It's been a while since I have been on an outing by myself. With my last $20, I put a few drops of petrol in the ute and I was off like a bucket of prawns on a hot summer's day!
Gudgenby Valley is a wide open, grassy flat surrounded by high hills of granite and eucalyptus. There are more rabbits and eastern grey kangaroos than you can poke a stick at. It was nice to see a few Red-Necked Wallabies though. Most of the rabbits looked extremely healthy and thriving (as bloody usual), but I did see one with puffy red eyes and matted fur around it's face, so it either had a big night on the turps or it has myxi or calicivirus.
It was interesting experimenting with my camouflage gear. I walked through several 200-strong mobs of roos and stood among them. When I do this in plainclothes, they usually all sit up and stare. Even when they finally go back to grazing, they periodically look up again, just to see what I am doing. I walked into the middle of them as usual, but this time when I stopped moving they seemed to carry on as if I wasn't there. I could see some of them sniffing the air for me, but none were staring me down this time.
The walk to the Aboriginal rock-paintings at the foot of Yankee Hat took about an hour, stopping along the way to take photos of nothing special.
I was on the lookout for snakes and dingoes, as both are residents of the valley, but I think it is still a little early in the year for snakes. No dingoes this time, but I shall return for them.
These short afternoon trips are really not very productive photographically unless I get lucky. I think I need to come and set up camp and really stake the place out.
It's been about 30 years since I've been up that way, I used to go trailbike riding all through that area. It's definitely beautiful country all through that area.
It's been about 30 years since I've been up that way, I used to go trailbike riding all through that area. It's definitely beautiful country all through that area.
It sure is mate. I will be spending some quality time there over the coming warm season I can tell you.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Liz
Great story and pics Baz.
Dont get the bunnies up this way luckily ... love the rock art, just saw some up at Darwin, very nice indeed.
Hooley dooley, I wouldnt want to meet you along the path out there (image 1) is that a .... gun .... you are carrying??
O know it cant be, but looks like it, says big gun expert ..me.
Thanks Liz. You can relax mate. After a lifetime of killing everything that moved and years in the Army, I have made a conscious resolution not to kill anything unless absolutely necessary. I carry my tripod like that because I have been carrying rifles for years and it just feels more comfortable.
After a lifetime of killing everything that moved and years in the Army, I have made a conscious resolution not to kill anything unless absolutely necessary. I carry my tripod like that because I have been carrying rifles for years and it just feels more comfortable. 
