From Western Rivers to Winter Wonderlands

The Western Rivers Carer is taking three weeks leave to explore the 'winter wonderlands' of North America. I shall be back blogging after Christmas, and upon my return, I hope there have been reasonable rains throughout Western Queensland as a result of monsoonal influences with channels, creeks and rivers flowing. Thanks for visiting this blog and sharing the spectacular diversity of the Western River Country of Western Queensland.

The Rain On the Floodplain Is a Great Gain

The gentle fall of rain can be heard in many regions of Western Queensland tonight, and after a week or two of summer temperatures, the floodplain soils are soaking up this wonderful moisture. Reasonable rainfalls in the next few days (as the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting)will be a great boost to all who live in this special part of the world.

Thanks for stopping by to check out the gain of the floodplain when it rains!

Wedge Tail Eagle

Wedge Tail Eagle

Check out this welded metal sculpture of a wedge tailed eagle, which can be seen on the banks of the Barcoo River in Blackall, Western Queensland. Isn’t it a majestic piece of artwork? As one examines this, one is tempted to think that the nest is a little too large. Think again. Wedge Tail Eagles build the most amazingly huge and messy nests of loosely configured sticks. These nests can be up to 1.5 metres wide, and 3 metres deep, and are found precariously perched high above the landscape on the top of trees or escarpments.

These magnificent birds of prey are quite common in mainland Australia, and can frequently be seen soaring high above the plains, or standing guard over their prey, which often is remnant road kill carcasses. They also eat small mammals (e.g. possums, lambs, foxes, cats) or reptiles (e.g. snakes and lizards). The birds are a sandy brown – black colour, and have quite a regal presence, just as this sculpture does. If you are passing through Blackall, detour from the main road West to the Barcoo River Bridge to view this magnificent art work.

Angus Emmott Converses with Richard Fidler on ABC Radio

Have you ever listened to ABC Radio from 11 am - 12 noon and been captivated by CONVERSATIONS which is hosted by Richard Fidler? If you would like to explore some of the natural and people history of Central West Queensland through a brilliantly crafted conversation facilitated by Richard, check out yesterdays ABC Queensland Conversation.

http://www.abc.net.au/brisbane/conversations/

Angus Emmott shares his personal story of living, working, exploring and connecting with all manner of people, plants and animals. This conversation is full of fascinating information relating to this unique part of the world. Why not check it out - listen direct on the website, or download and listen at your leisure. The photo above shows Angus indulging his love of photography near Eyre Creek.

It's Just A Dry Creek Bed.............?

It's Just A Dry Creek Bed.............?

The Western Rivers Carer invites you to look carefully at this photo (taken last week) of a dry creek bed which is located near Longreach, Queensland. It all appears at first glance, to be a lifeless and parched belly of a creek bed that would only support animal life when the waterhole has filled.

Think again.

This creek bed is currently home to a myriad of animals, and one of the most amazing creatures that can be found here comes in the form of a frog. In the deep, dark underground many frogs cocoon themselves into small burrows, and hibernate until rain falls. Once rain has fallen, they come out and make their fabulous croaking noises and quickly find themselves a mate. The tadpoles then quickly grow into frogs, and hopefully another cycle of breeding is completed before the temporary pool of water dries up, and the frog recedes back into the deep, dark underground again.

The hard luck story for these plucky survivors of the semi-arid zones is that they may become part of the food chain, as they are snapped up by plethora of other animals that are quickly drawn to this aquatic environment. The waterbirds that assemble can be a breathtaking sight to behold, and they too feed abundantly when waterholes and creeks are full.

All is not what it seems, and it behoves one to carefully consider the secrets of a dried waterhole or creek bed!

Storm Rain is Great Rain

Storm Rain is Great Rain

In recent weeks, there have been isolated thunderstorms in the Western Queensland region. These storms may range from a few disappointing drops that speckle the dust with mini craters, through to deluges with serious amounts of water which falls to the ground. It is not often that the storm rains which precede the wet season are widespread, or provide any long term steady rain. However, these storms may contain damaging hail, loud thunder, brillant lightning shows and strong, gusting winds.

The photos above are of the Barcoo River at Retreat, near Jundah and show the River in June 2009, and last week after recent storms had deposited water in the area.

Thylungra Waterhole

Check out the top photo of the magnificent Thylungra Waterhole in the Cooper's Creek catchment, between Quilpie and Windorah. This photo was taken on the 24th June. The Western Rivers Carer stopped by the waterhole on the 10th November, 2009 and took a photo from the same spot.

Our spectacular channel country waterholes rely on our monsoonal troughs to come through each year, to provide us with summer rain. The Australian monsoon season typically starts in late December, and ends in March, and it is known as the 'wet season' in Northern Australia. The strength of the monsoons can vary from year to year..............and it is this variable that determines the boom and bust cycles of the Channel Country rivers, and associated waterholes.

Here in Western Queensland, we greet the arrival of the equatorial trough that generates heavy rain with much enthusiasm. Could those full clouds in the second photo be an indicator of a great wet season for 2009/2010??? Thanks for stopping by to check out Thylungra Waterhole.

Surface Water and Artesian Water – Both Equally Vital!!

Surface Water and Artesian Water – Both Equally Vital!!

Have you ever travelled through rural Australia, and noted that the clear water flowing from the tap had unusual smell? Not an offensive smell, just a different odour? Have you ever indulged in an artesian spa, and experienced the relaxing effects of naturally warm water? The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) lies beneath 22% of our nation, and provides much of inland Australia with water for people, communities, plants and animals. The Great Artesian Basin recharges from rainwater, however the exact rates of recharge in relation to actual use by mankind can only be estimated. Given our variable and reduced rainfall in recent years, one can only speculate on the recharge impact on the GAB. And if one were to compare the GAB water supply of the past with the present, there is an alarming and noticeable decrease in water pressure and lowering of the water tables.

There have been recent attempts to ‘cap and pipe’ artesian water, which means the iconic image of bore water erupting out of the ground at the bore point, and flowing through drains across the countryside is becoming less of a sight in rural Australia. However, we need to expand this scheme to ensure all artesian water is utilised in a sustainable and sensible manner. There have also been recent attempts to auction GAB water. One has to ponder if this is a wise action, given the actual recharge of the GAB is still unproven?

If you would like to know more about this wonderful natural water resource, visit the Great Artesian Basin Protection Group website at www.gabpg.org.au