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G'day, This month a smorgasbord of Poems and some pictures out of my picture files. The weather has finally turned and now we know we are heading for winter with cold morningsand reasonable sunny day. As is usual of course if you've tuned into my website for the first time, welcome and hope you'll return next month for some more of my Bush Poetry. Take care, keep smiling, cheerio. Cas, Australian Bush Poet

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BEYOND THE BLUE MOUNTAINS . . . .

When settlers of the colony of Sydney to the West gradually took up land
there was always an abrupt halt where solid walls of mountains began
much longer route was opened earlier to fulfill much wanted urgent need
however this consisted of steep gorges, making travel dangerous indeed

Steepness of terrain, impenetrable dense shrub, defeated explorers in past
if they could conquer these mountains, colony expanded to westward at last
when finally achieved, finding lush pastures, rivers, fresh flowing water
open scrubland, shallow soil, ideal for establishing dairy farms much later

Discoveries made of easely accessible deposits of sandstone, coal, peat
some still mined today, climate in winter, like mother England, little heat
grants of land Government controlled, no overcrowding, population explosion
very little clearing of land was allowed in shallow soil, fears of gradual erosion

Soon first settlers did arrive, building homesteads, very functional residences
around perimeters sowed their crops, kept chooks, grew vegetables for existence
compared to experiences of settling other parts of this land, was easy, no battle
in very short time and long hours had their dairy farms stocked with cattle

With coming of railways transported their produce to Sydney Town mart
refrigerated, a big improvement when it was done all by horse and cart
along the way small settlements started to appear, some survive till today
most of these exude old English charm,with ample unique places to stay

Two images of Australia, that once seen, never forgotten

sunset in this great country in the great wide open spaces and

an antspike you'll encounter in open savannah landscape

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JUST A THOUGHT . . . A smile will bring the sunshine of your heart
into your face; a smile will lift life's shadows, make of earth a better
place. A smile will cheer the lonely and bring comfort to the sad; a
smile will summon hope, cheer when everything looks bad. A smile
can drive the tears away, bid sorrow's frown depart - although its
cost is nothing, it can and will so much joy impart.
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Our beautiful rivers getting less . . .

Slowly, surely, in Alpine Mountains melting mantle of snow

beginning of spring, summer, new lifecycle starting to show

like tears of joy sliding down granite sides, forming spring

spagnum marsh, gullies, that's where our mighty rivers begin

Progressing to larger soaks, skipping rocks, becoming juvenile

gathering speed, pausing in small billabong, rockpool for awhile

carrying nutrients, nourishing life along it's course and banks

animals of the bush, fish in river, birds and trees, giving thanks

Sustaining floodplains, billabongs, lakes, on journey to sea

here and there rapids, fragile environments, great diversity

some years it did extract, through floods, an awesome toll

those that did survive them will, when asked, vividly recall

On their tranquil waters paddlesteamers used to ply their trade

rivers main arteries of transport till better roads were made

a way of life, romance, camaderie on rivers has long since gone

water flows no longer free, stopped by what man has done

He built barriers, dams, all impounding water for irrigation

to generate electricity, made rivers slaves to urbanisation

a mere trickle now, as at beginning, some rivers at end are

man, in his ever greediness, is taking more than his share

Of a previously fast flowing river, that's now almost stalled

maybe, one day, he'll realise price of 'progress' as it is called

short term solutions to problems, the time bought, little effect

dying trees, lessening wildlife, salination, all thru gross neglect

This time thought to let you have a look at some of my Butterfly pictures I have collected.

The wonders of Nature never fail to amaze me when you look at these creations

A hidden treasure of the Macdonald Valley . . .

Most convicts on being emancipated, were granted sizeable parcels of land
such person, Price Morris, acquired along Hawksbury River, 50 acre grant
clearing it first of all to built cottage on hillside, pastures to raise cattle
despite some floods, droughts, fires, to sustain life was a constant battle

Cottage, when completed, was used as a place of Worship throughout year
as prominent Welsh Methodists had formed a close knit community here
in years to come they built the present day Methodist Church in the villlage
cottage was then used occasionally by declining worshippers of old age

Intended for burgeoning Sydney Town, they raised pigs, cattle, some sheep
using Hawkesbury River as transport highway, it was convenient, fast, cheap
the growing of vegetables was started on the slowly increasing cleared land
beginning building The Cottage, now carefully restored, were today it stand

The Cottage took quite a few years to build, important was land cultivation
materials not always available, sometimes needed very careful preparation
vertical slabs, hand hewn, wattle and daub walls, calico ceilings, shingle roof
whilst restoring of beautiful craftsmanship, with care, there was ample proof

