ALTONA WETLANDS

The Altona Important Bird Area (IBA) comprises several wetland sites on, or close to, the north-western coast of Port Phillip in Victoria, south-eastern Australia. Collectively they total 1223 hectares in area and lie within, or adjacent to, the western suburbs of the city of Melbourne. They were classified as an IBA because they support more than 1% of the world populations of Red-necked Stint, Chestnut Teal and Pacific Gull.

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

ALTONA WETLANDS

The Altona Important Bird Area (IBA) comprises several wetland sites on, or close to, the north-western coast of Port Phillip in Victoria, south-eastern Australia. Collectively they total 1223 hectares in area and lie within, or adjacent to, the western suburbs of the city of Melbourne. They were classified as an IBA because they support more than 1% of the world populations of Red-necked Stint, Chestnut Teal and Pacific Gull.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

EVENING FALLING

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

SUMMER FOR A WHILE

The last few weeks in Melbourne have been characterised by cool, wet weather reminiscent of Autumn rather than Summer. In fact, last week we had snowfalls of 20cm up on the slopes of our Victorian alpine ski resorts!

Well, things definitely changed today with hot, dry, summery weather. The mercury climbed to 39˚C in the City and many regional centres had temperatures in the low forties. Needless to say that anyone who could go, went to the beach today... The rest of the week promises to be cool again, with some showers.

Make hay while the suns shines, my grandfather used to say.

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,

and also part of the Blue Monday meme,

and also part of the Seasons meme.

ALTONA WETLANDS

The Altona Important Bird Area comprises several wetland sites on, or close to, the north-western coast of Port Phillip in Victoria, south-eastern Australia. Collectively they total 1223 hectares in area and lie within, or adjacent to, the western suburbs of the city of Melbourne. They were classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because they support more than 1% of the world populations of Red-necked Stint, Chestnut Teal and Pacific Gull.

The IBA includes the undeveloped coast between Williamstown and Seaholme, including the Jawbone Reserve, Altona Coastal Park, Rowden's Swamp, the Cheetham Wetlands, Truganina Swamp, with the Spectacle Lakes complex and RAAF Lake of Point Cook Coastal Park. These contain all the remaining freshwater wetlands, saltpans, intertidal mudflats and shallow inshore waters which support the key bird species.

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

ALTONA BEACH

Altona is a western suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 13 km south-west of Melbourne's central business district. Its local government area is the City of Hobsons Bay. At the 2011 Census, Altona had a population of 9,918. Altona is a large suburb consisting of low density residential in the south-eastern half, with mixed industry in the north-western half. A key feature is Altona Beach on Port Phillip, which is one of only two swimming beaches in the western suburbs (the other being Williamstown Beach). Altona takes its name from the then independent German city of Altona which is today a borough of Hamburg.

This post is part of the Waterworld Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme.

ALTONA WETLANDS

The Cheetham and Altona Important Bird Area comprises several wetland sites on, or close to, the north-western coast of Port Phillip in Victoria, south-eastern Australia. Collectively they total 1223 ha in area and lie within, or adjacent to, the western suburbs of the city of Melbourne. They were classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) because they support more than 1% of the world populations of Red-necked Stint, Chestnut Teal and Pacific Gull.

The IBA includes the undeveloped coast between Williamstown and Seaholme, including the Jawbone Reserve, Altona Coastal Park, Rowden's Swamp, the Cheetham Wetlands, Truganina Swamp, with the Spectacle Lakes complex and RAAF Lake of Point Cook Coastal Park. These contain all the remaining freshwater wetlands, saltpans, intertidal mudflats and shallow inshore waters which support the key bird species.

This post is part of the Waterworld Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Wild Bird Wednesday meme.

ALTONA BEACH

Altona Beach is a beach located in Altona, Victoria, Australia. It is a very quiet beach and safe one.  It has a pier to the West. It is best for swimmers to partake in aquatic activity on the eastern side of the pier, which is patrolled regularly by lifeguards in the summer.

The end of Altona Pier, is a common fishing spot for many local anglers who live around the area. The western side of the Pier is a great place for kite surfing and it is fairly common to see lots of these surfers in the water throughout the year. Body Boarding and Surfing are not recommended at Altona Beach as for most of the year, the water is fairly calm, and small waves will only appear whilst a strong southerly is blowing.

The past few days we have been experiencing some Summer weather in Melbourne so it is not surprising to see people flocking to the beaches.

This post is part of the Waterworld Wednesday meme,

and also part of the Outdoor Wednesday meme,

and also part of the Signs, Signs meme.

ALTONA VILLAGE SHOPPING CENTRE MURAL

Altona is a western suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 13 km south-west of Melbourne's central business district. Its local government area is the City of Hobsons Bay. At the 2011 Census, Altona had a population of 9,918. Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard lived here during her term as Prime Minister. Altona takes its name from the then independent German city of Altona which is today a borough of Hamburg.

Altona is a large suburb consisting of low density residential in the south-eastern half, with mixed industry in the north-western half. A key feature is Altona Beach on Port Phillip, which is one of only two swimming beaches in the western suburbs (the other being Williamstown Beach).

The mural shown here is in a small passage off the main shopping strip of the shopping centre street. It was commissioned by the Altona Village Traders' Association Inc, and officially unveiled on September 19, 2006. The artist is Vladimir Bykovec (http://www.bykovec.com) who has many Melbourne murals under his belt. The success of this mural is the naturalistic portraits of many popular locals, well-known in the community. The mural is finished off with a high gloss finish, making photography rather challenging.

This post is part of the Monday Murals meme,

and also part of the Monday Mellow Yellows meme,

and also part of the Blue Monday meme.

ALTONA, LOW TIDE, WINTER

Altona is a seaside suburb of Melbourne, Australia, 13 km south-west from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Hobsons Bay. At the 2011 Census, Altona had a population of 9,918. Altona is a large suburb consisting of low density residential in the south-eastern half, with mixed industry in the north-western half. A key feature is Altona Beach on Port Phillip, which is one of only two swimming beaches in the western suburbs (the other being Williamstown Beach). Altona takes its name from the once independent German city of Altona which is today a borough of Hamburg.

As the land usage shifts from industrial to residential, Altona is becoming gentrified. The proximity of the sea and beach makes it an attractive option for residential developments. The sea at winter and low tide, however, is rather stark - which in itself has a rather bleak beauty to it.

This post is part of the Scenic Sunday meme.