Dad and the Siblings

Ron to the rescue! On seeing my post yesterday my neighbour gave me this photo of a male emu with his chicks; taken last September in the Flinders Ranges.

In this species it is the father who raises the young; a sole parent so to speak.

A female emu mates with her partner, and in about May or June, she lays somewhere between 5 and 20 eggs. She then leaves the nest area and her (short term) partner who incubates the eggs. The eggs hatch in about 8 or 10 weeks. The young emus remain with their father for up to two years. They may stay in the same area or may wander off further afield to find a partner of their own. Emus are sexually mature at about 18 months.

ABC Wednesdays - Y for Yourambulla Caves

About 360 kilometres north of Adelaide on the road to Hawker are three cave galleries in the Yallapa Hills. The Aboriginal rock paintings featured here are available for public viewing.

From the carpark just off the main road is a walking trail and a climb to the site high up the hillside. The location of the paintings was chosen carefully; sheltered from the elements.

The artwork is mainly done with black pigment; some with red ochre. It mainly relates to ceremonies associated with the site. There is sign nearby to help visitors interpret the paintings.

Click on the image for an enlarged view

As well as being able to view some art work of the Adnyamathanha people, the climb to the caves rewards you with a spectacular view.


To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions go to the ABC Wednesdays' Anthology or to see direct links to their own sites go here using Mr Linky.

Wilpena Power Station

Commissioned in 1998 this solar power station is about 450 kilometres north of Adelaide. It supplies electricity to local customers such as the Wilpena Resort and the Finders Ranges National Park Headquarters.

The power station has an array of 1250 eighty watt panels, capable of generating up to 100 kWh. There are also diesel generators which are used to supplement the power when the output from the solar panels is insufficient.

ABC Wednesdays - W for Windmills

Windmills are a common sight on properties all over Australia, pumping water to fill troughs and dams. In some areas they have become less important due to other available technologies; electric and petrol pumps and now solar powered pumps.

This is a windmill near Rawnsley Park in the Finders Ranges in northern South Australia.

Some people collect cars, some people collect stamps ..... but on our recent return journey from Canberra I spotted this yard - a windmill collection!

To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions go to the ABC Wednesdays' Anthology or to see direct links to their own sites go here using Mr Linky.

Hawker

Reminders of past glories; a discontinued railway station at Hawker. The rail service was relocated further west in 1956. Hawker is about 400 kilometres north of Adelaide and is often dubbed the hub of the Flinders. Many of the region's attractions are within close proximity.

ABC Wednesdays - O for Outback Oldyssey

What is an oldyssey? Several years ago Bike SA ran a cycling event called the Outback Odyssey and another group of 'older' cyclists organised an alternative; the Outback Oldyssey. It was an epic journey, riding up to a 100 km on some days.

I joined the Oldessy in the second week and enjoyed some challenging riding in the Flinders Ranges.

One of the most memorable days was riding through Bunyero and Brachina Gorges.

Another challenging and 'fun' day was riding on a bush track from Wilpena to Rawnsley Park.

Many of the roads and tracks we rode along were part of the Mawson Trail, a mapped cycling route from just north of Adelaide to the Blinman in the Flinders Ranges.


To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions go to the ABC Wednesdays' site or to see direct links to their own sites go here.