Thursday, December 26, 2013

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)

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

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!

with grateful thanks to our hosts

Friday, December 20, 2013

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!)

Sunday, November 17, 2013

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


Blue Monday Instructions

Friday, November 15, 2013

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).

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

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)

Our World Tuesday Graphic

Monday, November 11, 2013

An intricate creation

 
Posted by Picasa

Another bloom from Canberra's Floriade in September

Linking up with Monday Mellow Yellows

Friday, November 1, 2013

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

Monday, October 21, 2013

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:

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.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

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)

Monday, September 30, 2013

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)

Sunday, September 29, 2013

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.

Friday, September 27, 2013

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

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

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

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

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
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...