The Lone Gum Tree Along the Rig Road, in the Simpson Desert Conservation Park, you will come across the Lone Gum, which is a box eucalypt. This species is normally found in clayey soils near waterways, how this lone tree has survived here for a considerable length of time remains a mystery. It was fenced off in 1966 to stop vehicles coming too close and causing damage to its root system. Since then new seedlings have been seen to sprout around the tree.
Another amazing sunset in the Simpson Desert
The willie wagtail is insectivorous and spends much time chasing prey in open habitat. Its common name is derived from its habit of wagging its tail horizontally when foraging on the ground. Aggressive and territorial, the willie wagtail will often harass much larger birds such as the laughing kookaburra and wedge-tailed eagle. I was told that they are a rare find in the Simpson Desert where this photo was taken.
