Granite outcrops

Kooyoora State Park and Mt Korong reserve are like islands within the surrounding countryside. They are both granite outcrops with large rocks, rock shelters and caves, rock pools and natural vegetation. Much of the surrounding countryside has been highly modified by alluvial mining that began in the 1850s and agriculture.

Kooyoora incorporates the Melville Caves, a delightful area with full picnic and camping facilities, walks and lookouts. The rock pools were quite amazing because we found tadpoles, water plants, succulents, Early Nancy plants and other natural vegetation thriving in each, depending on the depth of the water.

View from Melville Caves lookout

View from Melville Caves lookout

Rock pools near Eastern Car Park, Melville Caves.

Rock pools near Eastern Car Park, Melville Caves.

Tadpoles in ephemeral rock pool, Melville Caves.

Mt Korong has very basic camp and picnic facilities but we enjoyed the drive that circles the 'mountain' because the rocks are so sculptural and dramatic. We were there at sunset so the colour was marvellous.

Rock formation, Mt Korong

Rock formation, Mt Korong

Rock formation, Mt Korong

Mothing in Wedderburn

This post is just for the record, in case it's something unusual. We pulled in to the lovely caravan park at Wedderburn this afternoon and set about setting up the van, making ourselves comfortable for the next three days and looking forward to exploring the natural environment around here. 

I wasn't intending to do any mothing but this one decided to fly inside to explore our van. I'm hoping that someone will identify it for me as I don't have any references with me. Maybe Duncan, or Marilyn.

Which reminds me. A huge high five for Marilyn Hewish, our resident moth expert, birdo and all-round naturalist. We heard this week that she has been awarded the this year's Natural History Medallion. She's the third member of the Geelong Field Nats to win the medallion and we're very proud of her and excited for her.

Update: MH has identified this as a Noctuidae, an Agrotis species, probably Agrotis munda. She further adds, "As can be said for many groups, Agrotis species in Victoria need a good taxonomic study to sort them out."