A Bit of This and That

The weather

I have commented numerous times of the drought like conditions so many areas of Australia are suffering from. On the drive to my Paddy's Peak hike and a week later, across the border to a family reunion, I was stunned at how desolate the land was looking, so close to home.

Earlier in the year, cyclone Oma passed through but brought no relief to here. While she was doing her damage in the north, there were bushfires, damaging thunderstorms and snow occurring in other parts of the country.

I had collected a few images to share at some stage ie now.

In the north of the state, that tale changed very rapidly when Cyclone Oma struck viciously.

20,000 houses inundated in Townsville and to the west, the rainfall came so quickly graziers weren't able to get their stock to high ground. 300, 000 head of cattle lost.

The first raindrops in several years had brought joy. The last ones only heartache.

Birdsville is a tiny isolated town in the far, far west of Queensland. A good 1000 km from the rain source, but flooded several weeks after the rain event in the north. An example of how vast and flat central Australia is.

The view of Birdsville I took from google maps. I might add that in Jan, they had 9 days in a row, of temps above 45 C.

While the above event was unfurling, other areas of Australia were being devastated by uncontrollable bushfires, summer snow and in Sydney, damaging thunderstorms.

We have also been experiencing above average temperatures. Here in Brisbane a record 30 days were above 30 C. This is a weather map for temps across Australia, recently.

I am pleased to report that Friday night [15 March] brought thunderstorms on a wide scale, bringing relief to many areas. And yes another cyclone is forming in the far, far north. 

Here at No 16 we have recorded 6 inches over 3 days, The golf ponds are full again and the course is  a carpet of green. So thankful.

On Facebook, I belong to a page called, "Who got the Rain". It was created to support farmers doing it tough. It thrills me to see the reports of longed for rain on their properties illustrated by their photographs. I would love to share some here but it would be inappropriate. 

I took this screenshot to share.

Birds spotted.

We were excited that these Kookaburras flew in to observe our picnic. However, it would seem they have developed the nasty pastime of unexpectedly diving down and snatching food, not just from the table, but as it is being lifted to the mouth. 

Kookaburra nest carved out of an old termite mound.

Torresian Crow.

Purple Swamp Hen

Darter - related to the cormorant.

Drying his feathers that are not water proof.

A Great Egret, all hunched up on the edge of our golf pond.

Creative or poor photography. 

You can decide for yourself.

Reflections from under the bridge.

Birdlife under the bridge.

Insects

Water Dragons

Early morning light

Sunset and Rainbows

Billowy clouds greeted me across the golf course as the sun began to fade.

Then a rainbow arched across the sky but I could only record this much of it.

In the opposite direction.

And as I write, a visitor.

Sadly we don't see many green frogs anymore. Great excitement when we saw this large fellow trying to scale our sliding door.  Then sadness as we think he was suffering from a disease.

He should be much greener.

Life is full of highs and lows, but if one looks for the beauty in nature, spirits will always lift.

I would love to read your comment.