Central Highlands
It was over two weeks ago I passed through the highlands from west to east while searching for respite from the rain.Today I crossed through the highlands again – this time from south to north.
There is something captivating about the region.It is high elevation and the forest is more open.The wind is capable of blowing a gale.During my first visit I was shocked when a cloud’s shadow sped on ahead of me.I was running at 85 km/h.Today the winds were absent.
The highlands seem to be a vacation area.Numerous small camps and cottages are scattered through a number of communities with no apparent inhabitants.
Stocky and stout gum trees struggle to gain a stronghold against the seemingly rocky landscape.Masses of heath just finishing their blooming in the understory.Just two weeks ago there were no blossoms.Now the blossoms are past their prime.The air is scented with a pleasant aroma giving the air a sweetly fermented tang.
Driving Tasmania’s highways I have seen a number of echidna but they seem to prefer stretches of road where it is impossible to stop.This afternoon I found one near a road intersection with several pullouts.I stopped.
Watching from a distance I noted the echidna was oblivious to the danger it was living in.Fearing it would soon meet the fate of several other echidnas I decided to encourage it off the road.The cars which had driven over it had startled it.The echidna’s defense; form a pincushion flattening itself against the ground leaving just a spiny cushion facing the attacker.Even its feet become part of the defense splayed off to the sides with claws joining in the protective array.
I fetched a long stick to encourage the echidna off the road.I was shocked by the difficulty I had in moving the little object.Flattening itself to the ground, I couldn’t get it to roll over.I couldn’t get the stick under the echidna.Eventually I gained enough purchase to roughly slide the frightened monotreme to the road’s gravel shoulder.
Again I marveled at the Tasmanian echidna.It is a little darker and has much more fur between the quills then its continental relatives.
With my good deed done I continued on.A small brown sign to my left caught my attention as I drove by.“Steppes Stones and Sculptures.”A small and unused parking area was just off the highway.I turned in.
A short trail led into the bush.A dozen stone monoliths stood erect in a clearing.On each monolith there was a bronze sculpture depicting the different aspects of the steppe ecosystem and life in the high country.In the centre of the circle was a flat stone.A wombat stood his ground to the other depictions.A small round plaque described the exposition.
“The Steppes Stones
Dedicated to those who share in the love and care of the Highlands of Tasmania from the past to the future”
The essence of the heath was particularly strong here.
Being that I still wasn’t at Cradle Mountain I didn’t tarry long.I was still several hours away.My plan – get somewhere near King Solomon’s Cave this evening, take an early tour then continue on to Dove Lake.
Driving along I again met distraction.The pencil pine boardwalk.High in the alpine areas of the Highland Conservation Area grows a relic species.Very different from its North American cousin, the giant sequoia, the pencil pine is very susceptible to bush fires.Wanton fuel reductions burns and escaped agriculture burns have killed groves throughout the highlands.
Climate change is threatening the remaining groves.
Is Greenhouse Effect real.I am not convinced.Is there a difference in climate now compared to a few years ago?Perhaps.
When I was growing up I remember reading journal articles hypothesizing we were entering a “little ice age.”Hmmm.
What do I make of all this?The environmental movement has a new icon – global warming.They practiced by creating awareness and invoking change by latching on to other issues: Project Eden, spotted owl, peregrine falcon, bilby . . . .Each had regional significance and gained international recognition.
Today they have latched on to an issue with the potential of international significance affecting global regions indiscriminately.
Do we need to act now?Absolutely.Even if it is not real the movement is raising awareness about atmospheric quality.Are the particulates – pollutants – which are floating around through the atmosphere – not just carbon dioxide – influencing global health, increasing cancer in the world populations?Are humans through industrial development responsible for particulates?Absolutely.Are pollutants known to increase human disease risk . . . .
Even if the Greenhouse Effect is not real, we need to act now.Forty years from now when I look back and see what happened will be too late if we do not implement precautionary measures now and logarithmic/exponential change is suddenly occurring.
Where did that all come from?I’ll get back on track.
Central Highlands of Tasmania.
The highway courses through the middle of one of the groves.I stopped.A boardwalk which wanders through the gnarled trees has been constructed to help protect this community.Another hour was spent as I walked through the trees.Some trees looked vibrant and healthy.White skeletons stood on guard telling of a past generation.The older trees were bent and twisted by the winds – half succumbed to the elements while the leeward side continued to exude youth.A few other trees bore the scars of lightning strikes.
Many trees wore bracelets on their limbs.
Another time I will find out what kind of studies the marked trees are participating in.
As evening arrived I was nearing King Solomon’s Cave and Karst National Park.The early tour was 10:30.I couldn’t do both the cave and Cradle Mountain.I continued on towards Cradle Mountain leaving the caves for my next visit.I found a quiet place to spend the night.
A full moon repeatedly distracted my slumber.
