Autumn In Western Australia...

Autumn in Western Australia is the beginning of the lush seasons of flowers and greenery. 

According to Noongar seasons, it is currently Djeran, the beginning of the cooler weather with increased dew and the start of the flowering season and breeding season for many animals and birds.

This season begins in April through May.

I find that the Noongar seasons make more sense than traditional northern hemisphere seasons as the climate is so different, here cooler months are lush and green unlike traditional autumnal weather and snowy winter scenery.

As Djeran begins, so too does the flowering of many native plants. The wattle trees are one of the first to brighten up the garden, of course along with the pincushion hakea. Perfumes drift in the breeze and birds are beginning to busy themselves selecting mates and building nests.

My chatseberry flowers have gone to seed, these I collect for making tea. The artichoke is starting to grow again after I cut it back after flowering last year. Hopefully it will give me a few edible flower buds again. There's many seeds sprouting all around the garden with buds appearing on most of the plants as well.

The garden is busy with insects, bees and birds. 

I can sense the excitement in the air as cooler weather brings relief and colour to the landscape once again...

 

I Always Miss...

I always miss seeing the opening of the cocos flowers/ inflorescence. The formation of the flower primordium begins 32 months prior to flowering.

Inflorescence development takes 14 months from primordium before it opens.

There's male and female flowers so they self pollinate, the female flowers open after the male flowers. These flowers cascade down and draw in a vast array of birds, bees and insects to feast on these flowers. These are so high that I might get my ladder out on the weekend to get a closer look...

 

Back At...

Back at the lake several days after the rain, I was in search of any fungi that might have appeared after the heavy downpour. It was a little too early for mushrooms, I only discovered two spots along my walk. 

A kookaburra and kangaroo were highlights this particular day. There are several mobs of kangaroo's who live at Lake Leschenultia yet it's not always I get to see them as the camouflage extremely well in amongst the foliage. 

Plenty of other views drew my attention as I ambled along on a lovely warm morning...