In Sept of 2016 we visited Southwestern Australia. We stayed a couple of nights in Esperance on the South Australia Sea. We explored the coastline and several national parks. The south coast has many large granite domes rising out of the ocean creating round islands and also interesting coastline hills. The sand at the beaches is pure quartz, shiny white and squeaks when walked on. The white sand reflected the sunlight which gives the water the most beautiful aquamarine color. The plant community here was also much softer and greener than inland and we recognized many of the same species that have been introduced into Southern California.
Cape le Grande National Park
To the east, we explored 78,580 acreCape le Grande National Park. Being almost 400 miles southeast of Perth, the nearest city, it was almost deserted. It was also here that we walked through the shrub with a mob of kangaroos and a dazzling variety of banksias - from small trees to ground dwelling species growing on the white sand dunes. There were also dense stand of hakeas, melaleucas, grevilleas, terrestrial orchids, acacias, adenanthos, calothamnus, countless species of pea bushes and many others. We had a beautiful white sand beach with giant sand dunes and granite boulders, shore birds and crashing waves all to ourselves as we watched the sun set behind the mountains to the west.
Frenchman's Peak dominates the view in a large area of the park. Several rock climbers were noted on the face.
Maybe Clematis seed heads?
Frenchmans Peak
I don't know what this short shrub in, but there were masses of it bloom on one hillside.
There is a 'window' near the top of Frenchmans Peak
Grass Trees in the Bush
Probably Banksia speciosa
On of the pure white quartz sand beaches
Scott taking in the beauty of the rocks, white sand and clear aquamarine waters of the South Australian Sea
Interesting black, grey and tan areas on these rocks.
Another view of the white sand beaches
A very cute Banksai...at least I think that is what it is. Definitely in the Protea family.
Adenanthos sericeus there were large areas of the plains covered with this shrub
Adenanthos sericeus
Unusual rocks with granite domes just off shore
Me at the beach
We were told that Hellfire Bay was one of the best places to see Kangaroos on the beach, but we didn't see any
However, at Rossiter Bay we were surprised by Kangaroos in the bushes near the beach
Hakea?
Acacia and one of the bays
Bush and bay
I've been growing this same plant for several years in my garden
This was the most amazing granite rock. The sound of the surf echoed from it
If you stand under the rock the sound of the surf surrounds you from behind
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