Even in the driest time of year, the bushland is a constant source of information for me. Texture and colour in nature is inspiring because it is often surprising. Bark can be smooth, like skin, or so thick to touch, the fissures are deep enough to take an entire hand. Moss, soft and deep green in winter, is crunchy and yellow-green in summer. All manner of shapes and textures abound in leaves, seed pods, petals, and the earth itself.

Dry Colour Palette

Today I went walking around the bushland. It should be softening and greening up. We’re nearing the end of the first month of autumn. However, we’ve had very low rainfall for 18 months. The spring and summer rainfall were extremely low. Everything is parched and brittle. Yet even now, there are things to see.

Ants protect their nests with artistic ‘pottery style’ rims, with arrangements of leaves over the opening. Sculptural shapes in flattened grass indicate where kangaroos have rested. Peeling bark hangs from trees in ribbons of red, buff, brown and salmon.

All of this changes with the seasons. If you would like to see some more images of colour and texture in the bushland, head on over to my Fifteen Acres blog. Start with this post on colour and texture!

More to Come

When we get rain, and the bushland is rich greens up, I’ll do a comparison post to this one. You’ll find rich greens, yellows and golds, blues and purples. Even bright reds. The bushland is rich and lush. I can’t wait for that to happen. I hope the drought breaks soon.

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