Returning to Lloyd Jones Weir campsite - Central Queensland 20-08-11

River Gums line the banks of the Alice River

Peaceful doves – quite small

Pelican again – not many on this stretch of water

Blue-cheeked honeyeater – our video shows the blue cheek!

Adult Nakeen Night Heron, a big bird – roosts by day – as happens near our camp spot! It has a deep frog like croak, before setting off to hunt at dusk.

Immature Nakeen Night Heron

Popular camp stove – this one is a one off special

This prolific plant has yet to be identified. The flower is primrose yellow and has a papery texture similar to the poppy.

Alice River reflections

Male Redwing Parrot

Turtle and Alice waterhole

Could not identify this pair.

Egret in flight! this pic taken by Alan, background ripples as a Monet?

Possum magic!

Blackall – Central Queensland 18-08-11

It was the lowering of the Shearing rate in 1886 that led shearers from Isis Downs to meet at Blackall to fight the directives of the pastoralists. This resulted in the formation of the Queensland Shearers Union and in December 1887. Bill Kewley, a Blackall resident, was appointed its Secretary. He was an efficient,hard working and well respected man. he also became involved in the largest and most successful workers political organisation in Queensland, called Workingman's Parliamentary Representative Association (WPRA) From its headquarters in Blackall, the WPRA extended its infuence into other districts. In 1891 the organisation changed its name to the Peoples Parliamentary Association (PPA) and adopted the political platform of the Australian Labour Federation.

John Robert Howe (Jackie Howe) 1861-1920

Blade shore 321 sheep in 7hours at Alice Downs Station, north of Blackall, on Monday 10th October 1892 and set a world record that has yet to be beaten for blade shearing!

Jack Howe was active in the fledgling AWU’s bitter striggles to improve shearers wages and conditions and became a senior office holder for years in the Blackall Workers Political Organisatio. During the historic shearers strikes of the 1890’s; a comrade Harry Dunn remembered Jack as the only man brave enough to keep manning the office in Blackall after police had locked up other leading union officials and organisers.

A Central Queensland home

Brigalows, Burnt out Road-grader, & Brindled Nailtail wallaby – Idalia National Park – Far West Queensland 16-08-11

Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) 10 to 20m forming a dense avenue of glinting silver foliage through the Park. It’s narrow crescent shaped shaped silvery phyllodes (flattened leaf stalks) deflect the heat from the sun. The tree’s furrowed bark is almost black, in wonderful contrast.

This road grader started a bush fire in Idalia National park just a few days before we arrived at the campsite. The surrounding bush was still smouldering and the Ranger warned us to be prepared to leave if the wind changed direction! Apparently the Grader driver noticed that the vehicle had caught fire, below it’s chassis. tried extinguishing the flames, and was lucky to escape unharmed!

Bridled Nailtail wallaby (flashjacks) feed at night, mainly on herbs midst scrubland sandy areas.

The ranger told us that she has observed that the male Nailtail uses the protrusion at the end of its tail to inscribed scribbles on the sandy ground when seeking attention of a female! Sounds bizarre – however no more than another explanation that the protrusion is used as a pivot to change direction quickly hence the name flashjacks. Perhaps the answer is to raise the question with the elders who once lived here.

Idalia National Park – Far West Queensland 16-08-11

Monk’s Tank Waterhole – This waterhole is fenced and gated to prevent the red and grey kangaroos from staying close by. They are naturally nomadic so the Park Rangers encourage pattern. The smaller animals including wallabies have access to the park waterholes via twin pipes suitably sized for them.

Strange cloud formation - taken at Monk’s Tank campsite.

Multi - coloured sandstone layers at Rainbow gorge

Tessellated stone

Wasp nest on tree – no sign of buzzing activity!

Mitchell grasses

Silver leaved Ironbark

View from ridge near Mt Bullock – Idalia National Park

Yellow-footed rock wallaby Once hunted almost to extinction in from the late 1800’s for their attractive coloured pelts.

Yellow-footed rock wallaby making a comeback along with the pretty grey, nocturnal Nail–tailed wallaby.

Short-beaked Echidna much shyer that the brown quill Echidna.

Desert Oak (Acacia coriacea)

Big – Red Kangaroo

Dawson Gum

Woodswallows gathering for the blossom nectar on Rough-barked Apple trees!

White-browed Woodswallows –an amazing sight!