25th
August: Kalbarri
We
all felt a bit regretful leaving Shark Bay. We loved it and would go
back again if the chance arose! A lovely place!!
On
the way, we decided to returned to Hamelin Pool to see the
Stromatolites at low tide. I was able to get some better photos.
An individual stromatolite:
As
we drove southwards today, the vegetation became taller – a sign
that there is more rain here. But there were patches of absolute
devastation: probably bushfire. Yellow sand with a few blackened
tree skeletons. Awful! But wheat fields also started to appear.
They are looking a bit stressed, crying out for some rain too!
We
had lunch at the Murchison River Crossing. What a great Rest Area!
I counted nearly 30 vans there!
Once
again, I am glad I have booked. Parks are turning away vans! But
this is a nice shady place and we can hear the surf crashing on the
beach close by. As soon as we had set up camp, we went to Rainbow
Jungle to see the amazing display of parrots. I have never seen so
many different parrots – almost all Australian! They were all
beautiful from the black cockatoos to the Goulian Finches,many of
them extremely colourful. A large number were in pairs in very large
avairies for breeding, especially the endangered species, and many
more were free range in a huge walk-through netted enclosure. We
spent 2 hours walking through and talking to the birds and I have
seen parrots I have only read about or never knew about! (Just as I
have 50 photos of dolphins, I have lots of photos of parrots! I
won't inflict them all on you!)
I
am ambivalent about birds in cages as large as they are, especially
the big cockatoos. They seem desperate for company and love human
contact. They talk, dance and squark but they also bite – hard!
The little birds seem happy but the big ones look depressed. I felt
a bit sad. But, I did learn that some ignorant do-gooders had
released some Rainbow Lorrikeets near Perth and that has been an
environmental disaster. They are Eastern Australian birds and here
they have been able to take over in pest proportions by invading many
of the breeding places.
A King Parrot and his shy mate.
This is one of 4 Sun Conuresfrom South Ameerica. At $8000 a pair, they have been a breeding failure. The eggs are unfertilised. Beautiful birds!
Tomorrow,
we will investigate the gorges.
I was excited to see your photo of the stromatalites with the waggon tracks across them. I forget when that vehicle was driven across but it was a long time ago and emphasizes how slowly they grow. A really amazing place. Yes the Shark Bay area is a great region especially the weather. By the looks of it soon you will be after the jumpers. The coldest we have ever been was at Albany in late October!!!! Some exciting country ahead of you....we are still jealous!
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