One cannot help but feel humble in the presence of these ancient River Red Gums. They have lived through many changes, on a seasonal basis (actually required for life), the changes of time (evolutionary) and then the man-made changes we have imposed on them.

Recent studies by ANU found that the species is under serious threat by rising CO2 levels and their survival may depend on curbing carbon emissions. Increased CO2 levels caused the trees to reduce the amount of essential oils produced and stored in their leaves. These essential oils are vital to defend the trees from insect and mammal herbivores, including koalas, eating them.

Tags:   Hattah N.P. swan hill River Red Gum Eucalypt Eucalyptus camaldulensis Australian Gum tree Australian tree susnet Water wetland lake Landscape Nikon D750 Nikon 24-120 CloudsStormsSunsetsSunrises

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Perhaps this image is alittle better than my previous post of the Towan Plains Swamp, east of Swan Hill.

The edges of this swamp had a thin crust and once the crust was broken, it was like quick sand.

Tags:   Swamp Towan Plains Conservation Reserve swan hill sunset evening colour CloudsStormsSunsetsSunrises dead trees stumps Nikon D750 Nikon 24-120

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"I cannot see the light
At the end of the tunnel tonight
My eyes are weary
And before I let one more life get erased
From the ashes I will rise for you and the ghosts
Of the names the faces and frames
The love and the pain for you I remain
Though I’m not worthy of being
The keeper of the flame
I am the keeper yeah
I am the keeper"

The Keeper Chris Cornell

Chris Cornell wrote this song for the movie Machine Gun Preacher, which is based on the real life story of Sam Childers, a former criminal who travels to East Africa and tries to help the children of Sudan. In working to keep the children safe from a brutal regime. Probably my favourite but have barely listened to his music since he died.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKKtvE4kpIo

It's been one year today.

Sorry if it's not a great image and I have rushed it as seems to be all I do at the moment. Apologies for falling behind.

Tags:   Swamp Towan Plains Conservation Reserve swan hill Chris Cornell The Keeper

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A Yellow Rosella eating grass seeds at Hattah Kulkyne National Park in North west Victoria. These are a subspecies of the Crimson Rosella and they interbreed where their ranges overlap.

A first for me and despite hovering around the picnic area, they were surprisingly hard to photograph well.

Tags:   Yellow Rosella Rosella bird Australian Bird Wildlife Australian Wildlife Tamron 150-600 Nikon D500

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I went back three times trying to get a reasonable shot of this little beauty. He was so quick and the challenge with Fairywrens is that they love to hide amongst the think little shrubs. You can often hear the tease of their chorus of chatter but barely glimpse them.

Taken at Lake Tyrrell.

Tags:   Lake Tyrell white-winged Fairy wren Fairywren bird Australian Bird Lake Tyrrell male fariywren Ni Tamron 150-600 Nikon D500

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