B is for Birding: my first flock of the huge Carnaby's Black Cockatoos

Driving back from Jurien Bay today, I was feeling dejected about not having sighted any of the Black Cockatoos that are endemic to Western Australia.

We went off Highway 1 to have ice-creams in Gingin, oh my best ice-cream to date, marketing blurb from Connoisseur Ice-creams says it all:

Within the Murray River lie ancient pink salt flakes. We mix them into our classic gooey caramel sauce, and whip it generously through rich caramel flavoured ice cream. It’s then locked away inside a layer of premium milk chocolate and macadamias. We think the salt flakes are happier here.

Anyway, as we were leaving town a flock of Black Cockatoos flew over, noisy and bold. Fred leapt out of the car and did his best to get some photos before the flock moved off again to the next field.

Yay, I now have the Carnaby's Black Cockatoo on my life list!

P is for Pinnacles: a place to breath deeply

Nambung National Park, Western Australia.

The approach to the park gives nothing away, scrub saltbush and white dunes, low hills.

We paid the entrance fee and walked to the start of the Desert Trail through the Pinnacles.

It's a vast area, denuded of the coastal scrub and these stones stand, silent, sometimes looming, sometimes ordinary and sometimes extraordinary in form, erosion creating this place of magic.

The end of day warmth in this quiet, rather surreal landscape, turned the sand a buttery colour, even the wind dropped.

Nankeen Kerstrels scrapping high above us in the deep blue sky were the only distraction.

I am constantly reminded of the wonders of our natural world and I am in awe. Scientists find it hard to explain the Pinnacles. I do not ask these stones to explain themselves but just stand and look.