The Last Walk...

The last walk around Lake Leschenultia in April was on a cool overcast day, I kept hoping for rain sadly none appeared. 

I noticed the vibrant red fruit of a Zamia palm also called Jeeriji by Noongar people. 

Zamia palms are living fossils they have survived many extinction events, these are primitive gymnosperms , which means that the palm produces seeds without flowers. It's estimated to have been around for several hundred million years.  

Unless prepared properly, the seeds are toxic. The Noongar people roasted the fruit and also ground them for flour. They used the plant medicinally as well to treat headaches and fever.

They also used resin from the plant to treat cuts and other injuries.

The zamia plant is seen as sacred and is used in certain ceremonies.

Due to loss of habitat, this species is under threat so there are steps being taken to protect them.

Emus, ravens and silver eyes feast on the seeds. 

The clumps of gymnopilus junonius mushrooms were still adding a splash of colour around the base of a tree. 

These are highly toxic, even the birds and animals avoid them. 

They a very pretty hue though.

There was also another interesting creamy coloured fungus on another tree, which I haven't been able to identify as yet...

 

A Very Brief...

A very brief visit to Mundy Park at the beginning of the month to see if there was any water in Lesmurdie Brook. 

To my surprise there was. 

Given the lack of rain I was quite amazed to hear the sound of trickling water. 

I only walked along the upper track this particular day, not venturing to the waterfall which cascades down to the valley below...

 

On Monday...

On Monday I set off to explore a new walk I had discovered by accident. The trail was nothing like I expected and given I didn't wear my hiking boots, I was slipping all over the place. The path was more like an empty riverbed, and would definitely be dangerous during wet weather.

I reached a point where I decided it would be safer to come back with proper footwear and my hiking poles as the track was wildly unpredictable.

I was just about to turn around when I noticed a kangaroo grazing in the brush directly in front of me. It was a joey who hadn't heard me approach, but hopped off quickly once it noticed me.

The doe wasn't particularly bothered by my presence and kept foraging. I walked slowly keeping my distance. Seeing kangaroos up close you get an opportunity to see how they blend into their surroundings, disappearing from view as the plants camouflage them. This I captured when they bounded off. I could see them, then they virtually disappeared. If someone else had of walked by at that moment, I doubt they would have been able to see them at all. I felt extremely blessed with this unexpected encounter.

It was at this point I headed back to my car, taking in the mile upon mile of ancient virgin bushland and granite outcrops. It is extremely refreshing seeing such pristine nature reserves. I was just about to get into my car when I noticed a kookaburra resting on a branch in a tree. I took a moment to capture a couple of photographs before heading off on another adventure...