2013 # 7 Serpentine and Mandurah

We moved from Perth on to Serpentine to photograph a waterfall – Serpentine Falls.  The land is sumptuous – green and lush and very wet.   We drove the loop road that took us to the Serpentine Dam, a penal institution and a Buddhist Monastery.

As we were approaching Serpentine we were fortunate to capture a lovely shot of a cow leading a small flock of colourful sheep out to pasture. The sheep were black and white; brown and white; jet black and white as well.  Of course when we stopped, they all stopped and stared at us, so we lost the effect of the cow as leader of the flock.  There was obvious affection between the sheep and the cow – she was “mother”, and they were her “kids”.  She looked out for them and they did whatever she suggested.   Apparently it is quite common around these beautiful parts.

We enjoyed the healthy and tame kangaroos, mostly carrying a joey; a cow feeding her calf, some fabulous race horses (we were checked on by men in army fatigues when we stopped there, who said they were from Neighbourhood Watch!)  The value between a race horse’s life and a human being could be quite dramatic in monetary terms. Perth seems to have a good rail system and there are trains running to Perth and back from many centres.

We travelled from Serpentine to Mandurah, a thriving metropolis of 75,000 people. Mandurah is the playground for the rich and famous from all over the world it seems.  There are many luxurious canal fronted homes. The land is between one and two million dollars and the houses – the sky is the limit. Outside each home is their luxurious yacht or launch.  Most are holiday homes. The extensive waterways have been divided into canals, some looking very much like Venice with foot bridges from one side to the other. The wealth shown there is beyond imagination. It seems you can swim in just about any of those waterways and beaches.  There is crabbing, fishing and every delight for those who love to be near the sea.  Mandurah is said to be the fastest growing regional city in Australia.

We are now in Bunbury to stock up before we head South West to the Sterling Ranges where we hope to photograph the Queen of Sheba orchid.  She is a little elusive, opening only on a sunny day and closing shop as soon as a bee comes along and fertilizes her.  Snow is forecast for Sterling Ranges tonight, so you can imagine how cold it is, and getting colder and wetter as well.  We noticed the first Paper Daisies were out today and a few other flowers opening up.

On the 14^th August, it was one month since we left home, but it seems a lot longer.  The 90 kph winds are commencing right now, so it may be a very interesting night! It is like being in a cradle rocked by a giant hand!