The weather is becoming warm and sunny, The days have been so nice that I have taken Bill a little further afield from the village for his daily walk. Last week we ventured out to Lake Dennis in the next suburb, Daisy Hill. Lake Dennis is named after a pioneering family of our district. James Dennis immigrated from Cornwall in1864. He married Mary Ann Markwell in 1867 and they had 18 children, not all survived. They acquired over 800 acres. They named it Daisy Hill after their daughters found a native daisies growing on the hill. When the land was passed onto son, Frank, he built a dam wall and after the first heavy rains the dam filled and has been there ever since. This is where we walked today.
On the way back to the car we passed this huge Bunya Pine Tree. (Araucaria bidwillii) It is an ancient, evergreen, conifer native to south-east Queensland, Australia. They have a huge seed cone that fall during summer and autumn posing a safety hazard. They have been bush tucker for indigenous people for years. The cone can be split open for the large seeds that can be ground into flour. The seeds are like huge pine nuts.
The female cone is as big as a football. (from the web)
Bunya seeds (from the web)
Beautiful and amazing, Diane.
ReplyDeleteThe lake looks beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI know it's was a good idea to have a spare child in days of old, but 18 seems excessive.
Wow, just another thing for tourists to fear if they visit Australia, falling bunya pine cones.
Hello Diane,
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty place for your walk with Bill. The path, the trees and the lake are beautiful. The cone is huge. Take care, have a wonderful week!
That is certainly an interesting story of that area, Diane. The Bunya tree, wow such a big cone.
ReplyDeleteThe sky is a beautiful blue colour, perfect after a grey, rainy winter. And the water looks as if it is reflecting the bright blue sky colour.
ReplyDeleteGosh, I don't fancy a cone like that falling on my head!
ReplyDeletewow wow wow! I want to SEE that tree and one of those pine cones. my first ever sighting of one or even hearing its name... glad you could get out and about together. we would love to just be able to go to the park with Beau again. He has not been in the car in 6 months.. and the two of us its rare
ReplyDeleteI can see that that pine cone would be dangerous if it falls on you. Lovely spot.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place for a walk. So good to see Bill is able to extend his walks. Never heard of such a tree or seen anything like that cone.
ReplyDeleteThat's a huge 'pine cone'. I love how nature seems to provide different foods for people depending on where they live. It's really quite amazing. The area where you and Bill went for a walk is very pretty. It's great that there is a boardwalk making the path more even too.
ReplyDeleteLake Dennis is a hidden gem. A special place to sit, relax and watch the wildlife.
ReplyDeleteLovely photographs, it does look a nice place for a walk.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan