Spring is here and thankfully not rushing into summer. Our nights are still cool and crisp and by day, the skies are an intense clear blue. Such a joy to be out and about. Regular spring rainfall has meant the landscape is a paradise of green.
I've hiked the Somerset Trail, [14.5 kms] numerous times now and it never fails to make my spirits soar. Yesterday was no different. The clarity of the atmosphere was stunning and the sunlight constantly shimmered on the leaves of the soaring gums.
The trail took us through a variety of open forest, pine forest and pockets of rainforest.
We felt small below the canopy of the trees especially where the native flowering acacia's and grevilleas were taller than us.
On this visit, this purple ground orchid was flowering prolifically. It was just so determined to show itself above the thick undergrowth, for kilometre after kilometre.
The Wallum Gold Pea Bush was passed its peak bloom, but here and there, they gave a burst of golden yellow.
Amongst the undergrowth were tiny flowering bushes of pinks, purple and yellow.
The pearls of green on this plant caught my eye.........
As did the reds of the new gum leaves.
As this gum shed its dead bark, it has left colourful patches and patterns on the new living bark.
Halfway along the circuit we crested a cliffed faced ridge, giving us 180 degree views west to the
Toowoomba Range, with views of both the Somerset and Wivenhoe Dams. It was to be our lunch spot, but the westerly wind roaring up the valley, had us finding a less open view.
The lady birds and thorny devil lizard, managed to shelter here, from the westerly gale.
It was amazing to watch the wind roaring through these gum leaves.
There is very little water on this trail, but this waterhole, towards the finish of the trail, never fails to give lovely reflections.
Just a fantastic day to be out and about, in the great outdoors, down under.
I would love to read your comment.
Fantabulous day!
ReplyDeleteLove all those wildflowers! Hooray for spring!
ReplyDeleteI would imagine that the lady birds would we welcome dinner guests for the lizard... Nice post!
ReplyDeleteThe wind sure was blowing. The flowers remind me that now would be a good time to go of a bush walk.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, I'm glad you didn't get blown away! What beauty amid those huge trees with orchids growing knee-high! A great hike on a beautiful spring day. It snowed here in CO last evening!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely scenery and beautiful spring flowers! I was trying to imagine how spring smells there where you live. :) Probably different from ours but certainly wonderful.
ReplyDeleteHave a great new Spring week!
We get those little purple ground orchids growing in some of our tree lines. I didn't realise they were an orchid. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Spring flowers and the views are magnificent!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Spring :)
What a lovely day! Thanks for taking us with you. Our ground orchids come a bit later in spring. The ladybirds look immense next to that thorny lizard. Our ladybirds are only about a half the size of the nail on my little finger.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely day! Thanks for taking us with you. Our ground orchids come a bit later in spring. The ladybirds look immense next to that thorny lizard. Our ladybirds are only about a half the size of the nail on my little finger.
ReplyDeleteAfter following you around the globe its great to see some more of your local area. Fantastic walk through some quintessential looking Australian bush
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