Litchfield Day Three

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The rich beauty of Litchfield and the TableTop Range is exemplified by the Cycas caieicola and Hibiscus leptocladus in a setting of rocky outcrops at the start of the Territory dry-season.
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Tolmer Falls with plenty of volume after several weeks of dry weather. Frederick Henry Litchfield named the falls in 1865.
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The escarpment above Tolmer Falls has several rock pools before the plunge.
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This particular Cycad Cycas caieicola only grows here and around the Katherine Area.
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Along the top of the escarpment at Tolmer Falls I found the Quinine Tree Petalostigima pubescens.
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Near Tolmer Falls is GreenAnt Creek & Tjaetaba Falls.
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May Day

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The Casuarina trees next to the beach were the safe haven for hundreds of Graphic Flutterers Rhyothemus graphiptera.
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Wild Rosella plants Hibiscus Subdantta are growing on the Lee Point road. The flower petals are very tart and I believe the jam that is made from them is excellent.
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April Ends

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This amazing little garfish Arrhamphus sclerolepis Günther tried to save himself by jumping in my yak. I was just recovering from a massive explosion coming from just behind me when this little fellow started wiggling around my legs. For a moment the massive fish splash and the sensation on my leg joined forces in my imagination and I just about abandoned ship. I saw several long tail tuna but none attacked my lure.
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The Scarlet Eucalyptus Eucalyptus phoenicea is in bloom and while the majority of Eucalyptus flowers are white this one is a pleasant exception.
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We Will Meet at The Flowering Eucalyptus

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Merops ornatus Rainbow-Beeeater female (insectivore)
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Melithreptus albogularis White Throated Honeyeater (nectar eater)
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Meliphaga notata Yellow spotted Honeyeater (nectar eater)
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Lalage leucomela Varied-Triller (insectivore)
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Accipiter fasciatus Brown GosHawk (bird of prey)
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Wangi Falls

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Wangi Falls are majestic, accounting for the varied flora and fauna as you descend into the creeks which share the bounty.
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The Northern Rosella Platycercus venustus are seed eaters and not found in the Darwin area.
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Hibiscus leptocladu are flowering on the rocky cliffs.
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Wallybees Macropus agilis are few and far between and very shy.
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But the real gems are the Banksia dentata which appear to prefer the freshwater stream banks to show off their form.
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Birds Of the Neighbourhood

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The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii on lookout duty for its flock is on the ground eating seeds.
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The finches are back as the grass seeds become abundant. This is the Crimson Finch Neochmia phaeton.
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This Striated Heron Ardeola striatus was visiting the back of the Mangroves just about dawn.
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Litchfield National Park

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There is still plenty of water going over Florence Falls.

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The Grevllea pteridifolia is in flower and attracts insects to the feast.
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Many flowers such as this Water Lilly Nymphaea vioacea support a host of insects such as this native bee and grasshopper.
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The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita perches low enough on the tree to feed on the grass seeds which are out of reach from the ground.
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