Golden Girraween

August 9 to 11.

Returning to Girraween in winter, I was fully expecting brown vistas. Once we had climbed onto the Great Dividing Range halfway into our journey, we had occasional views of wattle trees. These species were of a dull yellow. Nearing Girraween National Park, the glowing gold varieties abounded. So cheerful and uplifting against the winter hues of the countryside. Three days of stunning gold unfolded.

Along the roadside.

Along the trails.

Around the rock pools.

High on rocky outcrops.

So many species found. [over 1000 species all over Australia.] The Golden Wattle is our floral emblem.

A Golden Wattle image from google. I don't think I saw any of this.

Wattle with tiny blossom.

Wattle with thin leaves.

Wattle with a totally different leaf.

With the flower buds close to the stem.

In the early morning light.

Wattle as far as the eye could see.

Just everywhere.

And here, we see wattle in contrast to the other wildflowers that were beautiful, but not in abundance.

On return from our day 2 morning hike, the sunshine was warm enough to dine on the verandah. Joc and I were in charge of setting the table. Setting complete, we realised that a vase of wattle would set it off perfectly. Guess what, there was not a wattle close by and the one we spotted was extremely tall. We were determined to get its lowest branches pulled down. We used lengths of fallen limbs to hopefully pull the branches down so I could grab them and Joc break off the flowers. So glad noone was there with a video camera. Much laughter, a bit of cursing, a stumble or two and success!

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