tiabunna's photos with the keyword: Lake Mungo

Digging into my archives, some of the old sheepyards at what is now the Lake Mungo National Park. Beyond the fence is saltbush as far as the sand dunes. HFF, everyone.

Just beginning to flower when I took this shot near Lake Mungo. These also are known as Cotton Bush and, with about 100 other species, are part of the Ptilotus genus, native to the drier areas of Australia. A second shot in the inset note gives a wider view.

If my ID is correct, this is a "Saltbush Blue" butterfly (Theclinesthes serpentata). These are one of Australia's smallest butterflies, at about 20mm across. A second shot (see insert) shows the wing undersides of another, I think the same, resting on an Australian Bugle plant (see earlier image). At the least, I am confident that these are from the Lycaenidae family. Seen out at Lake Mungo, in western NSW. Explored.

I think (without being totally confident) that this is a native wildflower known as Australian Bugle (Ajuga australis) . The flowers are not very large, probably about 12mm across.

Back in the late 1800s and early 1900s, horse-drawn wagons, drays and even coaches would stop at the natural spring to the east of the Lake Mungo sand dunes. Sometimes a particularly heavily laden dray would compress moist sand and leave tracks - with time the uncompressed sand surrounding the tracks has eroded, leaving the century-plus wheel marks raised above the surrounding surface. I rather think these deserve to be preserved with some kind of covering structure.

Old sheep yards at the former 'Zanci' property, now part of Lake Mungo National Park. On the distant horizon, the "Wall of China" sand dunes. Taken as a panorama with the Lumix LF1. Happy Fence Friday!

Ancient Cypress pines near the natural soak at Lake Mungo.

Crest of the dunes at Lake Mungo National Park. Explored Page 1.

The eastern side of the dunes at Lake Mungo. Curiously, although the lake itself is dry there is a small natural seepage here. That spring has been opened out as a well with a small bridge. Happy Fence Friday! Best on black.

At the eastern side of Lake Mungo, millennia of westerly winds have created substantial layered dunes of clay (as dust) and sand. Loss of the covering vegetation, largely as a result of rabbit plagues early in the 20th century, has created erosion and dune mobility: that, in turn, has exposed the remains of long-extinct megafauna and the earliest dated human ritual cremation (at over 40,000 years). The scientific value of the area has resulted in World Heritage listing, but also means there is limited public access to the western side of the dunes, which are known as the "Walls of China". Second image in note. Best on black.

We saw a group of these Spiny-cheeked Honeyeaters in the trees near our camp site at Lake Mungo National Park. They range across inland Australia.

Dawn breaking over the bush around the camping area at Lake Mungo National Park in western NSW, Australia.

Apostlebirds travel around in groups of (typically) ten or twelve, which explains their name. They are found through the eastern part of inland Australia and usually are confident to come around campsites seeking any food - as this one sitting on the bench seat at Lake Mungo National Park shows. 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.

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.

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.

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

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