In Search of the Superb Lyrebird - It was, in fact, a day at the beach

Monday, December 30 - Royal National Park

Steve and I had been trying to spend more time at Royal National Park since our first visit back in 2003.  On that day we had about 1/2 day as we had to get back for Fiona's Thanksgiving Dinner back in Sydney.  In 2007 we tried again, but we got lost, arrived late, and got caught in a downpour.

This year turned out quite a bit better!  We managed to leave by 5:30 am and had a smooth drive out.  We were at Lady Carrington Drive by 6:30 am.  There were only a few people about, mostly runners this early on Lady Carrington Drive.  We noticed a definite rotation--the runners were the earliest, followed by those on mountain bikes, with walkers appearing by the time we were leaving.

RNP is the 2nd oldest National Park in the world, right after Yellowstone.  The initial attraction back in 2003 was searching out the Superb Lyrebird, which could consistently be found on Lady Carrington Drive right past the Audley visitor information Center.  But, on that same trip we had discovered Wattamolla Beach, and the coastal track, and we wanted to get back there too.  And, frankly, there's a lot more we would like to see there!

Lady Carrington Drive

Apparently back in the day, one would take carriage rides down this track.  There are still old, huge cobblestones in some places.

At a few K in, there are the Jersey Springs, where the visitors would stop to water the horses and take a break.  Today this seems to be used as a turnaround or pace marker for the many runners, walkers, and bikers using the track.

Banksia

 There were still a few banksia blooming along the track.  The pod is really cool and is sturdy enough to be turned like wood.  I have a vase that is made from a banksia pod.

 Not having much luck getting these pictures to be side by side!  In any case, these are just some of the trees along the track.

 I think the one to the right looks like old wrinkled skin on an elbow.

 The track is bordered by a very steep cliff up to the road to the park above, and on the other side by terrain of varying steepness, bordering the Hacking River.  This is on the cliff side.

 These are on the river side.

The Superb Lyrebird

But, we are mainly on a quest for the Superb Lyrebird, and having no luck.  The cicadas are deafening.  I don't mean a little bit.  Australian cicadas are cicadas on steroids.  Our ears were actually ringing from the noise, which meant we couldn't hear any rustles or bird calls.  I'm not sure if this will work, but if it does, the below is a recording of just how loud it was!

Apparently you can't use the video on i-devices, so you can also try this you-tube link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYqBmUppMtQ&feature=youtu.be

Finally, after hours of walking (okay, maybe it was only one hour) we give up and turn back.  Shortly thereafter, Steve glances to his right, and there it is!  Steve's pictures are better, but here are a few of mine.

More importantly, even over the sound of the cicadas, we got to hear it sing.  Let's try this again!

And here is the you-tube link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iWqXO4NQyE&feature=youtu.be

It moved off, we walked a little further, and there was another!  Although these pics of the tail are out of focus, it should give you a better idea of the whole bird, and how cool the tail is.  We didn't get to see it display, but still felt pretty lucky.

A Day At the Beach

We didn't make it back to Audley until 11:30.  We headed over to Wattamolla.  Previously we had been there earlier in the month, before summer and school holidays, and one time in the rain.  So we were not prepared for how packed it was!  We finally found parking in the upper lot.

You can access the coastal track from Wattamolla, and there are all sorts of picnic areas there.  There is a creek that meets the sea, and there is a sandbar between the creek and the sea that forms a lagoon.  On the parking lot side there is also a waterfall into the lagoon.  On previous trips I had thought it would be fun to swim there.  And so I did.

Steve walked the track to do some heath birding and I took my things down the track and over to the sandy beach by the lagoon.  It was packed, there were people everywhere.  There was a steady stream of people walking down the track and the stairs down to the sand bar.  I alternately swam, read a book, and napped, interspersed with a little people watching.  The younger crowd was jumping from the waterfall into the pool, and whenever someone was at the very top getting ready to jump, a chant started up that rang throughout the beach area.

Steve eventually joined me and waded in both the lagoon and the sea, just to say he did.

We arrived back in Sydney around 7 to a delicious dinner prepared by Fiona.

Here are a few more pics from the walk.

Cool Bark

Sulpher Crested Cockatoo