It was only one bird, I saw was missing from the sky. And then I realised there was another missing that I could not deny. Then,the flocks and gatherings I saw were missing from the coast. Where had all the birds gone? That flight, that wing, that multitudinous host?
I saw the water washing clear upon the beaches of rock and sand. I saw the water empty there, devoid of life it flushed the sparking strand. There was one ragged crab as dead could be, it was wedged in a scaly crust. Where once there were shellfish diverse and plentiful, now all were ground to dust.
Summer people walked and played in the waves, they paddled close to shore. Unaware of the teeming life, that was there no more. Where the water touched the land, the interface was sterile, But one could still splash and be cool, with no inkling it was puerile.
Koetong Creek in Mt Lawson State Park runs through open woodland of Narrow and Broad-leaf Peppermint, Candlebark, Manna, Blue and Brittle Gum, Red Stringybark, Long-leaf and Red Box. You will also find Black Cyrpess-pine and Kurrajong. The combination of diverse forest layers, a cascading waterway (Spa) and beautiful wildflowers give this walk a real buzz. Take a hike.
Watkins walk is a Strathbogie Tableland roadside walk through grazing farmland and native forest. One of its other attractive features is the high conservation value roadside vegetation including various towering species of eucalypt.
Such roadsides are critical local biolinks for flora and fauna. There is plenty to see and wildlife sightings are common.
This is a little trafficked smooth gravel road and Strathbogie Tableland is quiet. You can hear cars approaching from some way off. It is pretty safe walking. However, it still makes sense to stick to the right of the road so you are facing any oncoming vehicles that do appear.
diaryofaretiree.org 