just a little more from the Ochre Pits - #2

Written about with more detail, in previous post here.  100 kms west of Alice Springs, along the Larapinta Trail, these Ochre Pits are situated on the Namatjira Drive, Burt Plain, N.T.

west from Alice Springs, Northern Territory

dry and crunchy underfoot, with colourful cliff-face

and then, the surrounding countryside

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We're off to the Ochre Pits ... #1

Signage from the Parks and Wildlife Service of Northern Territory read in part: "Aboriginal people have extracted ochre from these cliffs for thousands of years.  The ochre from here is still used by Western Arrernte people, mainly for ceremonial purposes".

it is noted as Stone of the Dreamtime.  Here, a 10m high cliff face.

and more interesting information gleaned from this sign:

Yellow ochre, the dominant colour of these cliffs, is caused by a mixture of white clay and iron oxide (rust).

White ochre has very little or no iron.  The white colour comes from kaolin, a white clay mineral.

Tiny fragments of mica and quarts give the ochre a shiny quality.

a butterfly photo opportunity

Finally!!   I had the opportunity to find these butterflies when at Carnarvon Gorge, Central Qld.  I'm hoping I've identified them correctly.  It really was engaging to watch them and follow with my camera.

Monarch Butterfly

Australian Crow Butterfly

would love to know the name of this plant too; maybe Tropical Milkweed?

Lesser Wanderer Butterfly


Love is like a butterfly
It goes where it pleases ...
and it pleases wherever it goes

Author unknown

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Ormiston Gorge, N.T.

West MacDonnell National Park is a treasure of the Northern Territory; well, just one of them.  The Outback isn't all just about red dirt at all.

Our group arrived at Ormiston Gorge near to 3.30 p.m. one afternoon; it was to me a really special destination; totally enchanting.

how long would an artist want to spend here?  

there's the waters edge near the bottom of the photo.

... a yellow hammock strung across the other side, so some-one was minimalistic-camping-out in a pretty remote location there.

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Uluru Walk #4

...are you still keeping up with us? We've come this far, we might be able to pull over in a bit and have a drink and piece of fruit I think, shortly.

Mulla-Mulla

amazing textures on this side of the rock

flower of the Corkwood tree

and as someone pointed out, this natural etching was quite reminiscent of an indigenous male portraiture

pretty in pink; it looks like a little everlasting daisy, or strawflower/paper daisy

So at a closer glance, it has been quite amazing, the changes, as our group walked around the base of Uluru last month.  I know it was a lot of red dirt to kick up as we trekked 8 kms or so, but it was pretty worthwhile don't you think?  

Now we can go meet up with the coach -- aaah, that means I can ditch the camera and hat for a bit and take the weight off my feet.  We're heading on over to the Cultural Centre for lunch. 

I chose the ...  think it was called Outback Beef Steak Pie - which happened to be quite unique!!  It was shaped like a big sausage roll - and it tasted so good.  Was a neat way to eat a pie too in that shape, it didn't want to ooze all over your hand; much easier to eat that way.  More pies should be shaped like sausage rolls I reckon.

Since I had to wait so long in the queue to get the pie in the first place, then wait for my number to be called to pick up my coffee --- all I could think of was to eat/drink (and be merry), and forgot all about taking a photo of this pie.  At least I could have shared it with you.

Uluru Walk #3

continuing the walk around Uluru ... just some snapshots along the way to show the varying formations

what's that?!  Someone climbing up there?!  Keen.  Not only would they be getting buffeted by the winds, but it's considered nowadays, to be disrespectful (to the indigenous owners), and it is requested that you not climb Uluru anymore.  However, the safety rail fencing from earlier days when it was the touristy thing to do, is still in place.  It would be quite some arduous hike!  I wonder how far they went?

zoomed in

I like doing it at ground level, around the base...I can take in the trees and other botanicals 

this is one of the earlier opportunities to be so close 

it's so interesting to observe the differing textures, craters and such, which aren't evident from the distant views

tempted to stop a while...?

reminder that this is what we're walking around, Uluru.  Yes ... there's more to come.  

Uluru walk #2

the morning was quite windy and cold

this walk will take a few posts to work through - lots of beautiful flora to be seen, and pretty amazing rock formations to come.

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