SPRING'S ARRIVAL

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,

and also part of the Seasons meme.

AT VICTORIA MARKET

A view of City North from Victoria Market on a fine Spring day. All the fathers were out with their families celebrating Father's Day today.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

SULPHUR CRESTED COCKATOO

A sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) perched on a tree branch, displaying its prominent yellow crest. It is a large white parrot with a dark grey-black bill and a striking, erectable yellow crest. Raising the crest often signals excitement, curiosity, or alertness. This bird is often seen in urban areas, common in our neighbourhood, in the Darebin Parklands.

This post  is part of the Saturday Critters meme

SILVER SUN

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

GERALDTON WAX FLOWER

Geraldton Wax (Chamelaucium uncinatum), an Australian native evergreen shrub featuring masses of small, waxy pink and purple flowers with contrasting dark centres.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

DAREBIN CREEK

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

and also part of the Nature Notes meme

CHAPEL

This is the historic bluestone chapel at the Convent of Mercy and Academy of Mary Immaculate, located at 88 Nicholson Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne. It is part of the Academy of Mary Immaculate, which was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1857 and is Victoria's oldest Catholic school. The complex features 19th-century Gothic Revival and Victorian-era bluestone architecture built over several decades.

The Academy has achieved success in sport, speech, choir, concert band, debating and many other extra-curricular activities. Notable alumnae are: Anne Henderson – writer, deputy director of the Sydney Institute; Alice Ross-King (1891–1968) – awarded the Florence Nightingale medal in 1949 by the International Red Cross for service in both World War I and World War II; Mary Maguire – actress; Abbey Lee Kershaw – supermodel; Ged Kearney – Federal Member of Parliament for Cooper, former President ACTU.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

LOCAL STAMPS

It's fun making stamps in Photoshop and using your own photos.

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme

and also part of the Seasons meme

CITY SKYLINE

City skyline from Seddon Reserve in Ivanhoe, a distance of 9.1 km as the crow flies.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

MASKED LAPWING

The masked lapwing (Vanellus miles) is a large, common and conspicuous bird native to Australia (particularly the northern and eastern parts of the continent), New Zealand and New Guinea. It spends most of its time on the ground searching for food such as insects and worms and has several distinctive calls. It is common in Australian fields, open land and where there is lots of water, and is known for its defensive swooping behaviour during the nesting season.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

MOONSET

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

PLUM BLOSSOM

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

MUSHROOMS

Chlorophyllum (formerly Macrolepiota) rhacodes, the Shaggy Parasol, is a fairly common mushroom found mainly in or beside woods and hedges. It is smaller than the Parasol Mushroom, Macrolepiota  procera, and its stem lacks the snakeskin-like patterning associated with the Parasol. These are edible mushrooms, but a definitive ID is need as there other similar mushrooms that are poisonous. E.g. Chlorophyllum molybdites, commonly known as the green-spored parasol.

This post is part of the Nature Notes meme

WARRANDYTE MECHANICS INSTITUTE HALL

The Warrandyte Mechanics Institute Hall, managed by the Warrandyte Mechanics Institute & Arts Association (WMIAA), is a thriving cultural and community hub located in the heart of Warrandyte, Victoria. Built in 1928, this charming historic hall serves as the primary home for local arts, theatre productions, and community initiatives.

The current Hall was built after years of rigorous local fundraising. It was officially opened on 7 April 1928 by W.H. Everard, M.L.A. The building immediately became the heartbeat of the town. It hosted weddings (the first on 8 December 1928), local debutante balls, and operated as a local cinema screening pictures up to three times a week until drive-ins arrived in the 1950s. During World War II, it served as a vital base for community fundraising efforts.

In 1955, the Warrandyte Arts Association (WAA) was formed and began utilising the hall extensively, eventually accounting for 90% of its regular use. In 1986, the Warrandyte Mechanics Institute and the WAA officially joined forces to create the modern Warrandyte Mechanics Institute & Arts Association (WMIAA). This structural shift secured the long-term preservation of the building while ensuring it remained dedicated to local theatre, crafts, and performing arts.

Today, it remains one of the few historic Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria that continues to be fully managed by a volunteer-led community arts association.  It has a rich, community-driven history spanning nearly 150 years, evolving from a Victorian-era adult education school into a prominent regional cultural arts hub.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

FIRST SIGNS OF SPRING

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme

and also part of the Seasons meme

HAGGLING

At the Camberwell Sunday Market.

