January 2022

We are in a wet spell at the moment so when the river gets muddy and the rocks too wet to roam freely over I stay away from the river in Barron Gorge and head up to the top of the hillside.

I try to make the trip to the top mid afternoon as I find that is the best tome as the light shines into the undergrowth. If I am am too late the sun drops below the gorge on the other side.

The pathway up the side is very overgrown at the moment. With the rain the creeper vines are everywhere. The season waterfalls that are often the safest pathway to the top are just starting to flow as the hillside becomes waterlogged.

At the top of the hillside the water flow just appears to leak out of the rocks and ground. That water is so nice to drink.

As that water makes its way down the hillside it joins up with other streams to create the seasonal waterfalls like this one that I visit every year.

September 2021 was the last time I headed up the hillside. There was no water flowing at the time and the hillside was covered in fallen leaves. This is the same tree from the first photo.

Fast forward to January 2022 and the rain is even turning the rocks green. Fallen waterlogged trees are to be seen in every direction. I tried to pick up a part of that smashed tree trunk and it was way heavier than it looks. If you are under one of those when it comes down you are done.

Not every time, but quite often, I am joined by some of the local inhabitants on my trips up the hillside. On this day a little lizard climbed out in front of my feet as I sat on a rock and looked down the gorge. On other visits it has been wild pigs, Brush Turkeys and the occasional snake that I bump into.

My destination at the top of the Gorge is usually the base of this fig tree where I sit and enjoy a coffee. This photo was taken back in August 2021 when I shared the spot with a friend (standing in the tree) before he headed to Tasmania to live.

Just before the sun drops below the other side of the Gorge the last of the sunlight hits the leaves and I know it is time to head back down.

As I made my way down the hillside on this day I bumped into these three “enjoying” the last of the sunlight on a log. No idea what they are doing.

If there is still enough light when I get back to the bottom I may venture down to the river for sunset. However with the water so orange at the moment it is not my favourite look. Also with the rocks wet most days of late, getting around with a big camera bag strapped to your back can be a bit tough.