Morning Walks

After way too long, over these school holidays, I have restarted morning walks. I always try to take in some of the local lagoon which is a kind of oasis  tucked in behind a whole lot of houses. Yesterday, after numerous wild encounters, I decided to take my camera, with the following results. This week alone, I have encountered the usual pacific black and maned ducks, swamp hens, including one nesting out in the middle of the lagoon, eastern long-necked turtles, and water dragons, pied cormorants, shags and even the blue and bronze flash of a little azure kingfisher. Feel so lucky to live close to this little patch of wilderness and am sure there is at least one artwork lurking there somewhere.

Bunya Buzz

Been at the Bunya Mountains again, for what has become an annual pilgrimage. We were there for a week which was peaceful and blessed, but woefully short, I have to say. Not even close to being ready to re-enter the fray.

Anyway, lots of wildlife encounters as usual - pics below; including a bandicoot, countless different species of birds and one that I could have done without. I was reclining under a tree, struggling to care about the aesthetic philosophies I was reading, and I heard a noise behind me. Assuming it was a wallaby (which are everywhere all the time) I didn't investigate. When I did turn around it was to discover a pair of amorous brown snakes a few metres away - both of them a metre and a half at least. Fortunately for me, their minds were elsewhere, and I managed to control my urge to flee long enough to get a couple of good photos. On reflection, they are quite beautiful, really. When they had enough of each other, both went to ground.

I also got in a spot of painting. Nothing major, but below is something I dabbled with during the week. Now that I am back, it is right back into study and other less desirable tasks, so bird watching is pretty much off the agenda. Oh well.

Katoomba de-install

I know it was ages ago, but this is the first chance I have had to wind up and draw a line under the whole Katoomba thing. We arrived there to de-install at about 4pm on a wet, cold, windy Friday, thinking...great: a day in the rainforest in this! But for once in our lives, we actually brought the Qld sunshine with us and the next day was gorgeous - as you can see from the photos.

 

On the way back home, we stopped briefly at Jenolan Caves, and there I saw my very first non-captive platypus. Because we got there late in the day, we didn't see much of the caves, but catching this bloke cruising around in the river made the trip worth it for me.

 

The sculptures from Scenic World are now all back home and ready to be packed away - some of them needed drying out after shipping some water. So ends the Katoomba saga...huge and not sure I am up for it again anytime soon, but a great experience. We did alot of travelling which was tiring but enjoyable, and I am now officially in love with the New England Tablelands. Could be the site of the artist's retreat if there is ever enough money to make it happen. The following pics are taken in Tenterfield.

 

 

Feeling better

Just remembered to check the RSPCA's Guardian Angel web page to see who I helped over Christmas. Isn't she a gorgeous girl? Feeling better now. Hope Bella has a happy 2012.