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Murraylands, in the dry SE corner of South Australia, is sparsely populated with farming communities within irrigation distance of the Murray River. Citrus and grapes seem to be the main crops.

In the intense heat of summer, people come to play in the river.

On the banks grow the mighty River Red Gum. But the red flowering gum has the most stunning flowers. Gum blossoms range in colour from creamy white (most common) to pink, red and the deep orange I saw in Kakadu in the north.

When the flowers are finished, seeds form in a hard shell known as a gum nut which take on a variety of shapes and sizes.

The nectar in the blossoms is very popular with birds, possums and large bats.