
Sydney Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna) with tree fern (Sphaeropteris cooperi)
Sydney Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna) with Straw Treefern. It was previously Cyathea cooperi, now Sphaeropteris cooperi. Perhaps the tallest forest in the Sydney metropolitan area. The tallest tree measured being 52 metres. I've seen a 68 metre Sydney blue gum up the north coast at Tirrell Creek. But these are wonderful all the same. The soils here are enriched by volcanic influences, the nearby Hornsby diatreme errupted in the Jurassic age. There's only one canopy species here, the Sydney Blue Gum. On the edges are the Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) and Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera). Angophora floribunda is an under-storey tree, growing to around 20 metres, under the blue gum canopy. Apart from the trees, all vegetation here may be found in rainforests. All the vines and ferns and other small plants are equally happy in moist eucalyptus forest or rainforest. Having said that, Eucalyptus saligna is sometimes seen in the middle of a sub tropical rainforest, and if you draw a long bow, you could say it is a rainforest tree as well.

Detail - Pink Wax Flower
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. Pink Wax Flower - Eriostemon australasius I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Sydney Blue Gum in Sydney (Eucalyptus saligna)
Perhaps the tallest forest in the Sydney metropolitan area. The tallest tree measured being 52 metres. I've seen a 68 metre Sydney blue gum up the north coast at Tirrell Creek. But these are wonderful all the same. The soils here are enriched by volcanic influences, the nearby Hornsby diatreme errupted in the Jurassic age. There's only one canopy species here, the Sydney Blue Gum. On the edges are the Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) and Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera). Angophora floribunda is an under-storey tree, growing to around 20 metres, under the blue gum canopy. Apart from the trees, all vegetation here may be found in rainforests. All the vines and ferns and other small plants are equally happy in moist eucalyptus forest or rainforest. Having said that, Eucalyptus saligna is sometimes seen in the middle of a sub tropical rainforest, and if you draw a long bow, you could say it is a rainforest tree as well.

Sydney Blue Gum in Sydney (Eucalyptus saligna)
Perhaps the tallest forest in the Sydney metropolitan area. The tallest tree measured being 52 metres. I've seen a 68 metre Sydney blue gum up the north coast at Tirrell Creek. But these are wonderful all the same. The soils here are enriched by volcanic influences, the nearby Hornsby diatreme errupted in the Jurassic age. There's only one canopy species here, the Sydney Blue Gum. On the edges are the Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) and Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera). Angophora floribunda is an under-storey tree, growing to around 20 metres, under the blue gum canopy. Apart from the trees, all vegetation here may be found in rainforests. All the vines and ferns and other small plants are equally happy in moist eucalyptus forest or rainforest. Having said that, Eucalyptus saligna is sometimes seen in the middle of a sub tropical rainforest, and if you draw a long bow, you could say it is a rainforest tree as well.

Crossing the River
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Yellow & Green
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. Narrow-leaved Drumsticks Isopogon anethifolius. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Gloomy gully with King Fern (Todea barbara)
This time of year, sun barely reaches this waterfall on Larool creek, in the northern suburbs of Sydney. It's a cool, moist and practically fire free spot. King ferns on the left are growing to a good size. Frost is unlikely to occur here, because of the tree canopy, but it's a chilly place in June and July.

0254 Thornleigh Oval, Sydney
The Bowl. A very enjoyable day watching my friend’s son play cricket at Thornleigh Oval. Thornleigh Oval, Thornleigh, New South Wales Thornleigh is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia 25 kilometres (16 mi) north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Hornsby Shire. Thornleigh is bounded to the north by Waitara Creek. Thornleigh borders the suburbs of Normanhurst, Westleigh and Pennant Hills. Thornleigh is named after Constable John Thorn, who, along with Constable Horne, captured bushrangers Dalton and John MacNamara, leader of the North Rocks gang, on 22 June 1830, and were granted land as a reward in 1838. Horne's land became Hornsby, and Thorn's land became Thornleigh. The railway line was built in the 1880s and development followed. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thornleigh,_New_South_Wales

