Photos from the Arboretum...
As always click to embiggen.
And then a few days later a wander down to the lake for a swan, pelican, cormorant and kangaroo fix.
As always click to embiggen.
And then a few days later a wander down to the lake for a swan, pelican, cormorant and kangaroo fix.
What a view!
ReplyDeleteAlways dig the kangaroo shots. Probably because it's something we just don't see here.
Alex J. Cavanaugh: We love our kangas too. Despite seeing them often. I would love to see your deer though.
DeleteThose are just beautiful pictures. Love the trees and kangaroos especially.
ReplyDeleteThe Furries of Whisppy: Thank you. Both outings were havens of peace. And beauty.
DeleteOh, I LOVE animals, birds, scenery. I was scanning down the photos and when I came to the one of the bird on the nest, my first reaction was "Oh my god! What happened to that poor bird!" Then realized it was a sculpture. I got a sweet card today and I now have magnets on my black fridge. VERY attractive. Thank you, Sue.
ReplyDeletelotta joy: Nest is an amazing sculpture isn't it? I am glad your card arrived safely.
DeleteAnd yes, I too love animals, birds and scenery. A lot.
I know very little about kangaroos. (Or is it kangaroo? No S at the end.) Anyway, are the rather lazy animals?
ReplyDeleteBirdie: Kangaroos, roos, kangas are a lot like cats. They can move fast if they want to - but spend a lot of time lying around in the sun. Blissed out.
DeleteLove these!
ReplyDeleteSue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: Thank you.
DeleteAustralia is a magnificent country. So many treasures.
ReplyDeleteWendi: So is your country. So much beauty.
DeleteKangaroos. Just out, laying around.
ReplyDeleteI think that's hilarious. :-)
Pearl
Pearl: Kangaroos spend a LOT of time 'laxing. Soaking up the sun, completely at their ease. This group was disturbed by some tourists and hopped away - all of twenty feet before lying down again.
DeleteI wish this was less wordless ... I saw birds I didn't recognize and I am wondering who Richard Moffatt is. Aside from that I love this place. It seems emence and beautiful wherever you turn. I also can't get used to your black swans. They take my breath away with their red eyes. Is there something that separates you from the Kangaroos? I am thinking in terms of their safety, but probably yours as well. My favorite is the nest sculpture. I laughed when I saw the tools sticking out ... I know some big birds would build their nests with tools if they could lift them up. I have seen some very funning things lining a nest, but never tools. Fun post EC and a beautiful place to visit if and when I ever make it to Australia (It is on my bucket list, I just have to live long enough, Ha!) Be well ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
Andrea Priebe: Which birds didn't you recognise. There were bearded ravens with the kangas, and cormorants and pelicans on the float. Richard Moffatt is the sculptor of Nest - which I love.
DeleteThe kangaroos are not separated from the people at all. They live down by the lake and wander into the nearby suburb when it suits them. Our Governor-General's residence is nearby and the kangaroos live there too. Coming and going as it suits.
BEAUTIFUL! My husband laughs because when I was young, I thought the word was pronounced "aboratorium."
ReplyDeleteStephanie Faris: There is an annual flower festival nearby which features an Abraretum each year - a tree decorated with bras, which are filled with flowers.
DeleteI would love to see that! please, please take photos of bras filled with flowers in a tree. If you are down that way at the correct time of course.
DeleteRiver: I have showed it - on Tulip Top posts. I will try and track them down for you.
DeleteI just love seeing those kangaroos. You have such wonderful wildlife.
ReplyDeleteStarting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: We are very lucky to have so much of it close to us.
DeleteI often have wordless days...other than for words I speak to my two furry rascals.
ReplyDeleteLarry Hagman aka J.R. Ewing used to spend one day a week, every week, or so it was reported...not uttering a word.
Great pics, EC. :)
Lee: Not talking (except to the feline overlords) can be very, very pleasant.
DeleteThe lake is beautiful and I love the bird nest sculpture.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: I love Nest too. It looks soooo good on that hillside.
DeleteWhat a lovely landscape! I like the kangaroos too. When I was a freshman in college, I had big dreams of going to Australia. I don't know where I got the idea...or where it went to!!!
