Crystal Creek Mutarnee and Paluma Range

The caravan park was absolutely beautiful and there was a great variety of birdlife to keep us entertained in between work, along with a few other little critters.

Olive-backed Sunbirds (male, female & baby in the nest) 

Great Bowerbirds and the bower

Australasian Figbirds (male & female)

Bar-shouldered Dove

Little Shrike-thrush

Forest Kingfisher

Peaceful Dove

Leaden Flycatcher

Masked Lapwing

Neon Cuckoo Bee

Crimson-speckled Moth

Chequered Swallowtail

We had a day off from marking and decided to drive up to Paluma Range National Park. When we got to the bottom of the range we discovered that it was open by escort only, with the escorts running on the hour. We only had about 15 minutes to wait, so that wasn't too bad. The conditions of the escort were no stopping and keeping close to the vehicle in front. Once we started to see the serious roadworks on the landslips we could see why!

The Little Crystal Creek area was closed, so we weren't able to stop there on the way up, but I did manage to get a quick photo from the car window of the creek from the stone bridge.

At the top of the hill we did the Birthday Creek Falls walk, which was very pretty.

I also took the opportunity to experiment with my new Osmo underwater video camera. After our snorkelling experience at Ningaloo last year I decided that I would like something that could capture some of what we see and experience on and in the water. I have lots of learning to do, about taking footage, as well as editing it, but here's the first attempt!

A couple of views from lookouts around Paluma.

On our way home we stopped at Big Crystal Creek.