Scrambled out into the cold morning last week to see the full moon set at sunrise. I love the light of the rising sun reflecting on the neighbouring houses. Makes the numb fingers and toes worth it.
All is Calm
All is calm at twilight. The water is still. The pool a mirror. The leaves hold their breath as we walked by. Only the birds awaken from their noon slumber, foraging against time before the sun and the cold sets in.
Banksia Study
The banksias are flowering in force in the national park. I spotted a few different varieties around. I don’t know their scientific names so I will call them as I see them.
The tall, orange one.
The short, yellow one.
The stubby orange one.
Cool Karloo
We crossed Kangaroo Creek for the final time, at beautiful Karloo Pool. The sun was just setting as we passed, and the water was a translucent green.
It was incredible how much the water level had risen in the six months since my last visit. The lower rock platforms were completely covered with water, so perhaps the increase was 30cm or more.
In the middle of the drought the creek bed so dry that you could step over the stream. Last Sunday, you had to take off your shoes to get across, or if you choose to keep them on, step very carefully.
I hope the water stays around until my next visit next summer.
Twists and Turns
On the walk, I passed trees of all different shapes.
I love the shape of their branches, twisting and turning into the air.
This one in particular had spectacular branches.
Wildflowers
Early winter means a profusion of wildflowers in Sydney (so is it really winter?). The most common ones are the grevillea…
The tea tree…
And the wattle.
Winter Walking
Winter in Sydney is the best time for walking. The weather is cool and the skies sunny. On Sunday, I went out walking in the Royal National Park with the Bankstown Bushwalkers, up and down the ridges of Kangaroo Creek, near Heathcote. We stopped for morning tea at Kangaroo Creek, which glistened in the morning sunlight.
Don’t Give Up
I’ve posted my fair share of great Rockwiz duets in recent weeks, but this has to be the best I’ve seen. It’s another unusual combination: Aussie songstress Tina Arena with former Tea Party lead Jeff Martin, singing the Peter Gabriel/Kate Bush song, Don’t Give Up. The performances from both (and also the band) was emotionally charged, and absolutely brilliant.
Jizo
A Jizo is a guardian of travellers and children. There were thousands of them at Koya-San, probably since there are a lot of visitors! They are usually clothed in a bib and a hat, to keep them warm through the cold winter months.
River
Another beauty from Rockwiz, a ‘duet’ of sorts between the wonderful Angie Hart and Tim Freedman.
Static and Silence 