Stunning .....

Here is a stunning picture by Victorian photographer Lincoln Harrison. 

Click here for the story and here for more pictures.

Just got back from 'up north'

The family, Shooting Buddy and I spent 5 nights "up north" doing a range of fun things. It's a pretty nice time to visit the region as it's not too hot and the wildflowers were still out (however, so were the flies which weren't quite as nice). We did get some hunting in but there weren't as many rabbits around as I had hoped and we didn't see a single fox.

Here are some pictures from the trip:

Found around the farm

A Bush Turkey - first time I've ever seen one

Miss 8 hiding in the Wheat

And Miss 10 checking it out

Miss 10 driving my car (automatic) for the first time, all survived

Miss 8 obviously enjoyed her turn at the wheel

And over at the "other" farm Miss 8's favourite animal

Seen while Out and About
This area is near the farm and is known as 'The Salmons'

Termite Mounds - seen on a detour to Coalstream Park

Still some water around at Coalstream, yes they did get muddy

Pink & Grey Galah - Sitting in a nest - seen at Coalstream

Budgies - again seen at Coalstream

There are lots of salt lakes in the area ...

We found some caves to explore

Can't get away from those *(&*(^ phones

Wildflowers:

All in all a great trip. Check out my previous posts if you want to know more about the area here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

A weekend away

Shooting Buddy needed to drive his son back to Geraldton and he asked me to go with him as a co-driver. After discussing it with hubby, and him being willing to do the "mum's taxi" for the girls this weekend I agreed to go along.

Plans evolved and we decided to drive up to Geraldton to drop his son off on the Friday and then spend the weekend in Dongara where we have some good friends and drive back on Sunday. As it turned out our Dongara friends weren't there :( But we decided to stay anyway.

The drive to Geraldton was long - it's apparently 450kms north of Perth - I'm not sure what part of Perth they're measuring from as we left at 10am and arrived about 4pm and only stopped once.

However, after dropping Shooting Buddy's son off we did a bit of shopping and headed to Tides for dinner. We sat on the balcony and sipped sparkling wine while watching the sun set. The tasting plate went down a treat followed by entree sized serves of the main course. I had the Prawn Tagliatelle and SB had the Mini Surf and Turf without the Surf. They were amazingly accommodating (see Surf & Turf minus Surf) even though the restaurant was full. We also got a Sicilian Salad (Pumpkin, Red Onion, Tomato, Crumbled Feta, Lebanese Cucumber & Roasted Capsicum) which we struggled to finish.

Being full we decided to skip dessert and head back to Dongara for the evening.

On Saturday we headed up to the historic Greenough townsite, via the local rifle range - however there was no one there and no signage as to when there would be.

At the Greenough museum / shop we sat down to a delicious (and total unhealthy) breakfast of scones while enjoying the scenery.

Breakfast


View while eating breakfast


We then headed up the road to Geraldton to the tourist information centre as we had heard of a winery in the area that was worth a visit.

After a bit of investigation we found out that the winery was the Chapman Valley Winery. It is West Australia's northern most winery - oh and they serve lunch - so off we headed, 30kms or so north.

I haven't travelled north of Geraldton by car ever. I was totally amazed at the scenery we found once we entered the Chapman Valley. I took a number of photos but I don't think they do the scenery justice:

View from Mills Lookout


Looking to the right of the Lookout


On the way to the Winery we stopped off at the Lavender Farm, which seemed really nice but we were in the mood for "something different" - especially as there were LOTS of people there.

When we got to the winery we were pleasantly surprised to see that off the dozen tables scattered around only 3 were occupied. We entered the cellar door and got chatting to the owner while trying the wines. They had four wines on offer - two white and two red. Unusually I liked all four of them! SB likes sweet wines so wasn't keen on the reds. In the end we decided to get a bottle of the Classic White and the Classic Red (with the intent to drink the white and bring the red back). We ordered a "Grazing Platter" to go with the white and found ourselves a shady table to sit at.



About three hours and two bottles of wine, lots of water and coffee later we decided to head back to Dongara. We did stop at the Lavender Farm for another coffee (and a piece of cake) on the drive back.

- We decided to skip dinner and go for a walk in Dongara instead!

Sunday morning started out as a repeat of Saturday - with still no one at the rifle club :( We went back to the shop at the Greenough Historic village as I had seen something for Miss 7's birthday present and decided to go back to buy it.

However, this time instead of heading north we went East towards Mingenew.

The first town we drove through was Walkaway. It's a very pretty little town and is just on the edge of a HUGE windfarm. Some of the towers are right next to the road - which made me feel a touch nervous.

