BLACK SWAN

The Black Swan (Cygnus atratus) is a large waterbird, a species of swan, which breeds mainly in the southeast and southwest regions of Australia. The species was hunted to extinction in New Zealand, but later reintroduced. Within Australia they are nomadic, with erratic migration patterns dependent upon climatic conditions.

Black Swans are large birds with mostly black plumage and red bills. They are monogamous breeders that share incubation duties and cygnet rearing between the sexes. Described scientifically by English naturalist John Latham in 1790, the Black Swan was formerly placed into a monotypic genus, Chenopis. Black Swans can be found singly, or in loose companies numbering into the hundreds or even thousands. 

Black Swans are popular birds in zoological gardens and bird collections, and escapees are sometimes seen outside their natural range. This specimen was snapped in our local park.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

ST KILDA ESPLANADE

The original meaning of esplanade was a large, open, level area outside fortress or city walls to provide clear fields of fire for the fortress' guns. In modern usage the space allows people to walk for recreational purposes; esplanades are often on sea fronts, and allow walking whatever the state of the tide, without having to walk on the beach. Esplanades became popular in Victorian times when it was fashionable to visit seaside resorts.

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme

and also part of the Nature Notes meme

A TOUCH OF SPRING

After a very cold morning today, the sun began to shine and by 10:00 a.m. there was a smell of Spring about. Could not resist going to the Parklands, where many other people had the same idea!

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

SUNRISE SILHOUETTES

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

SOUTHBANK

Although Southbank is overdeveloped already, there are some small pockets of green in amongst the skyscrapers where one may sit and reflect on the benefits (or otherwise...) of living in a megalopolis.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

UPHILL PATH

Walking in the Darebin Parklands on a Spring day.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

WINTER SUNSHINE

At the Maribyrnong River.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

WERRIBEE RIVER

The Werribee River is a perennial river of the Port Phillip catchment that is located on the plain West of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The headwaters of a tributary, the Lerderderg River, are north of Ballan near Daylesford and it flows across the basalt plain, through the suburb of Werribee to enter Port Phillip. A linear park follows the Werribee River along much of its course. In total the Werribee River completes a journey of approximately 110 kilometres.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

AT THE PARKLANDS

At the Darebin Parklands in Alphington an inner suburb.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

RINGWOOD LAKE PARK

Ringwood Lake Park is a significant asset, well valued by the Maroondah City community. The 8.5 hectare park has been enjoyed by many locals and visitors since its creation in the 1920’s. The significance of the park has been highlighted through the preservation of the local history, pleasant and naturally significant surroundings and by hosting various annual festivals.Community groups and individuals have contributed both time and funding towards the Park’s preservation, including recent works to enhance the cultural value of the park. 

Ringwood Lake Park is located at the corner of Maroondah Highway and Mt Dandenong Road next to the Belgrave railway line. The lake is about 1 hectare in size with a shoreline of 1 kilometre and a maximum depth of 4.3 metres. In 1926 the lake was created, with community co-operation, by damming the Sandy Creek which flowed north-westerly to the Mullum Mullum Creek. It was an area of mud, fallen logs and grasses which now provides alternative habitat for wildlife as well as passive recreational opportunities.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

YARRA BEND PATH

Yarra Bend Park has been one of Melbourne’s largest expanses of inner suburban parkland for nearly 150 years. Yarra Bend Park and neighbouring Studley Park were reserved in 1877. Both park areas and several reserves were combined in 1929 to create one large park. The combined area became known as Yarra Bend National Park despite never being raised to formal national park status.

During the 1930’s additions included picnic and sporting grounds, toilet facilities and a public golf course. The Park provides a great open space for walking, bike riding, riverside cafes, golf, boating, BBQs, picnicking and a host of other leisure activities. Numerous winding paths provide plenty of opportunity for leisurely promenades in the natural serene surrounds of the park.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

SUNSET AT THE PARK

Living in a big city like Melbourne can be quite stressful. Thankfully we still have many areas of unspoilt natural bushland right in the midst of our city. These little islands of serenity and repose are places where we can take refuge in and recover some of our sanity... This sunset is at the Yarra Bend Park.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

SUNRISE

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

IN THE PARK

We have warm weather at last, and finally it looks as though it's time to go out and enjoy the sun (or shade under the thick, rich green canopy of the trees) in the parks and gardens of Melbourne. Here is a verdant scene at the Queen Victoria Gardens opposite the NGV.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

CLOUDS

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

AT THE PARKLANDS

Winter sunshine and cold weather doesn't stop intrepid walkers from enjoying the views at the Darebin Parklands, in Alphington, inner suburban Melbourne.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme.

MOON SILHOUETTE

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

CLOVER

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

SUNSET

Living in a big city like Melbourne can be quite stressful. Thankfully we still have many areas of unspoilt natural bushland right in the midst of our city. These little islands of serenity and repose are places where we can take refuge in and recover some of our sanity... This sunset is at the Yarra Bend Park.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

PATH

A quiet, deserted path by the Darebin Creek in Preston, a northern suburb.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.