We said Sydney wasn't just about beaches. They do loom large however in Sydneysiders' lives. There are hundreds of them, though many are likely to be badly affected by rising sea levels in decades to come. For the time being, on hot days like today they beckon us strongly.
We headed out to The Basin in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. It's a nice little spot, and you get there either by boat or by 45 minute walk, so it's not too crowded usually.
Highlights included the man we met who'd taken a liking to an octopus, the lyrebirds scratching around above my head, a very fat wallaby, the usual goanna up a tree, and various exotic human beach dwelling species. The lyrebird is so called because of its tail, which looks like the musical instrument when opened in display. It could also 
be thought of as the 'liar bird', because it mimics hundreds of other birds and indeed any other sound it hears, causing all kinds of confusion.
The day started ominously with another dust cloud blowing through from central Australia, obscuring views, provoking warnings for asthma sufferers and others, and reminding us again of the increasing frequency of extreme weather events seemingly associated with climate change.
It cleared somewhat later. But with the climate changing in front of our eyes it was hard for the reptilian goanna, the lying lyrebird, and the round and furry wallaby not to remind us of certain Liberal Party politicians. This very weekend their party has self destructed in a dust cloud of climate change denial, blood lust, hatred and dumb personal ambition. By Tuesday it'll have yet another new leader: probably a big wallaby but possibly a goanna or a snake.
Bring on an election as soon as possible, I say. Bring on a vastly strengthened Green representation in the Senate, and bring on some real action on climate change.
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