ReplyDeleteBookie: Where would you like to go to now? I would like to see the Terracotta Warriors in China, and polar bears (anywhere where they live free), go back to Antarctica, see the Galapogas Islands and a few other places too. And doubt that any of them will happen.
DeleteScrolling through these made me feel so content and relaxed. What wonderfully amazing pictures!
ReplyDeleteOptimistic Existentialist: I am so glad that you felt the serenity as I did.
DeleteI like all the birds, beautiful shots and especially the Black Swans (is that right?) Kangaroos always make me want to laugh, they look like they have attitude (you looking at me?)
ReplyDeleteHubs is doing better, but he's got a long way to go.
D.G. Hudson: Black swans it was. And they have attitude too. Kangaroos are, on the whole, remarkably relaxed. Which is just as well. They have very, very powerful hind legs and kick well (very rarely people).
DeleteI am glad your husband is doing better - it must make you feel better too. Such a hard time for both of you.
I so enjoy visiting you in your magical land!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^= . <3 . >< } } (°>
Cloudia: And I love visiting you in yours.
DeleteYour photos are always a joy to see! You have such composition in them, between subject and vivid colors. Uhm...pic #2...are those like stick-tree aliens that landed or what? ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL! I took another look at them. The rectangles are buildings in the distance, but the first time I looked they seemed to be wooden hats balanced on the stick trees. I think my brain is fried...
DeleteRiver Fairchild: I love what your fried brain comes up with. Mine has turned to sad, grey porridge.
DeleteI am not quite certain what those rectangles are... but like the thought of aliens much more than I do buildings.
Here are the photos I love from this selection: the trees with scarves; the welded steel nest and bird (in my garden please); the pine cones; the cormorants with spread wings and that last one of three kangaroos almost hiding in the fallen leaves. The rest are fabulous too, but I have favourites.
ReplyDeleteRiver: I would love to have Nest in my garden too. It is stunning isn't it. I am glad you liked the pine cones - they tickled my fancy too. I like the etchings on the railing at the look-out too.
DeleteThank you for more pics of the Arboretum! I'm another who loves the bird and nest. By the way, we have cormorants a ten-minute drive from us; finally, some birds in common besides crows, EC!
ReplyDeletejenny_o: Cormorants are charmers aren't they? I like them nearly as much as the crows.
DeleteThanks so much for sharing these beautiful photos! The black and white of the birds is such a lovely contrast to the orange floats - and I love the pictures of the kangaroos :) What a lovely place!
ReplyDeleteSusan F.: I am so glad you liked my excursions. And the kangaroos. And the pelicans. I love them all.
DeleteWhat beautiful black swans. And roos. I was taken aback by that one picture towards the beginning with the big raptor, which I realized isn't real but a sculpture. Right? :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: The raptor is indeed a sculpture. Nest by Richard Moffatt. And I love it. It looks soooo right there.
DeleteI think it would be awesome to visit there. I've never seen black swans, I already know I'd be very happy to see them in person. :) Great pictures (all of them!).
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: Black swans are beautiful - but stroppy. They have serratted beaks and are not backward about using them. And mug anyone foolish enough to offer them food. I love them though - but don't feed them.
DeleteWhen I clicked here, I gasped at your photos, and was speechless... for a while :)
DeleteCanberra is so very pretty, and you've done it justice. No words needed. The images speak for themselves.
And, look how little traffic there is - compared to Melbourne! Bliss.
"Nest III" would have to be up there as one the best metal sculptures I've ever seen. I love it so much. Well done, Mr Moffatt.
And, it's perfectly placed.
Thank you for the scenic feast, EC. Your photos capture a certain immersive atmosphere. I feel as though I'm there. Wonderful.
Vicki: Thank you. I do think that Canberra is a very pretty city - with a lot to offer. Mind you, I am quite glad that its bad reputation keeps people away.
DeleteNest is stunning isn't it? And while we were out there we could see some 'real' raptors soaring high above us. Perfect placement.
Glorious! And I just love Nest! Thank you for showing us.
ReplyDeleteCarol: I love Nest too.
