August in Australia is yellow. Wattle yellow. Here is a fact I have never heard mentioned but it is true. In August, in the Australian countryside, it is virtually impossible to look in any direction without seeing a large patch of gold or yellow, bright and gleaming, a beam of pure optimism and delight. Yellow is how the Australian Bush celebrates the coming of Spring.

Nearly one thousand species of Wattle (Acacia) grow across the continent of Australia. There is never a day in the year that doesn’t see a wattle in bloom somewhere. But the great majority bloom in August. Now, this moment, in my little bit of bush, I can name five species in bloom. Rejoice.