James Harris’ beautiful image of Snow Gums (E. Pauciflora subsp. Acerina) on the Baw Baw Plateau near Mt Erica in Victoria.

The photo was taken at Langi Ghiran State Park, on a misty morning in March. I was going out to sit with trees that are threatened with removal to make way for a freeway. Three trees, one which has been felled, are of significance to the first peoples of the area, and other concerned people. I arrived too late and access had been blocked by police and I was denied entry, so I went across the road and into the park and sat with the trees there as the morning mist was burned off by the warming day.

The name Langi Ghiran, Lar-ne-jeering in the local Djab Wurrung people’s language means ‘home of the Black Cockatoo’.  It has steep granite peaks and gentle sloping open woodlands. River Red Gums, Yellow Box and Candlebark trees are scattered through the woodlands, with Messmate, Manna Gums and Red Strinybark in the mountains and Yarra Gums along the waterways.

This Park is a special place for me, having grown up in the shadow of her beauty, and a place I regularly wander.

Ready to Bloom

The big red macrocarpa, ready to burst into a stunning vibrant display attracting admirers and pollinators alike.