Currawong

I was thrilled to see this beautiful Currawong on one of my walks around Coolum. It is the first time that I have been able to get as close when I see them at home they are usually flying past so I am unable to get a real good look at them. I love hearing their call which is as beautiful as they are.

Reflections

Sunset at Raibow Beach

Osprey

While the parent is off hunting
The young one waits
Periodically giving a plaintive call
It's fierce demeanor belying it's venerability

Colours and textures in my garden

This Border Rose is the most beautiful golden colour and it seems to be in flower most of the time which has been a surprise for me as it is the first rose that I have ever had, what a delight!

This Ivy Geranium with it's beautiful variegated leaf has the most vivid red blossoms and planted next to the Gazania the assorted shapes, and colours make an interesting display.

This succulent growing in the rockery is especially pleasing to me, I love the way the sun brings out the deeper orange on the edges and the way it contrasts with the rocks.

Kings Beach, Caloundra.

Off to Kings Beach for a few hours of fishing. It is the most glorious Winters day, sun shinning brightly, immaculate deep blue sky. The slight cold breeze unable to compete with the sun's warmth.

There are people making the most of the fine day, children climbing around on the rocks, joggers, walkers, and others with their dogs.

A group of children spot a fish being caught, they are instantly filled with curiosity and race over eager to join in the excitement of the moment.

They aren't the only ones filled with curiosity, a sea bird is keeping a beady eye on proceedings ever hopeful for a tit bit or two.

The sound of a ships horn draws attention to a tanker making its majestic way slowly up the channel between the island and the main land to the port of Brisbane.

At the end of the day a long walk to a point on the headland where it's possible to see the Glass House mountains in the distance.

It was still quite dark when I went down to the shore and I did not at first see this pelican in the half light. When I finally laid eyes on it with it's head tucked out of sight I was thrilled at my good fortune.

Seeing this beautiful creature in such an unspoiled setting slowly waking and preening itself, preparing for the new day has made the awful footage of the disaster in the Gulf even more heartbreaking to watch.

A bank of burnt orange lights the horizon
in sharp contrast to the dark sky
my heart lifts with expectation as warmly I dress
there's no shelter on the headland overlooking the beach

my senses are thrilled by the chill breeze that blows
all exposed skin begins to tingle with cold
I thrust my hands deep into my pockets
reveling in the delicious contrast of warmth and cold

Salt air in my nostrils is pure delight
I am mesmerized by the light of the approaching dawn
it plays on the waves as they thunder over the rocks
muting the sounds of stirring sea-birds

Low cloud on the horizon becomes tinged with electric pink
excitement fills me as the tip of the sun slowly appears
bursting forth bathing all before it with wondrous golden light
pinking the edges of nearby purple cloud

I am blessed to have received this gift of beauty
and spend a moment in silent gratification.

The beautiful Rainbow Lorikeet
their flocks large and noisy
more aptly named they couldn't be
with multi colours flashing
as across the skies they sweep

Darting between flowering trees
in an endless search for nectar
mumbling and grumbling softly when they feed

To the canopies of tall tress they return
at the end of each and every day
the very air filled with their noisy chatter
the branches alive with their fussing
as dusk falls finally settling down to sleep

Noosa excursion

The caravan park where we visited friends is right on the bank of the Noosa river and we spotted an old fellow busy pulling in a fish with an extremely interested group of pelicans keeping a beady eye on his every move.

I was thrilled to have such an opportunity to get some photos of these majestic birds. Much to my surprise the old fellow was totally unimpressed calling them 'mongrel birds' because they were pestering him for his catch.

Later I couldn't help noticing the same old fellow in the enclosed area set aside for cleaning the fish and anything he didn't want was being thrown to the very same 'mongrel birds'. Not surprising that these beautiful creatures are rather confused by the mixed messages they are receiving!

Point Cartwright

After all these many years I finally visited Point Cartwright. When our children were young we would go to the Spit which is on the other side of the river. It was protected by a breakwater making it a very safe place for young ones to swim.

My husband would regale me with stories of the times he and his mates went surfing there when they were young and reckless, a state he had outgrown by the time I met him. It was a decidedly dangerous spot and up to a number of years ago difficult to access.

There is a walking path around the entire area and I went armed with my camera, thank goodness for digital technology enabling me to snap away with gay abandon, finding myself with a grand total of 93 photos by the end of the day.

The weather was perfect, very still and delightfully warm, even in the shade. There were people out and about taking their children for walks and many more walking their dogs. Being an off leash area the majority were on the loose and I was amazed at how well behaved they all were.

As well as the walkers there were a number of large family groups obviously celebrating some occasion in the 'park area'. In one especially picturesque spot with the ocean as a backdrop, a wedding ceremony was taking place.

For the most part people appeared to be particularly relaxed and contented and it showed in their friendly attitude, it felt like we were in a bit of a 'time warp'.

'Surf's up' 15.5.2010

'A walk down memory lane for 5 fellows who surfed here 40 years ago'

A 'new look' Deception Bay.

What a beautiful day, one of those early winter days when the sky is so blue making a perfect back drop for the dark green of the trees.

For a change we took the dogs down to the bay, it's been quite a number of years since our last visit to this particular area and there have been many improvements.

The mud flats were exposed as it was low tide so it didn't look quite as beautiful as it can do when the sun is reflecting off the water.

It used to a very old, depressed area and the 'esplanade' was unkempt and often littered which made it look even more run down.


For the most part the houses were cheaply build 'holiday cottages' which is putting it very kindly to say the least.

As is so often the case people just didn't appear to have much pride in the area and it exuded a rather sad dilapidated air.

Since that time many of the old homes have been demolished and now 'waterfront living' is all the rage' the majority of new homes are very 'up market' indeed.


The 'esplanade' has been landscaped, incorporating the beautiful old trees and the natural vegetation, making it a delightful area to walk in.

After spending the first part of my morning doing the chores, I gathered my straw hat and the 'bits and bobs' that I had bought for the decoration. There are times when I look at the stuff I've collected at one time or another and wonder if I will really ever make use of it all.

Well this was one of those occasions I was thankful for my 'stash' as I was able to get all the thread, wire and tools I needed for the job. I made the decision on the arrangement of the blossoms, leaves and feathers last night so it was just a matter of fixing them securely in place.

I am totally thrilled with the effect, it pleases me so much that I will display it on the bed in my 'Bear room' when it is not actually being worn. The bed is covered with a patchwork quilt that I made and I feel as if they do each other justice.

Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day

Art Gallery Excursion

Embracing Creativity!

A group of us are off to the Gallery of Modern Art to view the Hat Exhibition. What an appropriate occasion to wear hats!

Even though we should be wearing them more these days I don't actually find myself doing so, therefore I haven't much of a collection to my name.

A couple of straw hats are all that make up said collection and my favourite is totally unadorned and therefore in need of a little dressing up for this occasion.

Those who know me well won't be at all surprised that I chose to trawl the local and not so local second hand shops, which once again proved to be a source of treasure.

The hat in question is a delightful dusky rose and I found the perfect scarf to act as hat band. Not something that was all that easy to find mind you, what with winter just round the corner and very little else but 'woollies' from one end of the shop to the other.

I spotted a very beautiful spray of three artificial Magnolia flowers, from bud to open bloom at our local nursery, they look glorious against the fine texture of the scarf and the rough straw of the hat.

Next will be the 'fun' part putting it altogether!