Showing posts with label Bluebonnet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bluebonnet. Show all posts

Monday, November 9, 2009

Spring heatwave and dolphins

We are in the middle of the first ever November heatwave (officially 5 consecutive days over 35C = 95F) in Adelaide, and this does not bode well for the water situation here. As I passed by, I estimated that the pink lake at Lochiel receded by almost 1 metre (3 feet) between Friday and Sunday this week. Also on my way to Whyalla I decided to take a closer look at one of the wind farms that has sprung up along a range of hills in the north of the Yorke Peninsular. South Australia does not have any nuclear power stations, relying on coal and more recently gas fired power stations. For renewable anergy sources, as well as windfarms, homes and factories are being encouraged, by generous grants, to install solar power, and if they make a surfeit they can sell it back to the power companies. On Saturday we took a short stroll around the marina and along the beach and saw all of the usual things. As usual, the local pod of dolphins were accompanying each returning fishing boat right up to the pontoon. (Much to the joy of visitors and locals alike.) Along the beach were plenty of Silver gulls, including this engaging youngster who posed for me. Further along were is bigger relatives the Pacific Gull represented by an adult and a bird almost moulted into its adult plumage. Sunday morning we headed out for another go at the Grasswrens, but didn't see. let alone photograph any. However, we did see plenty of Bluebonnets and Southern Whitefaces. Oh well, there is always next time!!