Friday, December 4, 2009

Picnic at Secret Rocks

Today I had a day off and spent it with Maryann in Whyalla. I left Adelaide a bit later than usual, and consequently got to see a sunset over the Spencer Gulf. There was either a lot of dust in the air, or perhaps a bush fire as the sunset was pretty hazy, It gave a lovely effect through the gum trees though. As it was a lovely day, we decided to have a picnic at Secret Rocks, a small conservation park about an hour from Whyalla heading west into northern Eyre Peninsular. It is along a typical long straight outback road. Almost as soon as we were on the dirt road, I spotted something on an old fencepost. It was a Bearded Dragon, and was non too happy at me disturbing his sun bathing!! He did stay put though allowing me to take a few photos. Secret Rocks is surrounded by old growth Mallee, a lovely habitat comprising stunted eucalypts, saltbush, and spinifex. We picniced under an old gum tree, and then took a short walk looking at the interesting lichen covered rocks, and plants eeking out an existence in this arid habitat. On the way back I stopped at an area full of spinifex, and found this odd looking chimney structure. I assume it was made by ants of some sort.

5 comments:

  1. Very good post Tony, love the Bearded Dragon and some of the flora that survives in that harsh climate. Great Stuff.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dry & dusty Tony, that made a change. Thanks for sharing what I presume is typical outback scenery & fauna. FAB

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Monty, thanks, yes Bearded Dragons are pretty smart aren't they.
    Hi Frank, This is what covered most of South Australia, but a lot of it has been cleared for pastoral use now.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm going to echo Frank and say what a great taste of ozzie outback. That's a lovely soft apricot sunset and the longgggg dusty road. Love the bearded Dragon too. Glad you and Maryann had a lovely trip of it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jen. thanks for that - Yes, It was a lovely trip even though we only saw a few birds, and got no bird photos at all!!

    ReplyDelete