DeleteOne day...... I'll make it down there to see for myself, and probably be so busy gawking I'll forget all about my camera! Gorgeous. =)
ReplyDeleteJacquelineand...: Some days I gawk more than I photograph too.
DeleteThanks for the much-needed big smile. Love! Love! Love the pics!
ReplyDeletePaper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): I am so very glad to have given you that much needed smile. I smiled too.
DeleteHello EC, I enlarged all of the photos and I'm so pleased I did - they are delightful and gave me a wonderful look around your area.
ReplyDeleteI was REALLY taken aback at the second photo though, it could have been the country road where I lived in the Hunter Valley. Amazing.
Enjoy what's left of the week!
Rose ~ from Oz: Where in the Hunter did you live? We had a friend who had a property near Branxton. There is a lot of beautiful country down that way.
DeleteBlack swans so beautiful if not so happy chaps.
ReplyDeleteAnd roos now they know how to relax.
Merle.................
Merlesworld: It doesn't matter how often I see them, I always smile. Broadly.
Deletewhat a view, love the bird at the nest, what kind is it? and the railing with the leaf etchings, and the black swans, if I ever come to your country it surely will be close to where you live.
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: The bird at the nest is a raptor - and a sculpture. A lot of Oz is full of beauty, but so is the rest of the world. Which is wonderful.
DeleteWhat a lovely crop of photos. As always, your animal shots are gorgeous. I love the bird and nest sculpture too.
ReplyDeleteJackie K: Thank you. Nest is perfectly placed isn't it?
DeleteLove the views and the 'roos! (And the trees and the other birds, too, of course, but couldn't make "cormorant" rhyme with anything. LOL)
ReplyDeleteLaloofah: Drat you. My mind is wrestling (and losing) finding a rhyme for cormorant too. And pelican too (except for the old 'his beak holds more than his belly can').
DeleteHere's that whole poem:
DeleteWhat a wonderful bird is the pelican
His mouth can hold more than his belican
He can hold in his beak
Enough food for a week
But I'm damned if I know how the helican.
I'm working on cormorant: informorant? dormorant? I give up.
Bliss bliss and more bliss.
ReplyDeleteThese photos remind me of a decision I'd made a few years back, to find beauty wherever I go in my own country. Thanks for the reminder!
Guyana-Gyal: I made a similar commitment and, with open eyes, heart and mind, it isn't a difficult challenge.
DeleteFascinating as always! I just love seeing what your part of the world looks like.
ReplyDeleteTeresa: The blogosphere gives us a lot of things to be grateful for doesn't it? How are you and your mama doing?
DeleteThe black swans delighted me! That is extremely rare here in the States. And these pictures are pristine. I always enjoy your photos so! It did my heart good to see what looked like new plantings-- is that what it was? rows and rows of new trees or plants in the ground on the hill side... ?
ReplyDeleteFurry Bottoms: Black swans are native to Oz, and I rarely see the white ones.
DeleteIt is indeed new plantings on the hill-side. A lot of new plantings. Over 35,000 trees have already been planted at the arboretum - and they are still going. Bliss.
Noice, noice, noice...very noice indeed! :)
ReplyDeleteIt all looks so lovely and peaceful.
Lee: Both spots are most blissfully peaceful. And I love them for it.
DeleteI am, as always, ever so jealous that you can drive and just go see kangaroos! I am curious about Richard Moffatt. Kangaroo? Human? Bird?
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: Richard Moffatt is the sculptor who made Nest - which I love. And lust after.
DeleteAnd we love our kangas too. They brighten even my grumpiest day.
Mmm, making me wish I could hike again...
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: Fortunately no hiking required. Even my slow and wobbly walk was enough to see these scenes. Though yes, hiking again would be good.
DeleteI hope your health is improving.
Is this near Canberra? What is the name of the lake we can see? I love 'roos, I can imagine how difficult it was for early Europeans to describe them "well, they're sort of like a really big hare, but they look sort of doggy or horsy and have a big pouch at the front that the babies travel in"...
ReplyDeletelynners: It is in Canberra. The lake in the photos is Lake Burley Griffin - man made, but beautiful. And yes, kangaroos would have been difficult to describe - but not as bad as the platypus. I believe that when the first platypus specimum was sent back to the UK it was thought to be a hoax.
