The beauty of the beast

It has been a long long time since i have posted anything in here. Well, my recent trip to the Helena and Aurora range in Great Western Woodlands in Western Australia can not be kept in secret. Below are some photos that will talk for themselves and some snippets of background information from the following 'official' website (http://helenaaurorarange.com.au/) where you can find extensive literature on the location, conservation, geology and heritage. All photos are done by me.

" The Helena and Aurora Range (Aboriginal name 'Bungalbin') is a magnificent banded ironstone formation (BIF) range in Western Australia that has National Heritage values" (see map below).

 

 (map source: http://helenaaurorarange.com.au/)

"Helena and Aurora Range (Bungalbin) is made up of a series of long extensive, often convoluted, hills (or ranges). The highest point is 704 m above sea level. Within Helena and Aurora Range the only hill with an official name is Bungalbin Hill, located at the south end of the range.Banded ironstone formation (BIF) (or banded iron formation) has been described as iron rich chert.  The chert being predominantly silica. The banded colours occur due to different amounts of oxidised iron contained in the minerals. Minerals that contain iron are: haematite, magnetite, grunerite, limonite, siderite and pyrite.  The bands also include the shale and chert which are very low in iron content (iron poor).  BIF is considered to have formed during the Precambrian, 2,000 to 3,000 million years ago or more. BIF is a sedimentary rock, formed from sediments under the sea. Hence the layering or bands in the BIF rock."

 Example of the BIF rock

 

 Eucalyptus woodland with red soil and predominantly grass cover consisting of Neurachne annularis (protected grass species under category P3)

There were many tracks in the woodland...below could be a legless lizard or a snake? 

 Ptilotus nobilis 

 

 Grevillea georgeana (protected species under category P3)

Eucalyptus sp.

Banksia arborea ( protected species under category P4)

Melaleuca nematophylla

 

Eucalyprus woodland with yellow annuals

After spending a month in this place, this was the first instance when we saw some exciting wildlife. Spot a wild bull in the middle of a photo below:). He ran in front of our car and stopped for a sec to observe us right in front of us. But by the time i got my camera out he was already retreating. It was an amazing sight and I couldn't believe how huge he was. I definitely felt safe observing him from the safe distance and being in the car and thank god that our paths didn't cross while i was doing work everyday in that woodland. That would have been quite scary indeed....

On the way to the Helena Aurora there is this wonderful place called Westonia. I'm sure it rings a bell with all the Estonians and estnofils.

 Our magnificent dream team in front of the exploration camp at the end of the long and exciting 13 days of 'work' that consisted mainly of bushwalking and ridge-climbing (photo by MH)

 It is a place definitely worth visiting and conserving! Find out more here  http://helenaaurorarange.com.au/.