Tag Archives: fauna

Jandamarra’s Path – Part 3

October 4, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

Entering Windjana Gorge, I immediately realised that this was a sacred place.

The high walls of the gorge kept out the heat of the day, and there was plenty of water, even in the dry. It’s a sanctuary for all sorts of wildlife, including freshwater crocodiles.

There were so many of them, floating like little logs.

Some got closer than others.

But despite the serenity of the place, this was where Jandamarra and his people (numbering fifty or so warriors it was said), fought the pastoralists and police in a bloody battle. Jandamarra was severely wounded, but escaped into the caves not too far away from here.

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Cockburn Ranges – Part 1

August 15, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

After Wyndham, we returned to those distant hills, and as we drew closer we saw that it was a sandstone range – the Cockburn Range.

These mountains formed much of the backdrop to the first half of Australia – they’re very distinctive. It also lines the first part of the Gibb River Road – the 660km old drover’s route between the ports of Wyndham in the East Kimberley and Derby in the West Kimberley. We’ll travel down its entire length during the tour.

They’re so distinctive that it became my picture of the day – with the now obligatory boabs and a few whistling kites for good measure.

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Kununurra and Ord River – Part 3

August 6, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

There were plenty of local fig trees by the Ord. They don’t have to work so hard to get their water.

And also plenty of bird and bat life.

These bats seemed pretty happy in their home, unlike their counterparts in the Royal Botanical Gardens, Sydney.

The further upstream we went, the more rockier the landscape became – all beautiful red sandstone.

It inspired my picture of the day.

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Autumn Beach Walk – Part 2

May 18, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

I can’t quite believe that Bridie the Beagle is now at the ripe old age of 13. She’s well into pensioner age now and much of the time is content to lounge about.

Unless she senses another dog ‘invading’ her territory.

Or when there’s a beach walk on the cards.

That’s when she gets really active, behaving more like a disobedient pup (do beagles ever grow out of this stage?)

Sprinting, jogging, and all the while sniffing out the many scents on the beach. She particularly likes seaweed!

Strange dog…

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Autumn Beach Walk – Part 1

May 17, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

This spell of warm weather seems never-ending at the moment. Today it was 28C here in Sydney, warm enough to enjoy the beach. These photos though were a few weeks ago during the Anzac Day weekend. Umina Beach was surprisingly deserted for a long weekend.

There was very little swimming going on even though the water temperature hadn't dipped as yet.

I think there were more dogs than people in the water that afternoon.

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Cruising the Hawkesbury – Part 6

May 14, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

After a light lunch on-board, we arrived at the waterside hamlet of Marlow, on the northern side of the Hawkesbury.

Once again, it’s a community with boat-only access – which means no town water or sewerage, although they do have power and garbage collection. Unlike Dangar Island though, it takes a bit more effort to reach this place, the nearest road access being via a track from the M1.

Nevertheless, there are some nice houses – some look quite historic.

There’s mail to be delivered and collected here, and the local dog to treat. Boots the dog (named because of his white paws) expects a biscuit every day.

And all too soon we are cruising back downstream to Brooklyn. A nice way to discover the Hawkesbury.

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Camping on the Colo – Part 5

March 18, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

By mid-morning, the mist was long gone, and the river was turning into a warm bath. The air temperature was a maximum of 37C that day! The water temperature must have then be close to 30C.

Back at the campsite, we took advantage of every little bit of shade.

Bridie Beagle panting like no tomorrow. She enjoyed the heat, even if it completely drained her.

Even after a swim, she once again insisted on sunbathing. The saying about mad dogs (and some silly people) being the only ones crazy enough to be in the midday sun, is true where she’s concerned.

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Camping on the Colo – Part 2

March 13, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

Being on the edge of the Blue Mountains, we thought that we would be in a good place to see some wildlife. Well, perhaps it was too hot for most animals. There were plenty of bird sounds in the morning, but not many that appeared in the open. No mammals to speak of, but we did have this lace monitor climb the tree right next to our camp site.

It wasn’t the only one either – we saw three or four lace monitors wander around during our stay. They all looked pretty healthy, meaning there was plenty of food around for them at least.

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Our old girl

February 21, 2016 Sandra Graham Leave a comment

It’s been awhile since I’ve done an update on our beagle, Bridie. She is a senior citizen now, almost reaching the ripe old age of 13.

She looks very different now to when I first saw her, 6 years ago. Except for the cheeky look in her eyes, which hasn’t changed.

Now she’s more inclined to rest during the day, preferably in her favourite seat. After kicking us off, of course.

But there’s still plenty of life left in them old legs, particularly if a beach walk is on the cards. That’s when she reverts back to puppydom, dashing, splashing, and sniffing like there’s no tomorrow.