Early autumn or Djeran is also known as ‘ant season’ in the Indigenous calendar – and not surprising!! I’m seeing ants everywhere at the moment – bull ants taking over the dog’s bones outside and tiny ants weaving their way through the pantry.
The winds have also changed, especially in their intensity, with lighter breezes generally swinging from southerly directions (i.e. southeast to southwest). Apparently flying ants can be seen cruising around in the light winds, but I’m yet to see any myself.
In the Nyoongar lands, Djeran is a time of red flowers especially from the Red flowering gum (Corimbia ficifolia), as well as the smaller and more petite flowers of the Summer Flame (Beaufortia aestiva). Banksias start to display their flowers, ensuring that there are nectar food sources for the many small mammals and birds that rely upon them.
Traditionally, foods at this time of year included the seeds that had been collected and stored for treatment from the Zamia last season along with the root bulbs of the Yanget (Bullrushes), freshwater fish, frogs and turtles.
For us, red and brown fruits and vegetables are also in season, with pumpkins, apples, chestnuts and pears ripe for picking. And its good weather for fishing now that the winds have dropped.
As the season progresses, the nights will become cooler and damper along with some cool and rainy days which also means that traditionally mia mias (houses or shelters) were now repaired and updated to make sure they were waterproofed and facing in the right direction in readiness for the deep wintery months to come. It’s a good time to clean out those gutters and bring the outdoor furniture under cover! I do get surprised every year that the rain actually returns – it almost seems impossible after such a long, dry summer, but along with my garden, I’m looking forward to soaking it up!
