The Last Sun of 2013
Late afternoon at Charlotte’s Pass, in Australia’s Snowy Mountains (31 December 2013).
2013 was a big year in our house – with excitement and challenges; travel and change – but it ended much as it began for my husband and myself: with time out in the Snowy Mountains of Australia, communing with nature.
As visitors to this PhotoBlog know, this is something of a habit for me. I always book some quiet time into the schedule between Christmas and the early New Year; time to look back at jobs completed and things achieved, and to look forward to new goals and unfinished business.
When it is practical, I spend this time in Jindabyne and Kosciuszko National Park (e.g., Snowy Mountain High). We do make it into the mountains at other times of the year, whether it be just to walk or to enjoy the annual Thredbo Blues or Jazz Festivals, but December-January we make a point of visiting. The alpine flowers are out and the weather is beautiful; just the right environment to recharge ones batteries after a hectic year.
So, please join me for some quiet moments in the mountains.
Summer Berries
Bullocks Track (18 January 2013).
Kosciuszko Express Chair
Riding up to the top of a misty Mt Crackenback (19 January 2013).
Mt Crackenback
Looking over the granite outcrops back down towards Thredbo Village (19 January 2013).
Kosciuszko Lookout Trail
Walking through the rocks and heath above the treeline towards Mt Kosciuszko, which is still hidden over the hill (19 January 2013).
Silver Snow Daisies (Celmisia asteliifolia)
The season peaked early, and by mid January the snow daisies were already past their prime (19 January 2013).
Textured Bark
Eucalyptus forests are full of textures and colours: Waterfall Track (20 January 2013).
Stump of a Veteran
Waterfall Track (20 January 2013).
Dandelion
Make a wish! (19 January 2013)
Alpine Podolepsis (Podolepsis Robusta)
At first glance, these can be mistaken for dandelions…
Alpine Podolepsis
… but a look at the leaves reveals why they are called “Mountain Lettuce”.
Waterfall Track
Just under 6km, this is a delightful walk through the lower eucalyptus forest.
Orange Everlasting (Bracteantha Subundulata)
After the silver snow daisies, the everlastings are my favourites: Rainbow Lake Walk (22 January 2013).
Yellow Floating Heart (Nymphoides pelota)
Non-natives, the fringed lilies are none-the-less a delightful addition to Rainbow Lake.
Gunn’s Willow-herb (Epilobium Gunnianum)
The delicate Gunn’s Willow-herb is easy to miss in the tall snow grass.
Native Bluebell (Walhenbergia)
There are at least three kinds of native bluebells in the park; I can never remember which one is which.
Rainbow Lake
It is a short walk (3km round-trip) through snowgrass and snow gums to Rainbow Lake – originally a dam to supply water to nearby Hotel Kosciusko, which burnt down in 1951.
Lichen
More eucalyptus colours and textures (22 January 2013).
Snow Gum (Eucalyptus Pauciflora) Blossoms
The blossoms of the snow gum are surprisingly delicate, considering the rugged conditions they live under (31 December 2013).
The Main Range
One of the first things we do on every visit to the High Country is walk up the short Snow Gums Boardwalk to have a look over the Main Range. There is very little snow remaining at the moment (31 December 2013).
Tall Rice Flower (Pimelea Ligustrina)
There are delicate colours in every crevice..
Tall Rice Flower (Pimelea Ligustrina)
… and delicate flowers on every plant.
Alpine Mint-Bush (Prostanthera Cuneata)
The beautiful-smelling Mountain Mint tells me I have arrived (31 December 2013).
I hope you have enjoyed your holiday season, and wish you all the best for a happy, healthy new year.
‘Till next time!
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