Welcome Friend or Visitor,
So glad you've stopped by, do hope you will enjoy time under Camphor Laurel - Cinamomum camphora - as I give tribute and a farewell to Spring for 2011.
This Spring has been nice in my area of South East Queensland in Australia. Some days have been rather hot, but overall there's been nice big rain to moisten the Soil when needed without any fanfare. Pleasant nights in general, and days to enjoy being out and about.
One such occasion was right in the beginning of Spring... 20 September 2011, almost at the time of the Spring Equinox and the real beginning for celebrating Spring.
This Journey I enjoyed with Camphor Laurel - Cinamomum camphora - is located on the West side of the Property where I rent when I go walking in a North Westerly direction. This species of Camphor Laurel is Native to Taiwan, southern Japan, south east China and Indochina... it is a problem species in Australia.
It was introduced into Australia in 1888 as decoration for gardens and public parks. Why they bothered I am not sure. Maybe they didn't realise back then that Australia has its very own Camphor Laurel - Cinamomum oliveri. A Rainforest Tree growing from the soils of Eastern Coastal parts of Australia, located as far South as New South Wales right up to the Northern Tip of Australia... Cape York Peninsula... and looks quite similar to its Asian relative.
Australia's Camphor Laurel likes Volcanic Cliffs and Sandy soils. Enjoys being known by names such as Camphorwood, Oliver's Sassafras, Black Sassafras and Cinnamonwood. Australia's Camphor Laurel is quite comfortable growing amid Temperate Rainforests, cool mountain situations and even Tropical Rainforests... very generous.
Alas, my Wonderful Journeys are under Australia's problem introduced Camphor Laurel, and I had a lovely time... maybe a time will come and I can experience what it would be like under an Australian Camphor Laurel... until then....
The first photo is of a Grevillea Silky Oak - Grevillea Robusta... and is an Australian.... 
Behind it is where I'm heading... the introduced Species of Camphor Laurel is amid the gathering of Trees back there.... Dear Grevillea Silky Oak isn't looking its best. It's going through a Leaf change, and having serious right of presence issues with a Mistletoe Vine interested in taking up living quarters with it.
Leaving Silky Oak to deal with its intrusive guest we reach the introduced problem Camphor Laurel's Leaves donning Springtime glory...
Apologies for the Sun Flare on the top right corner, but maybe in its way adds something to the feel. I like that area of the Property, there's always interesting, beautiful moments happening amid the Trees.
I will also apologise in advance for lack of quality the photos will portray. Vivaz phone does her best, even when I am probably asking too much of her, but she does understand what I am seeing and wanting to record and I'm appreciative of Vivaz's effort.
Next is stepping under the problem Camphor Laurel's wonderful canopy.....
First a view of those wonderful Trees....
Problem Camphor Laurel is in the foreground on the left.....
I don't know why, but that photo didn't crisp when uploaded, and I prefer not to exclude it, so left it smaller....
and now some real time under the problem Camphor Laurel....
Stepping back out into the yard while staying under the shade of problem Camphor Laurel's Canopy, then turning and looking West with our Host on our right and its Canopy above us, we meet other inhabitants sharing the area with problem Camphor Laurel....
Panning slightly left from the above view in the next photo, you may be able to discern the Path leading into another part of the Property's Paddocks on its Western side... just look beyond problem Camphor Laurel's far-reaching beautiful limbs travelling across the view....
Then we go back under problem Camphor Laurel, and from now on, I'm as enamoured by Camphor Laurel's Leaves as I am with its Limbs creating beautiful shapes, while the Sun's Light highlights moments as the Wind encourages the Leaves to Dance....
And the Tree you'll see in the background of the next photo, with all its shapely Native Strangler Vine Fig extensions is beautiful....
The next Scene is simply of Trees being beautiful. Do you see the Dancer between the two Trees?
I apologise for the washed out bit at the top due to the glare... I liked the photo too much to exclude it because of my error and the Sun's determination...
Next we return to problem Camphor Laurel's beautiful Leaves and Limbs....
To close this Journey we'll next be looking out from under problem Camphor Laurel's Canopy, onto to the Property's top West Paddock next to my yard, where the agisted Horses have come to rest.... I'm probably also entertainment when I'm doing what I do with Vivaz....
