Because of a so-called rain shadow over Townsville it became known as Brownsville in the dry season. According to the Bureau of Meteorology , Townsville misses out on much rain because most onshore winds from the south- east , which bring showers , bypass the area due to the terrain , unlike Cairns that has mountains .
However, so far this year, Townsville has experienced record rainful of about 2400 millimetres , flooding in some areas , the closure of a large shopping centre due to underground flooding, landslides which closed Castle Hill and the Ross River has been cascading across the weirs.
The usual lotus filled pool in the gardens has also expanded , attracting much more birdlife than usual , including magpie geese, whistling ducks, curlews , peaceful doves, pee wees and finches.
With so many surface pools about it gives rise to arty photographs of the reflections of sky , clouds and surrounds, like the one following , taken by drenched Vallis.
(Venice. Townsville. Rain.)
