Birdlife around the Lake, at Moorropna. 09/01/2010
 The male birds are waiting around while the female sits on the eggs. Take a walk and note how the usual size of the bird groupings has halved in size. The male birds are hovering around in one place more, protective of the nest. The magpies are swooping to attack. Birds usually seen in pairs are now single. Walk along the rivers and look over to the protected islands and the female water birds are crouched low over the eggs keeping them warm and shaded until they hatch. What a beautiful place to take the camcorder. Tonight I am enjoying sitting beside Reg, he is watching TV and I'm sharing the photos I took today on our walk, here in my blogs. There were lots of lonely male birds out alone while the mum birds are on the nest at the moment. Reg and I enjoy watching the cycle of bird life.  Goulburn Valley Birdlife. 08/31/2010
 Reg and I have been out several times this week, enjoying experiencing the beautiful swollen waterways of the Goulburn Valley and in particular the reflections of the wattle overhanging the water and the increased birdlife. We have even needed to slow down to allow ducks to cross the road. Everywhere we see flocks of budgerigars, and the black swans cannot be far from having their signets as only one is on the lake and the pair of swans are normally inseparable. Last year we watched the signets grow up, they are a magnificent bird to watch. Having the Goulburn River Valley as our backdrop is sure more a visual treat for an artist than living near industrial supplies. The Ibis are nesting along the bank and there is only half the usual number in the trees overhead keeping watch. Magpies are starting to dive bomb anyone who walks near their nest. I envision a population explosion of birds arriving this springtime and we will enjoy the experience of watching these babies grow during our regular walks.  Preparing the Garden for Springtime. 08/10/2010
    My blogging was neglected, for a few days while I tackled the hardest parts of spring cleaning, and the garden clean up ready for the spring dispay. Living in the country opposite a field of oats we do get dirty curtains, from the dust, so one of the first jobs to be done was to clean the outside bathtub, that was looking very disgusting after our having been away touring for the past 6 months. It scrubbed up, 'a treat' and was a great place to wash the curtains. I had to position the bathtub under the clothesline so I could rig up an overhead and side curtain when I bath, lol, after I was ‘sprung’, bathing naked in my courtyard by a pair of hang gliders sailing low and slow overhead. lol J. Today was a beautiful sunny, afternoon. I put the outdoor patio cushions out on the outdoor furniture for the first time since we arrived home, late last week and we had a chicken lunch out of doors then I weeded the garden, planted English Daisies White Primula and Polyanthus and Johnny Jump Up, Viola , wherever there was a small gap, between the roses, iris, day lilies and lilliums that are massed, in the garden beds. Then I planted carrots, lettuce, parsley and peas. I had a lovely day, I do enjoy my garden so much and it is great exercise.     Lichen Xanthoparmelia sp. 08/02/2010
  Maybe someone can tell me if this is Lichen Xanthoparmelia sp. Regardless of the species, it is beautiful as is this avenue of trees at Paronella Park, Atherton Tablelands, and north Queensland. What Are Trees Worth? Trees like these are irreplaceable. These trees have survived time and cyclones. Almost everyone knows that trees and other living plants are valuable. They beautify our surroundings, purify our air, act as sound barriers, manufacture precious oxygen, and help us save energy through their cooling shade in summer and their wind reduction in winter. Many people don’t realize, however, that plants have a dollar value of their own that can be measured by competent plant appraisers and insured with term life insurance.     Barmah Forest, Victoria. 08/01/2010
 Reg and I had a beautiful late winter day earlier in the week. We walked down to view the swollen Goulburn River in Shepparton, the sunlight sparkled on the waters like loose diamonds. Reg is waiting for the floods to go down so he can try inland fishing. Barmah reopens as park flourishes after flood The Barmah Forest is an area that Reg and I love. Parks Victoria is encouraging visitors to see the wonder of nature’s life cycle at Barmah National Park over coming weeks, which has recently been flooded. Acting Ranger in Charge, Andrew McDougall, said the flooding has been great for the park. “The River Red Gum environment needs natural flooding to occur to ensure the ecosystem remains healthy,” he said. “This is the first time in several years that some of these areas have seen water. It’s great to see the