Is that a Coolibah tree beside the abandoned house? Every Australian knows about Coolibah trees because the bush ballad Waltzing Matilda is nigh on our unoffical national anthem but most of us live nowhere near the inland where they grow. Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong, Under the shade of a Coolibah tree, And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled, You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me. Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda, You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me, And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled You'll come a Waltzing Matilda with me.
"To muse, to creep, to halt at will, to gaze ... such sweet wayfaring"
William Wordsworth
Although the landscape is looking rather browned off, the river itself is running strongly. Does the Macquarie flow into the Darling eventually?
ReplyDeleteC'mon, tell me. What sort of grass is that the head for?
Agh .. at school they made us trace maps of Australia putting all the major rivers in the right place and little dotted lines showing where all the explorers ventured. They were supposed to be beautifully outlined in indian ink and softly coloured with pencil ... mine looked like chooks had scratched at the page.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, it was your question about the river that brought that on ... yes the Macquarie is a tributary of the Darling. Regarding the grass, no idea.
I would love anything that ran into Darling, such a lovely word. The river must be, well...
ReplyDeleteIt takes stillness to photograph birds, JE. It must have been a quiet spot to lose yourself.
That looks like such a peaceful place--I like how you captured the serenity of the landscape. And I'm looking forward to seeing the bird photos.
ReplyDeleteNice landscape, nicely composed shot
ReplyDeleteWhat a great reminisce!
ReplyDeleteStraight back to Social Studies with John Curran at Denman Public School in about 1960. John Oxley, Charles Sturt and that mob.
Plastic maps with dot inserts to trace around. Small bottles of India Ink placed close to the ink wells sunk in the double-tables. Gently take the shaft with its nib, dip in the India ink and outline. First thought, take a small piece of blotter and saturate it with coloured pencil of choice, then carefully transfer the colour by gently rubbing to the map.
Ooo ... memories are so so delicious ...
What a peaceful and beautiful scenery! Would love the sit there and watch the australian wildlife!
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