A coastal walk

A walk I have wanted to take for quite some time. Seemed like the day. Lennox Headland to Skennars Haedland return. As well as the "coastal track" there is now also a more formal walk and bike path interwoven along the way. Absolutley gorgeous and certainly something to savour if you get the opportunity. This is a smaller section of the wonderful Ballina to Lennox coastal path. 

See for yourself 😀 ... this is taken from near Pat Morton lookout (Lennox Headland end) looking south across Boulder Beach to Skennar's Headland. Up there, I reckon, challenging most coastal scenic walking routes anywhere you like.

Of course, my main hope was to sight some birds! Some success ... 

I'm sure early in the morning or later in the afternoon there would be even more, but you go when you can go ... on the north side of the stairs heading to the lookout at Lennox Headland a couple of brush turkeys were busy building their nest. The first photo below shows one deep in shadow down a "hole" in the centre of the mound while the larger turkey (bigger yellow necklace) is building from the edge. The second photo is included to highlight just how large that yellow necklace was!

A little further down the path from where the first photo of the post was taken, the ground was alive with Richard's pipits (apparently now the more correct name is Australian pipit). This triology shares two contrasting profiles and one in full voice. They hop, and stop, and look about and hop off again and if you get too close, well they take to the wing for a short flight to safety.

Walking along the path among the boulders there were several rainbow bee-eaters soaring through their acrobatic flights and resting in between on the casuarina branches on the beach front. Quite the "playground" location here! This trilogy shares a single one at rest; the next two, a resting pair, but with the "top" one showing off its prey being devoured from the prior flight. Of course, their gorgeous shimmering plummage is on full display too!

Standing with prominence on a large piece of driftwood among the beach rocks beside the beach was this white-faced heron displaying some breeding plummage. The plummage offers a hint of maroon among the grey.

At the end of the beach, deep in a bush shelter, there was this female superb fairy wren letting TWO male suitors know who was in control 😁.

Just a little further along, among beachside banksia seed pods, was this Lewin's honeyeater just finished a good feather shake.

Over on Skennar's Headland there were loads of fairy wrens about. The first two photos below are red-backed fairy wrens - the male, mid-call, clearly reflecting the name; the female a little ruffled as it emerged from the grass for some fresh air and light. The final three of this set are Superb fairy wrens - a pair of females, a single female and a male displaying the striking blue hues.

 

On the return journey, another rainbow bee-eater was spotted, and a welcome swallow being cute on the post rail of one of the bridges across some swampy ground.

Finally, feasting among the purple thistle flowers were some honey bees laden with pollen.