Kaptivating Koalas !

 

This week I have had the pleasure of Koala spotting in the Mt Lofty Ranges (Adelaide Hills) with my visiting Canadian friends (of a house exchange 2 years ago).  Bill spotted this mother with baby . . .

. . . and here's junior up close - so-o-o cute!

(Lori subsequently captured on video Mother feeding junior who later climbed up onto Mama's back)

. . . this fellow (?) seemed pretty alert

 

Is it my imagination, or does this one have a quizzical expression?!

. . . while this one couldn't care less about our presence!

 



and finally another alert individual

We were all thrilled to spot these Koalas in their natural habitat throughout the Hills.

(Greatly saddened to learn of the tragic accident taking the lives of Tina - EG Camera Girl - and her husband. Her exquisite images and blogging presence will be sorely missed. Heartfelt prayers for her family and friends)

 

Joining in with Skywatch Friday

and
Camera Critters

A thirsty bird!

Early morning after Christmas Day found me at the Adelaide seaside suburb of Grange, delivering some late Christmas gifts.

A number of people were out enjoying walks along the beach or foreshore with dogs, friends or family (or all of the above!).

 

But obviously this pigeon was also enjoying itself, judging by its closed eyes as it drinks in the water just scooped up!

 

 

It was a blustery, but not cold, morning - temperature around low to mid 20sC

at that time, heading towards a scorching 38!

 

I thank you all for the unique contribution you've added to my blogging world throughout 2015 and wish you a happy, healthy, safe and peaceful 2016.

 

Linking up with

Camera Critters and

Wild Bird Wednesday

 

Cute & Pretty

 

The cute calf above I spotted during the recent brief holiday to the Fleurieu Peninsula

(and taken with my Nikon P510)

 

while the butterfly was on the grass of a local oval where I take Jessie for her exercise

(and was taken with my smartphone - hence the lack of sharpness)

 

 

Sharing both creatures with Camera Critters

 

and wishing you all a wonderful weekend

Monet & friends

 

Following are a few more images from Monet's extraordinarily beautiful and colourful garden

  

 

"Froggie went a'courting ...!"

The peaceful garden environment became alive with an "orchestral concert" in full swing, as (it seemed) 100s of frogs went about their courting in the ponds - the volume of sounds was amazing!

Joining in with James' Weekend Reflection

and

Camera Critters

(with thanks also to Barb, Sanni & Tammy)

 

Just "chilling out" with friends

This mixed group of cattle breeds were just lazing around on a property near Congleton in Cheshire, UK during my visit there this time last year. (I couldn't help but smile at the "bad hair day" look of the highland cattle - or at least I think that's what breed they are!)

 

Joining in the fun at Camera Critters

Camouflaged

 

The cute frog and pretty Firetail were spotted on a visit to a charming property at Mylor in the Adelaide Hills this week.

 

Joining in the fun at Camera Critters

Twins

 

This pair of Rainbow Lorikeets were giving us the cautious eye as Jessie and I walked around the oval

 

Joining in the fun at Camera Critters

and wishing all a wonderful weekend.

Sweet beginnings

This sweet duckling was one of several under the watchful eye of Mother, spotted in the waters surrounding Whittington Castle in northern Shropshire, England earlier this year. (It's apparently the only castle in England to be owned and managed by a community)

 

 

Wishing you all a wonderful week in the lead-up to Christmas, and now (thanks to the respective dedicated hosts),

joining in the fun with links to

Camera Critters

and

Monday Mellow Yellows

Monarto visit

A few months ago I joined a dear friend on a special outing - for those enduring Parkinson's Disease and/or Dementia - to South Australia's Monarto Zoo.

 

The Meerkats are so entertaining, as are the Chimpanzees.  (It was a cold Winter's day when we visited, and the Chimps were carrying around a pink bed quilt - when they weren't wearing it !)

