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GHOSTS in the TANAMI

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Hi The photo below was taken on a cold, dark night in June, 2012 while I was working with Walpiri rangers in the Tanami Desert. The traditional name of this place is Nyukulka or Wilson Creek Flood-out.  I prefer Nyukulka. (Pronounced: Nyu-kul-ka). Later I will share why I was at Nyukulka however firstly I would like to shared a little about this photo and what it means to me. The trees are Ghost Gums, Common in Central Australia, To cope with the harsh summers,  They produce a white powder on their trunks and branches, An amazing natural heat control system. My camera flash really highlighted these white trunks and branches, I sometimes call this photo, 'Ghosts in the Tanami', Ghostly figures appearing out of the dark, a silent and cold desert night, Far from being spooky, there was is profound beauty, Far from being remote and disconnected, there was a personal message. The dark desert night background reminds me of life, At times, harsh, lonely and dark, Remote, unforgiving ...
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GREEN TURTLE HUNTING and COOKING - the YOLNGU WAY

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 Greetings from Yarraman As most of you know, Nancy and I have spent many years living and working in remote communities in the Northern Territory - initially amongst the Yolngu people of north east Arnhem Land. During those times we have enjoyed experiences that few people get to enjoy. I would like to share one with you.  Recently, while going through some old photos I came across a sequence, when I accompanied three Yolngu men hunting green turtles and then the subsequent cooking process.  Two of these men are no longer with us so out of respect for Yolngu customs I will not use their names but instead use their 'malk' or calling name. In the photo below, Ngarritj holds the harpoon while two brothers assist - both Gudjuk.  Narritj is the Yolngu man who adopted me back in 1984 hence I also have this same calling name.  The Gudjuk on the right is the Yolngu man I worked with when I first went to Arnhem Land - a dear friend. I have many great memories of working...
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SCENIC FLIGHT OVER LAKE EYRE Part 2 - William Creek, Coopers Creek, Goyder Lagoon, Big Red, Birdsville

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Hi Below are two videos of our scenic flight return leg from William Creek to Birdsville via Coopers Creek and Big Red. The photo is of part of the Goyder Lagoon floodplain. I had to spit this leg into two parts so as to upload to the blog site.  Take care Bryan and Nancy 
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SCENIC FLIGHT OVER FILLING LAKE EYRE - Part 1

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Hi again Nancy and I were very blessed to be able to take an amazing scenic flight recently from Birdsville down the Diamantina River, across the Goyder Lagoon floodplain, down the Warburton River then across Lake Eyre North before turning west to William Creek for a short break. Big rainfalls earlier in the year resulted in this, normally dry barren desert turning into a sea of water and green. After the break and refreshments we returned to Birdsville via a different route - that will be covered in part 2.  My amateur video below is part 1 of this scenic - Birdsville to William Creek. I had to reduce the quality to upload the video so it will look great on larger screens.  If ever you have the opportunity to take this scenic flight at a time when Lake Eyre is filling, I am sure you will not be disappointed.  Part 2 coming shortly.  Blessings Bryan  
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A DAY IN BIRDSVILLE

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 Hi again I spent some of my early years living near Chinchilla on the western Darling Downs in Queensland. It always puzzled me that people from Brisbane would refer to Chinchilla as being 'way out in western Queensland'. There used to be a T shirt promoting Chinchilla which had the words 'Chinchilla - Just East of Too Far West'. Chinchilla is just 250 kms from Brisbane yet around 1400 kms to the western Queensland border (135 kms west of Birdsville). So Chinchilla is actually still in south east Queensland!  My first visit to Birdsville was in December 1988, flying in a little Piper Comanche on my new private pilot's licence. In those days, before the terrorist attacks in America during September 2001, there were no high fences and coded gates at airports so one could park the plane directly opposite the Birdsville Hotel, refuel the plane and then walk across the road and 'refuel' the pilot and passengers.  Like a lot of western Queensland towns back then,...
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SIMPSON DESERT - POEPPEL'S CORNER to BIG RED and BIRDSVILLE

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Hi once again Continuing our trip across the Simpson Desert (Munga-Thirri Desert NP), we headed north from Poeppel's Corner for about 20 kms before turning east again along the QAA Line. As we move eastward the dunes continue to get larger. The photo below shows this. Nancy and I have done quite a lot of long distance driving across Australia over the years. For some time now we have enjoyed listening to audio books while driving these long, lonely roads - the kilometres seem to pass quicker.  In the video below, of another dune crossing you can hear the latter part of Peter FitzSimon's book, 'Ned Kelly' playing in the background - an excellent read/listen.  The further east we travel, the more surface water we come across - requiring yet another detour.  Increased rainfall in the desert means wildflowers. Despite the colder weather the blooms were starting to come out. There were also lots of buds so in a few weeks there will be lots more colour in the desert. Below ar...
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