Spring has Sprung!

Just how beautiful are the wild flowers in western Queensland this month? With a background setting of the fresh water that lies on the landscape, the countryside is simply spectacular.

Check out and admire this! And consider venturing out to our Western areas and admire it for yourself in person!

Opportunism Outback!

For many years, it was thought that the numerous fish species in the Lake Eyre Basin rivers would breed in summer. However, recent research (undertaken by Wendy Pyper) has shown that a number of species breed right through winter as the floods come through. If the fish have a chance, they will breed and produce good offspring rather than wait for another ten years for a summer flood.

This abundance of fish provides for the many species of birds that gather in good seasons in Western Queensland. Truly, this is a prime example of opportunism on behalf of mother nature............and every fisherman who throws a rod in this winter.

Crisp, Clear and Cold

Imagine a 360 degree space with an abundance of fresh, crisp, clear, cold air. Ah - the beauty of mother nature in Winter in Western Queensland.

Eyre Creek Birdlife

Check out the busy life of birds at this permanent waterhole in Eyre Creek.

A Most Surprising Sight

As one travels throughout Western Queensland at the moment, one can see ephemeral lakes and bodies of water. These temporary waterholes have been formed as a result of run off from the sand dune and stony gibber country. This water will last until it evaporates, and is the result of the spectacular wet event that occured earlier this year. The water from these lakes does not run anywhere - it has no outlet. It merely evaporates, or is consumed by plants and animals.

Not surprisingly, there are many plants and animals that take advantage of this water supply. In particular, the breeding cycle of birds is enhanced, and these bodies of water are ideal places to spot a range of birdlife.

Paddy Melon

The Paddy Melon (also known as a pie melon) is an introduced species that can be found growing in the wild in Western Queensland. The vine is rather similar to that of a watermelon, and the fruit has the same smooth, thick skin. However, the inside of the melon is totally different. It has a non sweet, white flesh which is firmer than that of a water melon. People have been known to make jams, chutneys and puddings from the melon......however it is not a taste sensation that is overly thrilling, as it has a bitter taste. The seeds inside the melon are yellow, small and numerous.

This plant is considered a weed and is grazed by camels and cattle. The seeds are also eaten by birds, which are capable of spreading them. The plants are drought tolerant and often can be seen growing on the sides of roads - as well as in sandy soils, plains and clay soils.

The Pea with Personality

Does this plant suggest a personality to you? These Sturt Desert Peas have a alien humanoid suggestion to them. Go on - really look at those flowers.

Did you know that this Australian native plant actually is a member of the pea family? Sturt Desert Peas appear after good rainfalls and can be found in Western Queensland right now.

The Swarming Masses

The Swarming Masses

Locusts continue to move around Western Queensland in significant numbers. Locusts are a type of grasshopper that tend to migrate in large numbers, known as swarms. As they travel, they eat huge volumes of food. Locusts can eat up to half their body weight each day, and they aren't overly fussy as to what they munch on.

This swarm of locusts was seen recently between Bedourie and Boulia, and are part of the 'booom and bust' cycle of seasons.

Does this sky remind you of the scales and markings of a fish known as mackerel?

These skies have been a frequent sight over the Channel Country in the last 2 weeks, and this cloud formation is an indicator of moisture in the lower atmosphere. This formation is a common sight in winter and there is an old rhyme that does "Mackerel sky, Mackerel Sky. Never long wet and never long dry".

The Mackerel clouds can lead to some amazing colours in the evening sky, and we have been privileged to see these wonderful sunsets most evenings of late.

Superb Sunrises!

For early birds, there are some superb sunrises to be seen in Western Queensland. These clean, crisp moments are free, every day! The silence, the birds and you! Another magical moment which awaits you.

The High Water Mark - Even Higher!

Look up and be surprised! Next time you are out in our fabulous Western Queensland countryside, look for evidence of how how the water in the recent floods actually rose. High water marks are marked by small piles of flood debris made up of sticks, twigs, grass stalks and leaves.

Fat Cattle Going Nowhere

Can you believe the fat cattle roaming the far South Western Queensland Channel Country will not be going anywhere? Well, at least not by rail in the near future.

