Saturday, June 6, 2015

Magical Melaleucas..




Take a piece of paperbark and 
write your wish
Bury it in the ground and
in three days dig it up and set it on fire
Releasing the wish to the universe... Ian Scott


You may need to embiggen these shots to get up close and personal with one of the most unusual trees you're likely to see. The Melaleuca quinquenervia aka the paperbark tree was, and in some areas probably still is, used by the indigenous Aboriginals in many ways, medicinal and practical. Herdsman Lake Regional Park has the densest area of paperbark trees that I personally have seen. Not quite 'enchanted' but it is an eerie and at the same time magical sight..


Described as 'thicker than paper but with a softer texture' it was tres tempting to reach across and pull a shard off the nearest tree, I resisted.. this time! I read that in Florida the paperbark has been deemed an invasive weed, the swampy area it thrives in does seem the perfect environment for alligators, thankfully not so in Perth :) Here's hoping you have a fabulouso weekend, take care and stay safe..




37 comments:

  1. They really are quite remarkable Grace, almost other wordly. Your images give off an almost spooky and mysterious vibe.

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  2. It feels so otherwordly, Grace!

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  3. Oh, fascinating and remarkable indeed, Grace!! Your captures are terrific!! Thanks for posting this!! Hope you have a beautiful weekend!! Enjoy!!

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  4. These are fascinating plants that live in the waster but I would not want tobe trapped there as it looks a bit scary.

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  5. What a beautiful and unique landscape. Fascinating .I will try that with burying a wish...will let you know!

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  6. Magical is definitely the word to describe this place. Wonderful shots.

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  7. Wow! a canoe would be great fun here. But pray tell where would you bury the bark and would it light after resurfacing? GRIN.

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  8. Brilliant Grace. I love your swamp to bits. :-)

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  9. Those are amazing, magical. Particularly like the first shot with the contrast of dark and light.

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  10. Must be an interesting experience to walk under those trees.

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  11. Are you sure about the alligators? It would only take one. Great photos. The trees certainly don't mind wet feet.

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  12. Love the look of the paperbark trees. We may both have posted swamp pictures, but yours are more interesting than mine. I just liked the reflection of the tree in the cattails. There are no alligators in my swamp either as it gets far too cold here in the winter for them.

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  13. I've never seen anything like it!

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  14. magical right away!


    ALOHA from Honolulu,
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^=

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  15. Very atmospheric! I have seen some artwork using the bark (but that was in the '70s!!)

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  16. Looks amazing almost unreal, very magical.

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  17. Oh, I should´ve known about the wish, Grace :-)
    It looks amazing in that mass!

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  18. Swampy paradise. Tom The Backroads Traveller

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  19. Great photos Grace. The area looks quite spooky but beautiful at the same time!

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  20. Nice shots, Grace. As I was reading and admiring your pics, I was thinking, "Invasive! Those are an invasive species!" : ) A friend lives in a neighborhood with lots of melaleucas lining the streets. I'm used to seeing them now, but at first I thought, 'What on earth are those trees with their bark peeling off?!' Perhaps I'll get inspired and nab a few shots one of these days.

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  21. Absolutely amazing, I have never seen these trees.

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  22. Very cool photos and I love your commentary. How did you get these photos? Were you in a boat amongst the trees or do you have a rally good long lens? Well done!

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  23. What a amazing place. I think 'enchanted' is the perfect word to describe this magical place.

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  24. This is very magical, almost like visiting some far away enchanted land! Great playful captures.

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  25. As soon as I saw the name of the tree, I winced. Yes, in Florida this tree has become a very serious invasive pest in the Everglades, the huge "river of grass" in the center of the state. Unfortunately, this tree has taken over large parts of the Everglades and has choked off the native plants. Odd how some plants work nicely where they arise, but do big damage elsewhere.

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  26. You reminded me! I lived for years in south Florida which is overrun by these things and now the powers-that-be are trying to get rid of them. They were brought here from Australia to soak up water, I think. All of which, of course, brings to mind the truth in the old adage, "be careful what you wish for, 'cause you might get it."

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  27. It looks like another planet!

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  28. What mysterious scenes there are!!!

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  29. Wonderful place and wonderful photos.

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