Algae and cyanobacterial colonies growing in the hot springs of Muloorina, east of Marree, resemble those found in Paralana Hot Springs at Arkaroola.
Algae and cyanobacterial colonies in hot springs: Muloorina
Sun bleached algal web: Arkaroola
Sun bleached filamentous green algae in the cool freshwater springs of Arkaroola, North Flinders Ranges.
Stemless Thistle
The Stemless Thistle (Onopordum acaulon) is a weed native to the Mediterranean. Seen flowering along the edges of a creekbed in the northern Flinders Ranges in October.
Moss: Depot Springs
Following winter rains, an uncommon tinge of vivid green may be seen in the damp south side shade of bluebush and saltbush growing in floodways. This moss was observed along the Arkaroola Road in the Northern Flinders Ranges.
Paralana Hot Springs
While weathering and seasonal rains can cause waterholes at to silt up, Paralana Hot Springs continue to flow as a shallow stream. Sourced from within a fault zone, the water is around 60 degrees and emits gases such as radon which is heavier than air and hovers around the creek area on still days. A wonderful array of Cyanobacteria, Proteobacteria and algae thrive in the Paralana Hot Springs.
Fern: Arkaroola
Small fern (Cheilanthes sieberi ssp.sieberi), 20cm, growing out of jasper boulders at Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary.
Filamentous Algae: Aroona Sanctuary
Filamentous Green Algae at the overflow pools of Aroona Dam.
Mistletoe Bird
The tiny male Mistletoe Bird has a distinct high pitched call and scarlet breast plumage similar in colour to the mistletoe flower. Seen here feasting on mistletoe fruits in June in the Northern Flinders Ranges, he will then excrete the sticky seeds onto branches of nearby native plants, enabling the semi parasitic mistletoe to germinate and embed into the branches of host plants.
Harlequin Mistletoe
Mistletoe is a stem parasite seen throughout the Flinders Ranges. The sticky seeds are deposited on branches by the Mistletoe Bird and other small birds, where they germinate and attach to the sap wood of the host plant, in this case Acacia Victoriae.
Filamentous Green Algae: Retention Dam
Threadlike filamentous green algae growing in the shallows of Copley Retention Dam. These soft strands consist of a chain of cells, giving a thread-like appearance. Oxygen production as a by-product of underwater photosynthesis creates buoyancy, causing the strands to incline toward the surface.