This post is part of the "My Sunday Best meme"

PIGEON

A feral pigeon or rock dove (Columba livia), displaying iridescent green and purple neck feathers and reddish-brown wing pattern variations. This species is stout-bodied with short legs, a small head, and characteristic pinkish-red feet. Feral pigeons are common urban and suburban residents worldwide, highly adaptable and foraging primarily on seeds and scraps.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

WINTER SKY

 This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

SWEET VIOLETS

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

MERRI CREEK IN CLIFTON HILL

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme

YARRA RIVER, WARRANDYTE

The Yarra River or historically, the Yarra Yarra River (Aboriginal: Berrern, Birr-arrung, Bay-ray-rung, Birarang, Birrarung, and Wongete) is a perennial river in east-central Victoria, Australia. The lower stretches of the river are where the city of Melbourne was established in 1835 and today Greater Melbourne dominates and influences the landscape of its lower reaches.

From its source in the Yarra Ranges, it flows 242 kilometres west through the Yarra Valley, which opens out into plains as it winds its way through Greater Melbourne before emptying into Hobsons Bay in northernmost Port Phillip. The river was a major food source and meeting place for indigenous Australians from prehistoric times. Shortly after the arrival of European settlers land clearing forced the remaining Wurundjeri to neighbouring territories and away from the river.

Originally called Birrarung by the Wurundjeri, the current name was mistranslated from another Wurundjeri term in the Boonwurrung language; Yarro-yarro, meaning “ever-flowing”.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

SPRING

Spring is coming early this year. We've had a glorious, warm sunny day today and in a walk around the neighbourhood, many of the Spring bulbs were out and some had already perished. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology officially declared an active El Niño event on June 16, 2026, marking the first time the pattern has been established in nearly three years. Driven by record-fast warming in the central tropical Pacific, current oceanic and atmospheric indicators point to a strong—potentially historic—event persisting through the rest of 2026 and into early 2027.

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

FACTORY

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

AUSTRALIAN RAVEN

This is an Australian raven (Corvus coronoides), about 45 cm long and characterized by glossy black plumage and a pale white iris. These birds possess all-black glossy feathers with greyish bases hidden underneath. Distinctive white irises surrounding a dark pupil, indicate an adult bird. Strong, heavy black bill and perching posture typical of the Corvus genus.

Australian ravens are exceptionally intelligent birds. Like other corvids, they possess a high brain-to-body mass ratio and cognitive problem-solving abilities that closely rival primates and young children. They have been observed actively shaping and using sticks to extract insects buried deep within tree bark. In urban areas, Australian ravens work together collaboratively to pull heavy plastic liners out of public rubbish bins to access food. They are also famous for stalking bushwalkers and successfully unzipping backpacks to steal snacks.

They can accurately recognize individual human faces and categorize them as either a threat or a friend. They can hold these memories—and potential grudges—for several years. They easily pass vital safety information down through generations, effectively teaching their young which specific neighborhoods or humans are dangerous to approach.

This post is part of the Nature Notes meme,
and also part of the Saturday Critters meme

SUNSET

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

AEONIUM

These bright yellow, star-shaped inflorescences (clusters of star-like blossoms) are characteristic of a flowering succulent from the genus Aeonium (such as Aeonium arboreum), belonging to the stonecrop family Crassulaceae.

The insect resting on the yellow flowers is a Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens). It has a long, slender black body that mimics the appearance of a wasp to ward off predators, though it lacks a stinger and is completely harmless. As adults, they are important, docile pollinators that feed gently on flower nectar. Their larvae are highly beneficial decomposers used globally to recycle organic kitchen and garden waste into rich compost.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

DAREBIN CREEK

In winter, after rain.

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

HERRING ISLAND

Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park is a 3.2-hectare artificial island on the Yarra River in South Yarra, about 3 km from Melbourne's CBD. It is Melbourne's only river island, famous for its environmental art sculptures, walking tracks, and free weekend summer punt service.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

WINTER SUN

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

TURKEY TAIL

This is a Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) mushroom, a common polypore found worldwide.It is characterised by its thin, fan-shaped, and colourful caps that resemble a turkey's fanned tail feathers

These fungi are frequently found growing in overlapping clusters on fallen hardwood logs or stumps. Trametes versicolor has a porous underside rather than gills and is a popular subject for foraging due to its distinct features and potential medicinal uses.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

HORSE, RELAXING

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

YARRA SUNRISE

Crack of a Winter dawn and the young rowers of the University Rowing clubs get ready to race in the icy water. Ah, youth! I'm content to photograph them wrapped in my warm coat and gloves.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

