Just What We Needed.

17^th June – 3^rd July 2025

First up, I got a bit ahead of myself in my last post and as a result, I lost three weeks. Hey, it happens.

In summary: After Flanagan’s, we spent three nights at the Allawah Scout Camp, two nights at Rodney’s Rest (aka Harland Park), then two- and a-half weeks with family in Kingaroy, except for one night which we spent in a motel at Clevleand, for a doctor’s appointment. From Kingaroy we had an overnight at Cruice Park, again to be close to town for a doctor’s appointment. After that, we backtracked towards Kingaroy for a well welcomed stay at Benarkin State Forest.

This brings me to the 18^th, June, our stay at Greenacres Caravan Park in Mount Cotton, and where we received Peter’s verdict. The Gallbladder must go!

Who says I can’t be concise? Look at that, three weeks in a single paragraph.

With ten days to kill before Peter’s operation, we were in desperate need for some relaxation. Bowenville Reserve, 30kms southeast of Dalby, was just the place.

Chunky Bum was parked about 30mtrs from Oaky Creek, which was full, flowing and offered us many, many hours of paddling.

We had planned to go to Lake Broadwater but pulled into Bowenville for a couple of nights first. We never left. We did go to look at Lake Broadwater, which was very nice, but Oakey Creek was calling to us. It was perfect for paddling.

There was a dark section of the creek, thanks to the heavy growth along its banks. This area was frequented by a group of Cockatoos most afternoons, when the light was particularly bad. I got some lovely photos, but they were dark, so I decided to have some fun with photoshop. I figured, if the background is so dull and boring, why not get rid of it. So, I did.

I have to say, I love the result.

We much prefer rivers/creeks over most lakes or dams. The latter are often big wide-open expanses of water, good for an exercise paddle or fishing. The former however, are great for exploration with little side channels, fallen trees and rocks to navigate around. Also, more opportunity for birding.

And, as I’ve said many a time, where there is water, there are birds. I identified twenty-one species, but I’m sure the experts would have found more. Don’t worry, I’m not going to show them all, 😉only a select few.

There was a large population of Red-Rumped Parrots in the area feeding on the grasses and bathing in the creek. I’ve often said, one of the advantages of travelling how we do, is that we are often in an area long enough to get to know the habits of the locals. This allowed me to get these lovely shots.

A lot of birds seemed to use this area as their drink hole and bathing area. Peter certainly knows how to pick a good camp site.

On our trip to Lake Broadwater, we passed quite a few cotton farms, most of which had been harvested leaving row after row of freshly bundled cotton. Of course, we had to go and have a closer look. The last image will give you an idea of just how big these bales are.

There were a few birds of prey living around Oakey Creek; Whistling Kite, Black Kite and the Black-Shouldered Kite.

Interesting fact: Peter witnessed a pair of Whistling Kites that had taken down and were devouring a Black-Shouldered Kite. Strange but true.

I was drifting in my kayak when I saw this Willie-Wagtail flying around some driftwood. I snapped some shots, but it wasn’t until I got home and cropped them, that I realised I’d caught him hunting. Not like Peters Whistling V’s Black-Shouldered Kite hunt. This was Willie V’s Fly, spoiler alert…Willie won.

The fly is visible from the second image, very bottom of image, inline with Willies bill, just a tiny blur. However, it is missing from the last image.  I wonder where it went.

I told Peter that my challenge for this stay was to catch a Restless-Fly Catcher in flight. All I can say is that they are well named. Those little blighters never stop and they’re hard to get in front of the lens… especially when they’re on the lens. Even then, this fellow just did a quick equipment check and was off again.

See you out there somewhere

On tow and on the go!