Beach changes

I love the everchanging landscape of 'my beach' - well its Rocky Point Beach but as I walk it continually I feel as if I have a bit of ownership. It provides me with so much inspiration and the changes I have witnessed each year prompt memories of the environmental phases but there are always surprises. Take this little insignificant insect feeding on these 'End of the Wet' grass flowers. I always notice their appearance in the house but never realized they fed on these plants until I took this photo on the beach flat. Now I know why so many appear as they have this huge feast awaiting. These grasses don't last that long either so no wonder they descend in such large numbers. The flat is carpeted with a variety of little delicate plants and I am sure if I investigated further there would be insects to match each variety.

This appears just sandy soil but with the wash from the layers above during the wet it is probably very fertile and with each plant variety succumbing to the approaching dry further nutrient is added to the sand.



















The dreaded speargrass - the bane of every motorbike rider - how do I know this - well Jeffery loves bike riding and actually worked for two years guiding bike tours to the tip and speargrass was a defiant enemy - latching onto all things. I still find a beauty in their configuration and standing tall like this they rise above the smaller flowers - they are so laden at the end of the wet and then flop over with the 'knock-em-down rains'. It is fascinating to watch the seed when wet as it straightens out and moves - no wonder they have such a success rate in reproduction.










Then you find these little gems below the grasses - their vividness such a contrast.





















This little flower cluster is only an inch across with the most delicate individual flowers. They are prolific at the beginning of the dry but end up in little lone plants dotted along the flat until the plant succumbs to the dry season or foreshore fires. It is also supposed to be good for stomach ailments. A little bunch of all these plants sat on my windowledge for 2 weeks before they finally withered. Who needs a florist? And as for these beautiful flowers. The vine is hardy - also medicinal - and covered in these vibrant flowers. All these treasures grow within a 20 metre strip. These tend to be closer to the foreshore. Later in the dry the Timity vine grows with its little edible balls.


















I couldn't resist this monster on the beach - it really had me looking as I walked along - yes we do have crocodiles so from a distance my eyes were trying to make sense of the form. (Is this a pot in the making?) Of course Midnight wasn't the least perturbed and christened the beast - as he does any little outcrop. Many dogs also walk this beach so its quite a trip for the doggie crew as they all must leave their mark for friends to acknowledge!

I love the tidal wash - I did wait several minutes snapping as each wave came to shore - but the little seedling trying to attach itself seems to epitomise the daily struggle on the foreshore.
And this is the reward - standing tall and proud. Unfortunately we have vehicles using this little beach and they do untold damage. No matter how many notices go up they are continually
ignored so this little defiant plants stands no chance against a tyre.













Here's the fisherman - he doesn't seem to catch many fish but he does have a lot of fun trying. Usually the jabirus walk here on their stately legs - its very shallow and teeming with life so a variety of birds feed especially in the mornings. Evenings are quieter times - best time for the fishing dog creating his own water patterns.
Now I couldn't resist showing this side of this talented beast! He loves to drive - especially with Jeffery. Now Jeffery has two cars - one very upmarket with plush seats and this, his bike carrying ute but Midnight is equally at home in either car - talk about adaptable.








I love this photo - I was almost ready to run home - and along came this happy family framed with a backdrop to die for. I love being this close to the ocean - I can be cooking tea and look out and see the sky changing colour so I head out the back gate and run past two houses down the hill and past the flat onto the beach. I never tire of the sun setting - the colours are always amazing. Living on the west coast we have the most incredible sunsets.










Nicholas having a bath in the laundry sink - he loves it and so does Nona. As for the frog - he wasn't quite sure - he wanted to touch it but that look says it all. This little rainforest frog didn't quite know what to make of all the attention.















Oh my ankle - this is for the family - its a lot better but its my potting foot so I have to get it working. At least today it feels a bit more normal and after some physio I have got a bit more movement. Can't believe I can do so much with one step. I wasn't running either!!!

I really have had two weeks of enforced rest so it has to stop! Have lots to do in the clay department.