Twenty five intrepid Ezy walkers turned up to the Bi Centennial Park under a glorious sun-filled sky on a lovely. balmy Autumn day.
We started by circling Lake Belvedere and noticed all the abundant birdlife in and on the lake; including those taking refuge on their purpose built, reclusive island home.
After taking time to read about the wildlife, we pushed on and arrived back at our starting point, the Waterview Café. Here we quickly moved into the picnic table area and the two men present departed forthwith. Maybe the site of twenty five HVB walkers was too much for them to bear.
During morning tea, the word spread that it was to be Lillian’s last walk before her departure to Perth (our loss, their gain); so a cake was presented to her and our hearty well wishes.
Following morning tea, we headed for the Treillage Tower which beckoned those able bodied souls to climb up for a distant view. Many of our group took up the challenge and were rewarded for their efforts.
We then headed off to walk on the boardwalk through the Mangroves but first Lillian’s last act was to lead the majority of our group up the garden path, to visit the pond and Bird Hide. I’m not sure if many birds were spied but we could see the Hide behind the bushes. Maybe the birds could too and that’s why they couldn’t be seen.
The walk along the Mangrove boardwalk was delightful and at its conclusion, we farewelled Lillian under a tunnel of our group’s raised arms. We hope to have her back with us in the future; she has been a wonderful asset to our group.
We stopped for lunch at another picnic table set up and then headed back to the Waterview Café for a well-deserved coffee/ milkshake.
Another highly successful EZY Walk and a great insight into just what this amazing place has to offer.
Leader Lyndy's briefing at the Waterfall Cafe Circling Lake Belvedere
Morning tea Farewell, Lilian...you will always be a most welcome visitor to an HVB walk
Happy group at the Treillage Tower
Flowers.......
Bee on a Grey Mangrove Avicennia marina 
Sunlight backlighting leaves of Broad-Leaved Paperbark Melaleuca quinquinervia Hakea Hakea Propinqua
Birds.......
Australian Coot
Australian White Ibis aka 'Bin Chickens' at the other side of the peaceful lake Purple Swamphen 
Through the bird hide windows at the Waterbird Refuge
......AND an intriguing Fish Ladder and One of the interesting poetry inscriptions on the Badu Mangroves Boardwalk . Muru Nanga Mai - Dreaming Track. Poet Lorna Munro was commissioned to create 'Muru nanga mai' Dreaming Track with poems featuring language and Bulima Spirit Land D'harawal interpretations by Shannon Foster. With support from UTS, the poems are etched into this Badu Mangroves boardwalk.....Sue S.
Lyndy and Vreni led twenty three walkers: Sue B, Annette and David, Lawrie, Judy, Rosie, Aileen, Sue and Andy, Lilian, Cherry, Diana L, Bill M and Daryl Shurin (Carer), Robyn and Rex, Eizabeth, Deidre, Sue S, David W-G and three visitors (Diana, Theresa and David).
First Aiders: Lyndy and Elizabeth and Tail End Charlie: Deidre
Words by Lyndy
Photos by Sue S (1, 5-14) and flower identification Deidre (2-4)