In the mountain, stillness surges up to explore its own height. In the lake, movement stands still to contemplate its own depth.

Rabindranath Tagore. ‘Fireflies’

Between 2019 and 2022, I had the privilege to do fieldwork in the Wet Tropics of Queensland, the largest remnant of Gondwanan rainforests on the Australian continent. It was one of the best times in my life: the towering mountains, the misty rainforests, the unique wildlife, and the unforgettable camaraderie. To Rob, Sonya, Michael and Lyndy, you took me in as your family and made me feel home on the Atherton tableland. Especially to Rob, thanks for your trust and assistance during my solo ‘Hann walk’, for guiding me up to the mighty Bakers Blue (what an experience!), for the tranquil, poetic experience of Lake Barrine boating, among many others. To Michael and Lyndy, I miss the days staying at your ‘Fruit Palace’, where my ‘Orangutan’ spirit was so connected with the very fabric of nature and time. To the fearless ranger Roger, thank you for leading me to the trackless jungle of Mt Fisher at that stormy night, where we ‘fished’ beetles and leeches ‘fished’ us. Thanks to the many ‘Queenslanders’ who assisted my fieldwork, including Geoff Monteith, Conrad Hoskin, Lewis Roberts, Peter Cooper, Lorenzo, Graham, Lista, Peter and Tim, and Atherton tableland rangers (Chris, Britt). To Rupert and Julia Russell, thanks for the chat at Mt Molloy, when you introduced me the late W. T. Cooper, whose brilliant artwork has since influenced my painting and observations to a great deal. Thank you to Adam and Craig for remotely keeping me sane and amused.

Montane rainforests surveyed between 2019 and 2022: Mt Cook, Mt Sorrow, Mt Windsor, Mt Lewis, Mossman Bluff, Devils Thumb, Mt Spurgeon, Mt Misery, Harris Peak (Black Mountain), Mt Hypipamee, Mt Fisher, Mountain Baldy, Hann Tableland North End, Bakers Blue Mountain, Lamb Range (Lambs head, Mt Edith, Tinaroo creek), Bellenden Ker, Bartle Frere, Koombooloomba, Tully River Causeway, Cardwell Range (Tin Mine track), Paluma, Mt Elliot.

Stretching from Cooktown to Townsville in a narrow band, the montane rainforests in the Australian Wet Tropics constitute an archipelago of mesothermal islands dissected by the sea of warmer and drier woodlands. These isolated upland rainforests, with high level of species richness and endemism, present an excellent template to study diversification, coexistence, and persistence of lineages on the backdrop of a geologically stable landscape yet climatically dynamic environments. As presented in this album, many endemic species call these upland rainforests home and they are facing an escalating crisis of climate change.

This album is dedicated to Rob and his family, as well as Atherton Tableland rangers.