ON A WILD ADVENTURE
by Graeme Olsen
Armed with my camera, food, water,
and a pair of good walking boots, I'm out in the
middle of nowhere. And I'm looking for flowers.
Pushing aside any niggling thoughts that this kind
of activity is an assault on my stereotypical Aussie
male sense of masculinity, I move onwards as I slowly
become tuned in to the vast array of flora, fauna,
clear streams and silence. And then I see them -
south west wildflowers. Let me tell you folks, there
are some amazing sites in our local forests, and
they're all right on your doorstep.
| WA actually has one of the
most diverse ranges of flowering plants in
the world with more than 12,000 types of wildflowers
across the state. The best known ones are
of course Banksia, Grevillia, Kangaroo Paws,
and Wattle. But there are literally thousands
more, all unique. But even more amazing than
the diversity is their adaptability.
Our wildflowers can survive in poor soil,
dry summers, wind, drought, bushfires, and
more. The seeds of some wildflowers can
last 100 years or more in the ground before
coming to life.
Other plants contain their seeds in solid
casings that are only released by fire.
Many wildflower plants themselves appear
to die in summer, only to sprout life again
when the winter rains come.
So sitting within earshot of a cool
bubbling stream I can see just out of arms reach
some beautiful blue orchid flowers. This particular
specimen is likely to have never seen a human before.
Its striking blue flowers almost seems wasted when
it's hiding all the way out here in the bush for nobody to see. Then again, maybe this is where it
truly belongs. As I sit amongst the shady trees,
blue skies, fresh air, and sounds of nature, everything
seems right in the world. |
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So where you can find your local south
west wildflowers? Just head outdoors! You'll find
them in any of our great state forests and national
parks, or even just out on the road. Better still,
arrange a day out with a tour operator. Because
they do this kind of stuff all the time, they know
the best places to go, and can take you further
into the bush where you'll get to see things you
normally wouldn't on foot.
Don't forget that many wildflowers
are protected by legislation, in addition to the
restrictions of picking flowers in national parks.
Lets preserve what we have. And if you're
going out on your own, always tell someone where
you are and when you'll be back.
And of course now is the best time
to go - Spring. Get out there and enjoy this natural
attraction before it goes for another year. And
don't forget your camera.
October 2001
