Australia's Queensland treated us to an incomparable experience in October 2010 as we leisurely drove from Daintree to Brisbane staying in one quaint cottage after another, finding new bird species at every stop. Scott and I birded independently, finding 210 species, most of them repeatedly. We stayed in self-contained cottages, so we did not spend any extra money on food. We owe our wonderful itinerary and accommodation reservations to Sue at Sicklebill Safaris. She charged a modest fee to arrange it all. Her contact info is info@sicklebillsafaris.com. She met our needs in splended fashion and got us to areas that would expand and enrich our birding experience.

First stop was Cairns where we found that the wet season was early and well upon us. Many of the birds were already on nest or already had hatchlings, well in advance of the more usual November and December time frame. Our travel socks failed to dry overnight. :)

Next was Cassowary House where we had the privilege of observing and photographing 2 adult Cassowaries and their 3 chicks. The male Cassowary has been coming around to the house for 27 years, having decided not to flee when the buildings were first constructed, and now quite content to pick up fruit leavings under the balcony deck after breakfast and generally roam the territory. Conveniently, the owner has a dog that announces the arrival of the Cassowary with a specialized bark. He is a clever dog and has specific barks for scaring Brush Turkeys off the balcony or greeting people he likes or does not like or announcing feral pigs. It was handy, because we could tell from a long way off when the Cassowary was visiting.

Daintree Valley Haven was next. Lovely, quiet, remote, it introduced us to creek crossings which we were bound to see several more of during our visit to Australia.

Chambers Rainforest Lodges were pleasant and the central lawn and surrounding trees were full of birds, but we were most interested in the pademelons and the sugar gliders and the striped possum

Possum Valley deep in the heart of the Misty Mountains was easily one of our favorites. Very remote, full of rainforest experiences including possums, golden bower birds, platypuses in addition to many new birds and a delightful large cabin made of gorgeous forest beanwood.

Etty Bay meant swimming in the warm Coral Sea and coming up onto the soft, white sands to see another Cassowary patrolling her beach

Ingham and Tyto Wetlands - learned to use the BBQ in our caravan park. Shared experiences with fellow birders as we did several times on this trip with knowledgeable, cheerful and friendly Australians.

Townsville Commons

Finch-Hatton Cabin near Eungella National Park

Coolwaters Caravan Park near Yeppoon

Cania Gorge where birds are fed at 5 pm - what a scene

Bunya Mountains - A huge favorite - lovely, lovely cabin and birds and wallabies overflowing the beautifully landscaped huge yard and all encompassed by towering prehistoric bunya pines - trees like no other.

O'Reilly's - too expensive and too much like Disneyland - but good birds

We had a truly unique and satisfying experience, and sincerely enjoyed the loving and laid-back, but strong Australians we met while there.