Dear Reader:
The scenery on my drive between Meadows and Ashbourne varies between open pasture to Creekside scrubland with both kangaroos and cows enjoying the fertile landscape.
Rural setting with old farmhouse ruin, stock and bush background
My destinations are the town of Ashbourne and the nearby Bullock Hill Conservation Park. I have driven along several of the roads I am about to explore during the cooler months when the weather was not as conducive to photography and I promised myself a summer visit and a meal at the Green Man Hotel.
Track into the park
Green Man Hotel in Ashbourne SA
Three roads skirt the Bullock Hill Conservation Park; Signal Flat Road to the west, Wattle Flat Road to the east and Haines Road to the south. There are walking trails leading into the park off these roads. The country town of Ashbourne with its folksy Green Man Hotel lies a kilometre or two north west of the park, on the intersection of Bull Creek and Signal Flat Roads.
Wattle Flat Road on my previous trip
I enter the park off Haines Road. There are honeyeaters, Grey Fantails, rosellas, lorikeets and Galahs. The birds are wary and move quickly in the canopy. Eventually I spot a Welcome Swallow resting between aerial sorties in search of insects.
Welcome Swallow taking a break
Galah or Cockie or Rose-breasted Cockatoo
Along Wattle Flat Road, I notice a pair of roos near a fenceline and stop to take a picture. Not a successful venture as one bounds over the fence while the other scoots under it. Both animals are unhurt and I get the feeling they have done this on more than one occasion.
One under one over….Western Grey Kangaroos
On this trip I have not driven back along Signal flat Road which skirts the eastern side of the park. However, on my last drive I was quite taken by a whimsical piece of ‘Auto-art’; if such a genre exists. On the same drive I encountered significant flocks of Galahs.
A little whimsical, rural art off Wattle Flat Road
Back in Ashbourne and alongside the Green Man Hotel, there is an enclosure with a couple of unusual sheep which seem to be shedding their fleece rather than it being shorn. I believe they are White Dorpers a variation bred specifically for this particular characteristic.
Shearing the easy way….White Dorper variety of sheep
Leaving the car in the shade, I order a seafood platter and share an outside table with a curious and food oriented Australian Magpie. It has been a worthwhile day in the field and I will certainly return during spring to further explore the park and surrounding areas.
Seafood plate with Oysters, Calamari, Scallops and fish
Australian Magpie
Cheers
Baz
Additional notes
This is an easy walk and drive which is quite suitable for families and seniors with public toilets, barbecues, parking and other facilities nearby..
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