Australian bushfire at Walwa, East Gippsland, 2020
Twitter: Declan Kuch
Bushfire fury at back gate
Ceramic pidgeon still standing in fire ruins
Eastern grey Kangaroos embracing
The despair on the joeys face above reflects the depth of the current climate crisis in Australia and possibility of dire consequences in the future. The harrowing imagery now appearing can be distressing and much effort will be required to rebuild from the destruction and ensure future habitats for the plants, birds and fauna. Thoughts of futility are now appearing and should be replaced with affirmative beliefs that positive solutions have prevailed. How stark does it have to be to heed the warnings and admit the current approach is not working. The myopic outlook is quite staggering. British naturalist Sir David Attenborough stated in The Guardian that it was “palpable nonsense” to suggest that Australia’s bushfire crisis has nothing to do with climate change. “We have been putting things off year after year. We’ve been raising targets, saying ‘oh well, if we do it in the next 20 years ……’ the moment of crisis has come.”
The beautiful native animals of Australia deserve a safe and sustainable future as do the populace. Suzanne Milthorpe, national environment laws campaigner at the Wilderness Society claims Australia is vulnerable to species extinction and the current bushfire crisis has exacerbated that severely. “We need not just to return to pre-bushfire levels but to aim for health and resilience and against further shock. This is an unprecedented catastrophe – the first at this scale – but it won’t be the last.”
Fire damaged vehicle, Conjola Park, New South Wales
Experienced firefighters haven’t seen furnace like temperatrues before that could melt engine blocks
A Koala survivor in bushfire ashes
Residents taking refuge on the beach, Rosedale, NSW
Looking for wildlife in a burnt forest, Australia
Koalas climb up to the top of the forest canopy to escape the fire where they become trapped.
This young kamgaroo came out of the scorched bush looking for help in NSW
Kookaburra and scorched landscape
Bushfire in the daytime
Survivng koala at rescue shelter
A koala comes up to a ‘firey’ looking for water
2020 helicopter water bombing
Kangaroos have the speed to outrun a bushfire with some luck.
Koala survivor in burnt forest
Kangaroo Island, photo Max Uechtritz
Potter Steve Harrison with razed studio at Balmoral. He had to crawl inside his recently completed kiln, as the fire roared thru, to insulate himself from the heat and flames.
Rescued brushtail possum.
Drowned Rainbow Lorikeet washed up on beach. Birds flew out over the ocean trying to escape the smoke, but fell exhausted into the water.
Rescued koala feasting on beloved eucalyptus leaves.
Thisrty koala at a bird bath
Forlorn joey in a razed forest
Rock Wallaby food drop from air
Rock wallaby eating carrot
Relaxing during better times.
Recovering koala in bandages and mittens
Melted public telephone
Orphaned Wallaby with carer Sue. Taken from pouch of mother who had died in the bushfires
Koala resting with cub
Burnt Australian bush at lake Tabourie
Rescued koalas at wildlife shelter
Fire dance mural at Bermagui Water Tower
Arthur Boyd — ‘Girl asleep in a stream’
This curious and elusive little creature ironically known as a Great Glider Possum will be even closer to extinction after the fires.
Sugar glider
Rescued koala in a fire truck
Australian mural at Moura Water Tower
Rescued Easter Grey female kangaroo
Red Kangaroo ceramic figure – height 12 inches
I acquired this vintage statue last year because it reminded me of a benign encounter I had with a 7ft tall red kangaroo on the beach at Margaret River in WA. Majestic in size and spirit, I had full admiration for its powerful presence when it came up and stood near me while I looking at the Indian Ocean.
Wombats hide in their burrows to survive during a bushfire, which they also share with other animals seeking shelter.
Kangaroo in rescue shelter
Shiny black cockatoo with Daniella Teixeira at Kangaroo Island
Photo – Mike Barth, The Associated Press
Thirsty Aussie icon Koala given water
Rescued joey with baby emus
Dehydrated Koala and dog become mates at a bird bath
Artists stepping forward to support bushfire relief
Grays charity auction for Australian bushfire relief
For direct donations go here
