Lake Mungo

Lake Mungo still is a lake, despite appearances - it's just that there's been no water to fill it for about 10,000 years! It is part of the World Heritage listed Willandra Lakes system (some detail on the plaque in the note). In 1968, the remains of the world's earliest known ritual cremation, dating back about 40,000 years, were found at Lake Mungo. At that time, the now-extinct giant Australian megafauna still roamed the region. The lake also shows a great geological record of past climate change. More here for those interested: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Mungo. Larger and better on black.

The first pastoralists arrived in the Lake Mungo area not long after the first explorers. This imposing shearing shed, made from locally cut timbers in 'drop log' style, dates from 1869 and was built for 18 blade (hand cutter) shearers: with mechanisation only four were needed. The building has been retained as part of the history of the National Park (and the tin roof would date from the late 1800s).

Definitely one to view on black (click image). This shows the interior of the old Lake Mungo woolshed , but what it cannot show is the marvellous smell of wool and lanoline, established through over a hundred years of use and still remaining 40 years after the area became National Park: so use your imaginations. :) I think I'll make this my early entry this week for HFF! Explored

Sunset over the Lake Mungo camping area. The campsites are defined and set among the natural bush. NB: While loading this image I decided to click on it to view on black, then I saw a small icon at top right. When I clicked on that, the photo became full screen. Then I noticed another little arrow shaped icon which ran my images as a slide show. I'd like to think that these are new features by the good folk at ipernity, and not something that I've previously missed while being enjoyed by everyone else. :) Explored

The former Zanci property was amalgamated into the Lake Mungo National Park in 1984. A few sheds and fences remain: it seems all were made from the local Cypress Pine (nb not "Cyprus") , a native species noted for durability. Best on black. HFF! Explored.

Water in Lake Mungo! Recent rain showers had left a few small pools of water, enough to allow reflections of these two emus. In the distance are the dunes known as the "Walls of China" on the eastern side of the lake bed.

Red kangaroos in the bush at Lake Mungo National Park.

This male Red-headed Mouse Spider (the colour indicates the sex) was wandering around at Lake Mungo: the female is entirely black. One of Australia's eight species of mouse spiders, these are found in the arid areas and, although there are few reported cases of bites, they are thought to be quite venomous. What excited me, on doing some research, was to find that they are part of our Gondwanan fauna, with their nearest overseas relatives in South America.

A real delight at Lake Mungo was being able to view totally dark skies, with no light pollution, because of the distance from towns and cities. This shot shows the deep southern sky, with notes indicating some points of interest. I prefer this on black (click on the image). I'll leave my Lake Mungo series for a while and return to it later.