The Westlander railway track which extends beyond Charleville to Quilpie was severely damaged during the huge rain event in March 2010. Whilst many kilometres of the track have been repaired, there are still large tracts awaiting repair. The rail is often used to haul lots mobs of cattle from properties in Western Queensland to the Eastern markets.

Check out this stretch of railway line! Can you even begin to imagine the volume and the current in the flood water that can do this?

A Content State of Affairs

How spectacular is our countryside in Western Queensland at the moment? It is a privilege to be out and about amongst the abundant plant and animal life that exists at the moment. The bird population is so chirpy at the moment; the lizards fat and lazy and there are caterpillars under every leaf, or so it seems. The insects exist in their millions, and the larger marsupials are living a very contented existence, as the distance travelled between food and water is negligible.

Why not come out to Western Queensland and check out this content state of affairs?

Water, Water Every Where!

Today, the Western Rivers Carer has seen her rain gauge become inundated with water. Many other rain gauges have also seen this kind of water treatment in the last 24 hours in Western Qld.

What a memory this monsoon rain depression has left for many people!

Emptying the Rain Gauge is Becoming an Everyday Chore!

Emptying the Rain Gauge is Becoming an Everyday Chore!

There is widespread raining falling over most of Western Queensland yet again, and wandering out to check the rain gauge is almost a regular habit. A monsoon trough has slowly crept from the Northern Territory to Western Queensland in the last 24 hours, and how wonderful it all is.

The skies are grey and the rain is gently falling as the rain gauge fills.

Can life get any better?

Pig Weed

Pigweed

After rain, a succulent annual plant called pig weed can be found growing. Pig weed has red stems and thick green fleshy leaves. This plants gets a small yellow flower. Pig weed can be found in areas where the soil has been disturbed eg around watering points, in cattle yards, on the edges of graded roads etc.

Livestock do eat pig weed, however it is poisonous to animals who are not used to it eg if you graze hungry or travellilng stock on it. After a long dry 2009, the pig weed is flourishing in Western Queensland.

Spectacular Seed Heads

Spectacular Seed Heads

The pastures are well and truly in seed at the moment. It is simply amazing to see every plant sprouting bountiful seeds. Check out some of the seed heads that can be found at the moment. Any wonder our insect and bird populations are booming.

Simply sensational, isn't it?

Bountiful Birds

Bountiful Birds

The wonderful season has produced a bird boom in Western Queensland. The Mulga Parrots are out and about in an abundance. As I walk around in the great outdoors of late, the Mulga Parrot population (which has increased magnificently) skitters around me. They flutter from being on the ground to up in the branches, and back down to the ground - always keeping about 5 metres ahead of me. Are the Mulga parrots expressing their happiness at the huge food supply? The seed heads of the grass are not only rippling hypnotically in the breezes, however they are also starting to get so heavy that the seed heads are bowing to the ground. The insect population is also booming as well, so all birds must be well fed at the moment.

The poor little swallows that commonly build their mud nests under bridges may have seen their homes submerged in recent weeks. These marvellous little architects and builders will no doubt be out and about collecting more mud to rebuild their nests.

The birds are bountiful in Western Queensland in 2010.

Fat Cattle

There will be an abundance of fat cattle coming out of Western Queensland in the coming months. The natural pastures have responded to the recent rain, and are growing across the vast expanse of the outback. Much of the beef that is grown in the outback is organic, and has its own unique flavour and a very special tenderness.

For a primary producer to use the organic label, the cattle must have been bred and grown on 100% organic feed, which in Western Queensland means they have eaten the natural herbage and pastures. They have also spent their life in the great outdoors, living in fresh air amongst the sunshine and rain. A certified organic beef producer must undergo an accreditation process which clearly demonstrates that the beef production is done under organic management guidelines.

Increasingly, organic beef is labelled as such, so why not check out what you can find in your local butcher, supermarket or restuarant. You will be in for a treat.............and there will be many head of cattle trucked out in the coming months.

On the Wing Over a Vision of Green

On the Wing OVer a Vision Of Green

It was a most delightful experience flying over Western Queensland today. It was a carpet of green as far as the eye can see. What a magical start to 2010, and how fortunate we are.