The Cottage has a long verandah on the nothern side, overlooking the farm
there to relax, early morning, afternoon, admiring the beautiful valley's charm
functional kitchen, separated from sleeping quarters by traditional breeze-way
in those days functioning as air-conditioning, nothing has changed to this day

Taking many years to build, each room's progression displayed behind glass
look at it carefully, construction methods did change as the years did pass
once agaih occupying it's glorious, rightful and prominent place in history
within the Macdonald Valley and it's hardworking, albeit small community

Furnishings, highlighting Price Morris's generation, bedrooms and parlours
'shearers' single, iron 4-poster, queen-size brass bed, original wooden floors
at night you can gaze in awe at jet-black sky, millions of stars, Milky Way
without beginning, without end, silvery New Moon, ending again a perfect day

The surrounding areas offer myriad opportunity for a really relaxing stay
bush walking, bird watching, you can enjoy something different each day
visit The Great North Road, masterpiece of colonial engineering in past
then, when departing, did you wish that this sojourn hadn't gone so fast?

WHISKER'S WISE WORDS . . .

Have trust in yourself and any obstacle can be overcome

The Tanami Desert and fossilised rivers . . .

The Tanami Desert is an ancient landscape of spinifex and many a termite mound. It is hot and to all appearances it seems that not a drop of water could be found. The surface indications are also very misleading at even the first observations. There is plenty of water in fossil rivers, in
deep underground locations. In the days of Gondwana land, not long ago, this land was a virtual muddy swamp. Dripping rainforests, crisscrossing flowing rivers, places where dinosaurs used to tramp. Over millions of years the swamp dried up, sediment in rivers became soil, fine sand. Climatic elements also shaped the vegetation and wild life remaining on this land. Termite mounds provide an even better clue as to what water exists underground. In some places they are very small, where water levels are high, a bigger mound. Providing yet another clue are the juicier than normal desert plants of the Tanami. Profuse low scrub, spinifex grass is taller, thicker, lance-like leaves thrusting to the sky. Vast reservoirs of salt water, undergound, from oil explorations, it is known.Saltier than seawater, would need expensive treatment, for anything to be grown. Along remaining river valleys, groundwater closer to surface than anywhere else.Discoveries of fossilised rocks, Aboriginal paintings of variety of animals tells. Fewer than half of these species survive, due to changing climatic conditions shock. Extinctions were more dramatic and cruel soon after white man introduced grazing stock. Those that disappeared, little- , hare-, nail-tailed -wallabies, bandicoots, kangaroo rat. Never to return, after man, in a little over 150 years, has destroyed their habitat

A meeting in the sky . . .

It's an unusual place, to say the least, a meeting in the sky
whilst hang gliding, attracting me with it's plaintive cry
a wedge-tailed eagle, big, black, circling oh so close
wings spread out and claws extended in attacking pose

Must have been angered by my intrusion, one could tell
narrowly missing in attacking dive, in giant shadow I fell
soaring then to tremendous height, no more than mere speck
so small, realising it's size, it was hard not to loose track

This unexpected encounter with wedge-tail eagle, so high
rekindled a childhood fascination about this bird of prey
as distinctive a part of Australian landscape as our kangaroo
you'l l find it from arid interior to snow covered peaks too

A hunter combining great flying power, extra ordinary grace
magnificent pair of wings, soaring on thermals, high cloud base
fast projectiles when diving, keen eyes, a special purpose tail
claws that are sure to grip, hooked beak, in hunting never fail

Maligned by farmers, killing many lambs, 'twas said in early days
governments encouraged their demise, for a bounty they'd pay
now they are protected, these magnificent acrobatic aerialists
if you've never experienced these birds, a great thrill missed

EVOLUTION of AUSTRALIAN WILDFLOWERS . . .

Evolution of our wildflowers, dramatic, fascinating, conside-
ring the harshness, isolation of Australia. Flowering is a means
of achieving, at appropiate time, fertilisation. This mechanism
plants use to produce seed for next generation.

Being voiceless, flowers evolved colours, shapes, patterns, scents,
distinctive looks, textures,appealing to myriad insects and birds.
It is intriguing, these features, we can only look on in awe, no
artificial world here, nature in all it's splendour, in the raw.

With strategies which have developed over millions of years and
isolation, most flowering plants have spread widely in this con-
figuration. Appearing in the most unlikely places, seashore to inland
plains, mountain tops, river valleys, adapting a suitable strain

The Australian climate, landforms, creating varied environments,
geology, sunlight, space, soils, water, very basic requirements,
adaptability, diversity all a key factor in these most remarkable
plants. Evolving over millions of years, even in the present time.

