|
Post by questa on Jan 10, 2020 1:44:02 GMT
Worst thing to ever happen in Oz.Native herbivores scissor-cut the plant leaving a shoot to grow. Rabbits pull the whole plant up, killing it. They dig burrows which kills off trees and bushes. Responsible for desertification of much of Oz. I lived on a farm when about 14 and had a trap line of 12 traps...at least 3-4 rabbits a night...cleaned the skins and sold them to the factory that made Akubra hats. Poisons like Myxomatosis virus and 1080 have almost wiped them out, but the Land will never get back to green again.
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Jan 10, 2020 18:28:57 GMT
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jan 10, 2020 22:35:05 GMT
So fresh and new. Many Oz species have evolved so that the trees and bushes actually need to be burnt to disperse and germinate seed.
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Jan 11, 2020 5:04:48 GMT
Is there any chance at all of Scott Morrison resigning or is he too entrenched with his cronies?
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jan 11, 2020 7:32:12 GMT
He won't be chucked out by Parlt. He has the numbers and the cross benches are getting stuck into him re climate and would rather use their power against him than the Labor camp who are more moderate.
However his own Party might just ditch him on the grounds that he hasn't exactly covered himself with glory in the last few weeks. From the receptions that he got as he did his 'too little, too late'tour, and his splashing money around that he didn't have before...and also the high profile buddies showering the Libs with megabucks (Twiggie Forrest for one) I would not be surprised if his own Party turned on him. I wonder if''miracles' have a use-by date?
|
|
|
Post by mickthecactus on Jan 11, 2020 7:52:58 GMT
So fresh and new. Many Oz species have evolved so that the trees and bushes actually need to be burnt to disperse and germinate seed. It’s the same in South Africa, grass Aloes need the smoke and fire to trigger flowering and then seed production.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jan 11, 2020 9:02:30 GMT
A little story for you, Mick. Soon after settlement there was a huge rush naming and classifying Oz plants.One chap at Kew selected his specimen just before his lunch break. He tried to open the seed pod using all his instruments.None of them was strong enough, or sharp enough. He got more angry and as the other men returned from lunch he asked for help. The senior man picked up the specimen and said,"well it is certainly well protected, only a fire could crack that open." EU = WELL CALYPTUS = PROTECTED. Needs a fire to open the pod and scatter the seeds.
|
|
|
Post by mickthecactus on Jan 11, 2020 10:15:18 GMT
Thanks questa. I didn’t know that. I do now.
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Jan 11, 2020 16:05:34 GMT
|
|
|
Post by mickthecactus on Jan 11, 2020 16:36:03 GMT
Interesting article k2. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jan 15, 2020 4:18:22 GMT
After great effort the fires were abating 5 days ago. The army moved in with earth movers and carved out control lines. The loss of domestic and wild animals is horrific...then last weekend the wind changed and the fires exploded into life again (this is on Kangaroo Island) Waves of flaming scrub raced across the remaining parts of the National Park. 2 Buddhist retreat places were spared...the people came across from the mainland and worked hard on clearing and backburning. Well over half of the island has been destroyed. Photos show a road climbing a small hill running away from the viewer. Sky is grey and road is white with ashes.Trees either side of road are black, skeletal apparitions.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jan 15, 2020 4:22:51 GMT
The whole picture is so sad. NSW is still fighting to gain control of its forestry industry...more later...
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Jan 17, 2020 19:18:14 GMT
Most of my direct info is coming from a couple horse groups I follow. One is about the fate and remarkable survival of herds of brumbies in NSW and another from a breeder of highland ponies in the same region . Both of them rejoicing in the recent rains. Fingers crossed this is improving things for all .
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Jan 17, 2020 19:32:10 GMT
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jan 18, 2020 2:04:20 GMT
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Jan 18, 2020 5:01:54 GMT
I have read since then that they now have more than enough pouches. Time to do something more useful.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jan 18, 2020 5:21:35 GMT
I did wonder about that. I mean, there can only be a finite number of kangaroos.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jan 18, 2020 8:08:28 GMT
They breed up quickly in good seasons, but they will have a bad couple of years unless hay or something is used to supplement their food. The female can mate with the male then put the pregnancy on hold until circumstances are good Then she kick starts the process and a joey gets born.
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Jan 18, 2020 8:11:21 GMT
After the new rains and floods, the vegetation is going to be so lush that all sorts of new problems are sure to spring up.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jan 18, 2020 12:31:24 GMT
A huge storm cell has hit Queensland and is moving down the east coast. The whole area is fast flowing floods now...got 3 months of rainfall in one hour.
OK, You lot over there, you can stop praying for rain now.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jan 18, 2020 17:48:53 GMT
Geez, gives new meaning to "it never rains but it pours". Your country is just reeling, Questa.
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Jan 18, 2020 18:34:07 GMT
I am expecting locusts next.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jan 18, 2020 22:57:53 GMT
Ash and dust from the fires not only reached NZ staining the snow and glaciers reddish brown, but was also found in Argentina and Bolivia. Swarms of locusts are causing havoc in some African countries. Mmmmmm?
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Jan 19, 2020 5:11:24 GMT
Yes, I read about the locusts in Kenya and Ethiopia.
|
|
|
Post by mossie on Jan 19, 2020 8:10:19 GMT
Plague of frogs next.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jan 19, 2020 9:47:37 GMT
Now, now , Mossie, that is not nice...Just say "contingents of French tourists". It's more polite.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Jan 19, 2020 16:46:08 GMT
|
|
|
Post by lagatta on Jan 20, 2020 0:32:27 GMT
Thanks for "stained", questa. Word I was looking for to finish off a translation.
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jan 20, 2020 0:52:52 GMT
You're welcome, of course I expect accreditation and royalties!
|
|
|
Post by questa on Jan 27, 2020 10:05:31 GMT
I don't know if this news made it out. We are all sad because a Canadian water bomber with a Can/US crew of 3 crashed while fighting the fire near the Snowy Mountains. All were killed. It really upsets me when a foreigner comes and puts their life on the line in a strange country, and gets killed. F*** FIRES.
|
|