FOGGY COUNTRYSIDE

Wintry landscape in country Victoria. The fog is lifting ever so slowly in the morning, but the grazing horses don't seem to mind. Gum trees are evergreen, and normally snow doesn't fall in low country such as this. However, there are plenty of cafés, pubs, delis and restaurant where fire is roaring in the fireplace and lots of delicious local food is served with piping hot drinks.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

STORMY

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

I created this as a digital collage using three different shots and stitching them together in Photoshop

ON TIME

Yes, the train was on time this time....

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

BUSHYMOUTH CATFISH

The bushymouth catfish (Ancistrus dolichopterus) is a species of armoured catfish native to Brazil and Guyana. It is found in the middle Amazon basin and in the basins of the Rio Negro, the lower Trombetas, the Tefé, the Madeira and the Tapajós Rivers. This species grows to a length of about 12 centimetres. This species is found in the aquarium trade.

These catfish are usually a dark spotted colour, but there are albino, gold-coloured and the red rarer ones shown here. Ancistrus Super red is a variety with an orange colour, turning red. The male has appendages on the head, which give the sensation of being horns, while the females have only thin tentacles. They are rarely seen for sale, and the one photographed here was in an aquarium.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE "COLD MOON"

June is the first month of our Southern Hemisphere Winter here in Melbourne. On June 12th we saw the full moon, called the "Cold Moon". Although we had a fairly cloudy sky last night, the moon did peek through several times allowing photos such as this below to be taken. I used my iPhone for a quick take. The temperature in our garden early this morning was 2˚C.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

EPIPHYLLUM HYBRID

Disocactus is a genus of epiphytic cacti in the tribe Hylocereeae found in Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. It should not be confused with Discocactus, which is a different genus. Species of Disocactus grow in tropical regions either on trees as epiphytes or on rocks as lithophytes.

They have two distinct growth habits. Species such as D. phyllanthoides have stems which are round at the base but then become flattened and leaflike. Many of the cultivated plants known as epiphyllum hybrids or just epiphyllums are derived from crosses between species of Disocactus (rather than Epiphyllum) and other genera in the Hylocereeae.

The one illustrated here is blooming in our garden at the moment and is probably a Disocactus × jenkinsonii is a hybrid between Disocactus phyllanthoides and Disocactus speciosus. It is perhaps the most commonly grown orchid cactus and seems to survive and flower under most conditions. It has a very complex taxonomic history and has been mistaken for Disocactus ackermannii for a long time.

And I thought my family history was complex!

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

YARRA RIVER & CITY

I took this photo from a moving train in Richmond, while crossing the Cremorne Railway Bridge over the River Yarra looking towards the west and the City. Although we are well into Winter now, most of our native trees are evergreen Eucalyptus, and our climate is mild enough to give us this type of view, during the cold winter months. We still have quite a lot of natural reserves of native vegetation, especially in many parklands associated with the Yarra. These pockets of indigenous flora and fauna are worth preserving in our City for the future generations...

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

LAKE MOUNTAIN

Lake Mountain is a 1,433-metre-high mountain peak on a plateau that hosts a cross-country ski resort that is known by the same name. It is located in Victoria, Australia, approximately 120 kilometres north-east of Melbourne.

The 1,483-metre-high Mount Bullfight, which is within the Mount Bullfight Nature Conservation Reserve, is the highest peak that can be reached by a cross-country ski trail from Lake Mountain. Access to Lake Mountain's summit is restricted to a snow shoe track in winter.

The Lake Mountain Alpine Resort, located near Lake Mountain, is the most popular ski resort in Australia when measured in terms of total visitor numbers, including sightseers, due to its proximity to Melbourne. The Lake Mountain Alpine Resort is surrounded by the Yarra Ranges National Park into which its ski trails lead.

The resort is an unincorporated area under the direct administration of the government of Victoria, and is surrounded to the west, north & east by the Shire of Murrindindi and Yarra Ranges Shire to the south.

There is no lake at Lake Mountain. It is claimed that the mountain was named after George Lake, who was the surveyor-general of the area. Contradicting this, VICNames says that it is named for the "tarns, ponds and bogs near the summit".

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

WINTRY

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

AT THE MARKET

A young fireman has found his engine at the Sunday Market. A great buy at $2.00!

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

CHICKS

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

WINTER IS COMING

After a sunny but cold day yesterday, we had the clouds rolling in, the wind brought the temperature down even further and then the rain came. Yes, Winter is here.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

DAISIES

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

WINTRY YARRA

Yarra River at Alphington on a wintry morning. As the crow flies, the City (CBD) is about 6 km downstream We are lucky to have such a wonderful swathe of nature reserve along the couyrse of our City's river.

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.

