186) Kangaroos don't live in trees! Do they?

Lummholz Tree Kangaroo
These guys are only found in the Atherton Tableland region of Queensland.  Look at the arms on this guy--those are climbing arms, no wimpy limp-wristed normal kangaroo arms!

One more picture of the glorious Golden Bowerbird carefully arranging a new set of berries to attract the gals!

We were really thriled as we drove up through the town of Mt Malloy and Nancy excitedly spotted this Olive-backed Sunbird when Dirk and Claire went for coffees. These birds were unexpected as we were early in the season but the locals told us a few winter over due to the mild climate and peoples' flower gardens!

A female Sunbird posing in the garden tree, looking lovely in yellow.

Also in Mt Malloy, was a resident Great Bowerbird. He lived on the main street right next to the post office and seemed altogether unperturbed by either the cars of the people walking by. But then again, there is something on this look suggesting he won't abide my messing with his stuff! (a great collection of green glass, snail shells, white rocks, aluminum foil. bits of plastic)

He came out to straighten up - note how he shifted that piece of glass to the left? And the small shell has been turned over. Have to get the decoration just right if the right girls is coming to visit!

A delightful Spectacled Monarch. These were quite common-and vocal!
















AH, now is this the Graceful or the Yellow-spotted Honeyeater? I can't even tell the difference looking at the illustrations in the guidebook! But Nancy and Claire assure me that this is the Graceful.

I think. Now I just have to find the other Yellow-spotted.

Except I can't tell the difference ---until I show them the pictures and they say "oh yeah, that's still the Graceful - keep looking!"

Chim chiminey
Chim chiminey
Chim chim cher-oo!
Good luck will rub off when
I shake 'ands with you
Or blow me a kiss
And that's lucky too!

These Brolgas elicited many amused chuckles as they put down their landing gear and floated rather erratically into the Bromfield Crater, like Mary Poppins with her umbrella, to roost for the night with all their buddies.

For many years, people didn't realise that Brolgas and Sarus cranes were different birds because they look so similar and hang out peaceably together.  These are Sarus cranes, because the scarlet-colored skin reaches down the upperneck, and they have pink legs.  Brolgas have red just around the back of their heads, black legs, and the males have a black dewlap under their chin, if you get that close to see, which is not likely. 

 Unless you have a super-duper scope like the one we carefully borrowed (and now we have scope-envy).








  

The aptly named Blue-faced Honeyeater



Next: We continue north to the Daintree.