Australia Zoo - Koala

Only in Australia would you consider an animal who sleeps 20-22 hours a day a national icon. These lovely little guys are actually nasty bits of work, with huge claws and an odour that only its mother could have a chance of loving. That said, they do look adorable and have a couple of very interesting features.

To me the most interesting bit of evolution is the following - they have a plate of cartilage across their backsides which is what they sit on in trees. This allows them both a bit more comfort and a bit more stability while sleeping.

I think they're pretty cute for something so stinky.

Taken February 2010 - Australia Zoo, Brisbane, Queensland

Campfire in the Hunter

Our weekend camping trip in May was absolutely the best way to spend a lazy weekend outside the city.

Friday morning we packed the rental car full of all sorts of necessary items. We headed north for about an hour then took a secondary road through state park land. My goodness, you know the roads are going to be fun when you meet a grader! We finally arrived at our intended campsite to find that the site wasn't actually what the guide had promised. hmm... I guess we'll just have to try the next site listed - Hunter Lookout. So perfect!

Over our weekend in the Heaton State Forest, I think we saw maybe 5 other people - hikers who were all travelling in a group. We also had nearly perfect weather the entire time, for the most part sunny with just enough drizzle to keep other people away.

We also had a lovely campfire on our final night. Nothing quite like steaks cooked over an open fire washed own with red wine. Yum!

taken May 2010 - Camping in Heaton State Park, outside of Cessnock, Hunter Valley, NSW

Mount Tomah Gardens - Mediterranean Heather

There is nothing quite like a bank of heather on a drizzly day to make the mind wander to Jane Austin and the Bronte sisters. This flower appears to be a style of Mediterranean heather, though the soft pinky-purple shade really does make me want to find a bonnet and sit in windows looking out across the Heath.

On this particular day, I was wandering around a beautiful botanical garden with my in-laws. We had just spent the weekend enjoying the Blue Mountains and were slowly working our way home to Sydney. Thankfully we had made sure to have our cameras prepared just before we happily lost ourselves amongst the flowers.

We also entertained ourselves by finding random upon finding the following - it seams that the staff had devised a special 'pirate' tour of the grounds that one could follow. I'm not precisely certain how pirates and flowers go together, but there you go. As we wandered from area to area we found little laminated sheets attached to short stakes in the ground, each marked with the classic skull and crossbones stamp and some kind of joke or riddle. These jokes were all completely groan worthy, but hilarious none the less.

Taken May 2010 - Mount Tomah Gardens, Blue Mountains, NSW

Hyde Park Sydney

Dude! That's a man-bull you're wrestling! And you'll all covered in water! Dude!

It would be so very easy to publish a book of photos of this one fountain in Hyde Park in the Sydney CBD. There are just so many bits to the sculpture, so many ways the fountain streams water.

I think I like this photo so much because it reminds me of snow. I really do miss the snow, though being able to wear shorts outside basically all year around is kinda cool.

Taken February 2010 - Hyde Park, Sydney, NSW

Green

More than the smell of cow manure or the sight of mud, this shade of green makes me think of home.

Yes, I do understand that cow manure does not evoke most to reminisce about times gone by. I also understand that most people do not find the smell of skunk to be floral. There are some things in life that can be seen in very different lights.

The green in the picture above makes me think of summer days and soft clover and grass. There is something in the quality of light, the warmth of the foliage and the colour of the (stagnant) water that brings a smile to my mouth and a warmth to my heart. This particular picture takes these feelings of home and adds a air of romance - I can see Jane Austin and costume drama writ large here.

I am so happy that this picture comes from a public park. Moments like this deserve to be savoured and shared.

Come and sit on the grass with me. Bring your favorite novel and some iced tea or lemonade. The sunshine is waiting for you too.

taken June 2010 - Parco Sempione, Milan