Winter bush picnic

Ahhhh! Once more into the bush for a relaxing picnic. Winter is a great time to have a picnic as nobody else is silly enough, so we have the place to ourselves - and the wildlife.  A warming tomato soup, olive and sun-dried tomato muffins and an indulgent apple, pear and kiwifruit pie was on the menu today. Tea from the Eco Billy (See Tea for Two http://eucalypthabitat.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/tea-for-two.html) - nice and smoky flavoured - finished off a pleasant nosh.

Eastern Yellow Robin (Eopsaltria australis)

Another week, another outing to the Toolangi State Forest. Not as much bird life around as usual, but this pretty little White-throated Gerygone Eastern Yellow Robin* joined us on our winter picnic.

Eastern Yellow Robin call

*Thanks to Tim Bawden for correctly identifying the bird for us.

Laughing Kookaburra, Toolangi State Forest VIC

This week's outing was down the road to the Toolangi State Forest. Because we're not like most people and picnic all year round (even in winter), we didn't encounter another person the whole day. However, this Kookaburra (captured by Alan) decided to check us out and stayed awhile. Check out his tiny feet.

Kookaburra call

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Tea for Two

Boiling water for tea in Tallarook State Forest on one of our weekly picnics in the bush.

The water boiling unit is an Eco Billy. When I was young in New Zealand, almost every home had one. Outdoor workers boiled their water in much larger units. What’s great about them is only small twigs, grass and leaves are all that are needed. The water in our .70 litre unit boils in less than 5 minutes and the fire is “safe.”

Falls Creek Reservoir, Tallarook State Forest VIC

In the 1890s, two weirs were constructed on Falls Creek, high above the Trawool Valley, to supply water to Seymour. The wall of the top storage (known as Falls Creek Reservoir) is built of locally quarried granite, which blends in particularly well with its surroundings. Granite was quarried in the Falls Creek valley in the 1890s and of interest are the large granite blocks that may be seen amongst the trees and ferns.

Tawny Frogmouth

Our buzz for the weekend was to spot this Tawny Frogmouth pretending to be part of the tree. Tawny Frogmouths are nocturnal. During the day, they perch on tree branches, often low down, camouflaged as part of the tree.

Cockatoo Christmas Angel

With warmest wishes for the festive season and beyond.
Thank you for joining us on our photographic journey.