This is what our place looks at the moment. Unfortunately it is on a different scale (and a different angle) but you get the picture (lol). You may have to double click on the photo to show detail.
We now have a small wholesale nursery on one side. They are great neighbours and luckily aren't too heavily into chemicals which were first worried about when it was sold to become a nursery. Luckily too, they have kept a lot of their bigger timber at the back of their block.
Actually when I first saw this aerial photo (courtesy of Google maps) I was a little shocked as it doesn't seem to show as much clearing as I had thought. There has been wide scale clearing in the 5 - 10 km radius, but this little snap doesn't quite get it all in. It does however show quite a bit of growth on our place!
Unfortunately, as a result of the surrounding clearing, we have noticed a significant drop in the number of koalas visiting. I have a sticker on my that car says *no tree no me* (Australian Koala Foundation). When a property is cleared and houses go in, koala habitat has gone. I could say more, but I think I'll leave it at that. It is very easy to do a little research and realize the extent of the threat to these beautiful creatures.
This is a photo I took of one of our visitors (not a very good one, I keep apologizing for my photos, must get a better camera). Can you see the dark patch on his white chest? When the males climb a tree, they leave their scent as a marker on it - this leaves a dark stain on his chest.
On our clothesline at the moment. At last I don't have to dive into that carry bag with a peg on my nose!
Cheers Wendy
6 comments:
Part of the rason I moved to where I am living is that I don't think it will ever be subdivided and cleared. It is too steep on the hillsides. In the flatter parts of the valley there is farming. On the drive here from the Melbourne we drive through a valley that is being carved up at an horrendous pace. The signs promoting the various estates refer to the lovely views and rural landscape. One has a little girl saying 'Its's the ducks!'. It looks okay now, but once all the houses are built...the ducks may have second thoughts about living there, and the views will be hidden and the rural atmosphere will evaporate. I suppose people have to live somewhere. *sigh*
Sounds like you have made a wise move Hazel. We find it amusing too that all the new estates have reference to the native animals who used to live there. Koala Ridge (I just made that up) etc.
Sad post I hope the Koalas will have some rights one day.
Your place looks very lush amongst it all Wendy, bet you still have a few Koalas seeking refuge in your trees...
Really hope the development doesn't happen to quickly, your 'walk' photos are amazing - i know how good trees are for the soul (i grew up on a farm but now live in western sydney). i love it when i get to walk in the bush.
thanks Muppy - things will change in the next few years with re-zoning happening. Just a fact of life I guess. cheers Wendy
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