Semaphore skies

Continuing images from the Semaphore outing last week -

couldn't make up my mind which of these first two images to post so have included them both;

(I invite you to let me know your preference and why!)

 

 

... and this fellow beach lover kindly agreed to let me photograph his reflection

 

 

Visit Skywatch Friday

 James' Weekend Reflection 

to see more sky scenes and reflections from around the world.

Happy weekend to all

A brief respite

Following yet another day of temperatures hovering around 40C with high humidity,

I sought refuge at Semaphore beach with a friend.

On the 20-minute drive there, we almost pulled over to the side of the road

because the rainstorm we'd come into was so fierce the windscreen wipers were

going at full pace.  However, we persevered and, by the time we'd arrived at

Semaphore, the rain had passed.

 

So here are some scenes from that spell of welcome relief from the oppressive heat . . . .

 

 

I was surprised to see this Pelican on a suburban beach - they are usually more often found around the inland rivers

 

 

There were a surprising number of crabs along the shoreline too - such as this Blue Swimmer



 

Wherever you are around the globe, I pray you are experiencing peace, laughter, love and appreciation of your extraordinary surroundings.

 

Special thanks to the wonderful hosts of

Our World Tuesday

Wild Bird Wednesday and

Skywatch Friday

Pink Hibiscus

 

 

In the course of walking around my village recently, the lighting on this Hibiscus caught my eye.

There is an abundance of this flower amongst the homes, in a wide variety of colours, but I really like the soft pastel tones of this one.

 

 

From a critical photographic perspective, I acknowledge that the sun's glare on the right hand side of the shot below is too harsh, but nevertheless felt the play of shadow and central display of the bloom was interesting.

 

Hope you've all had a good week and, once again, my thanks to the wonderful

hosts of the various themed blog sites.

 

Linking up with Skywatch Friday and

Floral Friday Foto

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

Victoria B.C.

 

Been too busy lately to get out with the camera, so this is one from the archives -

 

The Harbour, Victoria, British Columbia

 

Joining in the fun at both

Skywatch Friday and

Weekend Reflection

with thanks to the hosts of those sites for their willingness to commit and their reliability.

Dazzled

 

Linking up with Skywatch Friday

 

(with grateful thanks to Yogi, Sandy & Sylvia for hosting)

Sweet Robin

This sweet Robin seemed unfazed as my hosts and I strolled around the delightful Victorian gardens of Biddulph Grange, a National Trust property near Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, England.

 

Joining up with Stewart's Wild Bird Wednesday

Memories . . .

Happy New Year to my fellow bloggers - may it be a safe, happy and adventurous year (in whatever manner you choose).

 

In Jan-Feb of 2014 I was greatly blessed to experience a house & car exchange for 3 weeks on Vancouver Island. It was an incredibly memorable holiday for many reasons, one of which was a meal at this fabulous restaurant/bistro in Victoria, BC -

Pagliacci's - the food was fantastic and my salivary glands are running at the

mere memory of the Prawn Broker dish I enjoyed here!

 

 

 

This is the interior décor of this thriving eatery

 

and this painting on the wall duplicates the restaurant interior layout

Not sure whether these were friends of the family or ..... ?

Another closeup of one of the wall hangings

 

. . . and here is a sample of their amazing menu (as at 2014)

 

I found their imaginative dish naming great fun!

 

If you are ever in the vicinity of Victoria, BC, I strongly recommend you track down this vibrant eatery - I doubt you'll be disappointed !

 

Linking up with Our World Tuesday

 

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

 

Colourful guests

Since I've not been out much with my Nikon P510 of late, these images have come out of the archives and were taken in the back yard of my previous home.

 

The birds are Eastern Rosellas and - in case I'd missed noticing - the blooming of the two palm trees there was invariably announced by the excited and noisy arrival of these colourful birds (and many bees!)

 

 

Sincerely wishing you all a joy-filled and safe Christmas with your loved ones, in celebration of the real reason for the season.

 

Thank you, too, for the joy you've brought to my life this year in sharing your spectacular photography - I look forward to seeing more in 2016.

 

Special thanks to all the wonderful hosts of numerous themed blog sites, whose dedication enables us to share our images effectively.

 

Linking up with

Our World Tuesday
and
Outdoor Wednesday