creeks flowing and many of the wetlands covered in water. “This is a starting point and hopefully we will see more flooding occur so that all of the park gets a drink before the end of spring. With the flooding will come water birds, and a new life to many parts of the park,” he said. Mick Caldwell, Parks Victoria’s Team Leader for Water, said the regulators which have been supplying water into Barmah National Park will be closed today as the flood water levels have been dropping at Barmah. “It will take time for things to change, but give it a few weeks and we’ll see some major changes in the Barmah ecosystem,” he said. Access to Barmah National Park has now improved and vehicles can now enter the park via Sandridge Track, River Road and the Murrays Mill entrances. The major entrances had been closed earlier in the month. Some secondary tracks in the centre of the park are covered with water and visitors are asked not to use these tracks for safety reasons until conditions improve. Campers can now access large sections of the park, but are asked to drive carefully due to the wet and slippery conditions in some areas of the park. All visitors are asked to avoid driving through water where possible. For further information on Parks Victoria, call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Early, Warm Spring, Predicted for Australia. 07/23/2010
 Weather bureau predicts warm spring across Australia With the south of the country still chilled, -3 degrees in my home town this morning, it is hard for Australian's to be aware that according to the US-based National Climatic Data Centre, the world is experiencing its hottest year on record. I know while I am enjoying the 20 to 25 degree temperatures (though not the six weeks of tropical rain,) here in north Queensland, my family have been shivering down south, through recent cold snaps. As I need to return home as soon as it is warm enough, to get some medical treatment, I have been trying to get weather predictions of when the winter chill will break and it looks promising, to me, the best personalized gift I could get right now is to know spring will not be late arriving this year and it will be OK to plan our arrival home for late August to very early September. J, I LOVE Springtime in my cottage garden. I will make sure I take full advantage of every aspect of the weather, if it is raining here in north Queensland, I will at least take the opportunity to continue visiting the waterfalls in the region and enjoy the spectacular scenery of tropical clouds, mountains and seascape with light breaking through clouds to give wonderful effects.. The bureau's spring forecast shows rainfall is expected to be about average, that is great, we desparatelly needed the rain after a prolonged drought. It will make ideal conditions, to produce a locust plague and dairy farmers have been advised to be on the alert for egg hatchings and take early action. I live opposite an oat field, in rural Northern Victoria, so I guess than means I need to have the pyrethrim and garlic sprey on hand and keep my own eye out over my plants and zap the locusts with a safe product, before they get my plants.  Turkeys. 07/20/2010
    My friend Gem, in the Atherton Tablelands of north Queensland, says, “Turkeys are a pleasure to have on the property". Comparing the turkeys to the other fowl wandering around this free-range estate, they stand out like the hip hop clothing wearers in a conservatively dressed crowd of humans. GI think the overall size of the bird and the noise they make keeps the overhead bird of prey at bay. We used to have problems with the hawks taking young chickens and young birds but since we got the turkeys in the male gobbler I think has been our protection. He has killed a hawk in the chook yard. Haven’t had a problem since. They would also do their fair share of foraging for pests and insects and weeds. They are good mothers and protect their young. The reason for us having these turkeys is for our own food production. The turkey is a very lean healthy meat to eat. Once we have a good amount bred up then we shall learn how to prepare the meat." .  