0671 Thornleigh Oval, Sydney
The coach and his team. My very good friend Todd speaking with the youth cricket team he coaches during a break in play. A very enjoyable day watching my friend’s son play cricket at Thornleigh Oval. Thornleigh Oval, Thornleigh, New South Wales Thornleigh is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia 25 kilometres (16 mi) north-west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of Hornsby Shire. Thornleigh is bounded to the north by Waitara Creek. Thornleigh borders the suburbs of Normanhurst, Westleigh and Pennant Hills. Thornleigh is named after Constable John Thorn, who, along with Constable Horne, captured bushrangers Dalton and John MacNamara, leader of the North Rocks gang, on 22 June 1830, and were granted land as a reward in 1838. Horne's land became Hornsby, and Thorn's land became Thornleigh. The railway line was built in the 1880s and development followed. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thornleigh,_New_South_Wales

Water Dragon
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Seed Pods
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. Beautiful seed pods in the afternoon sun. I am not sure what plant this is, if anyone knows please comment below. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Delicate Purple Amongst Green
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. Heath Milkwort or Pink Matchheads Comesperma ericinum. Grass Tree Xanthorrhoea. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Goanna
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. This is a Goanna or Lace Monitor Varanus varius. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Mini Egg & Bacon Plant
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. There are so many bush peas, I am not sure which one this is, if anyone knows please comment below. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Peeking at Goanna
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. This is a Goanna or Lace Monitor Varanus varius. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Easy Walking
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. After the 'Steele Bridge' over Tunks Creek I turned on to this wide path which meant easy walking through lovely forest for quite a long way. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Gorge
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Red Grevillia
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. This is a Red Spider Flower Grevillea speciosa. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Egg & Bacon Plant
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. This is an Egg and Bacon Plant Dillwynia floribunda var. floribunda. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Lower Fishponds
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Fishponds
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

White Clusters
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. I think this is Small Leaf Daisy Bush Olearia microphylla. If anyone knows, please comment below. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Spring
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. Pink Wax Flower - Eriostemon australasius I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

The Great North Walk - Benowie Track - New Shoots
I think this is Corymbia eximia or Yellow Bloodwood but not sure. My Section Six - from Thornleigh to Westleigh on the Benowie Track. Another beautiful winter's day and I continued my walk, now through the Berowra Valley. The leaves sparkled with overnight raindrops under a bright sun. The temperatures have been quite warm, it was 19C, so the birds were out and busy in the undergrowth and high in the treetops. Plenty of native flowers were gracefully swayed in the breeze. Through the sandstone and shale soils, the vegetation varies, including Sydney blue gums, blackbutt, dryheath, she-oaks, peppermint and smooth-barked apple mixed with coachwood, black wattle and pittisporum. I saw plenty of kookaburras, cockatoos, crimson rosellas and fast moving fly-catchers. I was lucky to see and not just hear a pair of whip birds, and catch a close glimpse of a tiny silver-eye and a stunning honey-eater. This is part of Berowra Valley Regional Park: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...

Rock Climb
This is my section 7 - from Westleigh to Galston Gorge, walking through the Berowra Valley Regional Park. This is the short rock climb to get to Galston Gorge from the ridgeline above. I continued my walk on a glorious spring day! Well, it was more like summer! It was a hot 25°C. Most of this walk was through rocky sandstone gorge country, with open eucalypt forest. Many acacias and heath shrubs were flowering. Hundreds of pink wax flowers were blooming, creating a soft pink pathway all along the tracks. There was a lot of bird life; I saw kookaburras, fly-catchers, silver-eyes, ducks, sulfur-crested cockatoos, brown cuckoo doves, a bush turkey and three beautiful black cockatoos. Two goannas crossed my path, one I came upon as I walking along a rock shelf so she didn't hear me, I was able to get very close before she sprinted off into the bush. I was able to see the markings of white and yellow. At the end of the walk, I stopped at the Galston Gorge rest area, the rooster that has taken up residence there was proudly strutting around. He has some company now; a lovely bush turkey hen who he bosses around. www.environment.nsw.gov.au/nationalparks/parkhome.aspx?id...