Everyone’s favourite grass, spinifex (Triodia basedowii). Photo: David Nelson

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Winter trips to the Simpson Desert are generally pretty pleasant. The clear, cold nights are perfect for star-gazing or sitting around the camp fire with a mug of mulled wine or hot milo, and the days are a good temperature for working. On this trip, work setting up the infrastructure of a new experimental project was in full swing, so on top of trapping and helping out with Steph’s PhD project we had a busy time. Continue reading →

Sminthopsis hirtipes, Hairy-footed Dunnart. Photo: David Nelson

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Driving through western Queensland on the way to the Simpson, it was clear that the late summer rain we’d experienced on the February trip had been patchy throughout the region, with some areas looking green and lush, and others still firmly in the grip of the dry period. One surprise was learning of the flow in the Mulligan River on Ethabuka, apparently occurring only a matter of days after we departed the property. This timing was a stroke of luck, as with both the Mulligan and the Georgina rivers flowing, we wouldn’t have been able to get out of the desert for some time. Learning from the crew of trip 1 about Pulchera waterhole being full, we resolved to visit this beautiful spot. Continue reading →

Pulchera water hole. Photo: Stephanie Yip

After a merry chase around Sydney to pick up our new radio receiver the first crew of the April 2014 trip headed out in wet conditions. The rain only lasted for a day and soon enough we were driving under the familiar sunny blue skies. Most areas seemed to have enjoyed at least enough showers to keep the kangaroos from the roads. Arriving at Ethabuka we didn’t see much greening, however the flies apparently had found enough water to breed some extra offspring. On the way in we checked Pulchera water hole which turned out to have filled up into lake-like proportions and was teeming with birds. Continue reading →