A gentle disturbance

This bird gently disturbed the otherwise still water on Chain of Ponds at dusk recently.

Participating in Thursday Challenge at http://www.spunwithtears.com/thursday.html

Discovering life

During a recent visit to Adelaide's Botanic Gardens and, in particular, the lotus pond, these cute, fluffy baby birds (waterhens?) were having a grand time finding their way around the water weeds and lotus plants

Joining in with Outdoor Wednesday at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com.au/

Australia Day

Saturday, 26 January, was the official celebration of our nation's foundation. It was a day for recognition with National, State and Local Government Awards being given to those who have made a significant contribution to our communities and the nation in general.  Also, it was a day when many around the country chose to become Australian citizens.

In our local park, thousands gathered to celebrate with outdoor barbecue breakfasts (or lunch for the late risers!), to play tennis, cricket or football on the fabulous facilities Carisbrook Park provides or just to sit and enjoy the day with good friends and family.

In addition to mobile food outlets, there were many attractions for the children, but also some fascinating vintage motorbikes and a stunning old Rover car. The weather was just perfect too - a positive blessing after some recent temperature "scorchers".

Joining in with Sally and others at Blue Monday

"http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/"

Colourful Cones

Today, in celebration of a day with temperatures below 30oC (and especially below 43oC!), I caught a bus into the Adelaide Hills and enjoyed the views [as a passenger instead of a driver].
In the suburb of Belair, these colourful pine cones caught my eye

The Heavens Declare . . .

Returning home from the garden centre earlier this week, mid-afternoon, I just had to pull the car over to capture this shot of the sun bursting through this bunch of clouds. (Taken with my Samsung Galaxy smartphone, it being too hot to bring out my Nikon!). 

Joining in with Skywatch Friday at http://skyley.blogspot.com.au/.

Constantly amazed . .

I continue (thankfully) to be appreciatively amazed by flowers -
from the tissue-paper-thin petals of this (I think!) Hollyhock



and the multiple budded, hardy, striking Agapanthus,



to the quite extraordinary Grevillea, and

the simply elegant, ever popular Rose.

Sharing such beauty with http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com.au/
and
http://flowersfromtoday.blogspot.com.au/

Birds of a feather . . .

While acknowledging that the shot in the bottom LH corner is not correctly exposed, I couldn't resist including it, due to the "head band" of weed adorning this duck!

Joining James' http://www.weekendreflection.blogspot.com.au/
and
http://camera-critters.blogspot.com.au/

(with sincere thanks to the host & hostesses of same for their commitment to running these entertaining memes)

That blooming pond!

More blooms from the Adelaide Botanic Gardens' pond containing the Amazon Lily.

Joining in with Nick's http://www.floralfridayfoto.blogspot.com.au/

Emerging . .

During a recent visit to Adelaide's Botanic Gardens, I was fascinated to see these fluffy "blooms" emerging from their casing in the trees above our heads. (apologies to those of you who are interested in more botanic details!)



Joining in with Macro Monday at  http://lisaschaos.com/  

Lotus flower's lifespan

During a recent visit to Adelaide's Botanic Gardens, my photography buddy led me towards the Lotus Pond. The above collage represents what seemed to me to be the various life stages of the beautiful Lotus flower.

Joining up to  http://flowersfromtoday.blogspot.com.au/

with thanks to Denise and the team.

Past travels

Happy New Year to all.  Am starting off the year with collages comprising scenes of places I've travelled to over the years.

Above: clockwise from L-H corner - Bluebells in England; Dover Castle in England, Houses of Parliament & Big Ben in London and Versailles Palace in France

 Above: Hong Kong at night; Giant Panda in Hong Kong; Singapore (a mix of old buildings and new Casino in background); and Queenscliff in Victoria, Australia

Above: Austria (taken back in the 70's and recently posted here); Middleton surfing beach in South Australia; Ross Bridge in Tasmania and waterfalls in Tropical Far North Queensland, Australia.

Joining in with http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com.au/
and grateful thanks to our wonderful hostesses!