Tag Archive | #SquareOdds

#18 The Launch Pad

I’m joining Becky in her February Square Photo Challenge over at The Life of B. The rules of the challenge are simple: most photos must be square and fit the theme word Odd, referencing one of these definitions: different to what is usual or expected, or strange; a number of items, with one left over as a remainder when divided by two; happening or occurring infrequently and irregularly, or occasionally; separated from a usual pair or set and therefore out of place or mismatched. Look for #SquareOdds.

While we didn’t travel as much as usual in 2021, we were fortunate to enjoy several holidays in our home state of Queensland and one short trip over the border in New South Wales. Join me this month in a retrospective look at the very odd year of 2021.

Eungella QLD, May 2021

After driving up the long, winding road from the Pioneer Valley to the top of the Great Dividing Range, the first building we came to was the Eungella Chalet.

The chalet has long been famous for its spectacular views of the valley and its delicious Devonshire Teas.

We weren’t quite sure why these motorbikes were parked in this strange location at the edge of the escarpment. And the thought of leaping off this launch pad strapped into a hang glider was quite freaky.

It wasn’t enough to put me off my afternoon tea though!

#17 Ducks in a Row

Feb17

Pioneer Valley QLD, May 2021

As we drove through the Pioneer Valley to Eungella National Park, we came across a puzzling sight. This large group of birds, all lined up beside a large dam, stood like statues in the morning sun. There was no movement nor any sound.

We wondered if they’d heard of the expression “getting your ducks in a row”.

In the midst of all these silent, sunbathing birds one lone white egret stood head and shoulders above the rest.

#16 Meet Buffy

Feb16

Sarina QLD, May 2021

In 1935, 102 cane toads were introduced to Northern Australia by the sugar cane industry in an effort to control cane beetles. This attempt at biological control was a dismal failure, as the beetles live high in the leaves of the sugar cane and the toads live on the ground.

As an imported species with no natural enemies, the toads quickly multiplied and became invasive pests. Today, it’s estimated there are up to 200 million toads across northern Australia. Sadly, they secrete a substance called bufotoxin which is lethal to any native animals coming in contact with it.

With all its negative publicity, it was surprising to find this giant sculpture of “Buffy” the cane toad in the main street of Sarina. The town is the centre of a large cane growing district and Buffy was originally constructed as part of the Sarina Sugar Festival in 1983.

This depiction of a cane toad is quite flattering – the real ones are very ugly.

#15 At the Beach

Feb15

Kirra Beach QLD, April 2021

From the bush in February to the beach in April: a week at Kirra Beach brought a welcome change of scene. Every day we sat on our balcony enjoying these stunning views of the southern end of the Gold Coast.

It wasn’t just the scenery we enjoyed. We saw some unexpected human activity too.

One morning, a group of paragliders drifted down from the sky and landed effortlessly on the sand.

Early on Saturday morning, people more energetic than those of us on holiday competed in a triathlon. We watched the swim leg from our balcony.

And, most unfamiliar of all in the days when interstate airline travel was just restarting, an occasional plane would fly past. With the Gold Coast Airport nearby, they would fly up the coast before circling back around to begin their descent.

#14 River Secrets

Feb14

Lees Camping Reserve QLD/NSW Border, February 2021

Another campsite, another river; this time we free-camped off the grid at a reserve on the bank of the Dumaresq River, close to the state border.

While the river scenery was beautiful, it was the geological formations beside the water which intrigued us. Two distinctly different rock types lay side by side.

One was a conglomerate – hard, red and pockmarked with circular indentations. Hundreds of tiny pebbles were embedded in each white circle.

The other was softer. Sandstone-like, this layer was deeply eroded. Puddles were evidence of higher river levels at some earlier time.

If only the river was able to tell us the story of this perplexing landscape.

#13 Smoke Does Not Get In Your Eyes

Feb13

Yetman NSW, February 2021

What is this strange creature at our campsite?

While it looks like some alien robot has arrived from outer space, it’s actually a camping stove called a pig oven. Light a fire inside and soon you have warmth and heat to cook a meal or boil the kettle.

And best of all, the smoke goes up the tall chimney and blows away instead of into your eyes.

#12 Drifter

Feb12

Yetman NSW, February 2021

The morning after the storm, the only sign of nature’s light and sound show was a dramatic rise in the river. The branches of the willow trees now dipped down into the water, and the spot on the bank where the men were standing as they fished the previous day had disappeared.

As we surveyed the scene, a lone boat appeared around the bend of the river. With no one to guide it, the current took the boat past us and, as quickly as it had come it was gone, drifting downstream.

I wonder where it ended up.

#11 Storm Warning

Feb11

Yetman NSW, February 2021

Our campsite on a property not far from Yetman was stunning. From the bank of the Macintyre River, we had gorgeous views over the water and across the paddocks.

On our first evening we were treated to a glorious sunset.

But those ominous clouds were a warning of what was to come later that night.

A wild storm passed directly overhead, with heavy rain and lightning strikes in the bush nearby. Thunder rumbled around us for hours. As we sheltered in our caravan, I tried to capture the extraordinary light show outside, as huge lightning bolts lit up our campsite.

Over and over again, the freakish display of natural power turned night into day

before fading away again in seconds.

We should have taken more notice of those clouds.

#10 Are We There Yet?

Feb10

Yetman NSW, February 2021

The general store in Yetman looks no different to any other store in a small country town. But the owner of this store has taken a novel approach to encouraging passing travellers to stop for a while.

The side wall of the store is covered by a quirky mural, with a fun play on words with the name of the town.

Did the shopkeeper’s strategy work? It did for us – we stopped to take photos and bought morning tea at the store. And we weren’t the only ones!

#9 Girraween in Flower

Feb9

Girraween National Park, February 2021

Even in heat of summer, wildflowers bloom in Girraween National Park. Most are tiny and grow at ground level, so finding them is an achievement. The nine wildflowers we saw included paper daisies, pincushion daisies and my favourite, the fringed lily.