A little walk at Westerfolds Park

After a day of rearranging furniture yesterday, I knew I needed to go outside and make the most of the fresh air, so I headed to Westerfolds Park.  This is a terrific park, set on the banks of the Yarra Birrarung. The Parks Victoria website describes it as: 'over 120 hectares of recreational and environmental parkland, perfect for picnicking, cycling, jogging and walking.' I have, in fact, done all of those activities there, and today added birdwatching, another of their suggestions. Westerfolds Park  

Cute cockatoos and a Grey Butcher Bird.

With my 'noccies in hand, I strapped on my backpack and headed off. First stop was some trees in the immediate vicinity of the carpark. The air was cool today, and with a light wind blowing, I could hear a hush-hush-hush gentle rustle of the taller eucalypts. In the background, I could still hear the distant roar of machinery over at the North-East link, but luckily, nature sounds were more dominant here and it wasn't too distracting. 

In a huge old dead tree, I spotted a couple of gorgeous cockatoos. I got out the 'noccies and had a close glance and enjoyed watching one of them working on a nest, before I moved on. The path ambles down in a nice curve and a few other people were out and about strolling happily and chatting to each other. A bit further along, I noticed a small bird, so the 'noccies were whipped out again, this time spotting a lovely little grey butcher bird, which I enjoyed watching for a while, until my neck got too sore. A description on 'Backyard Buddies' (Grey Butcherbird - Backyard Buddies) describes them as 'meat-loving birds that aren't afaid to come near to our homes and gardens', and a bird which is 'found across Australia, from mid-eastern Queensland, through southern Australia, including Tasmania, to northern Western Australia.' Unfortunately for smaller birds, the butcher bird tends to enjoy them in a meal. 

I have a couple of butcherbirds who like to visit my backyard, but this didn't detract from the joy of watching one up in a big eucalypt. 

Many shades of green and a Drooping Sheoak about to flower.

As I continued on my walk, I took the time to really take in the colours of the bushland around me. The greens are very subtle in different tones. If you take the time to rest your eyes on the trees, without rushing, you will notice that the changes are really beautiful. Whilst there is no stunning, stark contrast, when you start to come to the bush regularly here, your eyes begin to adjust to these subtle changes, and that's when you notice the beauty. I deliberately rested my eyes on the different shapes of the trees, the colours and shapes of leaves, the canopies, the trunks, the branches. I am in the beginning stages of being able to identify the trees but starting with the basics. Some have piles of bark beneath them, some have fully shed their bark, others are half covered at the base. 

I stopped for a while at the rapids lookout and checked out a very large Drooping Sheoak (Casuarina/(Australian pine) and then turned around to walk back.

*Pic one -Drooping Sheooak (Allocasuarina verticillata - a medium sized tree native to Southeast Australia, featuring weeping dark green branches of fine needles. It flowers pale brown from Winter to Early Spring and features small pine-like seed cones. 

A Crimson Rosella. 

On the way back, I noticed a flash of red in the top of a large eucalypt, and followed it up the hill, again whipping out the binoculars for a closer look. In the upper branches, was a stunning Crimson Rosella, with its red body and blue wings. I watched it for quite a while, it seemed very happy up there. I couldn't see its mate. That was a great treat. Finally, I stopped to look at the cockies in the dead tree again near the carpark, one of them was now sitting happily at the top, looking very snug and happy with itself. 

I felt great, a little hungry, and excited to be out and about. I had walked for about three kilometers. This is such a different experience to running. I am slowing right down and making the most of a chance to have some freedom. What an absolute luxury! Today I feel very grateful indeed. Now, to do some more writing, and some more learning, and perhaps a little granny nap if I can fit that in.