DeleteI would love to witness these views first-hand but fear it would deprive me of the power of exaggeration, a favorite pastime. Amazing photos!
ReplyDeleteGeo.: Deprive you of the pleasure and power of exaggeration? Never. Your tales are always worth listening to.
DeleteGorgeous scenic views and I love all the beautiful birds. The kangaroos are cool! Great post and photos.
ReplyDeleteeileeninmd: Welcome and thank you. I do love our birds - and our roos too.
DeleteI'm particularly taken with the bird made of twigs perching on the nest. That's wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLynn: I love Nest too - but it is made from scrap metal rather than twigs. Recycling at its very best.
DeleteSuch gorgeous scenery! Like Lyn I love the bird sculpture. I also loved the kangaroos and the black swans.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: We love them too.
DeleteSuch a beautiful world you live in. I have to make plans to visit one day. :)
ReplyDeleteDeb: There is beauty everywhere - but I am lucky with where I live.
DeleteLovely views EC! I like that wire bird sculpture, and of course the roos!
ReplyDeleteKaren: I am so glad that your eyes are up to visiting today. Hugs.
DeleteBeautiful scenery leading to:- SKIPPY.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Lots of skippy - but these are city rather than bush kangaroos.
DeleteYou know, it does look a bit like in my corner of the world (minus the kangaroos etc.). We have lots of eucalyptus trees here, and I love their fragrance.
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: The fragance of gum trees is wonderful isn't it? It spells home to me.
DeleteI have a feeling my comment didn't get through tsk. I'll try again, if you have two delete the lesser one.
ReplyDeleteStunning scenery, what a view! It looks like we both have the same weather for a change so I'm not envious of your sun for a change, but having never seen a roo in real life I'd really like to do so. Not in a zoo mind you, noooo. Love the nest sculpture, just my cup of tea that.
All Consuming: No, only one comment arrived. Thank you for your persistence. Roos are a delight. And belong free. Like rather a lot of other things.
DeleteAnd yes, Nest is a wonderful piece of art.
Beautiful pictures of a beautiful place and that 'nest' is truly lovely. Thank you for sharing so much with us in one place.
ReplyDeleteMimsie: My pleasure. I hope you and Phil are doing well.
DeleteOh, but the honor of it all. I'm the 100th commenter, so what's my prize?
ReplyDeleteIs "embiggen" really a word? If not, I can see that maybe it should be, although I will never think it's pretty.
Snowbrush: Embiggen has a life of its own and if it wasn't is now a real word. Ugly perhaps - but useful.
DeleteAnd I am honoured by each and every comment. No prizes though.
You had me at embiggen. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely photos. Are those black swans? Beautiful.
Dawn@Lighten Up!: Welcome and thank you. They are indeed black swans. Merciless bully-boys - but beautiful.
DeleteAwww -what lovely shots!
ReplyDeleteladyfi: They were lovely days.
DeleteI wish I could record my internal chatter as I view these photos. There are so many ooohs, ahs, how beautiful, oh, lovely, oh. It's a visual fest for me. Thank you sooo much.
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: I am so very glad. I love my surroundings and revel in them - and am very pleased when other people enjoy them too.
DeleteThese are relaxing sceneries. Happy weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteRIZALENIO: Welcome - and thank you. They were relaxing days. And a happy weekend to you too.
DeleteI love the bird on the edge of the nest piece, that is terrific, stunning.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Isn't it? And I noticed in the paper recently they are planning more sculpture installations for the arboretum. And I am looking forward to seeing them.
Deletecouldn't wait to dish about the eagle's nest art
ReplyDeleteand then, oh! I saw the kangaroos!!! Oh my heart:)
Thanks for the magic mystery tour,
Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson: I am so glad you enjoyed wandering with me.
DeleteThese are lovely! Especially fond of the 'found' art - a metal bird and a nest made of spanners and tool bits! Mostly checking in to say 'hello'! Hope all's going well!
ReplyDeletedaisyfae: Thank you. Things are ok(ish) in this part of the world. How about you and yours?
DeleteAnd yes, I too love that bird and its nest. A lot.