We live in the suburb of Broadwater, so named because of the broad expanse of wetlands at the rear of the suburb. The suburb is approximately 1 km deep from the centre of the Broadwater part of the wetlands to the coast. Our unit is in the middle of the complex directly under the B of Broadwater on Bussell Highway on the map below. That means we’re approximately 500 metres walk from the bay, and approximately 500 metres from the wetlands.

Mostly we tend to walk to the beach and then either along the firm sand, or along the coastal path. It’s nice sometimes though to go in the other direction and walk along the wetlands.

There’s sealed footpaths, and dirt tracks that run along the nature reserve. I prefer the dirt tracks but only on a day when I feel the risk of snakes is minimal. Yesterday I let Mr Tilly off the lead on the dirt track but was ready to clip the lead on quickly should he have started to romp ahead. He’s wilful and headstrong at times, but never ceases to amaze me as to how he just seems to know some things. In yesterday’s case he seemed to sense he needed to stay close.

The calm waters, with all the bird song and other noises of nature nearby made our walk such a pleasure. I had my phone/camera in my pocket, but was on my way home before I thought to start taking photos. Of course, as always once I started photographing the scenery I started appreciating it all the more, so much so that I back tracked and extended our walk considerably. There’s something about both photographing what I see, and writing a post about it that causes all my senses to kick in. I notice things I wouldn’t otherwise notice – and I guess that’s the real joy of blogging. It helps me to appreciate my surroundings fully.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

In some places the paperbarks form an amazing thicket. I often wonder what overseas visitors think of our paperbarks with their trunks shedding layer upon layer of paper like bark. They only grow where they get lots of water, and I guess some people probably think they’re quite an unattractive tree. I find them fascinating. I love them.

As in so much of the south west’s landscape, particularly in watery areas, the beautiful, but unwanted Arum lilies are growing with wild abandon. They’re not native to the area, and they’re taking over. I hope one day we undertake a big eradication program, but in the meantime I’ll continue to enjoy the spectacular display they put on in late winter and spring each year. They really are beautiful, but they’re doing so much damage to the natural bush.

• 

• 

So that’s a brief look at the Broadwater wetlands. Beautiful aren’t they! Of course that much water comes with flood risks, and that risk is very real in the flat coastal area of Busselton, but thats a story for another day…….