A couple more walks

 On 16 June we did a walk along the Betka River and then the clifftops back to the picnic area.  Before getting to that, here is a sunrise shot.  No sun, but a very nice inversion holding the mist in place .

This is the route along the Betka River, courtesy of eBird.

The Kennedia along here (possibly K. rubicunda) is completely out of order.  In places it is 3 metres or more up the dead stumps.  We had wondered if it would die back over Winter but not so.  I suspect the time to use some indigenous fire mitigation strategies is fast approaching, but fear it will be the usual light up a few hundred hectares approach, just as nesting and flowering season starts.

The huge Angophora near the start of the walk seems to be recovering well.

Wombat berries (Eustrephus latifolius) are everywhere.

Goodenia sp has also recovered well from the fire.  I think this is G. elongata.

It appears the recent storms have self-bonsaied a few trees along the way.  In the background note the amount of exposed mud in the River.  

Pelargonium australe.

Due to the change in habitat I start a second eBird list when I cross the road.

The hope was that when we got to the Point Difficult lookout we would see some whales.  Indeed we did see them but by the time I had the camera sorted, the best I could do was a couple of spouts.  (Note from the next day - 17 June.  While at Fisherman's Point looking at sea birds a humongous Humpback breached well out towards Gabo.  Again, camera not ready.)

AS we got back towards the picnic area we checked the informal track to the beach for orchids.  No Helmet orchids but a few Pterostylis nutans.

The Solanum aviculare is getting ready for another outbreak of flowering.  While some of them appear to have died - possibly from fungal infection - many are still alive and adding to the fuel load.