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.

The Boom Before the Bust

The Boom Before the Bust

Throughout the Channel Country of Western Queensland, there are thousands of temporary gullies, channels and braids filled with shallow water snaking their way across the landscape. Each of these miniature water ways supports a variety of insect life, amphibian life and fish. These creatures all form part of the food chain that explodes into action after a flood event.

If you look carefully at this photo, you will see schools of little fish. Sadly, these water ways will dry up within the next few weeks, and the insect and fish life will cease to exist. And that, my friends, is the bust part of the boom and bust cycle.

Thanks for visiting the blog of the Western Rivers Carer.