From Coast to Coast...
Today was the day
to divert from the Tanglewood Track
and head through the Wallum once again
to divert from the Tanglewood Track
and head through the Wallum once again
via the Sweet Wattle
one of 120 Acacia in SE Queensland
But this time to take
the path less travelled...
to see
the Cooloola Wax Flower
and find ourselves
in Xanthorrhoea country
the zone of grass trees
and skies of Banksia nuts
watch out for ancient
flying Dragons
sweeping across your path
Sticky Hop Bush
The leaves can be chewed
(without swallowing)
to relieve toothache...
and enter a strange wet section
of straggly paper barks -
Melalucas
of straggly paper barks -
Melalucas
and running tea tree streams
before the way is lit
by flaming orange tendrils
of the fir
Cadbury's Chocolate Flake
dead log bark
After two hours of bush walking
we were on the far side
of the headland
and close enough to Sunshine Beach
to detour to the village for a coffee...
but unfortunately I neglected
to take any shots of the seaside village
so that will have to be another day...
we eventually arrive back
at the Ranger's Hut,
aka the Park information centre,
from where we started
where a friend had set up shop
as both welcoming sentry
and photo subject
In the hut's windows
you can see a reflected family
at the picnic table
enjoying lunch
Our friend offered a variety
of photographic poses...
My right side
is far more photogenic...
Have you finished yet?
and I crept closer
as he adjusted his stance...
until I was almost
within touching distance
and still he posed undeterred...
although he seemed to say,
I have my eye on you ...
Is this coy enough,
I am rather bashful...
I think I'm better in profile...
Thank you for coming...
Don't tell me
you are still here...
*
I loved those last shots and the commentary. Also, because the other day I caught a glimpse of a nature programme my wife and our children were watching and it was about some islands in the south Pacific where there's a species of bird that gets rid of all the branches that are in the way between him and his future partner. Then he bursts into song and if the lady is not impressed another mae bird appear. But rather than flying away the first pretender stays on and joins his rival on a duet :-). Yes, your picture reminded me so much of this situation. Thanks for the tip for toothaches, very handy. I look forward to more reportages like this. Scientific names of flora have never sounded so much fun to me before :-).
ReplyDeleteAnd in regards to your compatriot, Germaine, my problem with her is that she is too opinionated. I enjoy her fortnightly column in The Guardian. I like her no-nonsense attitude. But there have been occasions on which I have wondered whether she was over the top and butting into situations about which she knew very little. The Brick Lane issue was one of them. Then again, and I don't want to fall into stereotypes, having had a few exes who have come from Australia, South Africa and New Zealand I found them to be very, very frank, open, honest and with no hint of BS at all. I try to see people as individuals but there were times when I wondered whether they reflected the national character, just like in Britain self-deprecation is the default mode (luckily not in my consort's case, she is quite self-confident). Over to you, you are the expert :-).
Greetings from London.
wow, that bird let you get incredibly close! he's a cutie.
ReplyDeleteand why is it that i always long to go outside and take my camera for a long when walk whenever i visit you?
:-)
/julie
Hi Mr C
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed my walk.
The kookaburra is a charming fellow, this one I think knew the ropes - he was watching the picnic table...
You summed up Germaine really well. Many Australians think the same - she is inclined to tell fibs too...as was evidenced last time she was out here pontificating on some issue.
We (Au and NZers) are pretty genuine people, straight talkers,
generous people and not as a rule overly opinionated or too confident. We do have a tendency for the tall poppy syndrome - that is we cut other people down to our level if we think they are too up themselves just as I am doing with Germaine...
Happy Days
Hi Julie
ReplyDeletethis bird is the laughing kookaburra...
Perhaps because the passionate nature of photo taking is contagious...
Happy Days
Delwyn...I so love your blog...Wish I had those grass treesa around my gazebo! I reconized your flying dragon...I have Scooby Doo and a wild boar among my "tree art" in the woods...your Sticky Hop Bush has seed pods similar to our Honesty plant, nicknamed money plant...and the choclate bark looked delicious!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your beautiful post Delwyn!
hi delwyn, the eyes on the bird were really captivating . . . they had an almost human quality about them. i was also captivated by the "running tea tree streams". in the middle of the picture there's a bluish colour and i wondered what that was? have a peaceful day. steven
ReplyDeleteI just got sucked into those eyes! Mesmerizing...
ReplyDeleteThe orange fur tree thingy is really cool too, I love the way you took the picture!
Hello Wanda
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased you enjoy my blog as I do yours. We can learn from each other.
Yes when I first saw that hop plant quite recently I thought of Honesty. These little fruits are only the size of a 5c coin - say your dime, whereas the honesty I know is the size of our 50c coin, about 3cm diameter.
Happy days
He there Steven
ReplyDeleteHow are your last days of school going?
This is the kookaburra and it is a much loved and very endearing bird -not only for the laugh...
you can hear them in the bush tapping lizards, snakes, frogs and animals on logs to stun them and break them up for eating.
They will also take meat from your hand.
The blue patches are the running waters of the tea tree stream...
Happy Days
Hi Tulsa
ReplyDeleteI am trying to look at things differently - well no, actually to record them more creatively because we do see them in these ways with the light behind them but we seem to document nature in a more stilted manner.
See what I wrote to Steven above about the kookaburra.
Happy days
Love the kookaburra posing for you!
ReplyDeleteI've always thought they were funny looking birds, with that 'haircut' and their disproportionately large beaks.
The Chocolate Flake idea was unusual and quite startling and your photographs would entice anyone to Queensland!
