Davidson Woods

21 September - Kingfisher Park - Cassuaries and Crocodiles
woodstrehl submitted on January 19, 1970
Yesterday, we took a boat ride on the DAintree River and then took the ferry across so we could tour to Cape Tribulation. All good fun. On the river we were overjoyed to see a Jabaroo and Spotted Whistling Ducks, but most of the dozen passengers were there to see the “salties.” We did not see these at first, but they were on the bank during our return after the sun had come up. Very toothy. No swimming in the DAintree.
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19 September - Kingfisher Park
woodstrehl submitted on January 19, 1970
Drive from Cairns to Mossman is a bit like that along California route 1 with mountains on one side and the sea on the other. A bit more tropical. We stopped at the Mossman River where fishermen mentioned the crocs. I said, “a bit of a nuisance?” They said, “Not really,” but stood back 3 meters from the shore.
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16 September - Cairns, heading North
woodstrehl submitted on January 19, 1970
This is a chore day between our float on the Great Barrrier Reef and a drive north to Mossman. I woke with a full fledged cold and so was lazy. No birding outing at dawn. Laundry is now underway, and we go to shop for groceries soon. The Kingfisher Park Lodge warns that there are few provisions nearby. In a pinch there are restaurants one mile and five miles away. We may sample them but will also pack groceries for our own cooking. I don’t know if I will have access to Internet for the next five days. So, I’ll give a summary of our itinerary.
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15 September, Cairns - Great Barrier Reef
woodstrehl submitted on January 19, 1970
Just back from two days and one night on the live-aboard dive boat Reef Encounter moored at various locations along Norman and Saxon reefs which make up a small portion of the enormous Great Barrier Reef of northeastern Australia.
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13 September - Cairns Aus - Birds of Paradise
woodstrehl submitted on January 19, 1970
I might not vote any member of the Bird of Paradise family the most beautiful bird in the world, but they are certainly the most ornate and some of their courtship behaviors are absolutely ridiculous. Human males would have to spend some $100K on their attire to match the cost to these birds of wearing such outfits.
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13 September - Cairns AUS - Bowerbirds
woodstrehl submitted on January 19, 1970
My first bowerbird in PNG was McGregor’s, a more handsome one. Anne spotted a less elegant species, the Yellow-breasted, a day earlier. She almost missed the McGregoprs by going on a “cultural tour” for one morning. Good news was that a McGregor’s showed up again in the afternoon. These often pigeon-sized birds are noted for the peculiar structures the males make to interest females. We have seen a few of these bowers and I find them amazing.
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12 September - Raintree Lodge - Birding New Guinea
woodstrehl submitted on January 19, 1970
Many birds inhabit New Britain and New Guinea, but the islands are also well peopled, and there is no public land; therefore one birds among people. More, the most curious birds are the white people who come wearing field cloths and binoculars and calling birds with little speakers. And so, one must great the resident to obtain permission to bird and will be watched. One becomes used to that, but from time to time each of us needs leve the group to step behind a bush away from the group. That is difficult when there is often a person standing on the other side of the bush watching.
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12 September - Raintree Lodge - Diving at Walindi Resort
woodstrehl submitted on January 19, 1970
Arrived before the birding tour and dove for two days. Small boats took us to fringe reefs at the endge of Kimbe Bay. Equipment was well used but adequate. Reefs were lovely but showing stress. The anemones, basket stars, and small reef fish were spectacular. Adjusted to the warmth surprisingly easily and woke to the cries of the friarbirds that began their hoarse gurgling at dawn. We more often heard than saw these large bare-faced birds that haunt the trees of New Britain.
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12 September - Raintree Lodge, Port Moresby, PNG - Back from the Bush
woodstrehl submitted on January 19, 1970
Wonder why there have been no posts during this exciting phase of our touring? Well, posting requires a means of communication, and we have had little over the past days, and while there has been occasional Internet, it has been very, very slow. It is slow here, but should work for this message. A second reason for the silence is that bird touring can be very intense, and our was a serious tour in one of the most difficult places in the world to bird. And so, when we were not birding or eating, we were resting. On most days we birdied for some 12 hours, rising at 5 a.m.
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Mark’s notes from Burgundy (9/5)
Mark submitted on January 19, 1970
Drove to Vosne Romanee after breakfast at home. Michel Noellat - had very nice tasting led by Sophia Noellat (daughter of Michel Noellat - married to Robert Sirigue) - told us all about family and estate and life as vigneron in Burgundy - tasted long 2017 red lineup including Bourgogne red, village wines from CM, VR, and NSG (plus Fixin), 1ere Cru VR, 1ere Cru’s Suchots and Beaumonts, and Grand Cru Vougeot, plus a 2014 and 2011 Beaumonts her father opened the prior day - - the Vougeot and Beaumonts were drinking nicely - then she suggested we follow a tour guide downstairs for a quick view of the cellar
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