Rather than go directly to Mingenew we decided to take a side trip to Coalstream on the way.

I had been at Coalstream in January. This is what it looked like then:



and this is what it looks like now ...



Facing the other direction, we had this in January:



and this today



The yellow are wildflowers - here's few more pictures of wildflowers that we came across (it's the start of the wildflower season):








After the detour through Coalstream Park we drove to Mingenew then down through Three Springs, Carnamah and down to Bindoon.

The last time I was in the area was at the beginning of May before any rain had fallen in the area. It was wonderful to see green grass, healthy wheat and canola fields and water actually laying on the ground in many areas.

After we went through Bindoon we took another detour through the Chittering Valley. When I drove through there in May it was drier than dry. Now it was totally luscious - it was really amazing. I can see now why people live there.

Eventually we arrive home after a very restful weekend! Looking forward to getting back "up north" with the family in the October school holiday and hopefully camping at Coalstream for a couple of days for a really good look around.

More Floods and Animals

Had to blog this picture:



Apparently the house's owner doesn't know who owns the cow. Not sure how they're going to get it down either.

The floods ...

I think images of the flood, by now, have been seen around the world. Some of the most fascinating ones I've seen are the ones of animals.

Here is a collection of "Animals in the Floods" that I have come across over the last couple of days. (Sorry I've not kept source / attribute information):












This one isn't an animal pic - but really shows the "Australian Spirit" ...

Floods in QLD and NSW

Thoughts and prayers go out to all those affecting by the rain and flooding on the East Coast.

Toowoomba was devastated yesterday by a flash flood:



(More pictures at http://www.news.com.au/pictures/gallery-e6frflv9-1225985209684)

Today, Brisbane is being affected by the floods, with the Brisbane River breaking its banks. The river is not expected to peak until Thursday.

The last time Brisbane suffered such a devastating flood was in 1974, after which the Wivenhoe dam was built to protect the city. However, the dam (according the news last night) is already 40% over capacity so they are releasing water from it which is then flowing downstream to Brisbane.

Further north, Cairns is on flash flood alert as a severe thunderstorm is moving through the area.

The company I work for has a number of manufacturing plants and distribution centres in Queensland. These have all been closed due to the floods. Thankfully all staff are safe.

Please keep those in the flood areas in your prayers.

[UPDATE] 75% of Queensland has been declared a disaster zone

(http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/floodrelief/disaster-zone-now-spans-75pc-of-state/story-fn7ik2te-1225985785232).

[/UPDATE]

(Updates on the floods can be found here http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/floodrelief/flood-info-centre-updates-reports-warnings-advice-and-how-you-can-help/story-fn7ik2te-1225985436806)

Wow

Eyjafjallajoekull help saves the earth

According to this site (http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/2010/planes-or-volcano/) the CO2 emissions from Eyjafjallajoekull are 206,265 tons less than the emissions from the planes that would be flying if it hadn't erupted.

Check out the full article and the associated graph.

They're NOT CUTE and Cuddly

One of the things I really, really, REALLY don't like is seeing parents encouraging their kids to go up to Roos and hand feed them and pet them. People seem to forget that they're not domestic animals - actually, anyone who walks up to an unknown dog and starts petting it too is also likely in for a rude awakening one day ... but I digress.

In today's news we have:

Roo fight a knockout for lunchtime legend

EVEN after years playing football, ACT local David Striegl had never got into a fight - until he was knocked out cold by a rogue kangaroo.

Mr Striegl, 25, was running up the city's Mount Ainslie during his lunchbreak yesterday and did not think twice when he spotted one of the resident roos nearby.

The bushland reserve in the nation's capital is popular with joggers and cyclists, and assaults by the marsupials who share the mountain are rare.

Mr Striegl was knocked unconscious and remembers little about the attack.

"I turned around and before I knew it, it took a swipe at my face," he said.

A passing motorist roused the dazed and bloody victim and took him to hospital.

After x-rays and a tetanus shot he was able to go home with only a black eye to show for the encounter.

But he has now become something of legend at his corporate real estate office, where he returned to work the next day to discover he had a new nickname - "Skippy".

"I didn't want to wait til Monday to face the music," he said.

"The main thing they've been asking is whether I got one (punch) back on the roo.

"I can't even say that, because one punch and it put me to the floor.

"All my years of playing football and never a fight, and then I have a fight with a kangaroo."

So will Mr Striegl be running back to the area any time soon and risk a second round?

"Yeah, a few guys from work said they might come with me though," he laughed.