WINTER AND RAIN

It's Winter in Melbourne and we've had some rain. Hopefully we'll get quite a bit more as several areas of Victoria are affected by drought.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

SEASONAL BEAUTY

The first days of June are usually ones that show us Winter's intentions for the year and tomorrow it will rain with a maximum temperature of 13˚C expected, We need the rain and I always enjoying rugging up in Winter! Do you like Winter?

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

MURRAY RIVER

The Murray River (Ngarrindjeri: Millewa, Yorta Yorta: Tongala) is Australia’s longest river, at 2,508 kilometres in length. The Murray arises in the Australian Alps, draining the western side of Australia’s highest mountains, and then meanders across Australia’s inland plains, forming the border between the states of New South Wales and Victoria as it flows to the northwest into South Australia. It turns south at Morgan for its final 315 kilometres, reaching the ocean at Lake Alexandrina.

The water of the Murray flows through several terminal lakes that fluctuate in salinity (and were often fresh until recent decades) including Lake Alexandrina and The Coorong before emptying through the Murray Mouth into the southeastern portion of the Indian Ocean, often referenced on Australian maps as the Southern Ocean, near Goolwa. Despite discharging considerable volumes of water at times, particularly before the advent of large-scale river regulation, the mouth has always been comparatively small and shallow.

As of 2010, the Murray River system receives 58 percent of its natural flow. It is perhaps Australia’s most important irrigated region, and it is widely known as the food bowl of the nation.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme.

COME, LET'S PLAY!

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme.

FLY AWAY

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

PROTEA 'LITTLE PRINCE'

Protea 'Little Prince' is a resilient and compact hybrid of King Protea (Protea cynaroides). As autumn and winter roll in, this plant adorns itself with sizeable dark pink flowers, adorned with a striking central white accent. This Protea hybrid's versatility shines through, making it an ideal option for various applications. Whether your goal is to create mass plantings, elevate your general landscaping, enhance coastal gardens, explore container gardening, or even establish a low hedge.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

FUNGI

Fungi are relatively well-evolved living things that are neither plants nor animals, and they include a diverse group of organisms, such as yeasts, moulds, and mushrooms. They are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain nutrients by absorbing them from their environment. Fungi play a crucial role in ecosystems by decomposing organic matter and forming symbiotic relationships with plants and animals.

It's mushroom time in Melbourne, and although many people collect wild mushrooms to eat, as they are delicious, it is important to distinguish them from toxic toadstools and poisonous mushrooms, because ingesting those may cause serious illness or death...

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

SEAL ROCKS, PHILLIP ISLAND

Phillip Island is an Australian island about 140 km south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. Named after Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of the Western Port. It is 26 km long and 9 km wide, with an area of about 100 km2. It has 97 km of coastline and is part of the Bass Coast Shire.

A 640 m concrete bridge (originally a wooden bridge) connects the mainland town San Remo with the island town Newhaven. In the 2011 census the island's permanent population was 9,406, compared to 7,071 in 2001. During the summer, the population swells to 40,000. 60% of the island is farmland devoted to grazing of sheep and cattle.

Seal Rocks, seen here, is a group of rocky inlets along Phillip island's coastline. They are home to Australia's largest fur seal population, numbering around 16,000. The population peaks between late October to December, but it is possible to view seals at all times of the year. Seals eat squid, cuttlefish and small fish. They can dive up to 100m and have excellent underwater vision.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

GOING ON A WALK

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

MALDON

Maldon is a town in Victoria, Australia, in the Shire of Mount Alexander local government area. It has been designated "Australia's first notable town" and is notable for its 19th-century appearance, maintained since gold-rush days. At the 2021 census, Maldon had a population of 1,665.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

PIGLET

Preston, the piglet, right after his bath!

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme.

PEAK HOUR

Friday evening in Autumn; cold and rainy, with many drivers short-tempered on their way home...

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

and also part of the My Sunday Best meme

EVERLASTING DAISIES

Xerochrysum bracteatum, commonly known as the golden everlasting or strawflower, is a flowering plant in the family Asteraceae native to Australia. Described by Étienne Pierre Ventenat in 1803, it was known as Helichrysum bracteatum for many years before being transferred to a new genus Xerochrysum in 1990.

It grows as a woody or herbaceous perennial or annual shrub up to a metre tall with green or grey leafy foliage. Golden yellow or white flower heads are produced from spring to autumn; their distinctive feature is the papery bracts that resemble petals. The species is widespread, growing in a variety of habitats across the country, from rainforest margins to deserts and subalpine areas.

Multiple annual cultivars in a host of colour forms from white to bronze to purple flowers have become available. Many of these are still sold in mixed seed packs. In Australia, many cultivars are perennial shrubs, which have become popular garden plants. Sturdier, long-stemmed forms are used commercially in the cut flower industry.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

POND

The large pond at the Darebin Parklands in Alphington. A natural reserve in an urban setting associated with the Darebin Creek. A place for relaxation, meditation, conservation and a haven for native fauna and flora.

