Warm Times......

This is Yellow Waters at sunrise- a beautiful billabong with many birds enjoying life in and on the water.

I really haven't a lot to say in this post. I have been really busy at work, and now screening is finished for the year. I am spending time doing paperwork and accreditation stuff,(and my own things ie blog post, and Christmas mail !!).

Last Sunday I got up really early-4.30am- to catch a sunrise about 70km out of town. My luck...it had been raining and it was overcast. But I had been well taught- always to make the most of any situation- the flowers were fabulous in the even light.

This lotus flower was one of thousands in a large swamp area.

These 2 Brolgas were part of a large noisy flock heading whoknowswhere?

The light was interesting- I could see quite evenly into the water.This is a Scat-a garbage collector of the river.

An Azure kingfisher making the same noise that gives them away in NZ.



The Dragon Lizard would still be one of my favourites-not much fear and very photogenic...They just tend to sit and watch you.Always a bonus.

This Eagle was calling to its mate in a nearby tree- such a handsome critter....

This would be my find of the day- a large monitor Lizard-commonly known as a Goanna- about a metre long. His skin looked like armour- he just sat on his log, quite unfazed about my getting closer.

Don't you love the view from our balcony? Being on the first floor- we get to look above the trees. This was just at sunset, just before a storm. The warm light is exceptional.

I have spent a lot of time chasing clouds-no I am not away with the fairies/angels . They are unique and beautiful. I have even starting taking all the camera gear to work, just so I don't miss anything. Had to detour on way to work this morning- there was a Front out off one of the beaches- the bank of cloud tends to sit all day, and then late afternoon start brewing into something spectacular. I will have a "cloud" post next week........

It is very warm at present- very humid-mornings will be about 90%.Working/living in aircon makes it all bearable. Sometimes I go out at lunchtime- the air is so hot and damp it is very difficult to breathe.Quite an interesting sensation.

I am really looking forward to being home in less that 2 weeks- will try and catch up with most people then.

take care on the roads-they are as bad here as at home- it is the silly season after all.......

I have visitors, and the warm build-up continues......

I was very excited this week, Anna and Craig came to stay for the week. It was lovely to see them, and show off my new city/home.


This was taken at Mindl Beach just on sundown. We had been sitting on sand-consequently had it all over us.

I was also very lucky(?) that we had had a processor breakdown at work, so I was able to take some days off. I had warned them about the warmth...I don't think they really believed me!!!!It is getting warmer+humidity makes things a little uncomfortable. I hired a car with air-con, mine has no such luxury, and we went through overnight to Jabiru- centre of Kakadu National Park.

This is Yellow Waters- we did a sunrise trip on a boat to see crocodiles, and birdlife on the river.

We were not disappointed.

These birds are Brolgas- part of the Crane family. They have a ritualistic mating dance which is unique-but this morning they were too interested in breakfast.

This fellow is a Comb Crested Jacana who has enormous feet to enble him to walk on lily pads or soft water weed.

This is a Mangrove Heron- he spends hours quietly sitting just above the water- just waiting..........and watching................

We also had some very close encounters with these amazing reptiles.!!!This fellow just relaxing, trying to cool off by letting cooler air/and water into his mouth. They have no way of temperature control, than to use water.





This one cooling off too, but I am sure with all senses awake.

Crocodiles have 4 senses- smell, sight, hearing, and nerve endings near surface of skin to detect any vibrations nearby. This is a salt water croc- fresh water crocs are a different shape, and don't grow as long. There are no alligators in Oz.

This very cute fellow is an Azure Kingfisher-very small- (sparrow sized), but exceedingly fast at darting into water for a morsel.

The waterlilies are just comng into flower...they look beautiful in mass over the water.

This is a Jabiru- of the Stork family. A large bird- 1.5m tall, with a fabulous deep blue iridescent neck and head.Spends his time in swamp lands chasing fish, frogs etc.

This is a young Jabiru- still waiting for the beautiful colours to come with his adult plumage.

This would have to be the most unusual bird of the day-a Southern Cassowary up to 2m tall.

The trip into the National Park was so special- to see so many birds, so easily was a joy.We spent a lot of time also sightseeing around Darwin- this will be a later blog post.

A mugshot of mother and daughter at dinner on Friday night.


Work is still going very well, and I am still enjoying the challenge it presents.The year is winding down,and before long I will be home for the Christmas break.

Take care......

Some moments of reflection......

