The big trees of Kings Park.....

From the moment you drive, walk, run or cycle up Fraser Avenue, the main entrance into Kings Park and the Botanic Gardens, you know why the Aboriginal people have for thousands of years and still today, deem this as a sacred place. Lined with tall majestic Lemon Scented Gum Trees (below) planted in 1938 Fraser Avenue isn't the only entrance to Kings Park but it is the most impressive, giving you spectacular views of the city and the Swan River all the way up.. can you imagine picnicking on a lovely day along those grassy slopes with that view, fabulous! One of the oldest trees (above) with views of the city peaking through is a mature Australian Red Cedar.

Love the roots on this rubber tree.....

..and when you reach the top, the view through the tall palm trees is not too shabby :) There are many more magnificent trees in Kings Park, I'll save them for another day. I hope your week started well, take care and stay safe. P.s. in the foreground below the  Flame of Remembrance.....

There one moment, and......

Plooop!..... gone the next.....!

This little joey in the pouch must not have liked what he saw (surely I couldn't have looked that bad) and disappeared hastily back indoors :) The link above is one of the last in a series of short videos describing how the joey develops from birth right up to this cheeky wee face popping out to see the big wide world! I know I've shown the kangaroos a few times before but who could resist this peaceful family scene? Taken in Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park, this one is for your house guest FC hope she enjoys. Here's hoping that you're ready to face the week ahead, not sure I am.. take care and stay safe.....

Peaceful happy Sunday.....

Doves have been immortalized in myths and religion as a symbol of peace and love since.. forever. While researching my Turtle Dove above, I discovered a few interesting facts that I didn't know before.. one that the only difference between doves and pigeons is their size, doves being smaller, they both belong to the Columbidae family..two, that 59 species of pigeons and doves are now threatened with extinction and three that, although it sounds horrible to me, they make a good filling for a pie, the very pretty turtle doves that visit me in my garden have nothing to fear on that score :) I've been having fun playing with my new Olympus OM-D in my own back garden over the weekend, seriously excellent purchase. I hope that your weekend is going well, take care..p.s. 'you know who' was also enjoying breakfast, corn kernels yumm!

No drooping or you're out.....!

Although the weather here in Perth is probably what most people would call perfect for most of the year, our summers do seem to be getting hotter with longer periods of high temperatures. Thankfully there are some flowering plants that not only survive the heat but actually flourish in it, providing they get a bit of water that is.. Here are a few that I took yesterday in my garden..my sister in law always says she would hate to be a plant in my garden, the first sign of a droop and you're whipped out, not true, most of my plants have been around for many years :) Above and below I'm sure you'll recognise the Dahlia ' Mystic'. It's only when you shoot macro's that you realize just how complex the 'innards' of a flower can be....

Another super easy to look after tough little beauty is the Portulaca Sun Jewels below, they look fabulous in big pots..if you look a bit closer at the shot on the right you'll see this flower had a teensy 'alien' looking visitor..don't you love these unexpected surprises.....

To be honest I only discovered the Mona Lavender below this year, and I see on searching for the link that this particular plant is a relatively new species. It's made up of many spikes of tiny lavender coloured little flower heads and looks stunning....

The intense splash of colour from the tiny Blue Lobelia flower is a pleasing sight in the garden, according to the growing info on this little gem, they flower in spring, autumn and winter, not so much in summer, I beg to differ, this cheery wee face has been smiling all through summer and is still going strong, maybe it heard the strict 'no drooping or you're out' rumour :) Every garden needs a pussy cat oui! unfortunately Syd isn't my cat, she lives around the corner..but she visits every morning for breakfast and a cuddle..nice! Friday (CUBIFA) once again, hope it's a good one, take care...p.s. hectic day, catch up tomorrow.....

Bella Fonte, anyone for pizza.....?

With temperatures in Perth still warm and humid our beaches and marinas win as the most popular destination for Perthites and visitors looking to cool off. There are so many really good places to eat at Sorrento Quay something to suit all tastes and budgets! I took the shot above yesterday around lunchtime when Bellafonte Ristorante & Pizzeria was humming with folk appreciating the cooler sea breezes and when I returned later in the evening, below, it was even busier.. diners enjoying the balmy weather. I took the shot below with my new OM-D Olympus without a tripod, am quite happy with it, although obviously a tripod would have been ideal, next time. I'm loving this camera but will definitely have to invest in a long lens as soon as the budget allows :) Happy Thursday, two more sleeps till the weekend, nice! Take care and stay safe.....

There's rustic..and there's rustic.....!

This one is for the bench aficionados out there, you know who you are..Malyss and VP to name just two.. It made me smile when I saw the 'comfort factor' added to this tree trunk which works as seating for the barbeque area in Synergy Parkland just one of the many family picnic areas in Kings Park.....

I couldn't help wondering if this impressively big old tree trunk just a stone's throw away was going to remain au naturel or was it a bench awaiting further enhancement? I quite like it as it is, it looks comfortable in it's bark :) Relieved to say my fabulous physio with the magical fingers has almost got me back up to running speed again, excellent! Happy Wednesday, take care.....

Do you..didgeridoo.....?

Whether you choose bright and colourful or classically traditional there's no doubting the difficulty factor in playing the didgeridoo (instructions on how to make your very own didge!)! It's a lot like playing the bagpipes, all about the breathing. I liked this you tube lesson best because David Hudson demonstrates the technique in detail. As with the bagpipes, I find the sounds of the didgeridoo quite 'stirring' (?) and usually stop to listen for a while. Saw these vibrant beauties at the Fremantle Markets, open Friday, Saturday and Sunday every week. Hope your week has begun well, take care.....