The attack comes a year after a crazed kangaroo crashed through a sleeping family's window at Garran, in Canberra's south, before going on a rampage through their home.

Beat Ettlin, his partner Verity Beman and their nine-year-old daughter Beatrix hid under blankets as the two-metre high animal jumped on top of them and gouged holes and their furniture.

Mr Ettlin eventually wrestled the thrashing animal and dragged it out of the house, saving his family from serious injury.

WILD animals are WILD animals and should always be treated as such.

From http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/roo-fight-a-knockout-for-lunchtime-legend/story-e6frfku0-1225842920645

Flying Jellyfish ...

Today's news brings us this article:

A MAN has been stung by an irukandji jellyfish when he was splashed with seawater while fishing from a bulk carrier off north Queensland.

The 45-year-old Filipino man was in a "distressed and very agitated state" following the incident - which occurred 25 metres above sea level at Abbot Point north of Bowen late yesterday afternoon, the Courier-Mail reports.

The RACQ - CQ Rescue helicopter was tasked to the Singaporean-registered bulk carrier Konmax where crew immediately provided pain relief to the victim.

After some initial communication difficulties because of his distress, the crew was able to determine the patient had been fishing from the ship when the sting occurred.

Air crewman Geoff Abrahams said it was an "incredible case".

"Realistically, what are the chances of being stung by a jellyfish when you are safely on board a bulk carrier, 25 metres above the water," Mr Abrahams said.

"This is one of the most fascinating tasks I've worked on."

He said it was not clear if the jellyfish was in the water that splashed him or on his fishing line when he brought it out of the water.

Irukandji are very small stingers – measuring up to 2cm in diameter with four thin tentacles hanging down.

The victim was airlifted to Mackay Hospital where it was confirmed he was suffering the effects of an irukandji sting.

He is now listed as stable.

*******************

Okay, I know it wasn't really "flying", but talk about unlucky!

500kg Cow Saved from the Sea

Yes ... in today's news we read

500kg cow rescued from sea

A SEA rescue operation was launched to save a 500kg cow after it was found floating about in Northern Territory waters yesterday.

The mystery marine bovine was spotted doggy-paddling around in Darwin Harbour during the morning hours.

Rescuers - armed with a life ring and a length of rope - found it in between South Shell Island and the gas plant.

It was reportedly not in a good mood.

Workboats Northern Australia (WBNA) operations manager Ben Wall and his crew had a bit of a struggle catching the surly steer.

"He was sort of heading further away from the safe side of things - heading for the mangroves near the gas plant," Mr Wall said. "He was a bit feisty - the first time the boys tried to lasso it, it got away.

"He would've been under a lot of stress with that ordeal ... treading water for a good few hours until we got to it."

But the farmyard animal eventually returned to the boat to have a life ring fitted over his head - "so it knew we were trying to help", Mr Wall said. They motored slowly back to shore, reaching dry land in about 45 minutes.

The WBNA crew got the distress call from port authorities about 10am, asking if they could organise a rescue effort for the errant hoofer.

By 11.30am the unlikely sea creature was back on terra firma.

Mr Wall said they're not sure where it came from. But it's now resting at Berrimah export yards after one of his mates - cattle exporter Linton Batt - sent out ringers to wrangle the steer when it docked. This is the second time Mr Wall has helped save a soggy cow from the harbour.

"I rescued one a couple of years ago, when they were loading cattle off Fort Hill," he said.

WBNA crews - who usually operate marine vessels for construction and maintenance industry projects - are used to handling some odd jobs.

They salvaged the plane that caused a sensation when it was forced to belly land on mud flats near Nightcliff earlier in the year.

And they've retrieved vehicles out of Darwin Harbour's waters.

Mr Wall likes to joke that it'd only take the train falling off Elizabeth River Bridge, and they could say they've "done planes, trainsand automobiles".

"(A cow is) nothing out of the ordinary," he said. "We'll have a crack at anything."

Deep Sea Crab that Eats Trees

Honestly ...

The crab survives by eating wood that has sunk to the ocean floor, comprising trunks and leaves swept into the sea, as well as the odd shipwreck.

Check out the full story here.

I found it interesting that the only thing the crab eats is wood, I would have thought that would be a risky limitation when you choose to live in the ocean.

NASA Pictures - International Year of Astronomy

To celebrate 400 years since Galileo first turned his telescope to the heavens in 1609, NASA is releasing never-before-seen view of the turbulent heart of our Milky Way galaxy.

Here's one of the images:



For the full story and more pictures click here.