We recently went on an outing to Blackdown Tablelands in Centeral Queensland to see mainly what types of aquatic life where in the waterways up there and also check out the scenery.
There has been very little rain in the area of late which severly reduced the water in many of the creeks and waterfalls, some areas where even completely dry. This lack of rain and the recent controlled burns the park rangers had been carrying out over the past month or so might have been the reason for the lack of general wildlife, with only a few birds seen and heard. On many of the walking tracks and even on the 4WD trail we stopped frequently to hear complete silence with not even a cicada calling. Although on the track down to Rainbow falls we did hear whipbirds.
There where some wild flowers flowering but even they where few and far between.
First view of the Blackdown Tablelands
One of the first creeks crossed on one of the walks
Some lovely little Sundews growing on the edges of the creeks
Some Possible fissiden
Small waterfall
Almost all of the waterways I looked in where nearly devoid of aquatic plant life which in turn I suspect reduced the chances of seeing any fish, snails or shrimp. What I did see where Water Skaters, Water Boatsmen, and in one place some HUGE tadpoles.
This area was called Mook Mook
Look closely and you will see some of the tadpoles living in these holes that would normally have water rushing over them
This was taken underneath one of the sections of what is normally waterfall
Some of the wildflowers
Tree fern at the bottom of Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls
The crystal clear COLD water at the bottom of Rainbow Falls was a welcome relief to hot tired feet. We could have stayed longer but we could see some dark storm clouds starting to build and we did not fancy being stuck at the bottom of a few hundred near vertical stairs in a sudden down pour, or a soaked 2km walk back to the car.
There was the odd butterfly fluttering about but by far we saw more of these gorgeous little Dragons
View from Mitha Boongulla lookout
Even with the lack of wildlife and Aquatic plants and creatures it was an enjoyable day. Strongly recommend solid walk shoes (most of the tracks had a near ballbearing shaped/ sized pebble over them which could be very slippery), plenty of water both cold for drinking and warm water for washing hands etc, a 4WD is a must for Mitha Boongulla lookout and take your own food for lunch and snacks. The walk down to the bottom of Rainbow Falls was well worth it but the climb back up was leg killing, only attempt it if you are relatively fit and sturdy on your legs.
There is just so much stunning scenery it is near impossible to select all the best photos, especially since there are some beautiful rocky outcrops and vistas.
And lastly I had to include the first creature I saw at the top of Blackdown Tablelands, is it an Ant or a Spider?
Hint Ant pretending to be a spider.
There has been very little rain in the area of late which severly reduced the water in many of the creeks and waterfalls, some areas where even completely dry. This lack of rain and the recent controlled burns the park rangers had been carrying out over the past month or so might have been the reason for the lack of general wildlife, with only a few birds seen and heard. On many of the walking tracks and even on the 4WD trail we stopped frequently to hear complete silence with not even a cicada calling. Although on the track down to Rainbow falls we did hear whipbirds.
There where some wild flowers flowering but even they where few and far between.
First view of the Blackdown Tablelands
One of the first creeks crossed on one of the walks
Some lovely little Sundews growing on the edges of the creeks
Some Possible fissiden
Small waterfall
Almost all of the waterways I looked in where nearly devoid of aquatic plant life which in turn I suspect reduced the chances of seeing any fish, snails or shrimp. What I did see where Water Skaters, Water Boatsmen, and in one place some HUGE tadpoles.
This area was called Mook Mook
Look closely and you will see some of the tadpoles living in these holes that would normally have water rushing over them
This was taken underneath one of the sections of what is normally waterfall
Some of the wildflowers
Tree fern at the bottom of Rainbow Falls
Rainbow Falls
The crystal clear COLD water at the bottom of Rainbow Falls was a welcome relief to hot tired feet. We could have stayed longer but we could see some dark storm clouds starting to build and we did not fancy being stuck at the bottom of a few hundred near vertical stairs in a sudden down pour, or a soaked 2km walk back to the car.
There was the odd butterfly fluttering about but by far we saw more of these gorgeous little Dragons
View from Mitha Boongulla lookout
Even with the lack of wildlife and Aquatic plants and creatures it was an enjoyable day. Strongly recommend solid walk shoes (most of the tracks had a near ballbearing shaped/ sized pebble over them which could be very slippery), plenty of water both cold for drinking and warm water for washing hands etc, a 4WD is a must for Mitha Boongulla lookout and take your own food for lunch and snacks. The walk down to the bottom of Rainbow Falls was well worth it but the climb back up was leg killing, only attempt it if you are relatively fit and sturdy on your legs.
There is just so much stunning scenery it is near impossible to select all the best photos, especially since there are some beautiful rocky outcrops and vistas.
And lastly I had to include the first creature I saw at the top of Blackdown Tablelands, is it an Ant or a Spider?
Hint Ant pretending to be a spider.
/www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNEeq5qGh8I
