Karrak...

Karrak or forest red-tailed black cockatoo of Western Australia are listed as vulnerable, and under Federal Environmental Protection.

These birds are incredibly precious and special to me, so seeing a nesting pair at Lake Leschenultia brought me to tears.

Finding nesting hollows is part of the issue for the survival of this species, but the main issue is the destruction of habitat by humans.

There's also having to deal with the deadly practice of prescribed burns at this time of year, which murders a lot of nesting wildlife. Instead of doing cold burns that indigenous people's did long before the arrival of the arrogant European settlers, which never harmed wildlife, yet managed the landscape perfectly. My understanding is this takes longer, and thus the more deadly practice of prescribed burns are carried out instead.

I despair at what humanity does to the environment, which is why I eat a plant based diet and use no chemicals in my garden. Protection of Gaia's creatures, plants and trees is extremely important to me.

It's not a lot but I do my little bit, such as planting a macadamia tree, as it's one of karrak's favourite foods. And interestingly so is the cape lilac tree, an introduced plant, which has show up randomly in my garden. Naturally I have nurtured the tree to encourage these beautiful birds into my little private realm.

Karrak are seen as proctectors and bridgers between realms, messengers and a sign ancestors are close by.

Their haunting call is something that sings to my soul as they glide overhead across the sky...

 

Parking Next...

Parking next to the South Fremantle Harbour I took a few moments to gaze out over the calm waters, breathing in that familiar scent of drying seaweed drifting in the air. It's a familiar smell that brought back memories of childhood, where I would always be found walking along the beach during holidays and weekends.

The water was really clear and closer to the carpark it shifted from blue to green.

A school of blowfish, apparently locally known as blowie or weeping toadfish were casually swimming by. 

I was quite mesmerised by the sight and watched them for quite some time.

The ocean fascinates me as it truly is a realm full of mystery and danger, I have an intrinsic respect for the Indian Ocean.

Although the tantalising clear waters do beckon you to run splashing into the waves. I always do so knowing that it's not only the dangerous riptides and currents that can cause peril to someone who isn't a strong swimmer, which thankfully isn't me.

It's also home to many sharks, including the majestic great white, there's also blue ringed octopus and stone fish in this area of the coast. Thankfully no crocodiles or sea snakes this far south of the state.

Sometimes I get a feeling to get out, or in some occasions to not enter at all.

 In such instances, my intuition is always listened to...

As Dog Beaches...

As dog beaches go here in Western Australia, this is a perfect example of one. Yesterday I had to pop down to South Fremantle's which is a 66 kilometer drive each way from my sanctuary surrounded by trees.

Whilst down there I just had to stop at the South Fremantle Dog Beach.

When nipping down to the coast, I do prefer going to the dog beaches, because I get hours of entertainment by watching dogs living their best life. 

Forgetting my camera, I had to make do with my phone. 

Although the quality isn't as good, I think it would be near on impossible to get a bad photograph of a Western Australian beach...

 

There's A...

There's a sweet shop on Great Eastern Highway just before you arrive at Mundaring at the Market Village Perth Hills Caravan Park.

I recently called in to find since my last visit, they had installed this dream-like tree. 

Speaking with the shop assistant, I was told the owner wanted to create a Willy Wonka kind of vibe.

The shop is tiny, and it is really colourful and I am sure small children will find it a magical kind of scene.

They used the branch of a real tree as the main trunk, it's secured to the countertop with screws. 

Curiously, several weeks after this was created, the tree began sprouting new growth. 

The leaves are all towards the top of the branch, and it made me sad.

Theres no way for the tree to survive without being in ground, yet for some peculiar reason the atmosphere inside the shop prompted it to sprout. 

I assumed that this might have been because it was cut down and used pretty much straight away. 

I might call back in a few weeks and see whether it continued sprouting...

 

Bells Rapids Lookout...

Bells Rapids Lookout has recently opened offering spectacular views, located in Brigadoon overlooking the Swan River. 

The easterly wind was howling with such an intensity that I kept getting blown backwards as I was trying to take photographs. 

When I am out in extremely windy weather I always get the giggles. I find it so exhilarating and freeing being out in extremely windy weather.

 Also, when the easterly winds begin to howl westward it indicates the summer months are on their way. 

Getting back to the newly finished $800,000 project, I was impressed that for once there's a plague about the sculpture in the gardens. The sculpture is a meaningful piece which is part of the Wooroloo Bushfire Art Trail.

Gazing down to the rapids as it snakes off into the distance, the railway track follows it's route slightly higher up the hillside.

I've walked the various tracks alongside the river as well as up on the hill on the other side of the river so many times. I know the area we'll.  Perhaps I might go for a hike before the danger of bush fire season makes bushwalking something to put aside until next year.

There's lots of granite outcrops and boulders which add an ancient component to the bushland here. 

It was comforting to see how the landscape has recovered since a dreadful fire in 2021 devastated the area. So many animals perished it was horrific.

This would be a good spot to watch the annual white water race the Avon Descent if you had a good pair of binoculars, or fancied a hike down to the river.

It also gives good views west across the flats of suburbia heading towards the Indian Ocean.

I found it a peaceful spot, even with the strong wind, a place of peace, especially when there's just me and the elements...