‘Mangroves‘ vegetate the inter-tidal area between land and sea that gets flooded with the tides. The name Mangrove is therefore applied to any plant that is able to live in salt water whether a tree, a bush, a fern, grass or shrub.

Over 18% of the Australian coast line is vegetated with mangroves ~

This week, I was sent an invitation to a gallery exhibition opening in Port Hedland with this beautiful pastel image on canvas of mangroves, by artist Sharon Jack.

Pastel on canvas by artist Sharon Jack

The exhibition of her work is to run through July to the end of August, should you be lucky enough to be in Western Australia during this period ~

The islands in the Bay off Brisbane, where I’m based, are surrounded by some beautiful species of mangrove ~

More than anything, I love their arched root systems

And these that must be years old with amazing gnarled and weathered trunks

As the soils in these zones have little oxygen the root systems are  generally close to the surface, and do a great job of helping to prevent erosion

Journey Jottings:

Where/When/How ~ What did I See, Hear, Smell, Touch, Taste?

• Australia’s inter-tidal zone

• Arching roots
• Clicking of crabs disappearing down holes
• Un-oxygenated mud
• Shiny leaves, slippery mud
• Salt

Other posts you may also enjoy -

• Antarctic Beech Trees of Gondwanaland
• Sketchbook Watercolour
• Australia’s Fabulous Flora in Linoprints