Bailey, the elderly Stallion is on the left... he's a sweety even though he does look gaunt. He was a rescue and unfortunately his teeth are worn down, so even with feeding his weight gain is not grand. Butter on the right is simply a beautiful Lady and does well, but she had a much better life to begin with. Their Carer brings me feed so I can feed them daily... Bailey needs it.
Well that's it for this time. I ask a lot from my phone Vivaz, which I can see when I enlarge photos like I have done for this Post or can sometimes look worse when up here. Thankfully does not happen a lot. Still, for all the flaws in regards to the photos, I do feel Vivaz has achieved the feel of the moments that occurred. I hope you have had a nice time... has been a treat to share this with you. Don't forget the wonderful slide-show way.
Introductory image is from
http://www.animated-gifs.eu
The information about both Camphor Laurels is from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinamomum_camphora
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinamomum_oliveri
Photos are by me and my 8megapixel Sony Ericsson phone and any editing is done with my Windows Live Photo part.
Thank you for your time,
My wonderful 14yr old Gander Henry died on 22 September 2011 - 2 days after this photo event.
So this Posting is as much a farewell to him as it is to Spring... and I do miss him.
My wonderful 14yr old Gander Henry died on 22 September 2011 - 2 days after this photo event.
So this Posting is as much a farewell to him as it is to Spring... and I do miss him.
Good wishes from Magda and Crew with appreciation.
Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteThe state of Florida here in the United States has a big problem with several invasive plant and animal species that are wreaking the environment.
Most of them were brought in for decoration or farming but soon went wild after getting away.
Gosh thank you BEACH BUM... I really was a bit disappointed in how the photos looked... there's only a few that held their own once Posted I felt... but I truly liked what each had to share, so I've been brave and kept them all in.
ReplyDeleteYour words are an appreciated gift.
It is sad that so many introduced Plant species seem to thrive and want to take over the new environment they've been invited into. Though most are quite beautiful, the damage they cause is awful when one learns what is being destroyed. Also seems eradicating them from arable farmland, natural waterways, forests and scrubland is a constant challenge.... Sure is puzzling why early Folk weren't able to embrace the new Land they settled in.
Thankfully, awareness, cultivation and preservation of indigenous Plants is better understood and encouraged now.
Maybe future generations will be enjoying an area's natural flora. Will probably prove to be nicer too.
Thank you heaps for your support Beach Bum, appreciation from Magda and Crew
thanks for the wander through the trees...i loved it! and your pictures are great!!
ReplyDeletethe branches reaching out...and the thick vines going this way and that...always make for interesting shapes...always changing depending on the view.
we have a few trees back in the woods that look very much like that camphor. the leaves turn yellowish & red...it's beautiful!! i wonder if that's what they are????
i didn't know you were caring for horses!! but it doesn't surprise me really...you have such a big heart...a kind soul...a glowing spirit!!
xoxo
You are welcome LAURA dear friend... and for you, with your love of the Forest, the Journey would have felt like being Home I realise... glad now I've been brave enough to keep all the photos in...
ReplyDeleteand thank you heaps... feels good feeling reassured when I'm unsure about what I've done.
But as your words describe is how I felt... and I do believe the photos do interpret the mood the scenes give.
Crush the Leaves or scrape some Bark Laura, they should release the scent of Camphor. I find it is a lovely clean scent.
Gosh Laura... how do I respond to those words... am a bit stymied! Personally feel you are being far too generous, but really does feel nice to read and realise someone would think of me in such a beautiful way...
thank you... may I find I am honourably able to be as good as you define...
hugs filled with love for you Laura xxoxo from Magda and Crew
Hi there - even after 15 years I still find many of the trees here a mystery. I think trees like this one add to the problem.
ReplyDeleteIn the end I often give up trying to name them and just enjoy them!
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
PS: Hope you have a good Christmas!
Gosh it's dreadful when one gets behind STEWART M, but I've made it now...
ReplyDeleteI do hope better late than never really does have merit...
The worst part about problem Trees is they usually flourish when introduced elsewhere, they don't understand the boundaries and limitations of their new environment... I think their Human counterparts inflict similar problems when they go somewhere new also...
By they time understanding sets in, the problem is more like a catastrophe to solve.
I do so agree with you though, Trees are a pleasure to behold... and it's also wondrous when one finds Humans can be a pleasure to see too.
We had a lovely Christmas Stewart M, hopefully yours was too.
Appreciate you came by and left a letter...
May your Melbourne Weather be kind during 2012... and your good wishes be fulfilled