In the thick heat of early morning, I briskly walked Townsville’s Ross River Parkway, my ears readjusting to the sounds of east coast dry tropics bird life, after having focused so intently on the avifauna of Australia’s Red Centre. Even though Vilis and I returned from the desert on Friday evening, I feel as though I left part of myself behind in the plains, mountains, and gorges of that vast red land surrounding Alice Springs, now spectacularly beautiful with lushly blooming and seeding vegetation.

Seeing the desert in such rare bounty was truly a gift, one for which, after spending hours labelling photographs on my return to the house from my walk, I thought I would offer a preview in today’s post. I say preview, because it will require days, if not a week or more, to edit photographs (Vilis really outdid himself on the trip) and complete the posts from our adventure. Be patient; the wait will be worth it. Now, for a preview. Enjoy!

Please note also that I completed a quartet of backlogged September posts just prior to leaving for The Alice: September 7 – On Bush Stone-curlews, September 8 – Insights into Queensland’s Disappearing Frogs, September 17 – On Cycads, and September 18 – Preparing for Alice Springs.