Part Three - Along with the vast skies, plains straight roads, and the flora and fauna, our al fresco dining and explorations, kept our love for the Outback on an upward spiral.
Flora
Wattle - Australia's Floral Emblem
Flowering Gum / Eucalyptus.
Buds, flowers, gumnuts / seed pods.
Closer to home on our last day, it was reassuring to see that the forest devasted by our November bushfires was recovering.
Fauna - birds.
The top photo of the Rainbow Lorikeet is out of focus because the birds were gleefully enjoying the spray from a fountain.
My lengthy googling hasn't found a name for the parrots on the L.
On the R are Galahs and below, the pigeons looked rather special on the gnarly gum tree.
Western Rosella's taking a mud bath.
Australian Ringneck or Twenty Eight Parrot.
Corellas in relaxation mode.
This Magpie had us concerned that he was injured, but thankfully he was just resting.
Below - these Magpies hopefully joined us for lunch, along with several other companions.
The noisy Corella parrots were often seen throughout our travels.
Alas, the Major Mitchell Parrot was only seen in this cage.
The Brolga, one of Australia's largest flying birds, has a wing span of 2.4 metres. There was great excitement when they were spotted and a U-turn was enacted as soon as it was deemed safe to do so. At mating, both sexes perform a spectacular dance.
This beautiful Shag was having difficulty balancing on a log, in the weed covered Condamine River in Warick.
The Pelican roams all the western rivers.
Our first Emu sighting. The chicks were so camouflaged, that we almost didn't spot them.
We were hopeful of spotting one or two emus, but were thrilled to count 55 in total, over five days. As the roads weren't busy, we were able to pull over and watch them strut.
This bird was taken by my 30x zoom but I haven't been able to identify it.
Fauna - animals
A possum hanging out by the Macintyre R, in Goondiwindi.
On our second last day, we travelled through the Bunya Mountains where the Rock
Wallabies and Pademelons thrive in the cool, mountain air.
Wallabies and Pademelons thrive in the cool, mountain air.
Other than lots of roos, we had expected to see large herds of cattle grazing but it wasn't so at all. The properties are huge and often the grass was high.
Dairy herds nearer to home, on our last day.
Joc had packed a small bag of apples to share with her equinine friends. The bag almost reached home unopened.
On day two we were in the middle of nowhere, when a blue tree was spotted in the middle of a lightly treed paddock. A couple of days later we understood its significance.
From day one, we counted the iconic Aussie windmills. 47 were spotted over the nine days of travel, but very few of these were found in the Outback. We were surprised, until we realised that the Outback's water sauce is from the artesian bores.
A non-operative bore, in the gardens of the Cunnamulla Information Centre.
From Day One, our Morning Tea and Lunch was partaken al fresco, in the loveliest of spots.
Moogerah Dam day 1 - morning tea. Leslie Dam - lunch.
A park in Muckadilla.
On the red soil banks of the Balonne R, at Bollon.
Our spectacular lunch view over Isla Gorge.
Sunset drinks at Mitchell, by the Maranoa River.
Below - lunch at 'The Beach, Wyandra.
Sunset drinks on the balcony of Hotel Corones, in Charleville.
Assorted, equally beautiful locations.
Jandowae.
We were on a quest to find Pate. A Chinchilla super market on day 8 came up with the goods and we managed to buy a crusty bread stick as well.
Enjoying the Outback!
Star gazing - the Milky Way was spectacular. [Mitchell]
A before breakfast adventure to the sand dunes of Cunnamulla.
We averaged 8 kilometres of walking each day.
To the rescue, at Leslie Dam.
Trying to blend in, in The Outback!
The Northern Hairy Nosed Wombat is the largest of 3 wombats, weighing up to 40 kilograms and up to a metre in length. Sadly, it is critically endangered.
Bottle tree - Roma. Bunya Pine - Bunya Mountains
This appeared on Facebook and I thought it appropriate to share here. I have drawn a black line to show where our 2965 kns took us over the 9 days.
I hope you are still hanging in there. Part Four will definitely be of the painted silos and murals of the west.
I would love to read your comment.
I really enjoyed these photos. So much to take in. I can only imagine what it was like to live through the journey.
ReplyDeleteI was amazed how the emu blends in. I guess it needs to since it can’t fly away from danger. The birds there are so colourful though. We only ever see such creatures in cages.
I find it unusual to see kangaroos, cattle and horses in the same post, but such is part of the beauty of Australia.
You had some beautiful vistas before you as you drove, walked or relaxed with a beverage. The vastness of the continent and its variety of environment impressed me when we were there for a few short weeks. Imagine how little we saw in that time!
The blue tree idea is brilliant! Love it!
Great post!
Thank you Marie. As you may imagine, many, many photos were taken, so it has been an enjoyable, but time consuming process sorting and compiling.I wonder when you visited and where? It is difficult to advise overseas travellers where to visit, as the distances and cost to travel is very taxing. As you have fully realised, it was a brilliant 9 days and I haven't shared the art work yet!
ReplyDeleteLove all the photos of the lovely birds! Definitely colorful and ones I don't see where I live. I also enjoyed all the windmill photos. You and your friends always look like you are having a great time wherever you go.
ReplyDeleteLinda, not only are our birds colourful, they are loud and constantly calling. Many have very melodic calls and their sounds are heard throughout the day. It's beautiful.
DeleteAh Helen-- Your posts make me smile. It's not just what you see and share, it's your attitude and your happiness in being with dear friends.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bill! We work hard to live up to our motto - "It's no the distance. It is the journey".
DeleteSuperb stuff, I had no idea the outback was so beautiful and packed with such interesting stuff
ReplyDeleteIt would have been very different had we travelled there this time last year. The summer rains were magical for both the land and locals.
DeleteWow - love all the colours and flowers and creatures. Looks like you have a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteThe vast skies, beef cattle herds and the straight roads of the plains could be taken here in Central Kansas. HOWEVER, not so with the colorful lorakeets and parrots, as well as your other creatures! Thanks for sharing the FB post on the size of Australia. That helps put things in perspective. I've also found the same interesting as I've seen similar maps, comparing the size of European countries and the U.S. as it relates to the pandemic. Anyway, thanks for brightening my day with your beautiful photos of your journey!
ReplyDeleteYour vast plains would be a tad more productive, Kim.
DeleteHow I miss traveling! It always amazes me how big your country is.
ReplyDeleteOur countries are roughly the same size but our populations are a tad different!
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ReplyDeleteYou saw brolgas, I am jealous. I love the West and once again enjoyed your tour especially the lovely flowers
ReplyDeleteAn amazing post, Helen!
ReplyDelete