Enticed By...

Enticed by a brisk wind and the promise of rain I decided to head to Lake Leschenaultia. My intention was to make it all the way around. It's been quite a long time since I managed a full lap of the lake, first stopped by illness, then injury. 

This is my favourite kind of weather for walking in the bush; damp and windy.

I hadn't intended to take any photos, what an absolutely absurd  thought! 

Of course I would.

And did. 

I seem to still be favouring my mobile phone, I am never sure what I am going to find when I turn on my computer; thus the camera is still relegated to the drawer. Although, having seen many grey fantails on my walk, I think the camera will be swiftly resurrected. I can't capture the birds or other wildlife well on my phone.

 Although, sometimes like today, I am happy to stand awhile and silently observe, instead of capturing an image. 

The scent of the bushland is divine after the first rains, couple that with tiny birds flitting through the foliage, the rustling of the leaves, the effect is perfection.

My first thrilling find were some stunning mushrooms with a pale mauve hue. I've tried searching for what species they are. I kept getting, uncategorised!

So more research it seems.

There was actually an abundance of fungi along the way; all different colours and types. 

There's not much flowering at the moment apart from the gum trees, though the rain will soon bring out the first blooms.

 And then the bushland will be awaken from the hibernation of the depleting summer months as the nourishing waters quench the parched soil.

I was quite disheartened by the amount of plants and fungi that had been damaged by people, more than likely children. I do always wish that people could admire without the need to destroy. 

It's really upsetting seeing a trail of destruction. 

In parts there was still evidence of the last couple of storms that we've had. Many a tree snapped. There was also a great number casualties that didn't survive the summer. And it wasn't just the young saplings and understory plants; many of the grandmother trees had also perished this year.

Apart from the fantails, the only other birds I encountered were purple swamphens. They have such amazing plumage, yet my phone camera doesn't really capture their beauty well enough. 

The water on lake was only teased slightly by the wind, the clouds giving the sky various dramatic displays as they danced silently along...