Lily the Pink - Scaffold

It was decided that this camp would be just the spot to enjoy the luxury of a bed for a change, and an ideal springboard to 'scratch that itch' which is a revisit to the Salt Pans at Port Gregory. Readers may remember that on that first visit there was hardly a bird to be seen (certainly no water or shore-birds), but the potential seemed great and well worthy of another look

On the way back the first MISTLETOE bird of the trip was found, but an unobliging little devil which only allowed production of this single poor shot.

Therefore we have resorted to Wiki Wonder to publish 'not to be missed'

images of this avian delight. More were seen during the drive to Horrocks but again without photos.

For me it's always good to get back to the coast, and very quickly on this occasion

managed these fair photos of a long overdue 'flying' PIED CORMORANT.

Still plenty of AUSTRALIAN MAGPIE-LARKs about

and the odd fly-by PACIFIC GULL but it was time to check in. Chris, of German ancestry, looks after the place here and along with a few staff take very good care of all guests. Having settled in, stowed the food bought en-route and made acquaintance with some new mates (who are very fond of Ritz crackers) LAUGHING TURTLE DOVE

there was just time to commit this HAWK-MOTH to the fridge for closer inspection later. To give some idea of the lie of the land

this photo was taken at NORTHAMPTON, the main hub of an open community here, where I got the groceries and may find a reliable source of Internet connection should it be needed. So, the hour had arrived, late afternoon, to find out if my hunch had been worth the drive back and although we have seen, and published photos of

GALAH

before these almost Christmasy images

were already making it worthwhile.

RELAX? I don't think so! Even though I would be sitting down for the next few hours it was not to RELAX!

Just before reaching the sign above and about one mile from the village centre there are a series of half a dozen small pools on the left

and the wide expanse of what I now know to be The Pink (Hutt) Lagoon.

Salt, I am told, is no longer gathered here but this naturally occurring phenomenon that occurs when algae 'blooms' and produces beta carotene, a pigment that is a far more lucrative aquaculture crop.

Back across the road and a little nearer town are the redundant Salt Pans, part promising looking fore-shore

while the rest is open, shallow water. This is where I was hoping to find some action,

and even from a distance 'small' Waders could be seen which couldn't have been too impressed with my approach and became even more distant. Stints, most certainly but that far away even with the 'scope could not be positively identified, not by me at least.

There were however (3) other 'fish to fry'

 the first of which were about 50 very elegant

RED-NECKED AVOCET.

Next 2 dozen BLACK-NECKED STILT, some adults

along with a few still showing traces of juvenile plumage were seen.

Along with all of these was one showing a pure white head and neck, which I photographed simply because it looked so beautifully pristine. The final 'fish' was the real McCoy

as Chris's husband Robert had been fishing the reef, just a mile off-shore, including me in his success with this huge side of

 

 REEF TROUT much sort after even around here. Gently 'kissed' each side in butter for a couple of minutes on the barbie, what an end to a day when the hunch turned up trumps!

Checking through the day's photographs later in the evening, I noticed 'The Beautiful One' had more than a trace of reddish-brown about the shoulder and upper breast and a quick thumb through the Field Guide proved it to be not a Black-necked Stilt at all but an adult

BANDED STILT

a LIFER but could you count it under such circumstances? More of that later, but for now I have to prepare for an early start tomorrow.

Will It Go Round In Circles - Paul Weller

I found last nights bivouac in the car park of the Meekathara Roadhouse along with about 50 others, mostly lorry drivers but a few caravans and campers. When travelling, the saying goes that you are never far from someone who knows someone you know - are you still with me? That was proved conclusively this morning as I arrived at the shower. Polishing the 'ivories' I noted a Midland accent and asked the man where he was from. "Leicester" came the reply, so I followed by saying "guess you must at least have heard of Sibbo then"? "Was in the same class at school as Troy, and did a bit of boxing with Craig (Tony's brothers) - but Tony was a little senior for us". British, European and Commonwealth Middleweight Champion and outright holder of 3 Lonsdale Belts, Sibbo and I have been good mates for many a year. He would readily tell you himself he met his match when facing (Marvellous) Marvin Hagler for the World Title, but nonetheless lasted 6 rounds with arguably the greatest ever in that division. I cannot end this tail without telling a wide audience that I too have beaten Sibbo - one of the best frames of snooker I ever played.

All of this took place at about the remotest spot I'll visit this trip and the number of stars on display again last night was only equalled by the number of

BUDGERIGARS

It must have amounted to 'tens' of 'thousands', these shots falling well short of painting an accurate picture.

It was the turn of BLACK-FACED WOODSWALLOW to face the camera today, and while clicking away there was just time to swing round and capture this

DINGO before it beat a hasty retreat.

Stopping at a remote Homestead, I asked permission to take a look around while stating my intent,

and found a new species for the trip.

YELLOW-THROATED MINER is familiar from other trips

but a bonus to commit it to the photo archive.

This attractive BUTTERFLY was common in the garden

as were MONARCHS but the latter never fell to the lens.

The jury is still out on this little fella,

but my money goes on SLATY-BACKED THORNBIRD

a species of the interior which, if proven, will be an addition to the World List.

I could have snapped away at scenes like this all day, still spellbound by this beautiful country.

FAIRY MARTIN

While talking of confirmations

how will this do for

male MULGA PARROT and

female MULGA PARROT

a fantastic start to the day.

There had been a fair share of drought out here as well as earlier in UK, none more so than in the outback, so to find this patch of water was sure to bring its rewards? White-faced Herons and Australian Pelican were first to be seen, but swinging the 'scope around

a couple of these Black-fronted Plover were found along with 7 Red-necked Avocet but all distant.

Reaching the town of CUE we were met by a rowdy bunch of Little Corella and a few more

Yellow-throated Miners and

Little Crow

Right, can we have a little quiet now please?

Almost full circle, we should arrive back at the coast early tomorrow morning with that itch still needing a good scratch.