With much of the nation catastrophically dry and no official forecasts of relieving rain in the foreseeable future , rain orchids on Magnetic Island are in bloom. These flowerings are regarded by some gardeners as an indication of rain falling in a short span of time . The warm weather on the island and the mainland has resulted in spectactular frangipani-white, yellow, pink and blue - and boungainvillea displays.Illawarra Flame Trees have shed leaves and burst into red blooms, attracting birds and construction of large green ant nests.
After this was posted , up about 3am , with a torch to investigate odd sounds, the Moon peeped out from time to time between scudding dark cloud, but no rain fell .