ReplyDeleteWhat a refreshing walk I had with you this morning! Loved the dragon tree, the wax flower and the kooky Kookaburra best. Surely that was a girly supermodel kookaburra, don't you think? LOL! I'm totally in love with your neck of the woods. Thank you for sharing so much of your beautiful world.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful snaps. What a collection!! Flowers ----- Birds
ReplyDeleteBashful? I don't think so! The guy is a regular Paris Hilton when it comes to the camera. But he does seem to be laughing in the last shot. And I want to see pics of the village and the coffee shop.
ReplyDeleteDelwyn, they are gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteDo you walk all this way to get these stunning pics??? Such great place...
I was tied up a bit thats why missed some posts...it was my daughter's exams and now we are going to India on 20th, two days from now...I'll be bac in Sep. If I get lucky with my Net connection, maybe I can keep in touch...if not see you in Sep...
Have a great time:)
Such a lovely walk! I'm trying to figure out how many hours this walk took. After two hours, were you halfway around?
ReplyDeleteYour walk make me want to do the same...I may just change my plans for Saturday and take a hike with some friends.
You're punning today, Delwyn! The dragon, chocolate bark! I love the two blues: 1) the Cooloola Wax flower (gorgeous!) 2) and the deep blue stream beneath the green branches. I love the bird and how gentle you must have been for him to sit there and look at you like that! Another delightful day at ahazymoon.
ReplyDeletehey delwyn! the last days of school are outrageous!! so much to do and of course the wrenching feeling of letting go of my class as they leave for another school after me. you know you build such a close relationship with all the kids and they with each other and then . . . poof!! like seeds in the wind, away they blow to land and become . . .what? but right now, well it's all fun!!!
ReplyDeletei'm going to have to dig up more on the tea tree stream . . . . steven
Hi Steven
ReplyDeletewell enjoy your last days with these kids, I am sure you have left a lasting impression on them.
The stream is appearing blue - with the sky reflecting...
Happy days
Good morning Margaret,
ReplyDeleteI think that this kookaburra may have been at the picnic area before - he certainly wasn't afraid, perhaps he could smell the picnic lunch the people at the table were eating...
Happy days
Hi Dan
ReplyDeletewe are exploring some of the lesser used tracks in the park so we meandered about heading south until after 2hours when I suggested it was coffee time. From the park it was another 15 mins to the cafe at Sunshine Beach but the return park track we took was only 45 mins so all up 120+45+2x15=195, 3hrs 15mins plus coffee time. We left at 8.30am and I got back home, after collecting my car at my friends by the park, a bit before 1pm so it was a lovely morning's walk.
Usually we walk for 2 to 2.5 hrs and have a coffee at the end then walk back to the car at the park.
This morning it is cloudy and cool and my friend is in Brisbane but I will still go out. I will stay on the more used paths where there are other walkers visible ...
I hope you plan a lovely walk too
Happy days
Hi deepazartz
ReplyDeleteI have missed you!
I hope you daughter does well and that you all have a good trip.
Yes, I walk every day and am finding new tracks and places all the time...never fear, you will always have snaps from me...
Happy days
Meri
ReplyDeletethat is perfect - he/she is a regular Paris Hilton...
I took a pic of one cafe over the weekend - not the regular deli cos it was closed, the post is coming up soon.
I have a bit of a backlog of posts as some days the pics I take can make 2 posts and then there are those ducks that keep coming back...and other interesting things I see on my daily routine...it all adds up...but it's fun...
Happy days
good morning Rajesh
ReplyDeleteit is an ongoing collection...I'll have a nature book after a year of doing these posts!
Happy days
Hi there Marion,
ReplyDeleteYes, Meri suggests it is Paris Hilton Kookaburra and I think she's right - that certain tilt to the head, the need to be in the limelight, the constant re-posing, the pouting...
I love to have you here,,
Happy days
morning RR
ReplyDeleteI wondered if the others are familiar with our FLAKE ?
I should offer my services to Tourism Qld do you think?
Happy days
Hi Violet
ReplyDeleteThey are rather unbalanced in appearance...but charming birds with such character and that laugh...
Happy days
The kookaburra is awesome. What a head on that dude.
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing the blue sky through the branches, and the bright sunlight on the trees and plants. A tonic for my soul! Thank you!
May I come next time Delwyn?
ReplyDeleteJune also in Oz
Hi there Reya
ReplyDeleteHe's quite a punk with quite an attitude!
Thanks for your nice comments
Happy Days
June
ReplyDeletehi there,
anytime June...
you know where to find me...
Happy Days
Hello Delwyn!!..that was such a nice walk with you today!...I will mail you too..xxx Mona
ReplyDeleteYes, I am still here and still in constant awe of all that you and your lens have to offer! Wow! What a great walk...
ReplyDeleteThe kookaburra was amazing and fun!
I know have the words to this song running through my head: "Laugh, kookaburra, laugh, kookaburra, gay your life must be!"
We call the seagulls at the beach laughing birds since their calls seem to resemble "ha! ha!"
Hi!I loved your blos, it has something really peaceful about it!I enjoyed my visit. Keep up the great work:)Birdie pics are great, I am amazed at the creature..its true that its only when they smell harm that animals and birds run away from us!All the very best to u:)
ReplyDeletehttp://aspaceofonesown.blogspot.com
Hi Cyndy
ReplyDeleteit's good to have your company again.
That song must have been taught to kids all around the world.
I will have to post the link for the kookaburra laugh - it is so raucous.
Happy Days
Welcome to A New Beginning
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to meet you.
I'm glad that you enjoyed the photos of the kookaburra and yes he was very calm.
I will pay you a visit shortly..
til then,
Happy Days
Hi Delwyn,
ReplyDeleteThe simplisity of Cooloola Wax Flower really calm my soul and ease my worries. Love it!
I love to see the bird (look like a kingfisher) in a serial poses. Sool cool and cute, like the description you have given, just stunning and powerful!
Hey little guy, you are my hero, you are my star!