Congelin Dam, Dryandra

Visited: spring and autumn

Recommendation: Dryandra is a rich environment for wildlife. It is not necessarily easy to find but it is absolutely worth visiting to look for.

Living on the road can be overwhelming. Your brain is constantly assaulted with new information: new places, new problems, new plans. It is a sensory overload. Places like Dryandra Woodland National Park restores the balance. Much as I have loved travelling through Western Australia, I think my heart is in the wilderness. Driving through the wheatbelt was beautiful but to turn into this native, ancient forest was glorious. The smell of the gum trees and the song of the birds was spectacular. For all the assault on my senses, it was totally peaceful.

As I approached the campsite, I could already see a family of treecreepers bouncing around on a dead log. By the time I had passed them, parked up and began my walk around, they had gone and come back. So I moved the van and parked next to the tree. I was able to watch them come and go for the rest of the morning. Rufous Treecreepers are very beautiful but their brown and red colours blend into the trees and make it difficult to get clear definition on a photo. But I tried.

Rufous Treecreeper (Climacteris rufus)

Around the camp were Blue-tongued Skinks. The proper title for the species here is the Shingleback Skink but the local name is the Bobtail. I chased (very slow chase) a couple around as their colours were so interesting. Shades of orange on the face and pale blues and greys on the body.

Shingleback Skink (Tiliqua rugosa)

A short walk from the camp was a dam and I thought it would be a good place to go early morning. Unfortunately, so did a guy fishing. Never mind. I returned a little later and sat by the dam to watch what came down to drink.

First off were the 28 Ringneck Parrots. Lots of them. They sat in the surrounding trees and then ducked down to the water. All the time making a lot of noise and chatter.

28 Ringneck Parrot (Barnardius zonarius semitorquatus)

The 28s were put to shame in the noise department by the arrival of the Carnaby's Black Cockatoo. Their wailing reverberated across the forest. They seemed to be communicating a system for grooming, bathing and drinking. A roster perhaps? They didn't like me getting anywhere near them but eventually 4 were so busy grooming after a bath that they tolerated me while I shot them.

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo (Zanda latirostris)

Walking back to the campground I heard a familiar call. It took me a while to place it as I haven't seen these birds or heard them since Alice Springs. The Red-capped Robin. I photographed the female in the NT but, as usual, it is the male that has the bright plumage. I hung around the female for a while and eventually the male appeared. Another species where I have got my best photos.

Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii)