Although Alan's obligation to us was more than fulfilled, he kindly offered to meet up with us in the morning and take us over to his friends' place at Crater Lake Rainforest Cottages-in search of the riflebird.
His friends John and Jenny Wright, the owners, let us wander their grounds and sit on their veranda even though we weren't staying there.
We walked down to the cottages, and got a long shot of the riflebird and the blue off its butt, but that was about it.
The cottages are gorgeous, and definitely a place to consider if you are in the tablelands. Large rooms, generous kitchen, hardwood floor, comfy looking couch, and spa baths with bay windows built out into the rainforest. Each has their own private veranda, and in addition there is a public pavilion with table and chairs, and bbq to use. There is a nice waterfall feature built alongside. www.craterlakes.com.au if you would like to take a look.
Alan had a Christmas party to attend so left to meet up with Maria and left us with John and Jenny on the veranda. John and Steve chatted a bit and John had to leave, so Steve checked out birds and Jenny and I sat and chatted. She was very sweet and I enjoyed talking to her, and watching the Rainbow Lorikeets.
Steve had a date with the mistletoe bird, so we went back over to Lake Eacham. It hung around for hours, along with a Scarlet Honeyeater. A Ulysses butterfly made an appearance, as well asa zodiacmoth and later a Silver eye something or another. We were there a pretty long time while Steve tried to get a good shot, and up drove Alan, Maria, and their ten year old neighbor Imogene. It was nice to meet Maria!
Lake Eacham is another crater lake, and there's no beach as such. In one area there's a platform people can swim off of, and in another area there are just some steps that go right down into the water. I poked a toe in and it wasn't too cold. People were swimming and paddle boarding even though it was again cool and rainy.
Eventually we hit the road and head to Julatten and Kingfisher Lodge.
I'm worried I'm repeating myself so will stop here and check back later.
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