Jorgenson Park...

Jorgenson Park is one of the places I enjoy walking when over Kalamunda way, because as well as being naturally beautiful it's also a dog park.

This means I get to say hello to a variety of gorgeous dogs as well as enjoying nature.

This visit was at the end of May with the flowering season slowly beginning to decorate the land with colour. The earth was dry though, and I could sense the thirst of the land. 

The wattle trees would be fully blooming now so perhaps I ought to visit again soon.

I spent time admiring one of my favourite trees from various angles. The trees here have a distinctive energy about them, I always feel revived when I have been here amongst these old trees.

There's a lot of bird life here and due to the amount of visitors it's often difficult capturing photos. I did manage a couple, in the canopy however there's always a great deal of activity...

 

Emu Eggs...

Emu eggs were for sale at my local stockfeed shop today, and I found it quite a novelty seeing these massive eggs next to the checkout.

I had never seen an emu egg so I was quite fascinated. 

Emu eggs have seven layers to their shell which might also explain their weight. 

I was surprised at how heavy one egg is and how large they are.

They also have a texture close to that of stone. 

A female lays around 15 eggs in her first lay, after that she may lay as many as 35. 

I've mentioned before that it's the males that incubate the eggs and rear the chicks. 

Whilst sitting on the eggs the males go into a trance like state, they go without food and water for 56 days.

I also found out that each egg a particular female lays has a pattern unique to her. 

Much like our fingerprints.

A single emu egg is equivalent to 10 - 12 regular sized chickens eggs. 

Apparently, they taste richer and more decadent than chicken eggs. 

The egg whites are meringue like, while the yolks are creamy and putty like.

I don't like eggs and give my girls eggs away for free, so I shall not be purchasing any of these...

 

I Planted...

I planted an array of bulbs a few weeks ago, I was melancholy thinking about spring in England, and how I miss the bright colourful displays of springtime bulbs.

It's not something that's done here.

I have planted in three areas of the garden. 

Unfortunately, the quendas dug up and ate a couple of bulbs.

Already some have begun shooting out of the ground, I didn't keep a track of where I planted each variety, so come spring I will be in for a colourful surprise...

 

On Monday...

On Monday I took myself on a little day out looking  for Mount Observation for the second time.

I tried finding it a couple of years ago and couldn't locate it. 

This time after asking the York Tourist Information Centre where it was and was it a four-wheel drive track. I was told a small car would make the drive to Mount Observation easily.

After following the information I was given this time I at least found a sign post after driving down a long gravel track.

In Western Australia they have an annoying tendency to call small hills mounts.

And if I had arrived at Mount Observation, then this wasn't even a hill as I hadn't driven up any incline at all. 

Deciding to continue on the one-way narrow track I hit an obstacle almost instantly.

A branch had fallen over the track, it was too heavy for me to lift.

With no alternative I had to reverse out the way I had come down a windy narrow dirt track.

Not deterred I found my way back to the Great Southern Highway and drove to the second route showing on my map.

This was the way I had come a couple of years ago, and once again I couldn't locate any entrance or signage to Mount Observation, only a sign indicating a native reserve.

Nor might I add any indication of a hill, let alone a mount!

At least I got to enjoy driving through Wando forest, Wandoo are eucalyptus trees only found in the South West of Western Australia. Their bark has a yellowy tinge. The species is under threat due to habitat constantly being destroyed. 

They are classified as vulnerable.

Pulling off the road after driving miles out of my way, I turned around and headed home enjoying the beauty of the Wandoo trees...