It is 6 weeks since last post- doesn't time fly? And yes I am having fun.Since the last post I have had a birthday, one I was not anticipating happily- another decade, aaaargh 60 is really old!!!! Now it has been and gone, its fine.There is nothing we can do, age really is a state of mind. I have shifted cities, started a new job, making new friends, doing a Diploma through Uni S.A. I am lucky to have good health, and a joy for living in this fabulous place.

This post I thought I would just share some of my favourite things around here in the Top End,(as it is called by the locals ).

This was snapped of moi the evening of my birthday at our favourite eating place.

I still have a fascination for the perfection of orchids- There is a garden here, all growing wild outside- about 10,000 of them- absolute heaven. This is one I bought to enjoy on our balcony.

These waterlily leaves are beautiful- about 1/2 metre across.( maybe I need to photoshop a frog on top!!)

Fire is still a constant threat here to any bushland. This one was very near the road- I did not stop for too long, you could hear it coming. On July 1st all of the Northern Territory celebrate Territory Day- when the Territory got its independance. Many areas have celebrations- including fireworks.

Landscapes/seascapes are still near top of my list of favourites.

Birds are plentiful here in all the seasons- these Rainbow Bee Eaters- female top photo, male lower photo are extremely photogenic.

Pink galahs are very cheeky, this one tried its best to closely investigate my lens.

Spiders are huge- this one just above my head while walking in some scrub.Probably palm size- I am happy he stayed in his web.

Unique individuals make up the amazing diversity of this place.

The greatest gift we can have is to enjoy good friends- the birthday dinner.Some friends are more special than others !!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

I hope Spring is coming- ChCh has had a very real winter this year. I will be back in Dec/Jan so will catch up with a lot of you for belated birthday drinkies.....

take care.....

Another week living in the tropics.......

Some newly emerged waterlily leaves...

I am really enjoying this tropical life-never having lived for any length of time where the climate is this warm consistantly. I have been here 6 weeks now, not a drop of rain, clear blue skies,(like Alice), day after day. Days 30', nights dropping to 17-20'. I know it will change soon, but at present it is enjoyable.

Work is going well, I really have the trainer wheels off this week, as I am on my own. Next week I am off to Adelaide for a week's intensive training.

Yesterday I took myself out of town to a wetlands area, that is a wildlife reserve. I was in my element-many butterflies,birds,kangaroos, I even saw my first snake in the wild !!It was on my path- but disappeared very quickly. Also of course the inevitable mossie.....good repellant fixed those-I realise how important it is, as there are many diseases here transmitted by mossies.

These beautiful water liies are nearly finished....memo to myself to come back during wet season.

As far as the eye can see were these lilies,obviously as the waterlevel drops, the lilies disappear.



But it was the fabulous birds here that kept me busy for hours. The large white Egret (L) and the Royal Spoonbill were very busy.




The Royal Spoonbill reminded of the weekend we had in Karitane(Otago) several years ago chasing a group of Spoonbills.

This Forest Kingfisher was busy diving for small fish amongst some mangroves.He is brighter than the common Kingfisher.

This Crimson Finch was very busy catching insects on the waterlily seedpod.

This would have to be one of my favourites- a large white Egret just waiting for something to swim by......

I am really enjoying being satisfied with my bird studies-my new lens has really impressed me- it really is worthwhile having something of good quality.

All is very well here, hope this finds you all the same.....

End of first month in Darwin.....

I am now at the end of my first month here in Darwin. I am still enjoying it. At work the trainer wheels are slowly coming off.....it' s beginning to make sense. I am really enjoying working with well women, they are a joy...
We often eat here at the local sailing club..I had to add a sunset photo-they are amazing to experience.


Today I went out and had a long walk through an area of mangroves.They have built boardwalks so the thrill of arguing with crocs is reduced..!!Mangroves are areas I haven't had a lot of experience in-quite unique with amazing wildlife amongst them.This above is an area just going under the tide, and below an area dry with the little "snorkels" the trees use to "breathe" when the water has gone.I continued walking and found myself near a reserve so sat down to just look.....This little Rainbow Bee Eater came quite close to spy on me. I had with me a new lens(100mm-400mm), (an early birthday present to myself!!!), so was suitably delighted with the results.I love shooting birds, so now I may have some success.He fluffed himself up....

and I soon found out why...this mate(presumably) arrived with much noise


I think it was the news of the day being shared.......

I do enjoy the sharing of news too, thankyou to my dear friends who still email me...I may live a distant away, but there is part of me in ChCh still. Hope the winter is not being too unkind..spring must be coming. Take care all of you