Title Picture

Near Tamworth NSW

Monday, January 7, 2013

A WALK IN THE PARK 7

It was time to take TOH out for another airing. This time we headed for
Boronia Bushland Reserve in Logan.
It has been very dry over the past few months and the forests are like tinder boxes. The councils organise controlled burning of the undergrowth to try to reduce the danger of massive bush fires.

There were some beautiful big Gum trees (Eucalyptus). This one shedding its bark is called a Scribbly Gum for obvious reasons. (Eucalyptus haemastoma). The scribbles are made by the larvae of the Scribbly Gum Moth. It lays its eggs between the old and new bark. The larvae burrows into the new bark. When the old bark falls away it reveals the trails.

 As we walked along the concrete bike track we saw some Scaly Breasted Lorikeets pigging out on some bread that an unknown had dropped there. They have yellow feathers edged with green to give the impression of scales.


 After an hours walk it was time to head home. TOH picks up speed on the home run.

It was a quiet day in the park. Just us and a student studying in the picnic shelter.
TOH (The Other Half)

24 comments:

Linley S said...

Love the little lorikeets, I don't think we have that kind over here. So nice to have the place to yourself.

Carole M. said...

a delightful location to go walking Diane

Fun60 said...

Those lorikeets certainly add colour to the surroundings.

Joan Elizabeth said...

With the weather warming up it is getting dry everywhere. It was very crackly underfoot out at the Rest this weekend.

As always I enjoyed your walk.

eileeninmd said...

Cool trees and a nice park for a walk. Thanks for taking me along. I did not know there were different Lorikeets. They are beautiful birds, Diane! Have a happy day!

yevisha said...

lovely photos Diane, and a lovely place to take a walk

Jo said...

*sigh* UI just cannot get MOH to exercise with me. He reckons I can walk/jog and he will ride slowly alongside! Anyway, it was great fun to join you and yours in that lovely park. I have been thinking of the hot and dry conditions in Oz and wondering about your fires. Glad there are preventative measure being made. I just LOVE the colorful birds and of course their conversation. They remind me of the Lovebirds we see here in East Africa. Hope you're having a great day/evening. Greetings. Jo

FruitCake said...

Ha ha, those lorikeets seem a great deal less argumentative than seagulls! Great photos :)

biebkriebels said...

Those lorikeets look so beautiful, you made a funny comic of them. The wood looks sad with that black ground but when it helps to avoid the bushfires it is a good thing to do.

whiteangel said...

Lovely photos Diane, peaceful.
Glad your council did a burn off without any hitches.

Sandra said...

thanks for my early am hike. love the bird conversation and that squiggly tree is amazing.. all this info is really cool. something i will never SEE but have seen.

MTWaggin said...

Heehee love the parrot talk! So do those trees die when they lose their bark like that or it is just a cycle of life thing for them?

Betsy Adams said...

Since it was about 25 degrees here this morning early, I was surprised to see Bill in shorts and no jacket... ha ha ... Hard to believe that it's summer down there...

I realize that controlled-burnings are necessary --but I always hate to see anything after a fire...

Great group of pictures... Congrats on getting your exercise.
Hugs,
Betsy

Filip and Kristel said...

Cartoon pictures of birds playing in the park. Top.

Greetings,
Filip

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Great walk. Maybe the lorikeets would persuade (my) Bill to go on more walks ... wonder where I could find them around here (LOL).

George said...

This looks like a great place for a walk. I hope the controlled burns work to prevent major wildfires.

Gattina said...

I suggest to make a deal with TOH (behind your back) I replace him for the walks and he can sit or lay at the computer or the TV ! Lol about the colorful birds, they must be thirsty !

GardenofDaisies said...

The lorikeets are such a beautiful color! Perfect subjects for picture taking. :-) Your photo of the scribble gum bark is very cool. Seriously, there are people out there that would pay to have that enlarged and framed to put over their sofa.

Sara said...

Love the scribbly bark. Most eucalyptus trees I've met have a distinct fragrance...different species have different scents. I'm guessing on a hot day your nose is also in for a treat as you walk through the forest.

Betty Manousos said...

oh, that bird conversation made me smile.
thanks a lot, dear diane for such a great post.
indeed this looks like a wonderful place to take a walk.
enjoyed your beautiful photos!

big hugs~

Carletta said...

'Time to take TOH out for an airing' - you have such a wonderful since of humor. :)
Really liked your info on the Scribbly Gum - pretty neat scribbles.
Which we had a bird to resemble any of your exotic ones. You seemed pretty close to the lorikeets. They posed for some good shots.
The homestretch TOH is on looks like a great place to walk. With each outing/airing I bet he'll get more receptive to going out. :)

SquirrelQueen said...

Those little Lorikeets are adorable. Love your commentary.
I really enjoy touring parks with you Diane, I always learn something new.

Marsha @Spots and Wrinkles said...

Diane -
We have seen on the news about the awful brush wildfires going on over there.

So glad you were able to find a park that wasn't too hot to visit.
Looks like it was a fun place.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I haven't seen the Scaly Breasted Lorikeets before Diane, I do get the Rainbow Lorikeets in my garden. Take care in this extreme weather, stay cool as you can!!