In Memoriam (d. 1/2024)

Col came to iNaturalist during the Black Summer bushfires, and found a new interest in mangroves and claypans. In his retirement he enjoyed many outings to local sites of interest, exploring with a purpose. His short but productive time spent observing these plants of the intertidal zone will hopefully provide useful scientific data for many years to come.

The task of uploading coochierocker's outstanding observations continues. All photos and IDs are Col's, but his observations uploaded from 2024 onwards are managed by wallumia (J Grant). Please direct any queries about Col's observations here. https://www.inaturalist.org/people/wallumia

Col's original profile:

Wunya (Greetings)!
I am a retired teacher of secondary Geography and Environmental Science who enjoys visiting places, walking, photography and appreciation of nature.
However, it has been confronting to see the ecological and social results of the spring and summer bushfires of 2019-2020 (Australia's Black Summer).

While Queensland did not suffer the most severe effects of the Black Summer fires, nevertheless, huge swaths were burnt, and impacts were significant.
I am also interested in mangroves, and was amazed to see fire impact on the edge of mangrove forest at Burrum Coast NP (near the settlement of Woodgate).

It is clear that there is much to find out about identifying Australia's fungi, plants and animals, and the effects of bushfires upon these species.
Thank you to those who share expertise by identifying the many field observations uploaded to this site.
May we be heartened by the aspects of Nature's recovery we are able to document through this project!

• Col