Ferals grow along the banks of the Maranoa River at Mitchell

The ancient meandering riverbed of the Maranoa is bordered by natives such as river red gums, acacias and white cedars, as well as feral plants -- good and bad.

The ferals are the result of flood waters that sweep down this mighty river, distributing weed species far and wide. Thistles and burrs are the most obvious and troublesome, with Noogoora burrs (as shown in the photo) one of the worst.

When a Noogoora burr presses its way between the pads of Major's foot, he stops immediately, holds his paw up and waits for me to pull out the offending barb. For people running sheep and cattle enterprises, thistles, burrs and other noxious weeds are a huge problem.

On the other hand, branches torn from fruit trees -- upstream -- sometimes lodge in the bank, there to mature into fruit-bearing trees. The mulberry tree by the bridge is an example, along with a peach tree (also shown in a photo) that grows on the riverbank near our home. This is the same tree that produced masses of pink blossom in August.

Unfortunately, fruit fly often spoils the fruit from the peach, but the mulberry is usually unblemished -- and delicious!

August is spring in Mitchell, outback Australia

We are a jump ahead of southern states when it comes to warmer weather, and so August is spring here in Mitchell, outback Queensland.

The branches of 'my' mulberry tree by the Maranoa River are laden with swollen buds and pale green shoots reaching out into heart-shaped leaves.

The peach tree (also by the river), which has hung on to its blossom for four weeks, is now bursting into leaf. It won't be long before birds are nesting, and the treetops come alive with butterflies, flying foxes and nectar-loving birds.

Spring is full of excitement: a season of renewal and regrowth. We're fortunate to get spring a month earlier than those living in the south of the continent.

Peach blossom, burst pipes and another severe frost

Another -4.1° C temperature this morning saw a breakage of a tap in our backyard, causing a geyser-like spout of water, which a neighbour alerted us to. Fortunately Doug is able to fix things, so within one hour the tap was replaced and the water turned on again.

The mulberry tree growing beside the Maranoa River is now completely devoid of leaves, yet this afternoon I picked an armful of peach blossom from a tree growing in the bush beside the river.

My guess is that a peach branch got caught up in flood water upstream of Mitchell (outback Queensland) and ended up lodged in the bank, where it grew into a tree. This tree produces peaches every summer, but the fruit ends up spoiled by fruit fly.