beauty

Burchardia umbellata, known as milkmaids, is a perennial herbaceous plant native to woodlands and the heath of eastern and southern Australia. It is known in all states. It typically flowers from September until November, in dry sclerophyll forests. Aboriginals eat potato-like tubers.[6] The tubers can be eaten raw or cooked. They are white, fleshy, crisp, and starchy, with a nondescript flavor. The genus Burchardia is named for German botanist Johann Heinrich Burckhardt. The Latin species name umbellata means "umbrella" or "parasol", referring to the shape of the umbels of flowers. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burchardia_umbellata

A botanical illustration is not primarily judged on its artistic beauty, but on its scientific accuracy. It must portray a plant with enough precision and detail for it to be recognized and distinguished from other species. The beauty of the drawing or painting is secondary to its scientific accuracy but, in the hands of a talented botanical artist, the artwork goes beyond the scientific requirements. From its inception, botanical art has been a fundamental means of communication for science and its dissemination. While still a scientific tool, it has simultaneously starred in the curious phenomenon of becoming a popular artistic medium, provoking an unusual dichotomy in the world of arts and sciences. There’s something compelling about building a relationship with a plant. Botanical artists have a passion for plants. Unless the artist knows the plant in all its moods, and in all the stages of its development, there will be something lacking in the artwork. Through their work, botanical artists can fulfill many roles: explorer, discoverer, educator, scientific collaborator, and creator of beauty. The qualities of artistic appeal and technical accuracy are the defining characteristics of the best botanical art. This documentation of plant life is not only for art but also for science and environmental research. Source: magsq.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Artistic-Endeavou...

" A pretty scene fresh water", says the writing in the photo.

Henry HACKER (1876-1973) Henry Hacker Born Walthamstow, Essex, England, son of a surgical instrument maker. Early experience at British Museum. Arrived in Australia late 1890s and went gold prospecting and insect collecting in WA, SA, and NQ, often traveling long distances by bicycle. Supplied Coleoptera to many Australian taxonomists. Fought in Boer War 1900-1901. Farmed on Mulgrave River in NQ 1909-10 and was a neighbor to butterfly collector, Conrad Kelsall. Sold 6000 Coleoptera to Berlin Museum in 1910. Appointed insect curator at Queensland Museum 1911. Magnificent collector with great knowledge of habits and life histories. Built the QM research collections and made links with taxonomists around the world. Developed QM's public displays of insects. Skilled insect photographer. Published mainly on Hemiptera and Hymenoptera. Joined many of Perkins' UQ field trips. Seconded in 1929 to the Dept. of Agric. and Stock insect collection and served there until retirement in 1943, working 1-2 days per week at QM. Kept bees at his Herston home and became apiary inspector at the time of the foul brood outbreak in 1931. In retirement sold an extensive collection of Hemiptera to American hemipterous, Carl Drake, whose collection went to the Smithsonian. Hacker was a founding member of the Entomological Society of Queensland in 1923, serving on the first Council for 11 years, President in 1934, and Honorary Life Member from 1943. Source: www.esq.org.au/archive/HIstoricalPages/HackerH.html

If you’re visiting the Cairns and Port Douglas region in summer, you absolutely must check out some of our freshwater swimming spots as well as the iconic Great Barrier Reef. These are where the locals go to cool off and some, like Mossman Gorge, receive large numbers of tourists too. Families visit these jungle swimming holes because they are widely considered safe, there are no crocodiles or marine stingers here, (we hope!), and they are stunningly beautiful. Swimming in crystal clear, freshwater, deep in the jungle rainforest, surrounded by fish, is a bucket list experience. A series of photos and brief words about some of the swimming holes, waterfalls, and swimming lakes near Port Douglas and Cairns, the Daintree and Tablelands, in Far North Queensland Australia. Source: worldtravelfamily.com/fresh-water-swimming-spots-around-c...