Butterflies and Finches

Sunday 2^nd  September

Once again I was caught out in the land of ‘expect the unexpected!’ This weekend I decided I would join the fishing outing, but I was definitely not going to be swimming croc-infested water holes with a backpack on! So armed with little more than a water bottle and camera, I set off with the others at 9am.  We walked for about two hours through magnificent scenery, following closely behind our good friend, and self proclaimed ‘aboriginal bushman’, who was carrying one of his own handmade  spears. 

Why I had always imagined this part of Australia to be arid, I have no idea. After all, we are in the tropics and situated in “The Gulf”. We tracked through ever changing vistas from sandy dunes to long grasses, and then through thick treed sections running into exquisite water holes, and river crossings which were surrounded by massive Paperbarks and over-hanging Pandanus trees. I was really enjoying the landscape, when I came to the realisation that we would not be back before lunch.  All along the way I was scanning for snakes, watching for the killer buffalo that I had head were roaming these parts, and checking each water crossing for crocs before I stepped in and waded across. Finally we reached our destination, a magnificent water hole the size of a lake. Deep, clear and surrounded by unspoiled,

rich, green, tropical vegetation.

I chose not to fish and sat peacefully in the dappled shade on the bank while the others went looking for suitable sections to ‘wet their lines’. Despite sleepiness, I wouldn’t let my eyes close. Surely the second I dozed a huge croc would leap out of the water and grab my leg, or worse (my biggest fear) a king brown (snake) would slide over me. I had to stay awake, so I watched the most delicate butterflies land on the nearby plants and a family of tiny red finches drinking the water from the lowest Pandanus branches. 

A sudden loud splash made me jump, then laugh, as our friend leapt into the water to cool off and came up like a mad man before posing with his spear in true action man style…. But no action today! Only one fish caught, two turtles almost caught (good news) and the only wild animal spotted was a solitary brumby.

 On our return journey in the late afternoon, with the still hot sun beating down, I happily dived into a small, deep water hole without a care in the world.  Are we really in the wilds of Australia’s outback? Not a snake, goanna, buffalo or crocodile to be seen.  I spent the day watching butterflies and finches, and had no lunch. Next time I will make a big effort to get it right.