AUTUMNAL EQUINOX IN MELBOURNE

In the Southern Hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand, South America, Southern Africa) the Autumnal Equinox is on March 20, at 16:57 UTC, 2014. We are now progressing steadily into Autumn and the seeds and fruits have begun to ripen. Here are some of them, observed around my neighbourhood and in our garden.

The Autumn flowers have just started to appear, with the asters and Jerusalem artichokes amongst the first. The last few Summer ones are finishing blooming with the ever-reliable zinnias, hanging on for quite a few weeks yet.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

Eucalyptus caesia seedpods - "gumnuts"

Prickly pears or Indian figs, Opuntia ficus-indica

Nandina domestica berries

Malus - Crab Apple 'Golden Hornet'

Phaseolus vulgaris - string beans

Pyracantha coccinea - European species of Firethorn

Olea europaea - olives

Diospyros kaki, the exotic persimmon

Rosa spp rosehips

Aster (Michaelmas Daisy) – Crego Giant

Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) flowers, persimmons and zinnias

FISHING IN MORNINGTON

Mornington is a seaside town on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia, located 57 km south-east of Melbourne's central business district. It is in the local government area of the Shire of Mornington Peninsula.

Mornington is known for its "village" atmosphere and its beautiful beaches. Mornington is a popular tourist destination with Melburnians who often make day trips to visit the area's bay beaches and wineries. The town centre runs into the foreshore area and local beach. Many professional and amateur fishermen can be found along the pier.

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.

UNIVERSITY PLACE, CARLTON

In the heart of Carlton, all around the main thoroughfare, Lygon St, are tucked away a maze of small streets, alleys and dead ends. University Place is one them. A mixture of buildings can be found here. Old Victorian terraces, warehouses, utilitarian buildings from all eras and many modern conversions and new buildings.

In University Place this striking red façade adorns two of the back walls of an old converted warehouse. Rather a surprise when on sees it the first time!

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

FAIRFIELD GRAFFITI

We were walking around our neighbourhood in inner suburban Melbourne a few days ago and this wall caught our eye. A huge expanse of graffiti on the side wall of a bottle-shop. I suspect this is a sponsored work, the owners wishing to cover the vulnerable wall with more or less acceptable graffiti that they had some control over, rather than leave a huge expanse of blank wall that invited all sorts of disasters.

The graffiti is well executed, although a bit samey and similar to other of its ilk. I am not sure whether it agrees with me or not. I would have preferred something more representational rather than this which is glorified tagging. You can read more about graffiti and vandalism vs art in my other blog.

This post is part of the Monday Murals meme.

TWO YARRA BRIDGES

Melbourne has many bridges crossing the Yarra River from the impressive West Gate Bridge at the mouth of the river, and many smaller ones out into the suburbs. Here are two of these suburban bridges, one old and one a lot a newer.

Morell Bridge, also known as the Anderson St bridge, near the starting point of The Tan running track. Completed in 1899 by John Monash and J. T. N. Anderson, it is notable for being the first bridge in Victoria to be built using reinforced concrete. It features decorations on the three arch spans, including large dragon motifs and ornamental Victorian lights. The gutters on the bridge are cobbled bluestone, with a single lane bitumen strip running down the middle.

The Bridge is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Originally known as the Anderson Street bridge, it was named the Morell Bridge in 1936 after Sir Stephen Morell who was a prominent Victorian businessman and Lord Mayor of Melbourne between 1926 and 1928. On June 7, 1998 the bridge was closed to motor vehicles as part of the CityLink project. It is currently used by cyclist and pedestrian traffic, connecting the Royal Botanic Gardens to the Olympic Park precinct.

The Swan Street Bridge links Swan St, Richmond on the north side to Alexandra Parade on the south side. It was built in 1952 and is a primary arterial thoroughfare, with much traffic 24 hours around the clock. Although quite a utilitarian structure, looking towards the City it is quite picturesque.

This post is part of the Scenic Weekends meme,

and also part of the Sunday Bridges meme.

LATE SUMMER BY THE CREEK

Only about 6 km from the Melbourne City centre and surrounded by suburbia, the Darebin Parklands in Fairfield are a gem. A natural haven along the Darebin Creek, with the Darebin Creek Trail following the course of the creek for much of its length, and allowing many an opportunity for ramble - with a camera, of course!

This post is part of the Weekend Reflections meme,

and also part of the Weekly TopShot meme,

and also part of the Scenic Weekends meme.