SUNRISE

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

BEGONIA

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

FERN

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.

IN THE CITY

The early photographer catches the sunrise shot. In the City, looking towards the West and Princes Bridge. The pink sky reflects the rising sun behind me.

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

BRRRRRRRR!

Yes, it's Winter in Melbourne and we have rain, cold weather and short days. Still, it's somehow quite enjoyable, especially when one comes home and turns the heater on (despite the ever-rising fuel prices!)...

This is another of my Photoshop merged mosaics, comprising three different melding photos.

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

POND

The large pond at the Darebin Parklands on a wintry morning.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

SUNRISE ON THE YARRA

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

TADPOLES

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

POLYANTHUS

Polyanthus are a type of primula (Primula x polyantha), which produce incredibly bright cheerful flowers from July through to October.  Technically a perennial they are grown as annuals across Australia except in the colder regions. Either way with their crinkled leaves and bold flowers they are unbeatable at brightening up a lacklustre winter garden.

Polyanthus are usually purchased as seedlings or potted colour anytime from autumn through to winter. If you are a keen gardener you can sow seed but this is trickier because the seed is very small and germination can be a bit hit and miss.

Polyanthus are happiest growing in conditions which get bright shade or gentle sunlight so they don’t heat up. They also like moist soil which is rich and fertile. Whilst they can tolerate less than ideal conditions if you really spoil them then you’ll get a better showing.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

WINTER SOLSTICE

A very cold day (and night!) today for the Winter Solstice. The sun was out now and then, but had a hard time trying to warm things up... I believe several weather records were broken today all over Victoria.

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.

PARKLANDS IN WINTER

Darebin Parklands is a conservation park sited along the Darebin Creek. Darebin Parklands is a wonderful setting for walks and escaping into the natural environment, and is located only 5km from Melbourne's CBD. The park has a full time Ranger coordinating the Education Centre which details the parks rich history and commitment to conservation and environmental sustainability.

The Darebin Creek Trail runs through the centre of the park and provides shared trail access through to Bundoora Park 10km to the north. Features of the park include natural rock faces, wetlands, historical olive trees, Spiritual Healing Trail, large areas of natural environment and much more. Tours can be organised by contacting the Education Centre. 

The area was once home to a dairy farm, vineyard and quarry. There are many areas to explore and numerous options for walkers, cyclists and picnickers. Recreational activities include bike riding, dog walking off-lead (except 2m either side of the shared path). Toilets, picnic tables and barbecue facilities are provided.

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

MORNING TO NIGHT

A digital mosaic created from three separate photos, all melded together in Photoshop.

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

WINTER SUN

Living a country where most of the native bushes and trees are evergreen, and where the climate tends to be mild, generally means our Winter is a month of grey and green. The rains ensure the grass keeps growing so the photo below may appear to be quite lush for someone used to freezing cold, snowy and grey/white Winters with little green around.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

COOL PIGEON

A wintry day today with cold wind, grey skies and rain. The pigeons too were cold...

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

SUNRISE

Sunrise on the Yarra River in Melbourne City.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

CASSIA

Cassia leptophylla, or the Gold Medallion Tree, is a semi-deciduous tree native to southern Brazil but growing well in subtropical  and warm temperate regions of the world. This tree requires well-drained soil with little threat of freezing temperatures and should be grown in direct sunlight for full flowering potential. The gold medallion tree can reach heights of 8 metres with proper pruning.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

YARRA RIVER

At Dight's Falls, approximately 2km from the City Centre. The area is of considerable environmental, historical, cultural and geological significance.

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.

GIPPSLAND PASTORAL

Gippsland is an economic rural region of Victoria, Australia, located in the south-eastern part of that state. It covers an area of 41,556 square kilometres, and lies to the east of the eastern suburbs of Greater Melbourne, to the north of Bass Strait, to the west of the Tasman Sea, to the south of the Black-Allan Line that marks part of the Victorian/New South Wales border, and to the east and southeast of the Great Dividing Range that lies within the Hume region and the Victorian Alps.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

WINTER TRIPTYCH

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

BERRIES

Pyracantha coccinea, the scarlet firethorn is the European species of firethorn or red firethorn that has been cultivated in gardens since the late 16th century. The tree has small white flowers. It produces small, bright red berries. Its leaves are slightly toothed and grow opposite to one another. The fruit is bitter and astringent, making it inedible when raw.

The fruit can be cooked to make jellies, jams, sauces and marmalade. It ranges from southern Europe to western Asia. It has been introduced to North America and cultivated there as an ornamental plant since the 18th century. In England, since the late 18th century, it has been used to cover unsightly walls.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

SEAGULLS

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

UP, UP AND AWAY

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

ZINNIAS AND MARIGOLDS

The last burst of late Autumn flowers can still be found in a sheltered spot in the garden, shining brightly in a momentary burst of early Winter sunshine.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

FERN

This post just is...

TRAIN DIDN'T ARRIVE...

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.

IT'S A COLD MORNING

Despite the wintry weather, the wattles have started blooming and their bright yellow fragrant flowers are enough to cheer anyone up!

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

WINTER IS COMING...

Very cold night by the Yarra River, with the City all lit up and the reflections on the water. No time to set up the camera, just a quick photo on the fly, point and shoot.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

SEAGULLS

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

SUNRISE WITH CONTRAIL

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

CYCLAMEN

Cyclamen persicum hybrid is in bloom and brightening up the first day of Winter in the Southern Hemisphere.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.