Gems of a Different Feather in Sapphire Country

Most folks head to this corner of the world with visions of sparkling blue stones dancing in their heads. And while the promise of an actual sapphire is certainly a draw, Lisa and I have always found that the true treasures often lie in the unexpected. This time around, our eyes were drawn not to the earth beneath our feet, but to the vibrant life flitting above it, or in some cases, waddling across the ground.

Take, for instance, these rather striking characters we encountered. Three of them, marching with a certain determined air, covered in a polka-dot plumage that wouldn't look out of place at a particularly avant-garde garden party. They’re called Guinea Fowl, and while they might not possess the iridescent shimmer of a sapphire, their speckled coats and tiny red and blue heads certainly catch the eye. They certainly know how to command attention as they criss-cross the verges.

But if you're looking for true avian brilliance, you simply can’t go past the locals. The Rainbow Lorikeets here are, as their name suggests, a spectacle of colour. They're a common sight across Australia, but every time you see one, it feels like nature has just slapped a masterpiece onto a canvas. One moment, we spotted a solitary individual, its brilliant blues, greens, and oranges a stark and beautiful contrast against the dull, practical lines of a barbed wire fence. A dash of pure exuberance in an otherwise utilitarian landscape.

Soon enough, that single splash of colour turned into a veritable flood. It seems word gets around quickly when there's a good foraging spot, or perhaps just a bit of general socialising to be done. We watched as more and more of these lively birds gathered on the dusty ground, a rainbow collective pecking and hopping with animated purpose. They’re not subtle, these lorikeets; their squawks and chirps add a constant, cheerful soundtrack to the day.

Their numbers swelled, a busy, chattering committee of feathers and beaks, all focused on whatever delectable morsels they were finding amongst the grit and dry grass. It’s hard to imagine a more colourful gathering, each bird a small, living jewel. Observing them, you appreciate the sheer energy they bring to an area, a vivid counterpoint to the more muted tones of the bush.

And just to remind us that we were truly immersed in their world, one particular lorikeet decided to make a branch near our setup its temporary perch. It sat there, a quiet sentinel for a few minutes, surveying its domain, before flitting off to join the colourful fray. It’s these small, intimate encounters that make a place truly memorable.

So, while the hunt for actual sapphires might bring you to this region, don't forget to look up, or around, or even down at your feet. You might just find that the most precious gems aren't always the ones you have to dig for.