We paddle the Djarlgarra Canning wetlands and, amongst the other things of interest, I note the lack of wildflowers. Within the wetter areas there are sedges, rushes, paperbarks, other melaleucas, water, so much life. It takes stepping out onto the mown grass before we see little black-eyed Susan flowers, and other bits of colour. And I know in even drier areas there are many flowers opening to the sunlight now.

In the wetter places, growth and life prevail. In the drier places, light and colour and warmth. Here, now, this means plant and leaves and trees in one place; wildflowers in the other. Still, the more rain, the more wildflower plants in those drier places; and the more light and warmth in the wetland, the more chance of flowers.