauna, Waves – Northern Queensland Beaches
It’s been a very quiet week here in what smw, slt has learned is sometimes called fnq: far northern Queensland. It’s been all about runs by the water in the early hours, walks by the water in the evening hours, and being a lazy schlub with tennis on tv in between. All in all a quite restorative little respite just across the ol’ Coral Sea from POM. Herewith, and without further introduction other than the occasional caption, some of the things I’ve been seeing this week. (Yes, there were philosophical moments during all those walks, but I can’t remember any of it at the moment. Aren’t you glad?!)
this is called tidal erosion made visible – above and below
Some flora & fauna in honor of Cate, whose dad mentioned this week that she’s enjoying seeing new members of the animal kingdom when the opportunity arises. Above: fruit bats on their morning migration back to their treetop roosts in the mountains, after a night’s foraging. Below, a gaggle of parrots and all I can say is any number of parrots creates an enormous racket. I have the impression there are lots of Australian-native species of parrot and parakeet and other such. These were the easiest to photograph here because they’re quite numerous; another white parrot was equally loud but higher in the trees and less numerous. Below that, there’s what I think is a kukaburra — stress the “think.” He was hanging out in a tree on my run this AM.
… it would hardly be coastal northern Australia without warnings for salties, and the occasional story of lost pets or worse. (Here, pets; in NT: occasionally the odd person, but the NT salties can beat up the FNQ salties any day.) ‘Twas awareness of the possible salties that made me extra wary when my runs and walks took me close to the mangrove areas – I felt most brave doing so. 🙂
(so much world, so little time....) 
Hi Paul, Wow, what beautiful pictures! And how fascinating that the warning for the crocodiles started with: “Achtung!” I guess there are some Germans in that neck of the woods, perhaps even some Germans who occasionally stray off the beaten path and encounter crocodiles? I hope you’ve had a really restful, relaxing vacation, and that you have a safe trip back to PNG and a smooth, successful beginning of the next phase of your work there!
January 13, 2013 at 01:15
Wunderbare Bilder. Liebe Grüße an dich Paul und auch an Steve
January 13, 2013 at 06:21
wonderful pictures and greetings to you and to steve
January 13, 2013 at 06:28
I am so jealous of your travels! I googled the kookie and he is dead on, either him or very closely related cousin. I think my favorite part of the croc warning is the little icon, croc in a triangle! Now I am off to google-earth to look at you on the map. Your posts always make my day; you have such an eye for composition, color etc. When you have had enough of MsF, you can begin touring your photos.
January 13, 2013 at 01:38
It is all very interesting, I guess Santa Claus is crocodile-proof? Great photos!
January 13, 2013 at 01:41
Great pics. I really like the first one.
January 17, 2013 at 23:19