Day 179: Mr Spoonbill.

We have some odd little creatures in Australia be it in the water or on land.   Some are nasty, others cute and cuddle or with no other word to describe it just plan odd.  Ok, so there would be a few but let’s just run with odd for now.  Although, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, we may all have our little ways about us, or different looks.  That is what makes the world an interesting place, and fun to explore.  The Royal Spoonbill bird is part of our little collection of oddities here in Australia.  They have been known to be spotted across the ditch in New Zealand too.  Have to say if he was a paying man he would have expensive tastes, as his diet consist of shrimp, fish and molluscs.  He can really have the later all too himself, I think, personally not a fan of the molluscs.  Styling is the name of his game when it comes to breeding season.  To attract the girls he has a crest of head plumes to give him the edge.  Let’s hope that all works at well for him this year.

Day 178: Calm before the storm.

 One of the things I love doing and probably should do more of; is night photography.  It particularly lends to my lifestyle too of not liking mornings too much as compared to late afternoon and night.  For some reason the mind operates better.  May have something to do with living in Sydney for a long time, but we’ll leave it at that.  It is a beautiful night in the tropics, the storm clouds are brewing.  A touch of lighting was around, but not enough to scare Phoenix inside.  So I guess this is the calm before the storm, and all the boats are tucked away for the night.

Day 177: On the countdown.

All around the top end, the storms seem to be gearing up for the wet season.  While down in the SE of Queensland they saw some pretty horrid weather today, a nice top up for their dams.  So who knows what the weather gods are up to at the moment?  It does however; give us some dramatic skylines with our mountains surrounding the Cairns area.  When the sun starts to call it a day, and shine on the other side of the world.  Sunbeams left a radiant glow through the storm clouds, over the cane fields, and mountains.  Top day in the tropics...

Day 176: Fresh Lake View.

The lilies are just starting to come out on the fresh water lake, by the botanical gardens (Cairns).  It is such a nice walk (with mozzie spray) on the boardwalk from the gardens through to the lakes area.  There is a freshwater lake with lilies, birdlife and turtles (I think you would have to be extra quiet and sit there for a while to spot one, but there are some there supposedly).  The added bonus is a tidal saltwater lake with all sorts of creatures hiding in the mud banks; from skippers to fiddler crabs, and mangrove creatures.  Both lakes are great to sit around with a picnic or just chill out with a book and watch the action unfolding on the water, and beneath. 

Day 175: I grew it myself, with the help of H2O.

 It is a cool feeling when things all come together, and you see results.  Now I’m not much of a gardener but these beautiful ginger plants have just started to open up, and it looks impressive.  Only taken two years, but there you go patience prevails.  Mmmm, I also think the help of my father-in-law tlc of the garden while we were away might have helped as well, cannot take all the credit that is for sure.  So if nothing else grows in the garden at least I can lay claim to this, and have the picture to prove it!

Day 174: Footy Fever - life still goes on.

  Whilst the whole of the country is in the grip of ‘footy final fever’ my team didn’t make it in either code; sooooooo care factor - nil at this stage of who wins.  Although it is exciting whoever is playing, as long as it is a close game.  You know it might be one of the biggest days in sport for the majority of Aussies.  Life still goes on, especially for the cane farmers who are in the middle of the season at the moment.  The cutters remind me of the big beast in Disney’s Car movie that chases Mator and Lighting out of the paddock from tractor tipping.  I really wouldn’t want to get tangled up in a cutter because you would be toast.  There are spiral cutters at the front disperse the stems, and circular blades at the top that cut off all the green tips.  Only the stalks get processed and spat into the bin, the tractor drives besides.  Dust, bugs, and mayhem follow the cutter, but when you are sitting in an A/C cabin, it’s not too bad and adds to the spectacle.    So whether your team wins or loses, there is always next year, and life will still go on!