MOSSY SAXIFRAGE

Saxifraga x arendsii, also known as mossy saxifrage or rockfoil.The plants form low-growing, mounded mats of evergreen foliage.The specific variety shown is the "Early Picotee" type, which has pale pink petals that shade to a creamy white in the centre.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

RAINY NIGHT

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

SOUTH YARRA POST OFFICE

This distinctive "castle" building is the former South Yarra Post Office, a historic heritage landmark located at 162 Toorak Road. Designed in 1890 by architect A.J. MacDonald for the Public Works Department and completed by 1893, it is of an eclectic style: The rear of the building features a unique blend of Scottish Baronial, American Romanesque, and Art Nouveau design elements, making it resemble a miniature medieval fortress hanging over the train tracks.

It is situated directly adjacent to the South Yarra railway station cutting, visible from passing suburban trains (from which train this photo was taken). While it no longer operates as a civic post office, the red-brick building is legally protected under the local heritage overlay.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

GOTHIC

Standing on the corner of Queen Street and Collins Street in the City, 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.

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme

TARRAWARRA

At the Tarrawarra Museum of Art, Yarra Valley.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

CATERPILLAR AND BUTTERFLY

Papilio anactus, the dainty swallowtail, dingy swallowtail or small citrus butterfly is a medium-sized butterfly from the family Papilionidae, that is endemic to Australia. For protection against predators, this non-poisonous butterfly mimics the poisonous male Cressida cressida, another swallowtail butterfly that obtains its toxic properties through its host plant, the Dutchman's pipe.

Papilio anactus is endemic to Australia. It was originally only present in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, but due to the growing of citrus, a larval food plant of this species, in orchards, the species spread to South Australia in the late 1920s. Papilio anactus is not present on Kangaroo Island or elsewhere in Australia, as there are currently too few citrus trees. Sadly this butterfly is much less common than it once used to be. Dingy Swallowtail It also occurs on New Caledonia. There, it may be an introduced species or a vagrant.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

SUNRISE

Sunrise over the Yarra River in the City.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

LONG-LEAF WAXFLOWER

Philotheca myoporoides, commonly known as a waxflower is an Australian shrub. This is the 'Winter Rouge' cultivar, characterised by deep pink buds that open into soft pink or white star-shaped flowers.The plant is an evergreen Australian native that typically blooms from winter through spring.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

AT YERING STATION

Yering Station, recognized as Victoria’s first vineyard, was established in 1838. The estate is located in the Yarra Valley, approximately 50 minutes from Melbourne, and is known for its cool-climate wines. The winery grounds feature a modern restaurant with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the vineyards. The property also serves as a contemporary art gallery, showcasing works from established and emerging artists.

The artwork floating in the reflection pool is an abstract figurative bronze sculpture by the acclaimed Tasmanian artist Hugh McLachlan. The "Mother and Child" sculpture is in cast bronze with a deep patina, and is designed to withstand outdoor conditions. It stands as a permanent highlight of the estate's Yering Station Art Gallery collection.

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

and also part of the Nature Notes meme

FLINDERS ST STATION

In Elizabeth St, City, looking South towards the side entrance and clock tower of the Flinders St Train Station. A wintry Sunday morning.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

SHORT DAY

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme

DYMOCKS

One of my favourite shops in the City: Dymocks in Colin St. I could spend hours in there and buy more books than I could carry away. Sigh!

This is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

POSSUM

The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula, from the Greek for "furry tailed" and the Latin for "little fox", previously in the genus Phalangista) is a nocturnal, semi-arboreal marsupial of the family Phalangeridae. It is native to Australia, and the second largest of the possums.  Like most possums, the common brushtail possum is nocturnal. It is mainly a folivore, but has been known to eat small mammals such as rats.

In most Australian habitats, leaves of eucalyptus are a significant part of the diet but rarely the sole item eaten. The tail is prehensile and naked on its lower underside. There are four colour variations: Silver-grey, brown, black, and gold.  It is the Australian marsupial most often seen by city-dwellers, as it is one of few that thrives in cities, as well as a wide range of natural and human-modified environments.

Around human habitations, common brushtails are inventive and determined foragers with a liking for fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and kitchen raids. This is Fred and he raids our garden every night, having a liking for oranges and grapefruit.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

WINTER SUNSET

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

EARLY BUTTERCUP

We are already seeing signs of Spring in our mid-Winter month of July.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme