Billy Buttons on the Horizon
Mount Kosciuszko is home to some unique flora – cheerful yellow Billy Buttons (Craspedia Canens) are just one of many species.
Another year draws to a close…
I find that the period of “limbo” between Christmas and New Year is a good time to reflect on the past: on the trials and accomplishments of the year that is finishing.
This time in 2014, I wrote:
“This last year has been a turbulent one: wars, acts of terror and insanity, massacres and tragedies – at home and overseas. The floods and droughts that accompany climactic extremes seem more common; the forced displacement of people is at its highest since the second world war; and the unprecedented ebola outbreak has claimed over 7000 lives.” Remove the ebola, which has finally been conquered, and add a devastating earthquake in Nepal, and it seems little has changed.
I, personally, have been incredibly lucky this past year – with new babies and new adventures – but the events of the world around me have had an impact. I often feel weighted down by the disasters and acts of insanity that I see in the nightly news and feel the need to withdraw: to wrap myself in healing nature and refresh my spirit. There can be no better place to recharge one’s batteries and to make plans for the future, than the mountains.
They do say you should start as you mean to go on, and go on as you began, so, we spent the first days of this year in the Snowy Mountains, walking and cycling some of the trails in Australia’s Kosciuszko National Park.
Join me for some blue skies and fresh air.
Guthega Dam
Guthega Dam is a concrete gravity dam – one of the sixteen major dams that make up the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectricity Scheme. We were attempting – not for the first time – to find the track to Mount Tate.
Trees on Guthega Trig
Bush fires from years past have decimated the gum trees: in places, only their silver skeletons remain.
Red and Green
Red patches of Sheep Sorrel (Acetosella vulgarise) growing amongst the blocks of granite contrast with the fresh green grass on the hillside.
Falls Creek Waterfall
We missed the turn that would have taken us off the management track and up to Guthega Trig; instead we ended up blocked by the metal decking at Falls Creek. After a picnic lunch, we returned the way we had come.
Blueberry Flax-Lilies – (Dianella Revoluta)
Wildflowers line the overgrown pathway above the Snowy River between Falls Creek and Guthega Dam.
Blueberry Flax-Lilies – (Dianella Revoluta)
The Flax-Lilies flower from spring through summer. The fruit, which contains 3-4 seeds, turns blue to purple and lasts for many months.
The Pathway Back
The track follows the hip of the hill – high over the Snowy River below.
Viper’s Bugloss (Echium vulgar)
Not all the flora is indigenous. Like the related Paterson’s Curse, Viper’s Bugloss is an invasive weed, with control orders in place.
Daisies
Seaman’s Hut
Another day, we cycled the six kilometres up from Charlotte Pass to Seaman’s Hut, …
Silver Snow Daisies (Celmisia Tomentella)
… parked our bicycles in the lee of the hill and ate our lunch under a blue sky, …
Granite and Alpine Everlasting (Leucochrysum Albicans)
… before continuing up hill on foot, …
Path to the Top
…and ascending to the top of Mount Kosciuszko – Australia’s highest “peak” (2228m).
Candle Heath (Richea Continentis)
Endemic to the Australian alpine country, the spiky leaves of the Candle Heath make tracts of mountainside un-passable.
Billy Buttons (Craspedia)
At lower altitudes – but still above tree-line – the Billy Buttons add a splash of yellow to the mountainsides.
Billy Buttons (Craspedia)
Also known as Woolyheads, Billy Buttons are members of the daisy family, and native to Australia and New Zealand.
Mountain Celery (Aciphylla Glacialis)
Purple Eyebright (Euphrasia Collina) on the Mountainside
Overlooking Rawson Pass
The nine kilometres back down the Old Summit Road is SO much easier than the ride and walk up!
Silver Snow Daisies (Celmisia Tomentella)
Chamomile Sunrays (Rhodanthe Anthemoides) beside the Roadway
Rocks and Alpine Flowers
As an introduction to The New York Times Year in Pictures 2015, Steven J. Erlanger writes:
There were some good news stories as well – and it is, of course, up to each of us to contribute to a better world in some small way. But, sometimes, to maintain our spirits – and sanity – we just need time out.
Here is hoping the new year brings us all better things.
Seaman’s Hut, Old Summit Road, Koscuiszko National Park, Australia
Hello Ursula.
Your photo,s of alpine plants are good. And I can see you have gone to a lot of trouble to get the correct botanical names. Daisy plants are hard to get the correct botanical names . You have photo,s marked as Rhodanthe anthemoides.
These are incorrect . They are Leucochrysum albicans ssp. alpina.
The photo of the Native celery Aciphylla glacialis is the Male form of this plant.
Hoping this is some help to you. Joe
Thanks SO much Joe! I’ll fix those names now. 😀