EMU

The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a species of flightless bird endemic to Australia, where it is the tallest native bird. It is the only extant member of the genus Dromaius and the third-tallest living bird after its African ratite relatives, the common ostrich and Somali ostrich.

The emu's native ranges cover most of the Australian mainland. The Tasmanian, Kangaroo Island and King Island subspecies became extinct after the European settlement of Australia in 1788. The emu has soft, brown feathers, a long neck, and long legs. It can grow up to 1.9 m in height. It is a robust bipedal runner that can travel great distances, and when necessary can sprint at 48 km/h. It is omnivorous and forages on a variety of plants and insects, and can go for weeks without eating. It drinks infrequently, but takes in copious amounts of fresh water when the opportunity arises.

Breeding takes place in May and June, and fighting among females for a mate is common. Females can mate several times and lay several clutches of eggs in one season. The male does the incubation; during this process he hardly eats or drinks and loses a significant amount of weight. The eggs hatch after around eight weeks, and the young are nurtured by their fathers. They reach full size after around six months, but can remain as a family unit until the next breeding season.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

SUNCATCHERS

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) flowers against the sky.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

THE FIRST ROSE

The first roses have started to appear in our garden. This is the perennially favourite, "Mr Lincoln". It is a vigorous, tall upright shrub, 120–210 cm in height. Blooms are very large, 15  cm or more in diameter, with 30 to 35 petals. The rose has a strong damask fragrance. The high-centered, deep red petals are generally borne singly on long stems and do not fade, even in the hottest climates.

The shrub is a repeat bloomer. The buds are deep red and open up into large, velvety red, double blossoms. The foliage is dark red when young and becomes leathery and dark, matte green when the plant is older. It is generally healthy and heat tolerant, but is susceptible to blackspot. 'Mister Lincoln' is hardy to zone 5–9

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

YARRA RIVER

Walking along the Yarra River in Abbotsford, Melbourne, enjoying the vast areas of parklands and nature reserve along the river. This is amazing as these vast tracts of natural bushland are within a stone's throw of the bustling city centre. Melbourne has a population of close to five, million people, so I consider myself very lucky to have such splendid conservation areas within walking distance of my home.

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

DRIVING IN THE CITY

You know you're in Melbourne if you're driving on the left side of the road and you do hook right hand turns, watching to avoid trams! Oh, and it's Spring in October!

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

SPRING MOOD

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme.

IN THE CITY

Elizabeth Street, looking South towards Finders Street and the Flinders Street Train Station.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

KOOKABURRAS

Kookaburras are terrestrial tree kingfishers of the genus Dacelo native to Australia and New Guinea, which grow to between 28–42 cm in length. The name is a loanword from Wiradjuri guuguubarra, onomatopoeic of its call. The loud distinctive call of the Laughing Kookaburra is widely used as a stock sound effect in situations that involve an Australian bush setting.

These birds are found in habitats ranging from humid forest to arid savanna, as well as in suburban areas with tall trees or near running water. Even though they belong to the larger group known as "kingfishers", kookaburras are not closely associated with water. The genus Dacelo was introduced by the English zoologist William Elford Leach in 1815. The name Dacelo is an anagram of Alcedo, the Latin word for a kingfisher. The laughing kookaburras shown here are Dacelo novaeguineae (native to eastern Australia, introduced to southwest).

Kookaburras are almost exclusively carnivorous, eating mice, snakes, insects, small reptiles, and the young of other birds; they have also been known to take goldfish from garden ponds. In zoos they are usually fed food for birds of prey. The Darebin Parklands is a perfect habitat for these handsome birds and one may see these quite commonly right throughout the area of the park. Their laugh-like call is definitely a sign you're in Australia!

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme.

SUNSET UP HIGH

Enjoying a sunset from a plane flying out into the evening skies. I always try and get a window seat when flying as there is much to see and photograph!

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

'PINK LADY' INDIAN HAWTHORN

Rhaphiolepis indica, Indian hawthorn, is a dense, mounding, broadleaf evergreen shrub cultivated for its foliage and flowers. It is native to southern China and Southeast Asia, where it is found on woodland slopes and along streams. It is a member of the rose family.

The 'Pink Lady' hybrid is a stunning disease-resistant variety that produces profuse clusters of pink flowers; bright reddish-orange new foliage matures to a deep glossy green, with deep maroon winter foliage; excellent groundcover, accent, or foundation shrub.

The fruit of some varieties is edible when cooked, and can be used to make jam, but some ornamental varieties bear fruit that is of no culinary value.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme