A really long adventure

It is now 9 weeks since I left Ipswich and set out on my big adventure. I am finally getting organised to sort my travel/photography blog after friends put pressure on me. The initial trip to Mount Isa was done over four days with the first nights spent catching up with an old friend on Yuleba. This was followed by nights at Barcaldine and Winton so that I could take in some of the sights. I went to the Stockman's Hall of Fame (http://outbackheritage.com.au), The Matilda Centre (which sadly burnt down a few weeks later) (http://www.matildacentre.com.au) and age of dinosaurs (http://www.australianageofdinosaurs.com) to name a few. If you are heading out this way you really should make an effort to see these places. They are well worth the stop.

Made it to the outback

The landscape is just awe inspiring, after driving 1800 km of relatively flat country to then come through the ranges between Cloncurry and Mount Isa late in the afternoon, I was struck by jagged ranges of varying colours, stark against an azure sky.

Road from Cloncurry to Mount Isa

Granite and quartz outcrops dominate amongst the ochres and rusts of other rocks. Boulders stacked upon each other at impossible angles with trees grasping tenuously for a foothold, searching for water and the leached minerals. First sight of these ranges took my breath away as the light shifted and they revealed themselves to me through contrast and shadow – a photographers dream. I have travelled this road several times now and I continue to be awakened to the dry, raw beauty of such a land.

Road to Fountain Springs

The reds of the ant hills; the sage, gold and greys of the spinifex that whilst looking soft, bristle and grab at the skin as you wander along. The gums and acacias are beginning to flower and with them come the drone of native bees and the song of cicadas. I find myself dreaming of how it would it look when the rains finally return to this country. My weekends are full, taking the opportunity to explore this amazing land. Every river bed reveals its base, showing the rocks and sand, shouldered by the ghost and red river gums. The trees have shed the bark of last season, leaving behind the silver, greens, pinks and browns of trunks that appear to have been to nature’s beauty shop for a scrub and peel. Occasionally there is a remnant water hole where wildlife gathers in diverse profusion. The permanent water holes are there to be found by those with local knowledge.

Fountain Springs

If you follow the stock trails where cattle have wandered in single file, foot sore from walking on the hard ground, one comes across water, protected by rock walls. As you sit in contemplation, the art of the Kalkadoon appears, warriors guarding the space, goanna, emu and rock carvings telling the story of other dreamtime.

Leaving the Granites

Road trip and reflection

Have been on the road at weekends exploring the area around Mt Isa. What beautiful country. Full of contrasts, contradictions and colour. The reds, the greens, the greys. It is a photographers playground and I am excited. Fountain springs for example is an oasis in the middle of nowhere. 

Spinifex

Wild Camel - Cloncurry-Duchess Road

How people found these places all those years ago when travel was limited to the four-legged variety (camel, donkey and horses) I have no idea. The strength and tenacity of our pioneers as a cultural identity, is I fear, being lost in todays society and in particular by our government. When we as a nation shun those that are marginalised and block entry to refugees of nations that would further enable our growth.

I admire those characteristics that enable:

• Determination to achieve when the odds are stacked against you. Whether it be the weather, the terrain, the lack of water, even the flies (sticky little things are still around even now). 
• Honesty with oneself and others
• Trust 
• Humour - being able to laugh at oneself, or with a mate when the chips are down. To giggle like children whilst dressing anthills. 
• To look with wonder at new vistas. 
• To never tire and find new things mundane.

Dry riverbed - Burke and Wills Memorial (Cloncurry Road)

I find my mind sifting and sorting ideas, memories. Trying to make sense of the past ten years - were they wasted? Was I really so terribly unhappy. I so do not want to become that bitter and twisted Nurse/Midwife who is always sad and lets life pass her by. Ultimately I believe it was not wasted. I have grown, have recognised it is ok to be a square peg in a round hole - its even better to be brave and find the hole that fits. I am enjoying the challenges of taking risks, trying new adventures. Cant wait for more.

Old vehicle left where it broke down on the road to Warrigal Water (Painted Rock)

Dressing Anthills

A visit to the waterhole

There is a water hole on the way out to Lake Moondarah which whilst small, hosts a myriad of birdlife. During an hour long visit I have spied Pelicans, Intermediate egrets, Lesser egrets, Pied cormorant, Butcherbird, Heron, Galah, Little Corella, Black Kite, Whistling kite, Yellow-eared miner, Stilts, Black-fronted Dotterell, Wallabies and peacocks. There is so much going on here and I just wish for a bigger lens to do them justice. 

They are happy to cohabit and make the most of the water and food that it provides. I spy turtles resting on logs of long past trees that have succumbed to the elements. I watch as the egrets fish, standing absolutely still then plunging their beaks in to the water, coming to the surface water dripping and small fish wriggling in their beaks. I look forward to summer when the drone of cicadas and the other insects return to the pool.

White-Headed Stilt (Himantopus leucocephalus)

 Australian Pelican (Pelicans conspicillatus)

Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea)

Pied Butcherbird (Cracticus nigrogularis)

White-necked Heron (Ardea pacifica)

Galah (Eolophus roseicapillus)