January 2020 - The Rains Came

In January the rain finally started. On the 9th of January I awoke to the sound of running water: overnight rain was enough to get my ephemeral creek running.

My Ephemeral Rainforest Creek

Daintree Dazzle was rapt having somewhere else to paddle but without the crocs 🐊 🐊.

As soon as the rains come, the frogs come out to croak. 🐸🐸 There are three dominant frog species that can always be heard when it rains. Two are endemic: Fry’s frog which starts just after dark and the orange-thighed tree frog which doesn’t start until after about 10pm but is very loud throughout the night. The graceful tree frog adds its voice and other frogs can sometimes be heard.

It rained on about 20 days in January for a total of 880mm of rain. There was another weather phenomenon that was was rather odd. On the morning of the 17th January, there was a strange whispering in the treetops with an even stranger background roar. Then the next night there were ferocious winds that brought down trees. Apparently it was a katabatic wind which rushes down slopes. A tree fell across my driveway trapping me and had to be chainsawed away.

Tree Blocking my Driveway 

On the 23rd January, I took a leisurely drive through the rainforest up to Cape Trib. After the rain, the rainforest was bursting with greens and looking very lush. I went to Cape Trib Horse Rides but instead of riding a horse along the beach, I drove a quiet electric ATV through the rainforest.

Electric All Terrain Vehicle at Cape Trib Horse Rides

Dazz and I visited two beaches. We had an afternoon stroll along Cow Bay Beach which is our “local” and explored Coconut Beach for the first time.

Afternoon Stroll on Cow Bay Beach

Found more Peppermint Stick Insects on Coconut Beach

Fringing Reef at Low Tide on Coconut Beach

Daintree Dazzle on Coconut Beach

Paid a visit to the Madja Boardwalk to marvel at the diversity of plants in this mangrove forest and adjoining rainforest. There was a shining flycatcher nest with three eggs. Both male and female birds sit on the nest.

Boardwalk through the Mangrove Forest

Shining Flycatcher Eggs

January is a time of interesting cloud formations. Thornton Peak (Wundu) has ever changing cloud patterns and produces our rain. Alexandra Range runs west from the coast opposite Snapper Island.

Wundu, Catching Clouds

Clouds Descending on Alexandra Range and Snapper Island 

By January, the riot of colour that occurs when dozens of plants flower around Christmas, is slowly fading. The vibrant reds give way to yellows.

PLANTS OF THE MONTH. Portulaca, Golden Shower and a Sweet Little Pineapple

ANIMAL OF THE MONTH. Giant Rainforest Snail

A couple of times, I ventured south across the Daintree River Ferry to drive the Great Barrier Reef Drive to Cairns - always an interesting drive.

January Views along the Great Barrier Reef Drive