PARKLANDS PATH

Cold morning sun in Winter no obstacle for a walk in the Parklands.

This posts 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 NIGHT IN MELBOURNE

We have a friend who lives in Northern Queensland (ah, the Tropics!). She is originally from Melbourne, but once she retired she moved permanently to Queensland, the tropical warmth and the relaxed lifestyle being more to her liking at this stage of her life. 

However, once our Melbourne Winter hits, she does get nostalgic and will visit Melbourne to experience the cold, wet, grey weather once again (and of course dive into big city life, with shopping, entertainment, museums, exhibitions, food, coffee and events that Melbourne is famous for). So, yes, the grass is really greener on the other side...

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

JAMMY'S ART

Some of you may know that as well as taking photographs, I paint. My instagram account @jammysevenk showcases my work, going back quite a few years. Here is a mosaic of some of the 1,400 or so works I have posted there.

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

DAREBIN CREEK

In the Darebin Parklands in Alphington, Darebin Creek flows down towards the Yarra. Here is a walkers crossing and beyond that the fish ladder.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

AUSTRALIAN WOOD DUCKS

The Australian wood duck, maned duck or maned goose (Chenonetta jubata) is a dabbling duck found throughout much of Australia. It is the only living species in the genus Chenonetta. Traditionally placed in the subfamily Anatinae (dabbling ducks), it might belong to the subfamily Tadorninae (shelducks); the ringed teal may be its closest living relative.

This 45–51 cm duck looks like a small goose, and mostly feeds by grazing in flocks. The male is grey with a dark brown head and mottled breast. The female has white stripes above and below the eye and mottled underparts. Both sexes have grey wings with black primaries and a white speculum. Juveniles are similar to adult females, but lighter and with a more streaky breast.

Here a couple of these ducks on a frosty winter's morning in the Darebin Parklands.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

WINTER SUN

Winter morning in the Darebin Parklands.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

POPPY GARDEN

Now in Winter, when flowers in the garden are sparse, I'm sharing with you an image of one of my paintings: "Poppy Garden". This particular painting is available as a quality jigsaw puzzle produced by Woodbests with all wooden pieces in a beautiful presentation box and display easel for the cover reference photo. It is available in three sizes and can be ordered here.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

HOLY TRINITY, KEW

The Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Kew, is one of the parishes of the Diocese of Melbourne in the Anglican Church of Australia.  Services of worship began in this building in March, 1863. The Vicarage was built in 1873, and both carry National Heritage classifications. The church contains many splendid stained glass windows dating from the 19th century.

I took this photo a few days ago and the oak trees in front of the church show their bare winter branches and seemed to ask for a sepia monochrome treatment. So be it.

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

ANZ GOTHIC BANK

Standing on the corner of Queen Street and Collins Street 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. Towering behind these two historic buildings is the ANZ skyscraper, built in 1993. Construction included the restoration and preservation of the heritage structures on site.

The skyscraper itself was designed by Peddle Thorp Architects, and reflects the Gothic themes of the buildings below. Visit the ANZ bank to deposit cash in what is probably the fanciest bank in town, or head to the basement to explore the ANZ Banking Museum. Opened in 1985, it tells of the history of banking in Australia. (From the 'Visit Victoria' site).

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

WINTER BLUES

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