Red-headed Krait (Bungarus flaviceps) one of the highly venomous elapid snake that has awesome striking colouration. Red-headed kraits are nocturnal, semi-aquatic and inhabits rain forests in mountainous and hilly regions.
First time road cruising and our guide Steven spotted this beauty. Honestly, I was fighting not to fall asleep in the car, but that moment and their excitement woke me up. Good memory for our first road cruising :)
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Tumbarumba Creek and the Goldrush
Tumbarumba Creek flowing past the town is idyllic - green grass picturesque bridges, monuments and artworks, a skatepark, and fitness walking trails - just a wonderful place for picnics and dog walking. It wasn't always like this though.
Ninety-nine years of Gold Mining in the Tumbarumba region.
In 1885 Gold was discovered in Tumbarumba Creek, four years before the Townsite was surveyed. Mining continued until 1954, although commercial mining ceased in the early 1930s. During that time 3,380 kg of gold was delivered to the Government Mint from the local mines. The current value of this amount of gold in one kg gold bars is over two billion dollars.
REFERENCE: Willis J.L. 1969. Mining History of the Tumbarumba Gold Field. Geological Survey of New South Wales - Bulletin 23
The Creek runs downstream under the bridge on Albury Street. Across the road, the Creek is restored from the ravages of more than fifty years of GOLD MINING.
One thing, I noticed about this restoration was the removal of the old large weeping willow trees common here fifty years ago. Willows are among Australia's worst weeds because of their invasive tendencies, the potential for spread, and economic and environmental impacts.
During floods, this creek rises quickly, sometimes causing evacuations from the Caravan Park, and blocking the bridge crossing.
Dawn light accentuates the beauty of the area.
During mining, however, the creek bank was lowered by many metres as a huge water cannon blasted out the sediments to be separated from the alluvial gold in sluice boxes and trenches.
This image gives some idea of the water power, even when the water level is low.
The Creek divides and then rejoins.
I started this post with some dog walkers and I would like to finish the same way. When this lady saw me approaching on the other side of the Creek, she stood till and the five dogs immediately sat still but at attention while we chatted and I took their "portrait". The dogs are three generations from one family ranging from an old male grandparent to a three-month-old pup. She reported that she has five different walks which the group does daily. Amazing dog training!
On Saturday 12/2/23 starting at dawn, I walked along Tumbarumba Creek from where it joins Pound Creek to near the Booth Street Council Depot. I took photographs on my Nikon D500 camera for 90 minutes, using a 35mm f1.8 lens and a tripod. Most images were taken in the reconstructed area of the old regions mined, at the bottom of the Hill, where Tumbarumba Hospital overlooks the town.
Map from Google maps. Comments, shares, and questions are welcome.
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