D R O U G H T // What does drought look like to you? Starving cattle around a waterhole? Carcasses of animals that have expired due to lack of adequate food & water? Whatever it might be, chances are it is a poignant & sobering reminder of the climatic season in which we are entering as a planet. This is what drought looks like to me. This is what is real to me as I’ve been fortunate (or unfortunate) enough to experience it first hand. The confronting image of the many small animals that often remain unseen, which pass away from heat exhaustion or dehydration or even starvation. Drought effects every one & every thing it comes into contact with. It is relentless, unforgiving and unbiased in who or what it ravages. Even from the relative safety of a nest, the deadly wave of drought will sweep through, wiping away everything in its path. This young Swallow chick, not far away from leaving the nest for good, succumbed to the worst possible death imaginable. It’s parents most likely opted to save themselves, rather than sacrifice their own lives for the sake of their chick. This the brutal, harsh reality of life in drought effected areas. And unfortunately these conditions don’t look like they will improve any time soon. Spare a thought for the wildlife that battle each & every day just to survive against the deadly wave of drought. You just never know who it’s next victim might be. . . . #drought #outbackqld #outback #queensland #australia #climatechange #ausgeo #australiangeographic #birdsofaustralia #australianbirds #droughtrelief #nature #nest #skeleton (at Longreach, Queensland) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4x4iEWgJvf/?igshid=9znb4fnhh42t