LADYBIRD

The ladybird is a small beetle with a domed back, typically red or yellow with black spots. Both the adults and larvae are important predators of aphids. The North American term for the insect is ladybug. The common European seven-spotted ladybird is seen as symbolising the seven joys and seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary.

Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home!
Your house is on fire, your children all gone.

All but one, and her name is Ann,
And she crept under the pudding pan

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

MOON AND VENUS

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

BANKSIA SPINULOSA

Banksia spinulosa, the compact 'Birthday Candles' hybrid, which is widely available in Australia in 14cm to 175mm pots.The plant is a dwarf shrub recognised by its dense, needle-like foliage and vibrant flower spikes with golden-yellow styles and contrasting purple/red tips.

It is a hardy Australian native that thrives in well-drained soil, is frost-tolerant, and grows to approximately 0.5m in height.This species is excellent for attracting wildlife, particularly birds, and is well-suited for rockeries, small gardens, or container gardening.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

MERRI CREEK

Merri Creek is a waterway in southern parts of Victoria, Australia which flows through the northern suburbs of Melbourne. It begins in Wallan north of Melbourne and flows south for 70 km until it joins the Yarra River at Dights Falls.

The area where the creek meets the river was traditionally the location for large gatherings of the Wurundjeri people and is suspected to have been the location for one of the earliest land treaties in Australia between Indigenous Australians and European settlers.

This is Merri Creek at Clifton HIll, along the Merri Creek Trail, in Winter. There is a 21 km shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians that follows the Merri Creek through the northern suburbs of Melbourne. It makes for a pleasant walk along the creek and one can pretend that one is walking in the wilderness, while still in the heart of the City!

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

and also part of the Nature Notes meme

MELBOURNE TRAMS

Melbourne trams in Acland Street,St Kilda. St Kilda is a vibrant, palm-lined beachside suburb located just 6 kilometres southeast of Melbourne's CBD. Famous for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, it serves as the city's seaside playground, offering a mix of iconic entertainment, historic architecture, diverse dining, and natural attractions.

This posts is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

TRIPTYCH

This is a digital composite image from three different photos, each taken from the same spot, but each photo three months apart from the previous one. Each photo section comprises a vertical third of the image. it was all put together digitally in Photoshop, by carefully stitching the images together and melding each third on top of the previous one, by adjusting the transparency of the layer.

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

TEST DRIVE

At the Sunday market...

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

KOI POND

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

SUNSET SYMPHONY

The birds liked the view.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

"I'M FIRST"

Our crazy weather continues. In midwinter, a Callery pear blossom appears...

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme