The wide brown land? The wide green grassy land now! Fat cows, grazing camels, happy birds. The driving has been relentless in order to bring us to our main destination- central Australia- but we have not neglected to look around us at the green expanse which is now western Queensland. Having missed it on our last trip, we were on the look-out for the Mitchell grasses which Major Mitchell wondered at on his travels in this region. We asked everyone we met but, alas, no Mitchell grasses until today (Friday, 30th) when we found Mitchell barley grass. We know we are in the arid zone as mullamulla (ptilotis) are in flower along with the rattle pea. Mulla mulla reminds me of Ida Joyce Smith who first told me about these pretty flowers. And who can forget the smell of the Gidgea?
Today’s amazing ‘find’ was the waddi tree in Boulia. This tree (Acacia peuce) is only found in two or three places in Queensland and this specimen is sacred to the local aboriginal peoples. As we snapped the tree from every angle we looked up to see two budgies! Two budgies which are free to roam the outback, fly where-ever and enjoy the view from the waddi tree, along with the flock of chattering galahs.
02 May. We are now in Tennant Creek having driven from Camooweal. A stop along the way was most enjoyable because the flock of zebra finches were still there since a few years ago when we passed this way on our journey around WA. We filled the bird bath and down they all came for a photo opportunity. We are enjoying the night skies and the magic of the outback. The plant life is constanty changing and our names of plants of the arid zone are coming back slowly. Holly grevillea (Grevillea wickhamii) is in flower and Neil found a beautiful gum tree (yes, it was Neil) which we think is eucalyptus terminalis.
More in the next internet town- which are few and far between.
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