Ancient soils very poor, no plant life they could possibly sustain,
on close inspection, they are highly specialised systems of living
they do contain.mechanisms for reducing water loss in severe
drought, equipped to recover even after severe bush fires

Yet, thousands of species of plants, on what is on offer, thrive,
diversification and adaptability, the key in a remarkably
fragile environment, some present in all climates, tropical, tempe-
rate, wet, dry, we do have an obligation to help their survival,
the least thing we can do is try.

BREAD and BUTTER pudding . . .

Outback Australia, between Swallow and Camooweal
a whistlestop, hotel, motel, a good square meal
they make you very welcome, you will have a ball
plenty of meat, vegies, bread and butter pud as special

When you ate it, a very special taste you'd find
it always did wonders for your state of mind
some claimed it cured the common cold, the flu
others said it made you race to the outside loo

Many a question of how, what secret, asked in vain
as to what the bread and butter pudding did contain
the usual, was the cook's standard evasive reply
perhaps this is the first time you've come by?

Middle of night, in hotel's kitchen, a flickering light
the cook was at work, what a sight when in full flight
another batch of bread and butter pudding she 'd make
with these tourists, hotel's reputation was at stake

Milk , flour, eggs, stale bread, to make a lovely goo
then there was the most important secret thing to do
substituting the all important raisins, no fancy pack
with a handfull of dead flies from outside the old flytrap

RAINFOREST'S CHANGING MOOD . . .

Misty low clouds, slowly drifting over high mountains
shrouding dense green vegetation with very fine rain
very little penetration of sun's rays through dense canopy
stately, here and there, in all kinds of hues, stands a tall tree

In rainforest an absense of any noticeable bird sound
you can hear the drips of water, from up high, falling on ground
a sodden mess of dead twigs, leaves, shedded bark, on forest floor
fallen trees, rotting, decaying, returning nutrients to soil so poor

Some covered in coloured fungi, red, pink, brown, even blue
tiny pools of brackish water, reflecting mirror like, every hue
intricate cobwebs, droplets of water, hanging like pearls on string
spiders, patiently waiting, for next meal to come by, to tangle in

On gnarled, not always fallen trunks, new leaves emerging in sun
soft yellows, pinks, dappled greens, new life cycle again has begun
throughout rainforest, after rain, birds and frogs starting to call
familiar sounds returning, stars above, night is beginning to fall

Another dawn will soon break, rain temporarely gone, sunlight
frog choruses diminishing, songs of mornging birds again delight
mood of the rainforest has changed, a new experience beginning
there's no turning back, body and soul with new energy ringing

PASSAGE OF TIME CELEBRATED . . .

In the pastel light, after a hot day, in the setting sun
upon the escarpment, in fissure, a solitary Ghost Gum
absorbing, on its twisted white limbs, sun's dying ray
higher up, among rocks, surefooted wallabies play

In the sudden descending blackness of tropical night
the quietness, the landscape becomes a different sight
there are no stark, brilliant colours by light of full moon
eerie shapes, strange shadows, delicate flowers bloom

Crocodiles in water courses, patiently waiting for prey
water buffalo, wild horses, thirsty, edgy, slowly try
on ground and overhead flocks of migratory birds
cacophony of sound, deafening, nothing else is heard

Change of seasons, from dry to wet, tattoo of rain
transforming parched landscape to endless green plain
the walls of sandstone gorges take on whole new sheen
on some, simple Aboriginal paintings, a sight to be seen

The wet season has started, revitalising again this land
torrents of water, in, what was yesterday, river of sand
sometimes the seasons change early, sometimes late
an annual ritual, the passage of time, it helps to celebrate

MAGIC TO DREAM ABOUT . . .

The night air is crisp, illuminated by a brilliant full moon
it's hard to go back to sleep, knowing dawn will break soon
heard thumpings in middle of night, reverberating in still air
huddled deeper into sleeping bag, wondering what went there

Dawn breaks, casting orange glow over sparsely wooded plain
as it gets lighter and hotter, it swallows setting moon again
the morning chorus of suberb songsters, like Sun- and Cat-bird
others, because of smaller numbers, dry habitat, seldom heard

Sheer walls of Gorge, in early light reveal eons of earth's history
before the Dreamtime, richly sculpted rockface, rise majestically
along walking track, deep water holes, shimmering crystal clear
flowering Wattles, Bottlebrush, shade, pause a moment here

Above gorge, lookout providing spectacular panoramic view
a landscape tortured thru the ages, awe inspiring, old, yet new
potholed creekbed, resembling dinosaur foot prints, imagination
small lizards sunning themselves, wild flowers, plenty of variation

Exploring, hiking, photographing, swimming, whatever is the case
time out to contemplate dramatic landscape, beauty of this place
words fail to describe its existence, it seems unlikely and yet
it ever so slowly evolved over time with every sunrise and sunset

Traveling in this amazing land, many more such places to be seen
some are easy to reach, others take a bit of effort if you're keen
now that the holidays are over and back to reality, daily grind
often daydreaming about magical Porcupine Gorge we did find

The KIMBERLEYS . . .

