 |
| A glimpse of the Great Lake as we reach the Plateau |
The day dawned with low cloud and drizzle which obscured the
mountains and sent fingers of mist down into the valleys. The contrast with the day before couldn't have been greater, nor could the landscape. Optimistically, we drove up into the mist anyway. At least
it would be an interesting drive even if we couldn’t get to the falls. After turning right at the Highland Lakes Road (B51), we
stopped at Pine Lake and said Hello to the Pencil Pines, that being one of the
few places where you can see them easily without having to do heroic backpacking trips into
the mountains.
 |
| This is one the highest points on the Highland Lakes Road |
 |
| It is also one of the few places where you can see ancient Pencil Pines -Arthrotaxis cupressoides. These have been estimated to be over 1000 years old, though they can live to be 1500. They are related to Sequoias and date from the same geological period |
This was heroic enough. A biting wind was blowing and
sending rain and mist our way. My friend put on a full -length raincoat over
her woollens. I had stupidly assumed that I had a raincoat in the van as I usually do, but obviously hadn't. Despite putting on a thermal, a flannel
shirt, a windcheater and a beanie, I was still freezing. Even bumble bees
were trying to get into the van to get out of the wind. The swirling mists gave the
landscape a fittingly primaeval look.
 |
| Even the trees seem to huddle together for warmth |
 |
| Pruned by the wind and stunted by poor soils and the cold, plants grow dense and hug the ground. Most are spiky or prickly. These are the spent blooms of Richea Scoparia |
 |
Others such as the coral ferns and cushion plants survive by clustering together in dense clumps
|
 |
| There's not a lot to see from the lookout at Dry's Bluff. Locals say if you see Black Cockatoos heading inland, it's going to rain for a week. I'm hoping these are heading back |
To be continued...
Comments