Dandenong Ranges

I spent Christmas and the New Year in my favourite Australian State, Victoria, doing a couple of dog & house-sits

The first of these took me to Ferntree Gully at the foot of the glorious Dandenong Ranges.  Following is just a taste of that invigorating environment..

Although the towns of Olinda and Sassafrass hold their own unique attractions, it was the beauty and solitude of nature that drew me in.

Trusting my fellow bloggers enjoyed a special Christmas with loved ones and that 2018 brings you and yours good health, safety and joy.

Linking up to Our World Tuesday with grateful thanks to Lady Fi and the team who operate this wonderful blog.

On the way home ...

On my way home from the Fleurieu Peninsula outing, I came across this lagoon

 

 

 

which was the "icing on the cake" - and yet another reminder (if one was needed!) of why this region is my favourite part of South Australia

 

Joining in the fun at James' Weekend Reflection

A seemingly steamy welcome!

This was the scene that greeted me as I approached the car park entrance to

Englishman River Falls on Vancouver Island late one morning last month.

The temperature at the time was around 2C - not a humid 70+C that this might suggest!

Nevertheless, a worthwhile stop during my island exploration.

Linking up with Our World Tuesday

Cathedral Grove

During my stay on Vancouver Island, Cathedral Grove was impressed

upon me as a "must see".  My pleasure was doubled because of a recent snow fall, 

adding a special something to the scene.

I can understand why it is called "Cathedral"  - in the words of an old

'60s song - "there's a kind of hush" about the area; just beautiful.

(Apologies to all of you who "suffer" snow on a regular basis - to this English-born

but Aussie-living individual, the novelty of seeing or experiencing snow hasn't worn off!)

My visit to Cathedral Grove was capped off by this charming little critter's 

presence as I left the walkway entrance.

... and then, of course, the conveniences every traveler seeks at some point of their journey!

(Having only returned from Vancouver Island a few days ago, and with about 

1000 photos to filter through, the above images are straight out of the camera, but

I hope you enjoy them anyway!)

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

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.

Seasonal confusion?

A wonderful day's outing in the Adelaide foothills yesterday revealed some new territory for me, kindly introduced - and shared - by my good photography friend.  

Although we are now in our second month of Winter, one could be forgiven for believing (at least visually) that Autumn is still with us. 

Linking up with Our World Tuesday

A picturesque pocket

North Adelaide is traditionally accepted as a desirable residential address, with its fascinating mix of history, architecture, wealth and "upper end" retail.

Out for a stroll with my fellow photography enthusiast friend, we soaked up the ambience of Stanley Street on a very pleasant afternoon.

In addition to a number of early 1800 "row houses", Stanley Street also showcases some more architecturally modern, gated-entry residences.

We completed our outing at a fascinating organic coffee establishment in Melbourne Street (the next street over), that is dominated by retail and corporate operations.

The inside wall of the cafe provided some unusual entertainment :

Strathalbyn

These are scenes of one of South Australia's delightful country towns - Strathalbyn - some 56km (~ 32miles) south-east of Adelaide CBD.

I'm told these cheeky Corellas (a sub-genus of White Cockatoos) have been progressively decimating trees (such as that near the bridge above) in the pretty local park, despite numerous studies and strategies undertaken by the Council.

Nevertheless, if you are visiting South Australia, this is one stop you should include in your itinerary.

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

Moreton Bay Fig

Here is a close-up of the figs forming on the Moreton Bay fig tree, which is common throughout the eastern states of Australia. This tree was one of many in the town of Mintaro (referred to in posts of last week) and behind the tree you can see the wall built from local slate.

Perhaps the most notable feature of the Moreton Bays are the extraordinary aboveground roots

Joining in with 

Country meanderings

These were taken last week in the Kapunda/Eudunda region, north of Adelaide. (the pic in the top right hand corner brought a smile as I let my imagination go again - that tree on the top of the hill looks like an animal running away! Zoom in on the shot and see if you agree).  Wishing you all a wonderful week.

Contributing to Mellow Yellow Monday and Our World Tuesday - see more at http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com.au/
and http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com.au/

Fascinating tree

Trees are a constant source of delight to me and this one was especially fascinating because of its "marmalade-like" colouring and "wrinkled skin" trunk.

Beautiful Tasmania

This is just a sample of the scenery the island of Tasmania offers in Autumn

Joining fellow contributors to http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com.au/

Tantalising Tasmania

Several years ago, a good friend and I spent a week holidaying in Tasmania - WHAT a fabulous place to visit. The scenery is fantastic and there's so much to see and experience. We couldn't do it justice in that short time-frame, but got a taste by flying into Hobart in the south, hiring a car and driving up the middle of the island to Launceston in the north where we spent a few days exploring. Then drove along the east coast aways before returning to Hobart for the remainder of our stay.

The following images were taken in the Russell Falls region of the Mt Field National Park, north-west from Hobart:

I am hopeful of making another trip to "Tassie" sometime in the future to absorb more of the island's delights.

Contributing to http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com.au/