Sunday, August 24, 2008

Palm Creek



Black Cockatoos
come in to feed on seed roasted by the recent ground fires that sweep through the tropical savannah towards the end of the dry season.

Pandanus tectorius seed pods are almost ripe.

Thick jungle vegetation of Pandanus tectorius and Livistona benthamii.


Amazing pattern of Livistona benthamii frond stems on a still growing palm tree down inside the grove.

Natural stands of Livistona benthamii are quite rare in the Northern Territoy. Permament water is required and a natural aquifer occurs at the mouth of Palm Creek.

Friday, August 22, 2008

Almost Cork-Like


The MilkWood Tree has bark very much like cork. The plant has a white sap which is used in a variety of medicinal ways and is also used as fishingspear shafts. It's bark is easily removed after "cooking", is easily straightened when hot and drys without cracking. I hardly ever saw the tree before I was shown how to recognise its finger-like leaves and distinctive branching patterns, but now it seems to be growing everywhere.



Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Coastal Savanah

FF

Neighborhood Birds:
Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo


Neighborhood Birds:
Brahminy Kite