The parched, unforgiving, expanse of what is the Kimberleys
does hide land full of unexpected beauty, Aboriginal mystery
beautiful Wandjina Gorge, Tunnel Creek and the Lennard River
each has it's own surprises that overwhelm, make you shiver

Tall majestic walls of Standley Chasm, waters of Tunnel Creek
bats wheeling in caves, crocodiles slithering into muddy deep
day comes to a close in quiet surroundings, dramatic change
unnerving sound of giant flying crickets coming from the range

Sunrise, sunset, spectacular affairs, imprinting upon memory
one becomes aware why this land is sacred to the Aboriginie
endless expanse of Kimberley counry, empty rocky yellow plain
dry short stunted trees, cloudless azure sky, land crying for rain

Kimberley's isolation, still connecting Aboriginals to this land
ancient people, rich culture, sometimes taking extreme stand
stories of Rainbow Serpent, Earth Snake, others, still being told
a people, proud of ancestral Dreamtime stories, keeping hold

The mysteriousness of this land, makes you want to come back
retracing steps, just wander, experience again The Outback
The Kimberleys, seemingly an inhospitable land at first glance
but, after being there a short while, will delight, give it a chance

WHY EVER GO ABROAD . . .

We've got eucalypts, wattles, unique wildflowers,
deserts and endless plains, panoramic horizons,
nature's beauty and starkness, contrasts overpower
floods, droughts, fires sometimes the landscape scar
sprawling cities, towns far flung, loneliness, isolation,
salt lakes, rainforests at ocean shore, history, folklore,
struggles to farm the land, ingenious innovations,
land of Aboriginal myth, mysterious rock paintings
where seemingly ever none or tranquil rivers flow,
unleashing their destructive powers when in flood,
where majestic eucalypts and river gums grow,
mangroves, tangled roots, smelly bottomless mud
there is mining of opals, emeralds, iron ore, lead, zinc
copper, gold, manganese, our technology and science
is up there with the world's best, diamonds and oil,
in times of world conflicts surely have passed the test,
to many nationalities we are a land of milk and honey,
temperate climates, can follow sunshine all year round,
social security, governments freely handing out money,
no passport needed wherever in this Australia you go,
land of the emu, kangaroo, kookaburra, crocodiles,
brumbies, galahs, rabbits, brolga, cane toad, yabbies,
billabongs, Southern Cross in sky on cloudless nights,
comfortable lifestyle, carry a swag if you like and roam,
having all this, why wouldn't you call it Home, sweet Home.

THE SWAGGIE . . .

In the cemetery there stands a simple wooden cross
on it, Swaggie, caught my eye and imagination
no claim to fame, achievement, just one of society's dross
a harmless soul, nobody knew, a-tramping around the Nation

His old felt hat, worn jauntily, belongings, swag on back
grey whiskers, tousled hair, flowing long white beard
worn boots, army great coat, heading along unknown track
almost a trade mark, about him not many people cared

Leading a simple life, never a worry or ever creating a fuss
communicating with nature, in heart and mind content
a lifelong dream fulfilled, maybe strange to many of us
looking at life in a different perspective, no fairy story

Many a place he had been, hitching a ride or just walk
always as one with nature, according to environment
about his travels, if you asked, only too willing to talk
for many hours, wishing his odessy would never end

Days of the Swaggie, romantic as they may seem, no more
like so many things of yesteryear, passing into Folklore
as in life, so too in death, at rest under a shady tree
no name, no Epitaph, just an all encompassing "Swaggie

A RIVER CARVED OUT OF STONE . . .

