Sunshine…and a few clouds

Long Walk

A small group rocked up for FOBIF’s July long walk yesterday, undeterred by black clouds, sober weather forecasts and the prospect of an energetic 16 kms trek across hilly terrain. The weather actually delivered everything except snow: squally gusts, slippery tracks, curtains of rain and magnificent but threatening cloud formations—but mostly cool, pleasant walking conditions, with passages of unexpected sunshine.

The stimulating route wound through some of the more obscure corners of the south end of the Diggings Park, including the high ridges north of Sebastopol Creek, slated for burning by DELWP in 2024 or 2025. This is one of the most intriguing and diverse sections of the Park. The walk ended in a stroll along the Loddon from Glenluce to Vaughan Springs. Fungi and mosses were abundant, five species of wattle are already in flower, and among other things there were great shows of Hakea and Common Heath.

The group took a little more than the predicted 6 hours to complete the course—OK, an hour more: that’s what happens when you pause too often to enjoy the scene.

Many thanks to Jeremy Holland for devising a terrifically interesting journey. Next month’s walk is in the Metcalfe NCR: check the program for details.

: Acacia lanigera

: Earthstar (Geastrum spp)

: Epacris impresa Helge Track, Stones Gully

: Hakea decurrens, Sebastopol Creek

: Moss ‘tree’; Hypnum cupressiforme

: Stereum illudens

Short Walk

Eighteen people came along to the 5 km walk led by Frances Cincotta. The loop walk began at the junction of Lower Kangaroo Creek and Upper Kangaroo Creek Tracks in the Fryers Ridge Nature Conservation Reserve. The route was west along Upper Kangaroo Creek Track, north along Bottom Track, north along Fryers Ridge Road, and south-east along an unnamed Telecom Track back to the starting point.

The pace was leisurely giving plenty of opportunity for flora observation and identification. Here Frances with her expert plant knowledge and fungi authority Joy Clusker were continuously helpful. Plants in flower included Ploughshare Wattle, Woolly Wattle, Rough Wattle, Golden Wattle, Bushy Needlewood, Common Correa, Common Heath and Downy Grevillea. Moss, lichens and fungi were abundant. There were plenty of other plants about to flower so the area is well worth another visit in the next few weeks.

Thanks to Frances and Mike for planning the walk and Joy, Judy and Philip for sending in photos.