DAREBIN CREEK

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

and also part of the Nature Notes meme

MERRI CREEK IN CLIFTON HILL

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

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DAREBIN CREEK

In winter, after rain.

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

and also part of the Nature Notes 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

MOON OVER THE DAM

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MERRI CREEK

Merri Creek is a waterway in southern parts of Victoria, Australia which flows through the northern suburbs of Melbourne. It begins in Wallan north of Melbourne and flows south for 70 km until it joins the Yarra River at Dights Falls.

The area where the creek meets the river was traditionally the location for large gatherings of the Wurundjeri people and is suspected to have been the location for one of the earliest land treaties in Australia between Indigenous Australians and European settlers.

This is Merri Creek at Clifton HIll, along the Merri Creek Trail, in Winter. There is a 21 km shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians that follows the Merri Creek through the northern suburbs of Melbourne. It makes for a pleasant walk along the creek and one can pretend that one is walking in the wilderness, while still in the heart of the City!

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WINTER IN THE PARKLANDS 2

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and also part of the Nature Notes meme

FALLEN LEAVES

Leaving fallen leaves on your garden beds is highly recommended because they act as a free natural mulch, suppress weed growth, insulate plant roots, and decompose to enrich the soil with vital organic matter and nutrients. They also provide vital shelter for beneficial wildlife.

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WINTER BY THE CREEK

At Darebin Parklands, where the creek flows all through the year. We haven;t had much rain lately so the water level is down. We are expecting a short, mild Winter and a hot dry Summer this year. The results of a strong El Niño system, the meteorologists tell us.

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and also part of the Nature Notes meme

SEA VIEW

Looking out towards Port Phillip Bay from Southbank. The building of more and more high rise apartment buildings is increasing density, crime, noise, pollution, demand on infrastructure and services. Loss of open space and sense of community, not to mention the views...

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

DAREBIN CREEK

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

and also part of the Nature Notes meme

After some rain, the Darebin Creek in the Darebin Parklands swells and the little footbridge goes underwater. Quite a lot of debris carries by the swollen creek lodges across the bridge, as the large tree branches that you can see behind the bridge.

RAIN

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme,
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Winter is here after a relatively mild Autumn. It is good to see some rain.

POND

One of the ponds in the Darebin Parklands, on an Autumn morning.

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

and also part of the Nature Notes meme

FOR THE BIRDS

Seen here is the City of Whittlesea Civic Centre and Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre (PRACC). The complex is located at 25 Ferres Boulevard in South Morang, Victoria. The site was developed in the early 1990s and includes council offices, a convention centre, and landscaped grounds. Floating wetlands are utilized within the surrounding water-feature as a refuge for local bird life.

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

and also part of the Nature Notes meme

DUCK AND CREEK

A Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa), a common and adaptable dabbling duck found throughout Australia, New Zealand, and surrounding islands.They are identified by their mottled dark brown plumage and a characteristic head pattern featuring a dark brown line through the eye, bordered by cream stripes above and below.Their diet is largely vegetarian, consisting of seeds from aquatic plants, but they also consume aquatic insects, crustaceans, and mollusks.

These ducks are widespread in Melbourne's creek and river habitats, in this particular instance, at the Darebin Parklands, through which flows the Darebin Creek. A quite clean and unpolluted waterway, home to many native species of flora and fauna.

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TRANQUIL

A short train ride away from metropolitan Melbourne, towards the East are the green farmlands of Gippsland, forest reserves, rolling hills and natural bushland.

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and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme

DAREBIN CREEK

Darebin Creek is a waterway that runs through the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is the main watercourse of the Darebin Valley and a major tributary of the Yarra River. For tens of thousands of years it was used as a food and tool source sustainably by the Wurundjeri people, Indigenous Australians of the Kulin nation alliance, who spoke variations of the Woiwurrung language group.

The creek rises on the northern urban fringe of Melbourne north of the suburb of Epping, following a general southerly route and meeting the Yarra at Alphington. The creek forms much of the municipal boundary between the City of Darebin and City of Banyule. Formerly an intermittent stream, increased stormwater runoff with urbanisation of the Darebin Creek catchment has resulted in permanent water flow. 

The creek runs through Darebin Parklands, a large nature reserve one or two kilometres northwest of the junction at which the creek meets the Yarra. The Darebin Creek Trail runs along the banks in the lower reaches of the creek. This is the creek at the Darebin Parklands in Fairfield.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Roentare’s Water Meme,
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EARTH DAY 2026

It is especially important in these troubled times we live in to raise children who respect and care for our Earth. Children should grow up with a responsibility to nurture and heal our planet... Planting a tree and caring for it is a good start.

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IT'S A JOB...

View from a balcony in Southbank. It's a painter painting the walls of a high rise apartment building. Can you find him in the first photo? I've given you a zoom photo in the second image. And as you can see in the third photo he gets a nice view of the sea (he has a little rear view mirror on his helmet!)...

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme

and also part of the Nature Notes meme.