15th September 2014
There are 3 types of Tingle tree [red, yellow and Rates] and all them only grow in a very small area of the south west of WA. 6,000 hectares. Many were cleared for farmland [fortunately the wood was not seen as valuable for logging] until their uniqueness was recognised but now they are totally protected. The forest floor around them contains species of spiders, snails and worms found nowhere else in the world.
The red tingle in particular is a remarkable tree. It has very shallow roots despite achieving a height up to 70 metres, and compensates by forming thick buttresses at the base. The bark is gnarled and knobbled with burls and the trees seem to have so much character they could almost start to move!
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| Red tingle |
The heartwood is soft and is often sacrificed by the tree in forest fires leaving a hollow trunk which may only be connected to the ground in two or three places. We had a wonderful time admiring these magnificent trees along with the other plants in the forest.
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| Hollow red tingle |
Whilst in the forest, we were also fortunate enough to see a quokka, which is usually nocturnal, a white breasted robin and two types of blue wren.
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| Quokka |
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| White breasted robin |
The male birds are all sporting their spring time mating colours so are especially beautiful.
We lunched at Peaceful Bay, a really beautiful place.
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| Peaceful Bay |
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| Frankland River |
Later, we went to an area known as Circular Pool on the Frankland River. There is a natural widening in this fast flowing river which creates eddies. The river is known as the cappuccino river due to the colour of the water [there is a large amount of tannin from the leaves] and the froth on top which is caused by a natural foaming sap in some leaf types.
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