END OF THE WORLD

Mapping the day's rounds.

Well today was supposed to be the end of the world......according to interpretation of the Mayan calendar. I heard people talking about it the other day and they were so serious about it. As the conversation continued it became obvious they didn't know who the Mayans were or where they came from. In fact I think one of these people thought "Mayan" was a person, an individual, something like an astrologer who had developed this calendar of predictions based on the stars and movements of the planets. But nevertheless I awoke at the normal time. I did get a chuckle recalling a post from one of  my daughters where she was worried about what she should wear for the end of the world. Finally she settled on a sweater and comfy shoes. 

A different view of a sand goanna.

Now it may not have been the end of the world but it still began as a bad day. The power was off in part of the kitchen. There I was with my porridge and milk in a bowl ready to cook and no power to the microwave. I cooked a chop on the gas stove instead. Gathered my gear and headed out to find some elusive numbats. I decided to start at the other end of stage 2 today and look for one of the animals we had had little contact with. On the way there I managed to drive under a low tree and ripped the wires from the aerial I had on the roof. This meant I couldn't scan from the car as I drove around the roads. This was not really a problem as I intended to spend most of the morning walking transects.

Loaded up I headed off for a walk in the countryside. Well the mulga and spinifex, and on a hot day. The plants are prickly and the ground full of animal scratchings and burrows. I walked several kilometres through the scrub and the heat and the flies but no numbats. Returning to the car I found I had left the keys partly on in the ignition......so a flat battery. I tried to radio but very weak reception. Found I had lost the sunshade off the front of my camera during my stroll in the bush. I wasn't going back. Tried to push start the car myself since the ground was flat. No luck. I could walk back to camp but for safety its best to stay with the car, eventually someone will come looking for you. Ok I'd just settle under a tree and read my book with a nice cup of tea. For the first time the water in the thermos was not hot......not sure why, maybe end of the world stuff?

A small thornbill watches my every move.

I read for a little but since I had also left my reading glasses at home this was only partly successful. Half an hour later I again tried to push start the car; again unsuccessful. Again tried the radio, this time balancing on the roof of the car. I think they could hear me but their reply was mostly static. Read some more. Tried to call again. This time I could understand that a car was on its way. With some help the car was easily started and I headed off to check the roadway for my camera part in a vain hope that I had lost it when traipsing across roadways. Luck for the first time favoured me and I found the piece where I had scrambled onto a large log to get elevation when using the telemetry. On the way back I tried a few more spots but with no success. back to camp for lunch and to avoid the hottest part of the day. What will the afternoon bring?

A tree creeper looking for bugs hiding in the bark.