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)