Today was always going to be an interesting day - we booked Lark Quarry yesterday . But first we had to get there . Now , you know how we operate by now , so we found another way to get there via Cork Mail Rd - an 85klm gravel road diversion ! The road takes you past a lot of stations & jump ups , over creek & river beds and into more Mitchell Grasslands .
Wildflowers greeted us as we headed down the road .
The local Bustards formed a welcoming committee - there were lots of them out here - we spotted about 30 !! They're a large bird , standing about 1m tall - not the prettiest bird though !!
These 2 weren't very welcoming and decided to go for a fly .
This was the first station for us to pass - Jarvisfield Station .
More wildflowers - acres & acres of Mulla Mulla .
Another of the locals .
Jump ups appeared on the left as we drove and stayed there the whole way .
This is known as the 3 Sisters .
Looks like a set of teeth with some bad gums .
More locals - this completes the Coat of Arms
Here's an aerial view of the grasslands and a creek system .
These temporary locals were a bit bemused with us passing - very healthy and carrying good weight - will be on a plate coming to you in the future !!
Cockatiels were in abundance , as were budgies and lots of other bird life - this is what a bumper season does for the wildlife .
There were plenty of birds all around and near this waterhole .
Arriving near Cork Station , we turned and headed left up on top of the jump ups , a picnic table at the top was handy for lunch , with all the other tiny black annoying locals who joined us as well .
Onwards to Lark Quarry , this impressive building is in the valleys at the lower level of the jump ups . This is taken from the lookout after we went through the exhibit .
Now inside that building is where they excavated the ground to uncover the dinosaur stampede . After a video explaining the theory behind it , we were taken in to where it all happened millions of years ago . Here's a couple of the larger footprints , with lots of little footprints .
Over 3,300 footprints have been recorded here , from at least 150 dinosaurs ! Some were the size of chickens - carnivorous Coelurosaurs , then some that are a bit larger , plant eating ornithopods . They were chased by the larger Theropod - about 3m tall and 5m in length .
This is the only local dinosaur to greet us today - he may grow up .
Spinifex loves the arid conditions here .
Her's the view over Lark Quarry looking to the northwest , where we drove through this morning .
And this was only about 1-2 kms from the Quarry .
Lark Quarry was and is amazing , incredible to think it has been discovered and preserved for everyone to look at .
Winton region has been the area where the most fossilised remains of dinosaurs have been found in Australia .
We enjoyed our visit here immensely , and now time to head back to Winton - we've booked surprise for tomorrow as well !!!!
Here's a map link :- https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1CUcU099ICiMDmf4Xk_l8rEfcKG02KGw&usp=sharing
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