Today I came upon this beautiful two metre python sunning itself near my back door. From its markings it appears to be a Coastal Carpet Python. According to my snake book, its movements when not disturbed are “slow and casual” which is a pretty apt description as it seemed quite unconcerned by my presence.
Hopefully when it has finished sunning itself it will proceed slowly and casually to my compost bin to feast on a bush rat or two!
More evidence that things are tough this winter …
This is probably the wallaby I see from time to time in the bush at the back of my house. I’ve never seen her in the front garden before, but the lure of lush green grass and fresh water was probably too much for her to resist. I watched from the veranda for a few minutes before she hopped off across the garden.
After a dry Spring and a dry Summer, now we’re having a cold dry Winter. It’s hard on the wildlife and I suspect that’s why I seem to have many more visiting birds than usual. There’s so much sploshing around in the bird bowl that I’m having to refill it twice a day.
Yesterday I noticed this White-faced Heron strutting around the pond. It had stopped in either for a drink, or to terrorise the few remaining goldfish by staring trance-like into the water. It seemed relatively un-concerned with my presence, and allowed me to get fairly close before retreating with its characteristic slow-motion walk.
After exploring the garden for half an hour or so, it wandered slowly and elegantly off down my driveway – probably heading for my neighbours pond.
This morning I ventured up the mountain to the Made in Dorrigo street market. Dorrigo is located on the Northern Tablelands at 731 metres (2,398 feet), it’s potato country and normally quite a bit colder than Bellingen, but by the time I reached the top of the mountain, it was an almost balmy 12 degrees. Nevertheless being a bit of a wimp when it comes to cold, I needed a second (and third !!) breakfast of coffee and churros to warm me up.
Amongst the usual Country Women’s Association type stalls selling knitted and crocheted “things” (and I’m not sure what some of them were) there were a few gems. Like Waterfall Glass, selling beautiful bowls made from recycled glass.
I had to buy this beautiful little heart soap dish.
Being a frog-aholic, I couldn’t resist cards drawn by local artist Chris Hundt.
Throw in some fresh local produce and tempting home-baked goods and it was definitely worth braving the cold. And next time might hold back on the coffee and churros and warm myself with some of Red Dirt Distillery’s Ginger Liqueur.
A Bellingen Diary 