Since the virus struck, we have been on so many walks in our area we were pretty sure there was nothing new to explore. And then... Steve put his finger on a tiny green-coloured spot on the Fleurieu Peninsula map he was poring over. Scott Conservation Park, it said. Never heard of it. Turns out it's a tiny park 40kms from home, just north of Currency Creek. Perfect for a bit of rambling on this winter's day.
And from that small beginning, we had the most wonderful time. While the park itself was nothing spectacular, the sum of its parts all added up to a magical feast of nature: the wintry sun shining on the oil in the eucalyptus leaves and making everything sparkle; the birdsong that followed us; the ancient pink gums and stringybarks with their gnarled, twisted trunks that had escaped the long-ago tree-fellers; and the yaccas, small native pines and winter-flowering plants that provided variety. On top of that, not a single human being around us.
The track was wide and soft underfoot at first ...
... then narrowed as it wound its way through thick forest.
Of the two paths on offer, we had taken the circular path, following a gully that had cut a very deep swathe through the park. At one stage I ventured to peer into it - at least 30 feet deep - but quickly got back onto the path as one false step in the soft sanded edge and I'd be over. This next photo shows how easily a winter flood could further weaken the banks.
Many of the gums were about to break into bloom...
... while some correa were already showing off their vividly coloured bell-shaped flowers.
A number of the trees were huge and had already shed their bark...
...while others still had a fair bit to go...
While some showed lovely patterns as the bark peeled itself off.
This next photo shows one of the many yaccas (the South Australian species of what I call grass trees) and pines that dotted the park, adding to the variety of plants that made this park so interesting.
On we went, to the accompaniment of the birds' raucous calls, though only catching glimpses of them as they soared skywards then swiftly swirled back into the safety of the trees.
Sometimes the path opened out again into a wide park-like setting.
And then, as before, it narrowed as it meandered through denser undergrowth. Only the sound of the birds accompanied us as we breathed in the fresh air that carried with it the scent of eucalyptus and ... well, just nature.
And suddenly, we encountered a muddy creek. Thankfully, there was a small wooden bridge crossing it. I definitely did not want to fall in.
Over safely, and nearly at the end of the walk. It was only around 3kms but so full of different, interesting vegetation. A relaxing, peaceful way to spend a winter's day. We're going to come back in spring and do the longer Orchid Walk!
