Mad Aussie
03-27-2009, 02:40 AM
This is a Land Mullet. It's a member of the skink family that live in rainforests around here and they grow to about 50cm (just under 2 feet) long which is about the size of this mumma. You can see Junior beside her.
The unusual name comes from the pungent, fishy odour emitted when threatened.
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u104/Mad-Aussie/09%20SEQ%20Rainforest%20Images/_MG_4248.jpg
Interesting story about these ...
Up where I took the shots of those little rainforest birdies, the ugly turkey etc is a boardwalk through the forest for a few hundred meters. It's about 400 - 500 mm (1/2 a yard) off the forest floor I guess. I met an old fella there who lives not too far away with his new Nikon D300 (or something like that) and a nice big Sigma lens. He was new to photography and enjoying but struggling to get some shots in the dark conditions.
He mentioned that he'd seen a Red Bellied Black snake (venomous and known to be a bit cranky in season) on the trail but it had taken off before he had a chance to get a shot. After a chat we headed on our way down the trail.
Later at the car park as we left he was there and told us he'd seen the snake again. This time near the boardwalk and it was jumping around in some sort of panic. Caught a bird he thought. Nope ... a Land Mullet was attacking the snake!! He said the snake continued it's epileptic like movements and rushed straight at him ... he of course panicked and backed away (smart move most likely!) and the snake lept up onto the boardwalk and then off the other side. Moments later an angry Land Mullet leapt up there as well ... took one look at our mate with the camera ... turned around and bolted back from whence it came!! Old mate said it all happened rather quickly and he didn't get a shot off at all! Can't really blame him for that although I know I would have. But I didn't see anything so exciting unfortunately.
I haven't seen a snake all season which isn't surprising for 99% of Australians but it is for me with all the MTB and bush walking we do.
The unusual name comes from the pungent, fishy odour emitted when threatened.
http://i166.photobucket.com/albums/u104/Mad-Aussie/09%20SEQ%20Rainforest%20Images/_MG_4248.jpg
Interesting story about these ...
Up where I took the shots of those little rainforest birdies, the ugly turkey etc is a boardwalk through the forest for a few hundred meters. It's about 400 - 500 mm (1/2 a yard) off the forest floor I guess. I met an old fella there who lives not too far away with his new Nikon D300 (or something like that) and a nice big Sigma lens. He was new to photography and enjoying but struggling to get some shots in the dark conditions.
He mentioned that he'd seen a Red Bellied Black snake (venomous and known to be a bit cranky in season) on the trail but it had taken off before he had a chance to get a shot. After a chat we headed on our way down the trail.
Later at the car park as we left he was there and told us he'd seen the snake again. This time near the boardwalk and it was jumping around in some sort of panic. Caught a bird he thought. Nope ... a Land Mullet was attacking the snake!! He said the snake continued it's epileptic like movements and rushed straight at him ... he of course panicked and backed away (smart move most likely!) and the snake lept up onto the boardwalk and then off the other side. Moments later an angry Land Mullet leapt up there as well ... took one look at our mate with the camera ... turned around and bolted back from whence it came!! Old mate said it all happened rather quickly and he didn't get a shot off at all! Can't really blame him for that although I know I would have. But I didn't see anything so exciting unfortunately.
I haven't seen a snake all season which isn't surprising for 99% of Australians but it is for me with all the MTB and bush walking we do.