Signs & Symptoms - Buckley's Hole

Last weekend went on a 'Twitchathon' with Mike West to Buckley's Hole Conservation Park on Bribie Island near Brisbane. Yes, the Australians really know how to name their beautiful areas. Rather chily at first but warmed up quickly as it was a clear day. Saw more than 80 species of birds. Not bad for a winter's morning. However there weren't too many waders around as they've mostly flown to the northern hemisphere to breed.

It is an area of varied habitats. The park is dominated by a lake (fresh or brackish water I think) but also right next to a sandy beach and even mangroves and some scrub.

There were lots of signs in the park disallowing a number of natural human and canine activities. Not that I was particularly up to some of these anyway.

That plant is a Coastal Banksia (Banksia integrifolia). Shown here is its 'fruit' or in technical terms, infructescence. Looks almost alien if you're not familiar with Australian native plants.