 

 

 

(I've missed catching up with you all over the past month as my new computer had a serious "melt down".  Have also been heavily involved in supporting my dear friend and her husband these past few months as dementia progressed rapidly and it was necessary for her to move into permanent professional care - a devastating time for all. While clearly different from one's own home environment, her new home is bright, attractive and has lovely garden settings with water features which she enjoys and the carers have wonderful attitudes towards those for whom they are responsible).

 

Linking up with Camera Critters

 

Wishing you all a wonderful week with hopefully not too many pressures in the lead up to preparations for Christmas celebrations.

 

Winter coats on !

Despite the snow, these Canadian Geese seemed in no hurry to reach the 

adjacent Bird Sanctuary!

Linking up with James' weekend reflection and

camera critters

(Do visit both sites to see contributions by others)

A Black Swan

While walking along the banks of Adelaide's River Torrens recently, this cheeky swan

popped its head up and began foraging on the mossy bank

Joining up with Our World Tuesday

Camera Critters and

Outdoor Wednesday

I spy . . .

During my lakeside meanderings last week, I spotted this

Cormorant perched on top of a solar lighting panel.

"He" certainly had a bird's eye view from there!

.... and on an earlier (unanticipated) walk, this moth was

deeply engrossed in examining these blooms.

Linking up with camera critters

Awesome Autumn

 Yesterday I experienced a visual "banquet" in the Adelaide Hills

at Mt Lofty Botanical Gardens.

Although it was an overcast day, the beauty of the colours still shone through.

  

  

This co-operative New Holland Honeyeater was an unexpected bonus!

Linking up with Scenic Weekends, Camera Critters and

The Bird D'Pot

(with thanks to the hosts)

All is calm

Linking up with Weekend Reflections and

Camera Critters

(and thanking the hosts of both sites)

Happy Weekend all.

Here's Looking at You!

While relaxing on the banks of Adelaide's River Torrens recently, (enjoying afternoon tea following an outing on "Popeye") 

we spotted this Eastern Rosella in the tree above watching us watching it.

Happy weekend to all

Joining up with http://camera-critters.blogspot.com.au/ and
http://id-rather-b-birdin.blogspot.com.au/

Got some food?

This was one of several cute turtles capturing our attention and that of fellow diners at the amazing Maggie Beer's property in the Barossa Valley today.

Participating in Camera Critters meme at

http://camera-critters.blogspot.com.au/

Happy weekend all!

Sign? What sign?

I seem to be on a bit of a roll with Pelican shots, but couldn't resist "posting" these two!

Joining in with http://camera-critters.blogspot.com.au/



A heavy gathering

Captured in the wetlands adjacent to Mawson Lakes several hours ago, these were just a few of the 19 or 20 Pelicans gathered here preening themselves or just "hanging around".  In their midst were ducks, seagulls, stilts and terns, all happily mingling together - none intimidated by the size of their larger friends.

Joining James' http://www.weekendreflection.blogspot.com.au/ 

Goolwa again

Saturday was a perfect day for a drive down the coast to Goolwa for a photoshoot with my photography friend - the temperature was in the mid 20's(C)

 The timber path led the way to the ocean over the sand dunes from the River, on which many pelicans were cause for delight.

The seals basking in the sun on the timber supports beneath the barrage also provided much entertainment as they jostled for the best position... and then a family of swans (I've only captured 2 here) paraded by. All in all, a lovely day out!

Participating in http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com.au/ and

http://camera-critters.blogspot.com.au/

The Birds & the Bees!

I was woken this morning with much screeching of these Rainbow Lorikeets in my back yard, squabbling over the food supply provided by the palm tree there!

Those black dots are bees and I have to keep alert when letting my dog out, as (despite having been once bitten...) she hasn't yet learnt they're not good playmates!

(These colours haven't been enhanced - they are naturally this vivid)

Joining http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com.au/ and

http://camera-critters.blogspot.com.au/