Sssssssssswimmer!

So...I saw the first snake of the season today.I went down to the dam, to see how much it had risen since all the rain yesterday, and spotted a line of bubbles racing from the edge away towards the middle.I assumed it was one of the turtles that live in the dam but no, a few moments later I spotted a snake swimming across the surface of the water. It stopped amongst the tops of the flooded reeds and was watching me as I was looking at it.It was black so I was relieved that it was not the deadlier Brown Snake. It looked a bit less than a metre long. I moved closer to get a better look but it dived under the water and disappeared.I didn't see it again.

Eek!

Will nearly stepped on this today.He said he actually leapt in the air when he saw it in the garden.We think it is a Trapdoor Spider.Happily, it was already dead...old age?..or is there something out there even more terrifying that scared this beast to death?!

The 'Wan*%#' bird.

So...for weeks now we have heard a strange bird calling, down in the valley and , at times. up here on the hill.We have tried to get close to it to see what it looked like but it always flies off before we can get a decent look, though I did notice it had a black head.It calls most of the day, I think, searching for a mate but sadly nothing seems to reply to it and I am convinced it is the only one of its kind hereabouts.We have nicknamed it the 'wan*%#' bird as that, to us, is what it sounds like it is calling.Today it came really close to the house and I was able to get out and get a picture of it...

It is a 'Noisy Friarbird'.The book describes its call as 'Yakob'.We disagree.

And most have had a piece of me!

Yes, they are back...( as are the mice...we've caught two now).I think all the wet weather we have had recently has been good for the 'mossie' population. Despite covering myself with 'OFF!' yesterday I was feasted upon many times and have the lumps to prove it.Oh joy!

October already!