Susie Island Sunsets

For the past couple of nights the lake has been so calm I couldn't resist taking the boat out to the Susie Islands to do some shooting despite having clear, "boring" skies. On days where there aren't any clouds I find the most interesting light to be either the hour before the sun comes up or the hour after the sun goes down. Cloudless days can produce a rather beautiful glow in the sky during these times.

(Above and below: Sunset from Lucille Island)

(Above: Sunlit trees on Long Island)

(Above: Twisted tree on Big Susie Island)

(Above: Evening light on Big Susie Island)

(Above: Lichen on Lucille Island)

(Above: Small rock island off the western tip of Lucille Island)

Southern California Skies

A Kentia palm invokes thoughts of the tropics.

Taking the low road

This weekend I'm heading off for a tour in the vicinity of Killarney. I was in the same area at the same time last year, but this time I'm taking a different route -- the dirt road through the Condamine River Gorge. Apparently there are something like 18 unbridged river crossings in the space of 20km, although at this end of the river, they're unlikely to present any major problems. Incidentally, the Condamine River is actually the start of the Murray-Darling system, which is the largest river system in Australia. It ends near Adelaide -- virtually at the other end of the country.

Last year, of course, I took the high road over the Head, which includes what is probably the most brutal climb in the entire country.



This time I'll be climbing the range on the little-known White Swamp Road, which will pass through country I haven't visited before (although I've certainly wondered about it).

The weather forecast seems to suggest it's going to rain -- unlikely as that may seem in the dry season with the SOI sitting at -11 currently. If it does look like rain I may set up camp slightly earlier on the Saturday. I still have a couple of route-related decisions to make. The first is whether I head through Boonah or Rathdowney on the way out to the ride. The Boonah option gives me terrain I haven't passed for a while, a slightly shorter distance, and a later supermarket (meaning less time carrying loads of groceries with me). The Rathdowney option offers a hearty feed at the local pub, and a possible stretch near Lake Maroon. I may wait and see what sort of day tomorrow is.

There's another decision to make on Sunday, as to whether I head north or south from Killarney. Again, I'll wait and see how I feel at the time. In a sense I don't mind the respect of rain -- as it means the nights are likely to be warmer in that area. I'll also have some new gearing on my bike which should cope better with the fully loaded climbs. Now it's just a matter of trying to find a way to concentrate on work for the rest of the day!

Miles on the Hybrid

Topped off the air in the tires of the hybrid bike. After a stop at the bike shop, it was down to the Wabash Trails trailhead park. Temp was in the 60s with sunshine and a little breeze from the NE.
Had 2 reasons to ride the Trek 7200 FX - Had been riding the road bike most (needed some variety) and needed a few miles to take the bike over the 4000 mile mark. Headed out toward the Western Historic Trails Center. Visited a little with the staff there.
On the way back, I achieved my goal for the ride - the bike rolled over 4000 miles. I ended up with just over 16 miles on the ride. If I ride tomorrow, I should hit a big mile mark. What is it? You will just have to wait.

Squirrels and Amarcrinum

It's not supposed to be over 100°F every day in June, but that's happening in Austin in ... The heat may be on, but these weirdly fragrant Amarcrinum still opened, probably because they were given one of the best sites in our yard, a smidge of the only border that offers morning sun with afternoon shade. You can grow almost anything with that exposure - even in Texas - but most of our lot gives us the reverse - shade in the morning turning to baking, parching, frying afternoon sun.
We woke this morning to the sound of little paws skittering madly across the roof, and all day long the trees have been full of chattering, sex-crazed squirrels. While on my way to the garden shed I startled this busy pair and was able to snap a photo because Kerri taught me that a blogger never leaves the house without a camera. The image is so clinical that I'm not sure whether to thank her or blame her for this post!

Crabs

Sorry it is so grainy, but they are skittish... Get just a little too close and they scamper to their holes.

Not sure if it was because of a brief shower, but there were a hundred of these guys in the ditch besides where I walk every day...



Several different colors, about as big as your fist... Had to use my zoom to it's ultimate, and they were hiding in the shade (explains the grainy photo).