WINTER SUN

Winter morning in the Darebin Parklands.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

POPPY GARDEN

Now in Winter, when flowers in the garden are sparse, I'm sharing with you an image of one of my paintings: "Poppy Garden". This particular painting is available as a quality jigsaw puzzle produced by Woodbests with all wooden pieces in a beautiful presentation box and display easel for the cover reference photo. It is available in three sizes and can be ordered here.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

HOLY TRINITY, KEW

The Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Kew, is one of the parishes of the Diocese of Melbourne in the Anglican Church of Australia.  Services of worship began in this building in March, 1863. The Vicarage was built in 1873, and both carry National Heritage classifications. The church contains many splendid stained glass windows dating from the 19th century.

I took this photo a few days ago and the oak trees in front of the church show their bare winter branches and seemed to ask for a sepia monochrome treatment. So be it.

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

ANZ GOTHIC BANK

Standing on the corner of Queen Street and Collins Street are two impressive buildings, the former English, Scottish and Australia Bank and the former Melbourne Stock Exchange. Built between 1883 and 1891, the two were combined and renovated in 1921, and are now the world headquarters of ANZ Bank.

Designed by architect William Wardell and built in 1883-87, the ES&A Bank is the more restrained of the two, with high ceilings, lancet windows and a narrow spire. As well as ES&A's head office, it was once the residence of the bank's general manager. 

The former Stock Exchange was constructed shortly after and completed in 1891. Designed by William Pitt, its appearance is flamboyant, with gargoyles, stained glass and a rose window at the very top of the building. Towering behind these two historic buildings is the ANZ skyscraper, built in 1993. Construction included the restoration and preservation of the heritage structures on site.

The skyscraper itself was designed by Peddle Thorp Architects, and reflects the Gothic themes of the buildings below. Visit the ANZ bank to deposit cash in what is probably the fanciest bank in town, or head to the basement to explore the ANZ Banking Museum. Opened in 1985, it tells of the history of banking in Australia. (From the 'Visit Victoria' site).

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

WINTER BLUES

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

SOUTHBANK BUILDINGS

Even more apartment buildings going up in Southbank...

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

PIN-UP PUP

A photo of a photo... Part of an advertisement for Eco Pup sustainable puppy products at a local store. Couldn't resist that puppy love look (and no, I'm not paid by these people).

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

RED SKY IN THE MORNING...

...Sailors warning!  And sure enough, after this spectacular sunrise, the day was cold, grey and windy, and rain started falling in the evening. It's Winter.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

VIOLETS

I saw quite a lot of violets blooming by the creek yesterday, and that is a little early. We usually get them flowering a little later, August to September. However, I also caught sight of some plum blossom as I was driving, and that was also early. So perhaps first signs of Spring waiting in the wings...

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

WINTRY MERRI CREEK

It's been rainy and cold in Melbourne the last couple of days and Merri Creek in Northcote has been bringing down a lot of water. The willows have lost all their leaves and the grass has stopped growing. It's Winter, after all...

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