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

CRAIGIEBURN

Craigieburn is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 25 km north of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Hume local government area. Craigieburn recorded a population of 65,178 at the 2021 census.

Craigieburn is a satellite suburb located on the urban-rural fringe of Melbourne, ranging from the lower half of Bridgewater Road to Mount Ridley. A large majority of the suburb is more than 200 metres above sea level, with Mount Ridley being the northernmost hill in northwestern metropolitan Melbourne with clear views of Melbourne's central business district 29.7 km away.

Many parks and rural areas make for a pleasant place to live, but also there are many options for short stays and weekend getaways.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

TRIPTYCH

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

We are experiencing unseasonal weather and rather disrupted seasonal changes. Flowers are blooming at the wrong time and leaves are reluctant to turn to their autumn colours and fall. It's going to be an interesting year in Melbourne this year...

THE EARLY TRAIN

At the Southern Cross Railway Station in the City.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

UNCERTAIN...

Neighbour's dog: "Hmmm, friend or foe? Should I bark, or should I roll over for a belly rub?"

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

RAINBOW

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

GINGER LILY

Hedychium gardnerianum (Kahili ginger, Kahila garland-lily, or ginger lily) is a plant native to the Himalayas in India, Nepal, and Bhutan and is in the Zingiberaceae family. It grows to 2.4 m tall with long, bright green leaves clasping the tall stems. The very fragrant pale yellow and red flowers are held in dense spikes above the foliage. They appear towards the end of summer.

Ginger lilies have flourished in the wild in Australia and are now considered an invasive weed here and in NZ. Ginger lilies generally have yellow flowers but can also be hybrids with cream, orange, red and white flowers.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

LAKE BULLEN MERRI

Lake Bullen Merri and its smaller northern neighbour Lake Gnotuk are a pair of crater lakes near Camperdown in south western Victoria, Australia.  Lake Bullen Merri has brackish water quality whereas Lake Gnotuk is hyper saline (twice as salty than seawater). 

Lake Bullen Merri has a maximum depth of 66 m, with a clover leaf outline indicating that it was probably formed by two overlapping maar volcanoes. The lake is depicted in work by Eugene von Guerard. The edge of the lake was marked by a stone in the late 1800s by James Dawson; from this and von Guerard's painting, it can be deduced that the level of the lake has dropped considerably in the last 100 years. On the south side of the lake there is a yacht club and toilets. There is a boat ramp available for the boaties. 

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

GIPPSLAND HILLS

Gippsland Hills are rolling, verdant hills of the Gippsland region in Victoria, Australia, particularly in the South Gippsland area. This region is known for its picturesque landscapes, agricultural activities (especially dairying), and charming coastal towns. It's a popular destination for travellers seeking a peaceful escape and experiences like exploring coastal paths, visiting local farms and markets, and enjoying the region's natural beauty.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

PORSCHE TRACTOR

Porsche Junior is a tractor that was manufactured by Porsche-Diesel from 1952 to 1963. It is powered by an air-cooled 14 hp 822 cc, single-cylinder diesel engine. This one is on display in the window o fa retailer in my neighbourhood.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

FAKE AND REAL

Outside a neighbour's house: A little black dog statue and real live family pet standing guard!

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

SUNRISE

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

CHRYSANTHEMUMS

Autumn brings us chrysanthemums, perfect for celebrating our Mums on Mum's Day this Sunday coming.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

RAINY DAY

Looking towards the City on Royal Parade, in Parkville. The famous Melbourne elms are beginning to turn yellow as a prelude to Winter. Yet they are still going strong, remaining free of Dutch elm disease!

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

LAKES ENTRANCE

Lakes Entrance is a town in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. It is situated approximately 320 kilometres east of Melbourne, near a managed, artificial channel connecting the Gippsland Lakes to Bass Strait. At the 2016 census, Lakes Entrance had a population of 4,810. The township was originally named Cunninghame, the Post Office of that name opening on 5 February 1870. It was renamed Lakes Entrance on 1 January 1915.

Lakes Entrance, which lies almost at sea level, can be reached from Melbourne via Bairnsdale (which can be acessed via train and bus from Melbourne), and the town of Kalimna to the north-west by a stretch of the Princes Highway, which snakes down and around a point protruding into the Gippsland Lakes known as "Jemmy's Point". Views of The Entrance and of the Lakes can be seen from various look-outs on Jemmy's Point.

The town is predominantly fishing and tourism-driven. The main beach front is a harbour for commercial fishing and recreational watersport operations. The surf beach is patrolled by the Lakes Entrance Surf Life Saving Club. The waterfront is populated by the fishing fleet and two floating restaurants. The town's main residential areas lie farther inland. Lakes Entrance has a number of camping and caravan parks, and free camping spots in Colquhoun State Forest.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

and also part of the Roentare Water Meme.