Summer is coming slowly to the Brindabella Mountains, a lovely blue and green tinge lingering from spring.
This is the view of the mountains from our street.
This region is Ngunnawal country, and it was an important meeting place and significant to many Aboriginal groups.
The mountains and hills were used as markers and were excellent vantage points for keeping an eye on enemy clans, and signalling friendly clans.
This is a glimpse of Mt Taylor from our back garden….a backdrop behind our almond and plum trees.
Mt Taylor is part of a green belt between the satellite cities of Woden and Tuggeranong. This was all part of Walter Burley Griffin’s plan for green spaces between town centres
Last month, the end of spring, we enjoyed an early morning walk, up Mt Taylor.
It was still cool, and the kangaroos were waking up slowly…
Amongst the grasses there were some wild flowers.
Today, we did this walk again…..the signs of summer are everywhere…
The kangaroos are alert and looking for greener grasses..
Some wild flowers are still blooming…the grasses are drying off..
The natural bush colours of summer; grey, yellow and brown are everywhere to be seen.
This is a Noisy Friar bird. He looks a little pre-historic, but his beak is very useful for feeding off Eucalyptus trees and wild flowers
What a joy to see these flowering Eucalyptus trees…the flowers and supple branches are often used in Christmas wreaths, and always remind me of summer holidays..
Here are two Wattle birds…like many Australian wild birds…quite bossy!
The magpie calls a friendly hello from his feeding spot in the grasses and wildflowers
This cockatoo has landed with a deafening screech on a tree near us, and climbed to the top spot…
The Corellas (cousins of the Cockatoos) are all feeding on some wattle bushes near the road…
I wonder if that magnificent yellow crest increases self esteem for Cockatoos?
As we walk back home I can’t help taking photos of two lovely flowers, one growing almost wild in a corner of someone’s garden. I’m not sure of its name, but one of the Protea family I think.
and the other, a striking Bottle brush, flowering quietly in the shade along the back track. (officially known as the Fire trail)
And back home to our garden. Paul has spent a few heavy lifting days putting mulch down all over the garden, to keep the plants cool for summer.
Here in the front garden we are planting for birds and bees…salvias, daisies, Grevilleas, and the lovely Chinese Tallow tree.
May you enjoy your green spaces, where ever you are in the world, and if you are in the depth of a northern hemisphere winter, then I hope you are planning for your spring!
Copyright Geraldine Mackey All Rights Reserved.
