But we will

The first thought that came to mind in response to the outcome of the Australian national elections on Threatened Species Day, 7 September 2013:

“It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.” – Ansel Adams

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Elections

Local and State Government elections are looming in Queensland, and this will be my first opportunity to vote as an Australian. I wish I was more excited about this, but frankly, the whole hullabaloo makes me want to run for the hills.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m a big fan of democracy and I intend to participate in it, but I’m inclined to agree with the late, great, Douglas Adams –

“Well, I mean, yes idealism, yes the dignity of pure research, yes the pursuit of truth in all its forms, but there comes a point I’m afraid where you begin to suspect that the entire multidimensional infinity of the Universe is almost certainly being run by a bunch of maniacs. And if it comes to a choice between spending yet another ten million years finding that out, and on the other hand just taking the money and running, then I for one could do with the exercise.”
~ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Escaping to Orpheus

Between Christmas and New Year I was lucky enough to get down to Orpheus Island, in the Palm Island group, to visit a friend who works at the JCU Research Station there. I’d planned to go down the year before but the roads were flooded after a cyclone on Christmas morning 2010 so I wasn’t able to get down.

Orpheus Island is a beautiful place. As well as the research station, there is a resort and public jetty, and it’s also possible to get a permit to camp in the national park.

Sunday strolls at the beach

After a week of rain, what a joy it was to see the sun again today! The perfect opportunity for a walk on the beach. The only challenge being… which beach to choose?! This morning I headed to Palm Cove with a friend for a walk and brunch – who can resist French toast with bacon and maple syrup on a Sunday morning? Not me, that’s for sure!

Spotted Catbird

Taken at Kingfisher Park, Julatten, January 2008

If you’re walking through the rainforest in North Queensland and hear a strange cat-like yowling, it’s probably a Spotted Catbird Ailuroedus melanotis. Very tricky to spot in the dense foliage of the rainforest, you might be lucky enough to catch one out in the open like this.

Peppermint Stick Insect

Taken January 2008 along the Dubuji Boardwalk, Cape Tribulation

It’s easy to walk past a Peppermint Stick Insect Megacrania batesii with even realising it’s there (“there” being only a couple of locations, several hundred kms apart, in Far North Queensland). Look carefully on the leaves screwpine Pandanus tectorius along the Dubuji Boardwalk at Cape Tribulation and you might be lucky enough to spot one enjoying a feed. When provoked, they squirt a sticky milky substance that smells like peppermint at whatever is threatening them. Hopefully it’s not your camera or your eye!

Waterview Creek, Jourama Falls

Taken August 2006