Not A Bird....

Not a bird in sight.

Everything still.

Gazing at the blackened bushland so silent, the scent of smoke strong in the air even a month after the devastating fire that tore across the land with intense ferocity.

Stepping on to the land did not seem right today, although glimpses of green could be seen I felt that the time was not yet right to cross the riverbed and venture closer.

Most of the balga/grass trees are regenerating the quickest, for them fire promotes new growth, some of these trees could be as old as 450 years as they grow 0.8 - 6 cm per year. To me they have a very strong presence, not just here at Bells Rapids, but wherever they grow. To me they are the spirits of the land, the ancient ones. When walking through a colony of grass trees I always get the distinct impression that I am being observed. 

The fire will promote profuse flowering of the grass trees and that in itself will be something to see, although seeing the glimpses of green already sprouting forth from them brought joy to my heart. 

As for the rest of the vegetation, some will be lost, others like the grass trees will begin to shoot new leaves in the coming days, dormant wildflower seeds will germinate after the fire and this Spring will bring much colour and new life once again.......