Alfresco That Way..

Spotted while driving through Nedlands a few days ago.. how is it possible that I've missed this super fab mural on the wall of Lawley's Bakery Cafe. Painted back in 2017 by Perth artist Ariel Katzir. Using the contrast between dark and vibrant colour the artist 'fascinated with uniform lines, geometry and the human form, curiously incorporates these elements together, which create artworks that give the ability to see things from her creative perspective'. Thank heavens for that creative perspective, without it life would be so terribly dull 💛

Oh and if you go to the loo there's a bonus treat.. so cool! Hope you are managing to stay sane in this crazy world, happy Tuesday, take care and stay extra safe..

Visit Sami to see more Monday Murals from around the world..

Up close and personal..

I think two of the things I find the hardest about the strict conditions we find ourselves in at the moment are firstly not being able to catch up easily with family and friends and also not being able to pop out for breakfast/brunch. On the positive side, there always is one :) we will save money on the meals out and we can still catch up via phone and Skype. Yesterday we spent the day in the garden taking out the bougainvillea that had taken over the back fence, it fought all the way with it's vicious thorns and sturdy branches, but determination prevailed, as soon as the weather cools down a hibiscus will take it's place. The corellas, still lucky enough to eat out kept their extraordinary eyes on me as they did so. I hope you had/are still having a safe weekend, happy Monday, take care..

Nature framed times two..

Not knowing when I might get the chance to take another reflection shot I saved the view above taken in the verandah window of the Chalet Healy Cafe, at Araluen Botanic Park, now closed for the duration of the current crisis. It was the framed picture of nature inside the framed picture of nature that appealed to me, plus being in the midst of nature and tall trees always appeals to me :) I hope you are well despite the many restrictions. I'm curious, are there any changes you have made during this time that you might keep up when the crisis is over, sometimes positives can evolve out of negative situations, I know I have made changes that will continue in the long term, if you are interested I'll tell you 😉 Happy Sunday, take care and stay safe..

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Autumn in Kings Park encore..

If you are having a cold and rainy day I hope the scenic views here on our walk in Kings Park early on Thursday morning bring a little cheer. Kings Park is 990 acres of botanical gardens, grassed parkland and natural bushland with two thirds of the park conserved as native bushland. As well as the views it's the trees that I love so much. There are walks to suit all, from the path with surround city and river views, to small trails through the bushland. Although we have lived in Perth for over thirty years I never tire of visiting Kings Park, I hope you don't either :) Happy weekend, take extra care and stay safe.. Ps. sorry about the photo overload :)

Autumn in Kings Park..

Went for an early morning walk around Kings Park yesterday, while we still can.. who knows these days what restrictions will come into effect tomorrow. If you are wondering why these trips we do at the moment are always really early it's because on a 37C day it's no fun to be out there in the heat, early mornings when the air is fresh and cool are pretty fabulous anyway don't you think. Was lovely to still see so much colour 🌺 The sweet little kookaburra sat high in the tree gazing steadily around looking for a breakfast treat.. I'm surprised I spotted him up there, can you see him in the wider shot below, he looked so cute framed in the early morning sunlight..

Why do small birds always look so angry :) Willy wagtail below..

A flash of colour below alerted me to a super noisy group of rainbow lorikeets having an early morning pool party.. not much social distancing going on there :) Such a shame I couldn't get a clear shot of them splashing in the rock pool, too much foliage in the way..

Below, not so much a shag on a rock as a cormorant on a sculpture :) The many sculptures around the park make excellent viewing spots for the birds! Have some different viewpoints in the park to show you tomorrow.. happy Friday, take care and stay safe..

Beach etiquette.. three beaches.

We went for a drive along the coast yesterday to see if Perthites/visitors are doing the right thing and not overcrowding the beaches thus ignoring social distancing during this crisis period. If this happens the beaches will be closed, as happened temporarily on Bondi beach in Sydney. Even though it was a 37C degree day, ditto today, it was good to see that yes, proper 'beach etiquette during a crisis' was happening. The beach above is Sorrento Beach five minutes from home. Heading on down the coast road to Trigg beach below. yup, all good!

Further down the coast on Scarborough Beach below, one of Perth's most popular beaches the scene was the same. Nice one, three out of three, top marks :) Hope you are all coping well with the restrictions, let's hope if we all do the right thing it will be over sooner rather than later.. I'm ever the optimist :) Happy Thursday, take care and stay safe..

Along the way..

Lake Goollelal is the perfect refuge for waterbirds, turtles and other creatures because for most of the walk the actual lake is protected by bush-land and trees, with one lookout point on the western point of the lake. Always lovely to see the black swans, their long curved necks reflected as they submerge  looking for food. The two below were in perfect unison.. I couldn't help thinking 'it's no good sticking your heads under water, the world will still be in a mess when you come up for air' :)

It was the first time I had actually seen the red tailed black cockatoos in the bush, was hard to get a super clear shot as they were really high up in the trees, they are the most extraordinary looking birds, have a look at much better pics here, spectacular shots. This is a female, I would have loved to catch the flamboyant red tail of the male in flight.. one day :)

...and then there was this! Thank heavens Aimee was fully awake at that ridiculously early time on a Sunday morning.. strung out across the path a golden orb spider, such a pretty web, an amazing construction, but the thought of walking face into it, oh no, that wouldn't be fun for anyone! The swans were pretty though, right 😉 Happy Wednesday, take care and stay safe..

Très chic(k)..

Found the groovy mural here on the wall of the super cool Mid Century Cafe and Collectables cafe in Yokine, painted by Perth visual artist Sharon Peterkin. You can see more of her fabulous artwork here. The artist states 'when you fall in love with a piece of art you make an emotional connection.' I couldn't agree more, I made an emotional connection with many of her artworks 💛 Couldn't leave the cute pooch out, bit hard to see way along there in the big pic :) Happy Tuesday, take care and stay safe..

Visit Sami to see more Monday Murals from around the world..

Walking the loop..

We were up and walking the loop trail around Lake Goollelal before sunup yesterday morning. An easy 5km walk I was happy to get my 10,000 steps in before 7.30am :) It's a pretty trail with glimpses of the lake through the weird and wonderful paper bark trees, their barks hanging in shreds. Trying to get as many walks in before Perth goes  into lock down like the rest of the world! Will show you some of the uniquely Australian critters encountered along the way on Wednesday. Happy Monday, take care and stay safe..