COLAC SUNSET

Colac is a small city in the Western District of Victoria, Australia, approximately 150 kilometres south-west of Melbourne on the southern shore of Lake Colac and the surrounding volcanic plains, approximately 40 km inland from Bass Strait. Colac is the largest city in and administrative centre of the Colac Otway Shire. Presently, Colac has a population of about 13,000 people. A commercial centre for a major agricultural district, it was named after nearby Lake Colac and was proclaimed a city in 1960.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

MARVEL OF PERU

Mirabilis jalapa (the four o'clock flower or marvel of Peru) is the most commonly grown ornamental species of Mirabilis, and is available in a range of colours. Mirabilis in Latin means wonderful and Jalapa is a town in Mexico. Mirabilis jalapa is said to have been exported from the Peruvian Andes in 1540. The flowers usually open from late afternoon onwards, then producing a strong, sweet-smelling fragrance, hence the first of its common names.

A curious aspect of this plant is that flowers of different colours can be found simultaneously on the same plant. Different colour variation in the flower and different colour flowers in same plant. Additionally, an individual flower can be splashed with different colours. Another interesting point is a colour-changing phenomenon. For example, in the yellow variety, as the plant matures, it can display flowers that gradually change to a dark pink color. Similarly white flowers can change to light violet.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

GOULBURN RIVER

Goulburn River - 2001, Sony digital camera image.

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.

BRUNSWICK ST, FITZROY

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

YARRA BEND

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 Yarra Bend Golf Club House, officially opened in May 1936, is an original example of American ‘Country Club’ type architecture. The Park provides a great open space for walking, bike riding, riverside cafes, golf, boating, BBQs, picnicking and a host of other leisure activities.

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

LOVE FLOWERS

Busy times in the florist shops this weekend, with everyone wanting to say what they have to say with flowers...

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

REDBACK SPIDER

The Redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) is an iconic, venomous arachnid native to Australia and a close relative of the North American black widow. It is most easily recognised by the striking red or orange stripe on the back of the female’s spherical, black abdomen.

They thrive in human environments, often building messy, tangled webs in dry, sheltered spots like sheds, garages, under outdoor furniture, or in letterboxes. They are primarily insectivorous, but their strong silk allows them to trap larger prey such as lizards, small snakes, and mice. Behaviour: They are generally shy and non-aggressive, only biting when their web is disturbed or they are accidentally touched.

While the female redback is one of Australia's most medically significant spiders, their bites are rarely life-threatening. Intense localised pain is the most common symptom. Severe envenomation (latrodectism) can cause progressive pain, nausea, vomiting, headaches, and patchy sweating.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

SUNSET IN THE PARKLANDS

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

ILLAWARRA FLAME TREE

The tree commonly known as the Illawarra Flame Tree is botanically named Brachychiton acerifolius. It is a striking, semi-deciduous native Australian tree, famous for its spectacular display of vivid red, bell-shaped flowers that often cover the entire tree when it is leafless.

B. acerifolius is very popular as an ornamental tree both in its native Australia and around the world. The flowering is a spectacular event, as the tree sheds its leaves just prior to producing masses of bright scarlet flowers over the entire tree. It is used for street plantings, public parks and gardens, and in private gardens. It is easily grown and may be propagated from seed, cuttings, or by grafting.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

YARRA RIVER AT FAIRFIELD

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.