Eucalyptus Forests... down under (I)

Dry Sclerophyll Eucalyptus Savannah (WA)

(Click image to enlarge)

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"... Detesting, as I do, the whole tribe of gum trees, I never lose an opportunity of saying exactly what I think about this particularly odious representative of the brood, this eyesore, this grey-haired scarecrow, this reptile of a growth with which a pack of misguided enthusiasts have disfigured the entire Mediterranean basin..."

"These abominations may look better on their native heath: I sincerely hope they do."

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"... the intruder should be expelled without mercy. A single eucalyptus will ruin the fairest landscape. No plant on earth rustles in such a horribly metallic fashion when the wind blows through those everlastingly withered branches; the noise chills one to the marrow; it is like the sibilant chattering of ghosts..."

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"But I confess that this ... almost reconciled me to the existence of the anaemic Antipodeans. ... Gazing upon them, my heart softened and I almost forgave the gums their manifold iniquities..."

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Thanks to Leif & Anita Stridvall, Georgie Sharp & Dan @ Tree Species for their photographic contributions. And to Norman Douglas for softening.