A walk in Lane Cove National Park
1 Comment »14th January, 2009; Category: Birds, Hiking, Holidays, National Parks, New South Wales, Picnics, Sydney, Walking
Lane Cove National Park, Sydney
Several days after Christmas the family had another reunion, this time in the Lane Cove National Park. This park is about a ten minute drive from my son’s home in Artarmon, Sydney. we knew it would probably be somewhat busy because of the Christmas holiday break, so we went early. Before having lunch four of us went for an hour and a half walk through the park.
Members of my family going on a walk through Lane Cove National Park
It was quite hot and humid with no breeze, so in no time we were all soaked from the effort. My son and I had our cameras and we were on the lookout for interesting things to photograph, especially birds. I think I may have converted him to being a moderate birder after he was pleased to receive a bird field guide for Christmas. Perhaps “bird photographer” would be a better appellation.
Lane Cove National Park, Sydney
2008 Road Trip: Wagga Wagga, New South Wales
Wagga Wagga Botanic Gardens, New South Wales
During our 2008 Road Trip to Sydney we drove from Narrandera to Wagga Wagga during the second morning. This took us through some interesting farming country. The weather was far more pleasant than the heat of the previous day.
We arrived there just in time for a picnic lunch. coming into the town we saw signs pointing to the Botanic Gardens. As we approached the entrance I remembered that we had visited these gardens about four years ago. We found a suitable picnic table and were soon having a lovely lunch.
During our meal I managed to get a good photo of a Tree Sparrow, a species of bird I had previously not seen in Australia. It was one that had eluded me. A few years ago I did see this species in Thailand.
Eurasian Tree Sparrow
2008 Road Trip: Narrandera, New South Wales
Narrandera, New South Wales
On the second day of our 2008 Road Trip to Sydney we travelled from Hay to Narrandera before stopping for fuel and morning tea. We found a lovely spot in a park near an oval (see photos above and below). It was a much more pleasant day than the day before; the cooler change had come through overnight.
We had a lovely cup of tea with a few home made biscuits we’d brought with us. We quite often also take a thermos with for picnics.
Again, we were disturbed by the excessive use of water. In the middle of the day the evaporation rate is enormous, yet the large sprinklers were pounding out volumes of water on to the nearby oval, as shown in the photo below. Narrandera, like Hay, draws its water from the Murrumbidgee River, a tributary of the Murray River. In South Australia we have been unable to use sprinklers in gardens for several years, and many sporting ovals are dry and dying grass.
I find the lack of restrictions to be environmental vandalism. The lower lakes in South Australia are almost dead, yet here water is being used as if we are not in the biggest drought on record.
Unbelievable.
Narrandera, New South Wales
2008 Road Trip: Murrumbidgee River
Murrumbidgee River, Hay, NSW
On the second day of our 2008 Road Trip to Sydney we left Hay early in the morning because we had a long drive of over 700km to our son’s home in Sydney. Having three drivers – our daughter came with us on this trip – helped ease the burden on driving. Normally we would not attempt such a long distance in one day; we like to stop frequently and look at places.
Before we left Hay in western New South Wales, we went to take a few photos of the Murrumbidgee River which flows through the town. This river is one of the many tributaries of the Murray River which flows through our home town of Murray Bridge.
We were rather disturbed by the liberal use of water in the local gardens. On our walk the previous evening we saw numerous expansive lawns being watered by sprinkler. In South Australia we haven’t been allowed to use sprinklers for several years. I believe that ALL people drawing water from the Murray-Darling river basin should be on the same level of water use. It is not only morally wrong to have different rules for different states – I believe it is environmental vandalism. The lower lakes in South Australia are dying – perhaps are already past the point of being saved, yet here people continue to waste huge volumes of water so that their gardens can look beautiful.
Murrumbidgee River, Hay, NSW
2008 Road Trip: Hay, New South Wales
Main Street of Hay, New South Wales
On the second day of our 2008 Road Trip to Sydney we packed up our gear and drove down the main street of Hay, a large rural centre in western New South Wales. This large town has many old buildings (by Australian standards). We needed to buy some provisions for the day.
Sometime in the future I’d like to stay a few nights, not just overnight. On all previous occasions we have merely driven through on our way elsewhere. Historic towns like Hay deserve a little more exploration.
Main Street of Hay, New South Wales