There is something about going for a walk in the sun relatively early in the morning. I love getting into the bush at any time, especially when the sun is out and spring is really getting going. At this time of the year, the same walking route can be different from one week to the next, while also staying the same.
One species that has been the same for the last few weeks is the grey spider flower, or Grevillea buxifolia. These flowers are still flowering away doing their thing and attracting native bees. Delightfully quirky and always great to see.
I love staring into the dense bush. There is no sign of other people at all from here. This is one of the main reasons why I love being in the bush-being in a city of around five and a half million people means you are never alone. At least in Lane Cove National Park, I can have the illusion of fewer people for as long as I am down there. It is so peaceful!
It still looks like a lunar landscape, but with trees. It is amazing what the planned burn did to this part of the national park. Having grown up without fire as part of natural processes like it is here in Australia, it amazes me that any plants can survive any fire at all, let alone need it to thrive (to varying degrees). It is a very interesting topic-I do want to learn more about the ecology of Australian plants, but I do struggle for finding time. I’ll get there eventually!
Life is coming back quickly. I walked the same route a week before this picture was taken and there is more green around than last time. Wile it will take a while, I’m sure it won’t be long before it looks like there wasn’t fire here to my eyes. Once plant growth starts, it gets going quickly here in Sydney.
One of the reasons why the Sydney red gum is my favourite trees is because individual trees can be found growing in precarious positions. This one isn’t the most precarious I have seen either. The positions they grow in adds a certain quality to the trunk that can already be a bit gnarly and knobbly, and I like that. They are never quite the same-different is far more interesting.
Other game trees are interesting for the signs of life that they show. The ‘scribbles’ on the bark of this scribbly gum belong to moth larvae, although I can’t say of what species. The trees themselves don’t seem bothered by such things, they just add a little decoration.
I went a little further on my walk this time. I do enjoy being surrounded by trees, especially when they are spread out a little more.
The flowers of Callicoma serratifolia are out in force in this photo below. This species is one of those that I wish was more common in cultivation. I haven’t seen it anywhere but the bush, which is a shame as it is a really nice shrub to have around.
Finally for this walk is this delightful flower. I have never seen this species before. I can’t say why I haven’t done, as I have been walking through Lane Cove National Park for the past fourteen years. I can’t say what species it is at present-it has been added to the ever-growing ‘to do’ list. It will get looked at soon as it is completely new to me. I’ll share the info once Ive found it.
Sunny spring weather is great for bush-walking. There is new stuff to see every week, as well as the fact I get some gentle exercise, fresh air and sunshine.