Summer Colour and Rain

As I mentioned in my previous post, the summer rains have come early and in plentiful supply. The impact of regular good falls is amazing. Lush, 'GREEN' lawns and vistas. Such a joy to see.

Gardens are flourishing and my daily walk sees me stopping regularly to catch the beauty on my phone.

My garden, and lower image - a neighbours.

Mine again.

Gardens I pass.

About one kilometre from my home, there is a wonderful view across the valley. 

These images below are side by side in reality. Only metres seperate them. 

My walk takes me down the hill and along the fenceline to the river trail.

In a normal summer, it is unusual to see so much vibrant colour.

The frangipani and its many wonderful colours.

Bottom L - Mock Orange [it has the sweetest perfume]

Pony Tail fern

The Poinciana flowers after the Jacaranda. Its intense red is spectacular, but can be lost in its new foliage.  

Our 'green' view across the golf course. 

The groundsmen never stop mowing. The grass is just growing so fast. 

The extra deluges we have had, has resulted in both the mowing and play stopping.

Our park services have had the same battle. 

Here they managed to trim around the tree, but the ground is too sodden, after 2 evening thunderstorms. Both storms brought 25 mm or an inch on consequtive evenings this week.

The storms bring crisp, cool mornings with clear, blue skies. Our gums shimmer in the early morning light. [5.30 am]

The  pond always brings joy, but more so, when it looks this tranquil with its perfect reflections.

Gumnuts from the flowering Eucalpyt and new foliage growth. 

Damp, long grass, hiding mushrooms.

There has been increased butterfly numbers, but this is the only one to settle long enough for me to take a photo.

I was so relieved that I saw this web just seconds from walking through it.

Summer - backyard, mango season!

Friday morning's walk was after the storm of the previous evening. It was very apparent that the ground and vegetation were saturated. 

As the sun rose higher, [6.30am] the surface ground moisture rapidly evaportated, creating dense clouds and growing humidity.  Yet another sweaty day was ahead. 

At present we have a very large flock of Corellas inhabitating the trees of the golf course. They squawk non stop from before dawn and to well after dusk. Sunrise is presently at 4.30am.  They have become the alarm for me to get up and be off walking from 5am on.  It is a most beautiful time of day.

Dawn chorous of the Corellas.

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An Early Morning Local Walk.

 The weather on the Wednesday following our Lower Beechmont walk, was torrential rain, followed by more torrential rain. The Hungry Hikers made a very early call for a 'stay in bed and read a book day!'

In fact, we had over 220mm [9 inches] over the following 5 days. Last year November recorded only 4 mm in total! This year well over 300mm. The past few days have been hot and humid. This finds me sitting near the door in an almost chilly breeze, the aftermath of an intense thunderstorm that has just passed through.

These rains haven't just been local, but have drenched much of the brown lands I drove through on my western road trip in August / September. Farmers are rejoicing, but it seems that here in Oz, it never rains but it pours! Several communities in the west are on high flood alert with evacuations. More wet weather and storms are in the forecast for the coming week.

This 'Gaiter Girl' walk was several weeks ago, when the spring temperatures were blissful for walking.  It was just a short drive to our starting point at Eagleby Wetlands.

How lovely was this little knitted caterpillar, left by one very kind soul.

Leaving the wetlands, we were soon enjoying the rural landscape and shady swamps.

We are so very fortunate to have this escape on our doorstep.

The sounds of the kookaburra laughing. 

And for Bill [well for Ben, actually] - our little trickle became quite a gurgling rushing stream, with all the rain.

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