Western Australian Wildlife: A Bobtail Lizard sunning itself on my porch.

A Bobtail Lizard suns itself in the late afternoon, on the warm paving near my back door.

photograph taken 30 March 2017 by dheborah

Bobtails usually move slowly so they aren't too conspicuous. This bobtail has only hissed at me a few times and will usually make small rustling noises if I am nearby, so I won't stand on it. If I am moving slowly around the garden, or working in one area, it will walk around quite close to me, if I haven't  disturbed it. However, if I stand and observe it for more than a few seconds, it makes a major position change. As soon as my back is turned, it disappears. At night, however, when it's really quiet, if I am sitting outside, the lizard will move across the dry leaves and mulch and watch me in the dark, under a nearby tree, moving occasionally. Because of their usual lack of speed, they are in danger of being run over by cars. Bobtails give birth to live young, unlike other lizards. Apparently, and this may explain the large holes which I have always blamed on millipedes, bobtails love strawberries.

Deborah's Fabulous Birdbath Series': A Twenty Eight parrot.

This little ring-necked parrot, a 'Twenty-Eight' has just discovered that the seeds on my young Tipu Tipuana tree taste quite nice. Also known as 'Pride of Bolivia', the tree produced only a single seed when it was six years old. This year, it's eighth year,  it has produced hundreds. They were so tasty, that the parrots would not move when I came outside for an evening cup of coffee.  Quietly, they sat, hiding amongst the leaves and I could hear little snipping noises as they clipped the seeds off the tree and split the round bean open,  while I took sips from my hot coffee. A magnificent, iridescent green, the 'Twenty-Eight' is a gorgeous, luminous bird with unforgettable feather colouring.

'Rainbird': Carnaby Cockatoos in Leda Reserve, Western Australia.

The critically endangered Carnaby cockatoos stop and recover after flying ahead of rain clouds, before feeding in their regular spots in the Leda Reserve. Thursday, 23rd of March 2017, Western Australia.

London Terror Attack

Just taking it easy at home. Photo by Thsu in SL.

Reuters reports that four people are dead and at least 20 injures in the attempted terrorist attack on Westminster Bridge, near the British Houses of Parliament. The English female Prime Minister (recently elected in July 2016) has been removed to safety. Her Majesty, the Queen of England, Elizabeth II has postponed the opening of the new Scotland Yard building in London.



West Australian time: 07:13. 23 March 2017

Avon River: Dangerous River conditions close to Northam (Northam York Road).

I have just driven through the Wheatbelt, from Wyalkatchem to Northam and the roads are safe in that area, except on the Toodyay Road. Regional farmers have recently been preparing for seeding. Migratory Egyptian herons were on patches of the railway line, outside Dowerin. Small newborn black lambs were sheltering on the ground with their mothers, near Goomalling.  I did see someone's hay bales semi-submerged near the rail-line, driving into Northam. The section of road between Northam and York (Northam-York Rd) has been closed. Water is also spilling on to the road , closer to Northam, before the marked Heritage trail drive turn-off. Near Mullakine, the Avon River is so engorged that the bridge  is in some danger. Exercise caution as this section of road may also be cut off.  Cars were being forced to drive around the water which had covered half the road. A warning sign is alerting traffic and cars can return to Northam but this is not advisable for trucks. Traffic to Perth should take the Great Eastern Highway and not the Tooyjay or Northam-York road tonight.  Another 60 mm of rain is predicted. (11 Feb. 2017)


*Driving at night in the region is not advisable as emergency services often rely on volunteers. Please take care if travelling behind horse floats if horses are being moved. Small reflectors on coats and oil skins, or bright colours  on wet weather coats for horses, are a good idea. Health service workers should consider staying close to working premises and not driving home tonight.

The Truth of Isolation: response to a Ziln question.

Thsu in Furillin, wearing Vampire slayer boots and Caterpillar socks in S.L. (which can be reached on a sealed road).

“Why did you write, ‘Korda is isolated?’ What is so special about Korda? What is so special about Wyalkatchem? Wyalkatchem is just another ordinary wheatbelt town!” He threw these words out like a man on bitch-fodder. One of the local kids had a rash and I wanted a GP to quickly have a look because I had advised he shouldn’t go to a birthday party. I didn’t want to say so, but this looked like a light dose of chicken pox. 

The stories behind the gold rush towns are fascinating and colorful but we also have to remember that they were rife with hardship and disease. Many a poor barstard  spent weeks and months walking with a wheelbarrow to the goldfields hoping for wealth and just as many died from typhus and venereal disease. Before the railways reached the tent cities and before planned townships were settled, the bakers were usually the most vital business during the gold rush. In hindsight, wheat and water were  worth more than gold. 

In response to response to that particular doctor’s question, I humbly reply:

1. Well, you cannot purchase a pair of socks in Wyalkatchem. I had to drive to another town to purchase 3 pairs of Caterpillar socks in Dowerin for the princely sum of $34.00. I have to admit that they are bl**dy nice socks. 

2. You can’t purchase a pair of shoes in Wyalkatchem; in fact, I wear ‘ Rocko’ thongs that I bought in a petrol station in Harvey, a few hundred km away.

3. You can’t purchase a pair of underpants in Wyalkatchem and Korda but you can get them from Northam or have them shipped in by Australia Post. 

4. Korda and Wyalkatchem are isolated. Laverton is, I agree, m o r e  isolated  but you have to own a four-wheel drive or be rich to get to Laverton. Our communities are built on the bones of hard working farmers that feed the nation and we have sealed roads so you can get here in a cheap car. Our Nyoongar families are beautiful and share their stories with us. 

5.And…we give the kids the best stickers.

Urgent notice: Kings Park Skyworks for Australia Day 2017

The Skyworks have been cancelled tonight due to a tragic accident on the Perth Swan River involving a light plane. Two people have died in the river crash. Prepare for traffic delays. 3 hour delays between the north side and south side of the river are normal on Australia Day, but there is still traffic coming into Perth. Take your time. Go & have a coffee or a beer in the city and leave a bit later. It's too hot to lose your cool.