The Cooling Hour - On a Crisp Winters Evening

"It was the cooling hour, just when the rounded Red sun sinks down behind the azure hill, Which then seems as if the whole earth is bounded, Circling all nature, hush'd, and dim, and still".

Lord Byron

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 Wide Gold Glitter of the Plains

I loved the wide gold glitter of the plains
Spread out before us like a silent sea,
The lazy lapping of the loose-held reins,
The sense of motion and of mystery.

Will Ogilvy (1869 - 1963)

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.