Mullum Mullum Park is a vital wildlife corridor in Melbourne’s east and home to Rufous Night Herons, Powerful Owls, Wedge Tailed Eagles and Peregrine Falcons. The park was named Mullum Mullum after a public naming competition in 2007. Many believe the name to mean ‘place of many eagles’ or a variation of the Wurundjeri word ‘Ballum Ballum’ meaning ‘place of many butterflies’. Parks Victoria is inviting the community to comment on the Draft Strategic Directions Plan for Mullum Mullum Park. The 35 hectare park is situated along the Gorge section of Mullum Mullum Creek in the suburbs of Donvale and Mitcham, and contains significant remnant bushland. Parks Victoria’s Deputy Chief Executive, Gerard O’Neill, said the presence of rare native plants and animals gives this park national ecological importance. “Mullum Mullum protects numerous flora and fauna species, including the protected Brown-Beak and Spotted Sun-Orchids, and the Swift Parrot and the Powerful Owl,” said Mr O’Neill. The park is considered to have some of the best examples of relatively undisturbed streamside vegetation within metropolitan Melbourne, and has evidence of both early occupation by the Wurundjeri People, and historic European settlement. “Visitors can enjoy bushwalking, bird watching, and bike riding along the Mullum Mullum shared bike path, and the nearby bushland areas of Schwerkolt Cottage and Yarran Dheran Reserves are great spots for relaxation and picnicking.” “This draft plan has been developed through consultation with key interest groups,” said Mr O’Neill. “Parks Victoria is very keen to get feedback and comments from all interested parties about the future directions one of many new urban parks.” Mr O’Neill said social interaction, participation, access to parks and community health and wellbeing are the foundation of the Healthy Parks Healthy People philosophy. Comments must be received by 31 August 2010 and be emailed to mullum@parks.vic.gov.au or sent to: Team Leader Urban Park Planning, Parks Division, Parks Victoria, 10/535 Bourke Street, Melbourne 3000. Comments will be considered in the preparation of the final Strategic Directions Plan. Copies of the draft plan are available from the Parks Victoria website at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or by contacting Parks Victoria on 13 1963. Nearby Parks
  Souita Falls is one of the less visited waterfalls in the Millia Millia area, you can visit the Pepina falls on the same trip on your way to visit the town of Ravenshoe, the highest town in the Atherton highlands. Ravenshoe has many older historical buildings. No modern Baldwin door hardware to be seen in this charming old town.. Both these waterfalls are pretty though the track is steep rough and slippery after rain these are places to see for the very fit and sure-footed.   The road is gravel and narrow, even driving at 40 kilometres an hour I had to slam the brakes on when a car came around the corner too far over on my side of the road, I had to swerve sharply as I braked, to avoid an accident. Logically they should have been approaching the crest of a narrow road slower. There are many single lane roads in this area and after rain the road edges are strictly 4 wheel drive standard. Despite this, Reg and I enjoyed our day and the hike to the falls over the damp ground was a great physical workout. On a dry day it would be a lot safer to visit, but this is rainforest country, there are probably damp slippery leaves on the ground most of the time. Not a place to take grandma with frail bones. Visit with care.   Late at Night, the Family Asleep, MY TIME. 07/13/2010
 MY TIME :-) Reg is asleep, so is the dog. I have made myself, 2 cups of tea and I have my novel notes, workbooks and pen by my side and I am feet up in bed wth the bed light on and ready to work. Going to put in 3 hours of totally unpaid novel research at this time each night and to 'heck' with the paid link and review work, even if one is near overdue date, (I am not sacrificing, my creative goal any more than I have),I will do those bread and butter writing jobs in the morning. Oh in reclaiming my creative time a slacked off in exercise time, so some serious work remains to be done on this time management plan of mine, I have not ironed out all the creases but I am aiming for a balance within my life and creativities satisfaction is like oxygen to me. Exercise is what keeps me healthy and able to be creative, I will not forget that. The safest weight loss pills is consistent healthy portion controlled eating. I slipped up on this too today. I had to spend half the day in Centre Link today, applying for my aged pension and a myriad of forms to fill out and receipts to find, came home tireder than i expected and you know the rest, I had not planned for it so I ate two of the date scones I had bought for Reg. Well, back on the horse doing all the right things from now on, no waiting. I hope your enjoying my blog posts, and 'you know the ropes' :-), find a serious typo in this, and email me though the contact page above with the details and your mailing address and I will post you one of these post cards illustrated as a thank you. I refuse to allow a little thing like dyslexia, stop me doing something I love, like writing. J And now to my novel writing J. See you again tomorrow. xx  | Kathy Shell on Facebook Kathy Shell,
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Postcards by Artist, Author, Kathy Shell
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