Sunday April 02, 2006 7:30 PM Ballina NSW

A. Morning Musings

Chores:

C. Actual

7:30 PM We are back from a weekend at Creek's Bend in Toonumbar, NSW. This is a small rural B&B in the middle of a large private property ( www.CreeksBend.com ). Spectacular. It was a fantastic 3-day retreat away from everything except the universe. We did bushwalks each day, saw many birds, the most notable being numerous Bell Miners (a new lifer). Their bell-like calls followed us everywhere. We also saw a Red-browed Finch (a new lifer) as well as Lewin's Honeyeaters, Noisy Friarbirds, Black-faced Cuckoo-Shrikes, Pied Butcher Birds, Australia King-Parrots, Pied Currawongs, Magpies, Magpie Larks, a Grey Fantail, Eastern Spinebills, Spur-winged Plover, Welcome Swallows, Willy Wagtails and an Eastern Yellow Robin. We saw a family of quails on the road but were unable to identify them as Stubble, King or Brown. I will check on this further. There may be a consensus among the four of us once we check our books. We saw numerous kangaroos and wallabies and three goannas. An outdoor spa and a powerful telescope allowed us to view the night sky (particularly Jupiter - some could see the moons of Jupiter but I was only able to make out the main planet). Our return trip was through the Border Ranges which offered some spectacular views over the valleys below. We could even see the Byron Bay lighthouse!

My camera battery gave out right at the end of the trip. I am charging the battery at the moment and hope that I have a few images of birds that may lead to a couple of new identifications. I will add a few images to this web site after I have a chance to review the photos.

This was virtually three full days away from both the computer and from books. It felt great to simply be enjoying the moment.

Porch where we stayed		View from porch
Trees through the mist		Red Gum
Our unit		anthill in paddock
Goanna		Life is good
View		Life is very good

D. Reflection