Geology

Minutes and hours are insignificant in the landscape around Alice. Here you have to think in years, millions of years. The rocks speak of eons. The geology is breathtaking in its beauty and so are the many plants we have found flowering.

Prickly customers

Yesterday we drove north of Alice Springs as far as the Plenty Highway (flat) and today we went west to Ellery Creek (hilly). We stop numerous times to check out the vegetation and always find interesting plants, and as all three of us take photos non-stop we're having a grand old time.

It's been interesting to see that many of the plants here have developed a defence mechanism - namely sharp prickles. I've been pricked many times this week as I walk through the scrub or lean on an elbow, sit down, lie down or lean over to get a photo. The spinifex is the worst but at least the plants are spaced apart so you can usually weave a path between them but the others are innocent-looking little things that like to surprise. (I don't know what these are as yet - haven't had time to hit the books.)

The Centre

Alice Springs has changed quite a bit since I was last here over 30 years ago but really the town is a town like many others. But we didn't come to see the town. We came to search the surrounding countryside for plants because they've had rain here, they're close to breaking the annual record.

This is the view behind our caravan park and we have spent a bit of time exploring the vegetation there.

But today we went out to Desert Park, were there all day and came away having only seen a fraction. It's a very impressive area with paths leading through recreations of several types of inland landscapes. As you can see in this photo the park buildings have been designed to nestle into the landscape.

We found lots of plants flowering. Just a taste: Amyema maidenii, Indigofera leucotricha, Ptilotus helipteroides and Solanum quadriloculatum.

And for something different: We also went to the excellent  display of birds of prey at Desert Park. A cute Southern Boobook was a highlight.

We're here for four more days and our plan is to go north, west, east and west again. I can't wait.

Fire wood or habitat?

I hope this works - I've never done a link like this before. Have a look at this excellent footage from a fixed camera. Phil Lewis has more films on YouTube that I must check out.