January's art

The last few weeks have been frightfully hot. So far this month our local weather station has only recorded 3 days with the maximum below 30 degrees and with six days above 40 degrees. It's hot alright, and very dry. At this time of the year a lot of gum trees struggle to take up enough water, they drop a lot of leaves, and sometimes very big branches, so much so that it is best not to sit, park or camp under big gum trees on the very hot days. I have had to clean out my gutters because of the substantial leaf shedding form the trees opposite our house, not because I am worried about the gutters overflowing into the house but because gutters filled with leaves are a great place to start a house fire if a spark lands in the gutter.

Sydney bluegum, Second Valley Forest Reserve

On the bright side it is also the time of year when the annual shedding of bark occurs in many eucalypts, putting on a most wonderful display which literally changes by the hour.

More on January's art here