Gluepot Bird Reserve part 3
Bush scene at Gluepot Bird Reserve.
Gluepot Bird Reserve in South Australia has been set aside for the protection of a significant number of endangered and threatened species of birds. The habitat consists mainly of mallee scrubland, but there are many species of flora present other than the various forms of mallee trees. (Mallee trees are a form of eucalypt tree.)
Wildflowers at Gluepot Reserve
There are many different types of smaller plants from ground creepers through to large bushes, including acacias (commonly called wattles) and eremophilas (emu bushes). One can also find a range of daisies and many other types of plants. When I was there last year the area had received above average rain in autumn and winter. The bushland was like a natural garden, with flowers everywhere. This, of course, is wonderful for the birdlife. Honeyeaters in particular thrive in such conditions.
Flowers at Gluepot Bird Reserve
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Pangarinda Arboretum
Flowers of a Eucalyptus Tree
One of my enduring passions is birding, or birdwatching. My wife’s passion is Australian plants. So our interests are complementary; I walk through the bush with eyes glancing ever upwards, my wife always looking down looking for plants and their flowers. We both love the Australian outdoors and exploring the wonders of nature that abounds in this wonderful land.
Banksia flower
Sometimes I find myself torn between looking at, identifying and attempting to photograph the birds I see, and the wonderful challenge of taking shots of the wonderful flowers all around. Over the next few days I plan to post a few of the flower photos I have taken at one of our favourite picnic spots, the Pangarinda Arboretum at Wellington, a small town about half an hour drive from our home in Murray Bridge.
Eucalyptus flowers
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Hakea multilineata
Discover South Australia
In my last post I talked about the local channel 9 television programme “Postcards from South Australia.” Another local station, channel 7 have a similar programme called “Discover South Australia.”
Strangely, a thorough search did not turn up a web presence. Odd. Still, even though it also features many wonderful aspects of our state, it is nowhere near as good as the “Postcards” show, in my opinion. It also tends to be more lifestyle oriented than strictly directed at the local tourist industry.
An episode of “Discover” we watched several years ago did encourage us to go somewhere we might not normally have visited. We were planning a short holiday in Mt Gambier in the South East district of the state. On our way we detoured slightly to have lunch in the Mundulla Hotel. This turned out to be your typical Aussie country pub with excellent food and a lovely atmosphere. It was well worth the effort to visit.
I watched the programme again this evening. Interesting without being inspired to do anything special. You get that.
Postcards from South Australia
Local Adelaide television station, channel 9, has had a regular weekly programme called “Postcards From South Australia” showing for over ten years now. This is one of our state’s quiet achievers for all of that period. It has highlighted many hundreds – perhaps even thousands – of places unique to South Australia. Each episode focusses on a different place or aspect of life in SA. It is particularly strong on emphasising our history and rich heritage.
Newsletter
I received their fortnightly emailed newsletter today. An item included in it prompted me to access their website for the first time in many months. I had forgotten the extent and coverage of this site. It lists many delightful places in South Australia that are worthy of a visit. It also has text versions of the scripts used for the episodes. This is a planning resource that I have not used so far. My mistake. It would be a good starting point when planning anything from a day trip through to an extensive holiday lasting many weeks. For locals like myself the many stories on the site are a timely reminder of the hundreds of wonderful places to visit in our own state.
Climber safe at Everest Base Camp
No Comments »29th May, 2006; Category: General
Australian mountain climber Lincoln Hall has arrived at the base camp of Mount Everest.
The 50-year-old was found alive by a team of climbers on Friday after he collapsed near the summit and was abandoned by his own team, who thought he had died.
Mr Hall made the 22-kilometre journey from the advanced base camp on the back of a yak.
To read the full story on ABCNews Online click here.