May 12, 2009 08:48 by
LukeThe month of May is well into Wombat season in the Kulin seasonal calendar of Victoria's Upper Yarra Valley- a time when lyrebirds are performing their courtship dances and wombats sometimes emerge during the daytime. It's a cool time when mist cloaks the mountain valleys particularly in the mornings. In the Forest Gallery our fogging system is now operating on days when the top temperature is below 18 degrees- at 11-12am and 2-3pm daily. The fog promotes the growth of moisture-dependant ferns and suppresses pest activity by cooling the atmosphere in the gallery. The system pumps a small amount of water at high pressure through tiny nozzles to produce real fog. The fun part is the effect of swirling mist and the magical effect it produces amongst the cool temperate rainforest plants of the gallery. The fog adds to the visitor experience as they wade through the mist or encounter it swirling into the underground tunnel from beneath the waterfall. Make sure you visit before the weather starts warming up.
A visitor encounters fog as they enter the Forest Gallery. Photo: Luke Simpkin Source: Museum Victoria
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