Pine Creek in the Northern Territory of Australia is known for its gold rush history and heritage buildings. It's located in the Katherine region, about 90 km north of Katherine and 226 km south of Darwin.
Pine Creek is one of the oldest towns in the Northern Territory and it is named for the pine trees that once grew by the creek in the centre of the town.
By 1875 there were two hotels, The Royal Mail and The Standard, competing for business. A public school opened in the town in 1899. By the 1890 up to 15 mines were operating in the area, and the town's population exceeded 3000 people.
The population declined significantly in the interwar period.
Bats in Pine Creek.
The ghost bat is a species of bat found in Northern Australia. The species is the only Australian bat that preys on large vertebrates - birds, reptiles and other mammals - which they detect using acute sight and hearing, combined with echolocation, while waiting in the ambush at a perch.
These bats can be found in the abandoned Kohinoor adit near Pine Creek and are a threatened species.
The ghost bat is a species of bat found in northern Australia. The species is the only Australian bat that preys on large vertebrates – birds, reptiles and other mammals – which they detect using acute sight and hearing, combined with echolocation, while waiting in ambush at a perch.
A Ghost Bat (borrowed from the internet)
The Main Street.
The Post Office and Museum as in the photo below from the other side.
The train shelter.
The photo I took of these bats are a different species to the Ghost Bat.
The above photo from the Internet as I wasn't able to get a close up of one or two.
Pine Creek where is red square is.
Those are interesting creatures. You took a nice photo of the bats.
ReplyDeleteGreat post today, Margaret :-) 🦇
Thank you Giorgio.
DeleteInteresting post. Have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteThanks Anne.
DeleteHi Margaret, your photos are beautiful! I have always been fascinated by these lovely creatures. They wrap themselves in their wings and sleep upside down. Basically, they are rodents but many people think they are birds because of their wings. They are like mice with wings. Thank you so much for sharing, dear friend, I enjoy your posts and photos very much.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Linda.
DeleteWe often watch TV programs about gold mining in Australia that are currently taking place. They are called Aussie Gold Hunters.
ReplyDeleteBats are not my thing. I get scared if they swoop down on me.
Take care.
Oh yes, have heard of that show, rather interesting.
DeleteI'm not fond of bats either.
I've never seen a bat so I thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Bill. They sure do make a noise and sunset and sunrise.
DeleteI have seen Bats flying here in the UK and I looked it up apparently the UK is home to 18 species of bats! I never knew that, so although you were talking of Ghost Bats your post prompted me to find out something I didn't know ... so thank you.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
You are welcome Jan, we do get inquisitive sometimes.
DeleteMargaret, I suppose that over there bats are carriers of rabies.
ReplyDeleteA tidbit from the Internet Norma.
DeleteAustralian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) that is found in bats. ABLV is a lyssavirus, like rabies, and can be transmitted to humans through bites or scratches from infected bats
It's a pleasant looking town. Carnivorous bats might like the taste of human necks.
ReplyDeleteWho knows Andrew. Don't care for bats.
DeleteBats STINK - go to a colony where they congregate and the stench
ReplyDeleteknocks you for six!
Getting rid of the filthy things is darn near impossible and when blasted to kingdom come you still have the stench.
I can't think of a more disgusting creature - maybe two political leaders
from overseas and they are not too difficult to work out. Hopefully both in prison
but I have my doubts.
Nice and sunny here at Terrigal and a flat surf - no swimmers really except the board riders and wind surfers.
Cheers
Colin
Yes they do smell if there are heaps of them, Colin. I'm not a lover of bats but probably more fascinated by them.
DeleteTamworth - there was a big problem with bats there, don't know if there still is...they used to hang on the trees by the river, such a noise as well.
Glad about the flat surf, you might take a dip..lol
Cloudy here and a bit chilly.
I have never seen a bat. Not particularly fond of them. : )
ReplyDeleteI've seen many bats in my time and there are bats here in Tasmania but never seen one here.
DeleteFascinating to learn that Pine Creek, with its rich gold rush past, is also home to the remarkable ghost bat
ReplyDeleteI wasn't aware of the connection of gold there in the past until I started researching Pine Creek. A cousin rolled here vehicle right next to the sign on the highway, she's ok, only damaged the vehicle and her pride.
DeleteEs un lindo lugar y esos murciélagos son geniales. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThat is a long way to go from home. The bats are creepy. I don't like any of them.
ReplyDeleteA very long way indeed Diane, and went there on one of our trips. I don't care for them but they fascinate me.
DeleteI have lived in Australia for most of my life and have never heard of a ghost bat. Yet its face is not as ugly as I assume normal bats look.
ReplyDeleteWell there you go, Hels - probably most people haven't heard of a Ghost Bat. Bats have a sweet face, it's certainly not an ugly one, it's the teeth, but most creature have 'teeth'.
DeleteGenerally I am not a fan of any bats...that ghost bat look pretty scary.
ReplyDeleteI'm just fascinated by them Angie. Probably more to learn about them I expect.
DeleteInteresting about the ghost bat. I think my brother has been to Pine Creek.
ReplyDeleteProbably your brother has, it's a good place for a rest from driving.
DeleteYou've taken beautiful photos of the bats Margaret.
ReplyDeleteThe ghost bat looks a bit scary.
I wish you a lovely weekend.
Best regards Irma
We've had one in the house a time or two. Laura goes bananas. Ours are smaller, though. I think the ghost bad looks like a gentleman.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this great coverage of bats, creatures that are much maligned and seldom featured on blogs.
ReplyDeleteI saw my first bat of the Summer flying around as the sun was setting last week. I love bats, they are so cute.
ReplyDelete