The 'Channel Country' Trip 07
Here are a few photos from the flights I did in April 2007 'Channel Country', western Queensland.
The Channel Country starts where the Thompson and Barcoo Rivers join to become Cooper Creek.
Only in Australia would two rivers become a creek!
The Barcoo River on the left and the Thompson on the right flow southward into Cooper Creek.
Not much water in either of those rivers in 07.....
Not much water in either of those rivers in 07.....
But the 'creek' is 70km wide! A network of braided channels. The water spreads out and soaks in.
All that still water grows magnificent beef cattle feed. Some of the best range-fed beef anywhere -
and all 'organic', no chemical residues here. Can't even work the cattle in these conditions.
Have to wait until it all dries out to muster them with helicopter.
But nearby is parched and dry, since no rain fell here, all the water came from far away.
It's a natural irrigation system.
This dune desert is nearby.
Also nearby is 'Lake' Yamma Yamma. That's varying hues of dry mud, no water at all.
These two lakes are a puzzle. Both have water but one lush green and the other barren???
A cozy campsite for the night.
This used to be a sheep station but now it's been taken over for a national park.
The wildlife has already found a good use for the windmill.
Australian bush flies are a real niusance.
They have no manners at all, and are forever trying to crawl in your eyes and up your nose.
Thus the Australian expression for when someone is annoying you, "...He's gettin' up my nose...".
And more flies. Not enough room up my nose so these are waiting their turn......
This is that full-rounded leading edge, that with VGs makes such a good STOL wing!
More spectacular scenery.
A whirlwind, or dust devil, or willy willy.
Some dust from a willy willy at 3000ft. Shows the power and persistence of a vortex!
I once counted 11 such dust devils visible at one time.
Very rough to fly when these are around - not all of them show dust.
When the thermals are pumping, this is a much better place to be....
The small clay pan that I landed on near Cooper Creek.
Those vehicle tracks show that is has been soft and muddy...... always a risk when landing on clay pans.
But it's dry and hard now. A perfect landing ground.
Camped for the night on the clay pan. I just love this life!
This is the image that I keep as the 'home page' on my computer - very nostalgic.
Old seismic lines looking for oil and gas.
Digging for opals at Yowah.
Self explanitory.
Another take-off run from a 'bush' landing. Plenty of room for this aircraft.
Clearing mulga forest with a heavy chain between two dozers. Maybe just making more desert.....
More clearing.
Contouring to catch and hold the infrequent rainfall - pretty 'desperate' optimism.....
More cultivation, but still pretty marginal......
Getting to better soil, now just needs some more rain.....
Finally, the rich cultivated land of the Darling Downs.
But still need rain.
This is a water storage dam with only puddles left, and he's planted one last fodder crop in the moist soil of the bottom...
Since this photo was taken they've had lots of rain out that way, so maybe it's all different now....
That smoke trail indicates lots of headwind - a long slog home.....
'Tailwinds Always' is just a wish......
Dusty wheels back home, carrying memories of adventures!
These small wheels are now replaced by much larger ones, for landing on rougher ground.
Stay tuned.......