Saved by the septic!

There are not many people that can say that! Why did I say that? Well it's because we found where the lightning struck - fairly close to the house. We were so lucky it struck the iron bark tree that was growing where the septic empties - this means it was green and moist. The strike has killed off foliage and split one of the largest trees we have! You can also see where it travelled along the ground killing patches of green scrub. There were exploded bits of tree everywhere! Even bits almost in our front yard - no wonder it sounded like a bomb going off! It looks like the lighting has gone straight down the full length of the trunk - narrowly missing one of the bird nesting boxes. It is truly a miracle it did not start a fire - we have 20 acres or thereabouts of pine trees and it struck an iron bark. The chicken house is right next to it too - I am surprised none of them were killed either! The photos are a little dark due to the lighting - will try and get some better ones in the next few days. Through winter we plan on doing lots and lots of clearing of scrub and fire breaks - it is too dry to do now (the risk of starting a fire is too great). Between the lightning strike and what is happening in Victoria has really brought home the necessity to keep on top of these things! So next time the wind is blowing the wrong way and we get a hint of pong from the septic, we will be grateful it is there! LOL