Poinsettia

Traditionally associated with Christmas, these striking Poinsettia's

add a colourful addition to any seasonal display.

Linking up once again with Nick's Floral Friday Foto

(Hoping my fellow photo-bloggers had a great Christmas Day and thank you all
for the pleasure your images have brought to my days. 
Thank you too, Nick, for hosting FFF)

Contrasts

All around the world, Christmas is celebrated in different ways in different climates:

some have snow and ice, while others have scorching heat -

This image of leaves in Adelaide's Botanic Gardens taken at this time last year

reminded me of such contrasts.

Wherever you are, and however you celebrate, may you enjoy special times

of togetherness with those you love, creating a wealth of memory-making moments.

May it be a safe time and, my personal prayer for you is that, at some point during

the celebrations, the real reason for the season will touch your hearts & homes.

Thank you all for the pleasure you've brought to my days as I view the images

you've shared and I look forward to our mutual sharing throughout 2014.

Happy Christmas!

Linking up with http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com.au/

with grateful thanks to our hosts

X marks the spot

Spotted these cross-over vapour trails recently - so glad the

respective aircraft passed each other safely!

Linking up with Skywatch Friday, at  http://skyley.blogspot.com.au/

and wishing our Skywatch hosts and all participants a wonderful, 

safe, happy and meaningful Christmas.

(I have some exciting overseas trips coming up in 2014, so anticipate being

much more active with my posting!)

Local wetlands

These wetlands at Modbury, South Australia, attract a variety of birds and ducks

which can be fed from an adjacent timber landing.

Looking at this scene, it's difficult to imagine that just to the left behind those green raised banks

is a busy 4-lane road!

(This is another archival shot, taken with a Canon iXus 60 point-and-shoot)

Linking up with Blue Monday

Morning glow

Drawing material from the archives now, as I've been preoccupied in recent weeks 

researching and planning for an overseas trip next year!

These shots were taken last Summer at the North Haven Marina (in South Australia)

just after sunrise.  It was another hot day, following a warm night

but at least the view of the water made one feel cooler.

Visit James' Weekend Reflection site for more reflections

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend (although my thoughts and prayers are still very much

with those in the Philippines trying to simply survive the aftermath of last week's hurricane).

A beach outing

A well-trodden pathway leading to Semaphore beach, with

swimmers under the ever-watchful eye of our diligent lifesavers.

St Vincent's Gulf beckons!

 ... and here a very large spade (shovel?) has been abandoned before the sandcastle even got started!

and here is the refurbished former Semaphore Palais, where many a couple danced away the hours!

The Carousel at Semaphore has been operating for many, many years and is one of the few 

(as I understand it) remaining in Australia

(at the time of our visit, child riders were nowhere to be seen, but some adults - including overseas visitors - were having the ride of their lives!)


Linking up with Our World Tuesday
(and grateful thanks to our hosts)

An intricate creation

 

Another bloom from Canberra's Floriade in September

Linking up with Monday Mellow Yellows

Pretty White Blooms!

These prettily-shaped flowers were blooming in the garden of my Canberra hosts back in September. Initially I thought they were white Felicia Amelloides, but not so. Then, perhaps Pyrethrum - again no. Help! Nick, I wonder if you'd be kind enough to help me out here?

Happy weekend all.



Linking up with Nick's  Floral Friday Foto

Early evening shadows

These images are of nearby Mawson Lakes, taken at dusk. 

The first was taken using the Programmed setting

and this, taken a minute later using the dusk setting

so am joining in with three photoblog sites:

Blue Monday,

monday mellow yellows and
Weekend Reflection

I have recently changed over to Google Chrome and am still 

adjusting to the differences from IE, but it certainly is faster!

My thoughts and heartfelt prayers go out to all in Australia's State of New South Wales - especially the Blue Mountains - who have suffered

devastating loss due to bushfires.

If you are given to praying, please uphold these folk as they come to grips with their loss; not just of lives and property, but irreplaceable memorabilia.

Garden Belles

               These charming ladies were gracefully walking around the

grounds of Canberra's Floriade, bringing delight

to children and adults alike

Linking up with Our World Tuesday

(with grateful thanks to the hosts)

Joyful Gerberas

Gorgeous Gerberas for sale at the Canberra Farmer's Market

Joining up with Today's Flowers

(thank you Denise and the team for hosting)

Canberra's Arboretum

Following the 2003 devastating Canberra bushfires, the Australian Capital Territory government dedicated an area of burnt-out pine forest west

of the City as the site for an innovative new national Arboretum.

In 2005 a National Design Competition was held, resulting in a

 winning joint proposal for the establishment over 620 acres

of 100 forests of rare, threatened and symbolic trees from

Australia and around the world.

Following are some images I captured on a VERY wet and windy day!

Looking east from Dairy Farmer's Hill toward Black Mountain and Lake Burley Griffin, one can see some of the trees in their forestry groups.

.... and more down the slopes as I continue the panoramic view 

The structure almost centred, is the Margaret Whitlam Pavilion (in honour of the wife of a former Australian Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam) - it is available to hire for special events and functions.

... and the building seen here is the main Visitor Centre housing the Bonsai Room, Cafe, interactive information booths, touch-screen educational displays, indoor and outdoor sculptures, amphitheatre, etc.

Here is one of the more attractive bonsai specimens -

still a relatively young thing!

.... and one of the many educational displays. 

The zig-zag pathway seen in the foreground is intended to make the visit more accessible to those in wheelchairs, and I understand that adjacent to each zig or zag, a politician or significant visiting dignitary will be invited to participate in a planting.

This is the interior of the Visitor Centre/Pavilion which I think is a stunning design. This too, can be hired out for events.

I acknowledge that this post is a departure from my usual more simplistic

efforts, but this Arboretum really is such a fascinating project - and

I've barely touched on its features. (There is a fabulously creative children's playground adjacent to the Centre which, sadly, I was unable

 to photo because of the inclement weather)

 If you are in or near Canberra, or plan a future visit, may I strongly encourage a visit here be placed into your schedule? Entry is free!

It is a delight for children and adults alike. There are some very informative and enthusiastic volunteersin attendance who would be delighted to answer your questions!

Trusting you've all had a wonderful weekend.

Canberra's Floriade

 

The week before last I travelled to Canberra to not only spend time with friends

but also to visit the Floriade.  It was spectacular - Tulips galore in a myriad

of colours, shapes and sizes, with a supporting cast of thousands



Linking up with Nick's Floral Friday Foto

Relaxing on the weekend

A busy launching area at the Southern Cross Sailing Club

A glorious Sunday afternoon's sailing on Canberra's Lake Burley Griffin

 ... and this is a more recent photo of the Captain Cook fountain (another shot taken some 40+ years ago appears on my post of early this month)

 These sheep won't bother anyone - they are an artistic creation added to the

landscape of Kambah's shopping centre and much enjoyed by the locals!

This Currawong enjoyed digging out nesting material - much to the

annoyance of the basket owners!

Linking up with Outdoor Wednesday

Who's in a puddle?

Just having fun at the market, while Mum & Dad are doing the boring stuff!
Captured at the delightful Farmers' Market in Canberra last week -
a wonderful atmosphere and sense of conviviality as friends and families
shared breakfast before or after purchasing their fruit, veg, meat, fish, bread or flowers (or all of the above!)

Linking up with Our World Tuesday