Friday April 14, 2006 6:50 am Bagotville NSW 2477

A. Morning Musings

6:50 am We are settled in and thoroughly enjoying the experience. Yesterday was spent looking for birds and rearranging our stuff among our three suitcases. We have lots of space in them and have all three under 20 kilograms.

The birding continues to be fascinating. I went for a short walk along one of the paths to see if I could spot an Eastern Whipbird (nope) and came back dripping blood. Three leeches had each had a feast. I continue to learn. We saw a Roufous Fantail, a few Grey Fantails, many Eastern Yellow Robins, a Golden Whistler and some Silvereyes. By using the images I took with the camera we were able to identify 3 new lifers: a Yellow-rumped Thornbill (actually seen the previous day), a Striated Thornbill and a Rose Robin.

Although I did spend a good hour yesterday reading and making notes about early British history, I am a little surprised at how little time I am spending reading and Learning while here. In fairness, the birding has been a delight. In fact an Eastern Yellow Robin just landed outside my window.

Today is Good Friday and everything should be closed. We are planning a trip into Ballina with some friends that should make for a pleasant afternoon. Another small bird just alighted outside the window, less than four feet from me. It was the same size as a robin, with a small sharp beak that was black-tipped. Otherwise there were no distinguishing features. It was a light dull brown on top with a light dull grey underside. Now to the book. Nope, I can't find a match.

While copying some images to my Journal web pages a Pied Butcherbird landed on the verandah railing in front of me. A few minutes later a Pied Currawong landed in the tree just outside my window.

Chores: none

C. Actual

Whitethroated Honeyeater

D. Reflection