Sunrise

Sunrise approaches, the bird chorus well underway. ©2009ben

Yellow moth

One the numerous moth species at Julatten, north of the Atherton Tablelands. ©2009ben

Knolls, cloud and mist

Just behind the knolls lay the Coral Sea and clearer skies. ©2009ben

Staghorn / elkhorn fern

These epiphytes just turn up on trees. ©2009ben

Mossman Gorge

Mossman Gorge with cloud revealing some ridges not easily discerned otherwise. ©2009ben

Tiger Moth

All dressed up and ready for the bright lights. ©2009ben

Blushing new growth

Syzygium in the Myrtaceae family, of the ancient order of Myrtales ?? (Species unknown . . . any suggestions?) ©2009ben

Cycad

This cycad is hundreds of years old and has become a sizeable tree. It looks like dinosaur food, the species being more or less unchanged from that era. ©2009ben

Dragon

Here's a friendly fellow someone may identify soon. ©2009ben

Buff-breasted paradise kingfisher

This kingfisher comes down to North Queensland from New Guinea in summer to breed. I don't know whether they're all the same ones but several appear here every year, some old and some not so old. Julatten is a world-renowned birdwatcher zone, offers a range of birdwatcher accommodation and is much favoured by twitchers from all over. ©2009ben

Julatten views

Properties in Julatten (north-east Australia) have an elevation of around 400 to 500 metres and many have views of Black Mountain (Mount Garioch) and/or some rainforest. Many of the region's ranges are declared World Heritage conservation areas or National Parks. Port Douglas and the Daintree are nearby. ©2009ben

Ducks on Noosa River

Doggedly growing up on the (saltwater) Noosa River, delighting spectators and receiving plenty of junk food. ©2009ben

Sunshine Coast development

Here's a small sample of Sunshine Coast denizens, huddling cheek by jowl with unknown neighbours, in stupendously overpriced McMansions, on tiny plots of unstable beach sand, paying giant insurance premiums, awaiting the inevitable tidal surge or tsunami. They're also waiting, apparently in vain, for the provision of roads, hospitals and schools to catch up with the burgeoning populace.©2009ben

Julatten landmark

Like all the other Black Mountains in Australia, this one in Julatten (tropical North Queensland) is a local landmark . It's actually named Mt Garioch but not as far as the locals are concerned. ©2009ben

Lily

How's the busy bee? ©2009ben

Island in the stream

Between wet seasons, plants grow where they may. Rainbow fish, spangled perch and the odd gudgeon share the water with small, bright blue crayfish that have red claw tips and are predated upon by platypus. ©2009ben

Tropical House

The highland wet tropics rainforest will reclaim anywhere not actively managed. ©2009ben

Wildflower

Wildflower on the track between Mt Carbine and the McLeod River, Far North Queensland. ©2009ben

Chillagoe

Limestone caves with eucalypt and and kapok trees. ©2009ben

Low Isles on a glassy day

Low Isles near Port Douglas. ©2009ben

Sailing

Sailing off Port Douglas on a single day of fine weather, everyone enjoyed the glassy seas . . Lucky travellers on the Queen Victoria had a splendid day too. ©2009ben

Gold at dawn

The dawn of a new age, or just another day as the picture shows. ©2009ben