The desert is full of life, but often it is unseen – animals and reptiles hiding from noisy invaders, or simply keeping away from the cold of winter. Where there is no water, there are no animals. So, seeing life and plants flowering was a great joy when we did.
This is part 3 of my record of our trip through the Australian desert, see here for more photos and here for more information and my sketches.
A desert beetle – there were two engaged in a vigorous tussle. This one was going its own way afterwards.
A Crimson Chat at Camp 16, on the Hay River track
Budgerigar in the wild, also on the Hay River Track. We could hear their high-pitched chirping before we saw them
Brolgas dancing
An emu enjoying the lush growth
Black-winged stilt
There are many different kinds of daisies growing in the desert
I think this is Fork-leaved Corkwood. I’m sure it is a hakea, but it’s not easy to work out exactly which one.
Everlasting daisy
These clumps of daisies looked like daffodils from a distance.
This tiny purple flower was growing below the green plants (which are bachelor’s buttons) in the green valley. Note the ladybird!
Poached egg daisy
This is a species of Goodenia – according to my book there are many undocumented varieties of this plant.
In this post it is easy for me to appreciate the beauty of these tenacious plants and animals. Some of the plants remind me of hardy alpine plants which grow above the snow line.
Just looking at these photos makes me think you might enjoy a film currently showing (from NZ) called “Camino Skies”. It is full of the most glorious landscapes of Spain as a group of Kiwis (with poignant life stories) embark on their Camino pilgrimage. As well as the enormous landscape scenes, the camera sometimes zooms in and focuses on a small insect doing his own crossing, even if it is just from one side of a track to the other – a few metres. Such loving attention to details, big and small, remind me of both your photo posts and make me think it might be your kind of film as well as mine.
What an incredible journey Anna. The birds!! They are incredible, so interesting, color and size. And the plant life, you can tell they are survivors. Your timing must have been perfect. The dirt!! Truly a place unspoiled that adjusts to extremes. Thank you again for sharing your trip with us, your photos and drawings are inspiring and tell the story clearly.
Thanks Cathe – timing is such a hit-and-miss thing, I think we may have been too early for some of the birds, usually masses of pelicans congregate at Lake Eyre when it has water in it, and we only saw a few, but it was such a joy to see the ones we did, and those brave, hardy little desert plants, which glow against the red dirt!
The textures and forms of the martins’ nests against that old tree were pretty amazing – I have a lot of ideas to digest, but I know art of some form is going to emerge!
*From:* anna warren portfolio [mailto:comment-reply@wordpress.com] *Sent:* Wednesday, August 21, 2019 1:53 AM *To:* pdromeo@jara-mfg.com *Subject:* [New post] Madigan Line ā flora and fauna
anna warren portfolio posted: “The desert is full of life, but often it is unseen – animals and reptiles hiding from noisy invaders, or simply keeping away from the cold of winter. Where there is no water, there are no animals. So, seeing life and plants flowering was a great joy when “
I’m delighted these photos have inspired you to visit! Australia is such a diverse country, with snowfields and deserts, beautiful beaches and sophisticated cities. Just remember it is BIG, it takes a while to get from one place to another!
Thanks Steve – I’m always astonished at the diversity of the flowers that grow in inhospitable places such as the Australian desert. Some are quite small and subtle, but when you find them they are a joy to see. And the colour too …
anna warren portfolio 
Lovely photography!
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Thanks Jo!
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In this post it is easy for me to appreciate the beauty of these tenacious plants and animals. Some of the plants remind me of hardy alpine plants which grow above the snow line.
Just looking at these photos makes me think you might enjoy a film currently showing (from NZ) called “Camino Skies”. It is full of the most glorious landscapes of Spain as a group of Kiwis (with poignant life stories) embark on their Camino pilgrimage. As well as the enormous landscape scenes, the camera sometimes zooms in and focuses on a small insect doing his own crossing, even if it is just from one side of a track to the other – a few metres. Such loving attention to details, big and small, remind me of both your photo posts and make me think it might be your kind of film as well as mine.
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That film sounds wonderful – there is something magical about the Camino. I will definitely look out for it!
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Please do. It is on right now at independent cinemas ie Palace. Matt and I were JUST discussing it on the way home from our daily cup of coffee.
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What an incredible journey Anna. The birds!! They are incredible, so interesting, color and size. And the plant life, you can tell they are survivors. Your timing must have been perfect. The dirt!! Truly a place unspoiled that adjusts to extremes. Thank you again for sharing your trip with us, your photos and drawings are inspiring and tell the story clearly.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Cathe – timing is such a hit-and-miss thing, I think we may have been too early for some of the birds, usually masses of pelicans congregate at Lake Eyre when it has water in it, and we only saw a few, but it was such a joy to see the ones we did, and those brave, hardy little desert plants, which glow against the red dirt!
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I loved what you shared, thank you!
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Wow, you certainly had some good bird and flower spotting. I love the shot of the Martin’s nests. I think they could inspire some Art!
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The textures and forms of the martins’ nests against that old tree were pretty amazing – I have a lot of ideas to digest, but I know art of some form is going to emerge!
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I will look forward to it. I appreciate it doesn’t always happen quickly.
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No, sometimes it takes a while to filter through …
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Wonderful photographs šŗ
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Thank you – I’m glad you enjoyed them!
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I am really enjoying the photos of Australia!
It is definitely on my bucket list now!
Pamela Romeo
*From:* anna warren portfolio [mailto:comment-reply@wordpress.com] *Sent:* Wednesday, August 21, 2019 1:53 AM *To:* pdromeo@jara-mfg.com *Subject:* [New post] Madigan Line ā flora and fauna
anna warren portfolio posted: “The desert is full of life, but often it is unseen – animals and reptiles hiding from noisy invaders, or simply keeping away from the cold of winter. Where there is no water, there are no animals. So, seeing life and plants flowering was a great joy when “
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I’m delighted these photos have inspired you to visit! Australia is such a diverse country, with snowfields and deserts, beautiful beaches and sophisticated cities. Just remember it is BIG, it takes a while to get from one place to another!
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Wonderful trip, Anna! It is a amazing how life can flourish in the desert. Thanks for sharing šš»šš»šš»
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Finding life in the desert is such a joy – the richness of the colours are just incredibly beautiful. Iām delighted you enjoyed the journey!
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It’s good to see so many native Australian wildflowers.
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Thanks Steve – I’m always astonished at the diversity of the flowers that grow in inhospitable places such as the Australian desert. Some are quite small and subtle, but when you find them they are a joy to see. And the colour too …
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