Into the (very local) wild: Gibson Walking Track
We head into the bush across the road occasionally. Normally there’s not a real need with most of the inhabitants, the small birds and the owls and various mammals finding their way to our yard at one point or another. There’s also a fair few bike riders who’ve set up these incredible undulating jumps by shifting and shaping the dirt which while looking fun, doesn’t necessary go hand in hand with wildlife photography. And there’s also a fair bit of the sort of rubbish that invariably makes it’s way into places like these, old plastic chairs, tyres, bottles and it can all get in the way a bit, when what you’re really after is some good ol’ forest bathing.
But let me tell you, being 7 weeks deep into lockdown helps to put some previously irritating things into perspective and it took us exactly zero minutes to decide to head into the bush last weekend. We did decide to head to a spot further up from our house, as in literally up, and put our heads down, our backs into it and started the walk up the steep gravel path. We were hoping to grab some photos of the various little birds that make that patch their home. The Yellow-Throated Scrubwren was definitely on my list but after a couple of turns along various paths, some very much used and some probably more just a hint of one, we ended up somehow at a gate and a walk, that we didn’t even realise was so close to home: the Gibson Walking Track!!!
The Gibson Track connects to the Sublime Point track (eventually) and if you’ve ever done Sublime, you’ll know it’s incredibly steep and has loads of steps and ladders to the top. The lookout once you get to the top is incredible, just ask me, I’ve driven to the top 😉 It’s easier and is less difficult on the hips and the fear of heights! (Plus there are some lovely and easy walks at the top too). But I didn’t realise that the Gibson Track actually snaked up the escarpment essentially behind our house. We were both keen as to get in and have a good ferret around and so heads down, we assumed the position and started another climb.
This walk really came into its own as we continued to ascend and the Sclerophyll forest of mainly eucalypts, wattles and banksias made way for the deep green of sub tropical rainforest plants, various fungi growing on and under everything, moss covered rocks, thick, twisting vines and a general dampness in the air.
At this point we pretty much gave up on taking photos of wildlife. We just really needed to BE; putting away our cameras and just allowing ourselves to walk amongst what felt like absolutely ancient forest, listening to Superb Lyrebirds cycling through their repertoire of bird calls higher up in the escarpment, the constant chattering of scrub wrens and Bowerbirds and the mournful call of a Fantail Cuckoo. There was much ‘wow’ing on my behalf, pretty much every time we rounded a bend and some F bombs were dropped as I part uncontrollably ran and part slid down muddy paths.
Look, I hate surprises but sometimes the best discoveries are those you completely weren’t expecting and aside from stumbling onto the breathtaking walk itself, we had two other pretty cool surprises that weekend. Now I’m always face down bum up somewhere and because I can’t help myself I leant down to get a closer look at a piece of fungi that looked to have broken off from maybe further up into a tree. And sitting right in the centre of that fungi was this lovely little snail, an Illawarra Bristle Snail and only the second one I’ve found.
Check out the bristles on the shell! This one was well and truly happy in its home and didn’t want to come out and chat so a look at the shell is all you’re going to get but how beautiful is it?! I actually can’t find a lot of information about this species itself except that it is found in rainforests from around the Royal National Park to about Wollongong. Super special.
At one point where the forest cleared I heard an absolute cacophony of alarm calls. That always gets me running face towards the sky trying to see the cause of the alarm and overhead, high overhead I saw a white bird, the sun shining through its outstretched wings. Matt and I both tried to grab a shot but the many trees blocked our efforts time and time again. I suspected a Grey Goshawk and being bird of prey mad, I was secretly a little bit bummed that I hadn’t seen it for longer.
Fast forward a few hours, exhausted and back at home and I happened to look up. There, circling high over our house, was the Goshawk, a beautiful white morph AND it had a mate with it!!! Lockdown is difficult, in lots of different ways. But it’s can also be a blessing in disguise. And as we rediscover our little corner of the world and our little home itself and all of its cosy loveliness, I’m thankful. I’m also thankful that the husband has just turned up from his walk with wine. On a Tuesday. That’s lockdown life for you!
