Some ACTHA members got together for a herpy weekend at Garrawunga (I might have spelt it wrong), a property owned by members Geoff Robertson and Margaret Ning. A little more will be said about the property on a later post. Essentially though, it was a great weekend with friends doing what we like best........herping!

So, here are some of the herps seen over the weekend.

Angus had a really cool tank built just for taking pics of aquatic things such as tadpoles. This one is the Eastern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes dumerilii).  Geoff Robertson (below) showing us how the pro's use it.

GO GEOFF!

I never tire from seeing or hearing the Whistling Tree Frog (Litoria verreauxii). Except this time David Hunter was with us and he was able to indentify this tadpole as L. verreauxii, something I've never been able to do, thanks Dave! I was facinated by the colour of these tadpoles, something that Angus's aquapicer (well someone's got to name it) was great for.

And the "out of water model" (L. verreauxii).

ACTHA likes to help fellow members with identifications and the like. Geoff and Margaret have done an amazing job of listing and recording fauna and flora on their property of the years. It has proven that this area abounds with life and the herpetofauna is one example of the diversity that occurs in that area. Previously Leseur's Frog (Litoria lesueuri) had only been recorded here as one dead specimen. So it was good to see a healthy living example (below).

This trip to Garrawunga was the second time ACTHA had visited the property. The first time we were treated to a great variety of skinks. This time round they didn't disappoint as they were out in numbers.

Southern Water Skink (Eulamprus tympanum)

Above and below a juvenile White's Skink (Egernia whitii).

 Below a Southern Grass Skink (Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii)

Below a Black Rock Skink (Egernia saxatilis)

If I had to pick my favorite herps that we saw over the weekend it would have to be the two following skinks. The first of these is the Weasel Skink (Saproscincus mustelinus). Note the pale mark behind the eye, a distinctive characteristic for this species.

My other favorite (because I can't just have one) is the very elegant Red-throated Skink (Acritoscincus platynotum)

Another one.

I guess no weekend away can exclude us taking a pic of a snake. This Copperhead (Austrelaps ramsayi) was found near the house. It's nice to know that this snake lives on a property that wants to help protect herpetofauna. Geoff and Margaret understand the role snakes play in the ecosystem, something that we all try to help people to understand. They are truly magnificent.

Well that's about all I have time for except to say thanks to Marg and Geoff for an awesome weekend, I look forward to next time. Also thanks to everyone who came along, you all made it very enjoyable!

Time for one last pic. One of the hot photo shoots. From left to right our red-necked (not red neck) secretary Angus showing us his pro-photographer pose with chief lizard controllers Steve and Alistair, watched on by head recording artist (cos it is an art form) Joanne being supervised closely by our ethics committee Rachel. Hey Rach, what is that your holding? looks like a...........nah can't be. Cheers everyone ......Joe