Floodwaters over centuries have left their mark in this river carved out of stone
to appreciate it's beauty of towering sheer walls can be done by boat alone
creating caves and overhangs when through sandstone cliffs it forged it's way
walls displaying kaleidoscope of colours by changing light throughout the day

This river in winter it serene beauty, peacefulness, tranquility grossly belie
in summer, when in full flood, a very destructive force when it thunders by
the waters become very deep between the sheer walls, flowing metres wide
eroding the banks, drowning wildlife, uprooting trees, what a terrifying sight

The mirror-like reflections of multi-coloured walls amazing sight to behold
interspersed, here, there, delicate plants, clinging to walls, tenuous foothold
along path subtle formed rock bars,creating foaming rapids, miniature waterfall
great variety of birds, cormorants, fairy martins, rainbow birds, enthrall

Freshwater crocodiles, in search of food in tranquil waters, slowly cruise by
almost a fisherman's paradise, usually catch perch, barramundi, on first try
unlike most Aboriginal rock art found, here not always in caves, rock shelters
often on open walls, although protected from fierce sun and torrential rain

Drawings, some 18000 years old, depict ancestral Spirits, animals of Dreamtime
some of them brilliant colours, red ochres, meticulously drawn in very fine line
scattered in Outback Towns or Stations, few Aboriginal descendants still survive
their traditional relationship with the land and Katherine Gorge being kept alive

Nature is an absolute Wonderland . . .

Smokey blue hills on horizon far away
wonderland of nature, grandiose in its display
from dry inland to where rainforests meet the sea
sun, rain, wind, each an entity, moving in harmony

Cedars, eucalypts, cut down long ago, large stumps
used in ships, houses, coal mines, new leaves in clumps
ribbon of silver, murmuring creek in valley below
gurgling over moss covered pebbles, not interrupting flow

On steep mountain sides, all covered in fine scree
supporting in small crevices, occasional stunted tree
against all odds, they somehow manage to survive
a web of intermingled spidery roots giving it precious life

Myriad small insects dancing, age-old rituals, sub-dued light
wild flowers, vibrant colours, eucalypts of great height
spiders, beetles, fungi, nests of birds, bush honey bees
brumbies, wild pigs, foxes, dingos, kangaroos, roaming free

Nature's way, micro organisms at work well below ground
making sure the bush's life cycle keeps going round
each creature in its own way contributing, not stopping toil
breaking down twigs, leaves, old logs, to enhance the soil

Waterfalls, ever changing sight, waterbirds and frogs,
wombat, lizards, snakes, sleep in hollows, burnt out logs
to experience nature's wonderland close at hand, go there
you'll never regret, immerse yourself in it, its everywhere

THE PICNIC FROM HELL . . .

They'd finally arrived after long journey at destination
Australia, land of vast distances, unique animal population
Aboriginal Dreamtime, koalas, emus, kangaroos and more
eagerly looking forward to what each day had in store

Visiting Opera House, Blue Mountains, places in between
there never seemed enough time for all that was to be seen
anticipating week-long trip, by plane, bus, to real Outback
experience Desert, Ayers Rock, Olga's, of real time losing track

Along the road bus stops in shady, for miles around, picnic spot
it is oh so lonely out here, very quiet and hot, so very very hot
the doors open and out we step, cameras around our neck
clicking at anything, great nothingness, wild flowers along track

It's lunchtime, so the driver brings the picnic hampers out
but, as soon as they are opened, there is a noise, very loud a mob of insistent insects descends out of nowhere fast
the Aussie Bushfly has arrived, with thousands in their cast

Picnic tables, eskies, all were quickly covered by these pests
eating our sandwiches, having to compete with uninvited guests
getting into hair, eyes, nose, bare arms and legs, everywhere
swallowing one or more, not nice, busdriver, get us outta here

These Bushflies are as Australian as damper and billy tea
causing that "Aussie Salute" as practised by you and me
a real Aussie experience, what a story back home to tell
it wasn't really a funny experience, this "Picnic from Hell"

PAUSE A MOMENT . . .

Go and spend a night in Australian bush, great thrill
titillating your senses, heart and mind with wonder fill
a brilliant sunset at end of the day, moon slowly rising
millions of stars above you, the light subdued, surprising

Nowhere else, even worldwide, only in Australia, will you see
koalas, possums, sugar gliders, foraging in tree's canopy
diversity of insects, age-old rituals performing, air is light
boulders, grotesque shapes, mountains, magical sight

Wombats, flying foxes, emus, frogs in billabong croaking
bush's smell , flowers, unusual noises, thought provoking
wallabies, kangaroos, like silhouettes in pale moonlight
pause now and then, really listen to sounds of the night

Dingos howl, creaking of dry leaning old trees, owls hoot
gurgling of nearby creek, crunching of twigs underfoot
ant-eaters, echidnas rummaging for food on forest floor
magic moments in time, ocean sounds on faraway shore

Enchantment of bush by night soon lost by rising sun
whispy mists, light of dawn, the magic of night has gone
cadenza of morning bird's chorus, like a symphony
the experience lingers in your mind, everlasting memory