Mangroves are trees and shrubs that live in salt water. The mangroves are an essential part of the life cycle of the oceans.  These are the mangroves we saw at Phillip Island.

I have almost purchased a recliner/riser chair for my husband Reg, several times. He turns 70 this year and is amazing. He has had arthritis since he was child, and had been given, a prognosis of being in a wheel chair before he turned thirty and while he sometimes feels his age; he still makes an incredible effort to be as fit as he can be.  He has pain, yet he was in the pool with me moving around and walking along the beach today aJ.  I am not ‘gentle with him’J, no cosy recliner, a caravan seat, eco therapy, and encouragement to ‘move it or lose it’, is what a tough cookie who loves him, 'dishes out.'

Just the same, I still keep my eye out for a good buy on one of these special mobility aid chairs. There have been times one would have been useful, for me as well as my man. Lol maybe ‘Darby and Joan’, side by side, recliner lifter chairs one day. Before I do buy, I will become, well informed. I found the website of mobility compare when I was searching for some,  mobility products  for a friend and it has information that will help me decide what type of recliner riser chair I will need.....when that time comes.  For now, Reg and I are loving, our gray nomad years and pushing off the frail elderly years for as long as it is humanly possible to do so. J.

Caravans away... we are heading north to the warmth, before the cold weather arrives in Victoria. That is our favorite mobility aid for now.

 

Western Port, Victoria’s second largest bay, is a biological treasure-trove. Largely concealed behind a shoreline veil of marshland and mangroves, its waters contain expansive tidal flats, meadows of seagrass, deep channels, rocky reefs and sandy plains. The result is an abundance of marine life. Numerous small animals live in the mud and seagrass beds. Fish gorge themselves on these animals and waterbirds feast on them all.

The tides are the key to understanding Western Port’s marine life. With every low tide, some 270 square kilometres of shallow mud flats are exposed in Western Port’s northern reaches, revealing a feeding ground for thousands of wading birds. As the water streams off these flats on an ebbing tide, it flows into deeper channels carved in the soft mud. These channels gradually join together and flow into the deep channels that flank the eastern and western sides of French Island. As the tide turns and the channels fill and spill across the exposed flats larger fish, such as trevally, whiting and Dusky Morwong, move back out across the tidal plains to forage and hunt.

The marine national park system protects the essence of Western Port. The serene waters of Yaringa Marine National Park, in the north of the bay, preserve the connection between mangroves and mud flats, so important for roosting waterbirds. The French Island Marine National Park, in the centre, protects extensive seagrass beds that have largely disappeared elsewhere in the bay. The Churchill Island Marine National Park is representative of the south, influenced in part by the nearby open coast. This park hosts beds of lamp shells, a primitive ovoid shell that can occur in large numbers in sheltered sites with strong water flow. Pipefish and sea-hares abound. All three parks contain significant roosting sites and foraging areas for waders and other waterbirds.

 Western Port is recognised as one of the world’s precious areas for wading birds. Lured from a Siberian winter by sunshine and food, over 30 bird species make the journey from north Asia to Western Port annually.

Woolamai Beach

Natural Attractions - Phillip Island

Beautiful deserted beach in Woolamai – In-the-know surfers flock to stunning Woolamai Beach, located on the southern coastline of Phillip...

Features & Details | Location Map Pyramid Rock

Phillip Island Natural Attractions - Phillip Island

An area of incredible natural beauty – Pyramid Rock is the name given to a basalt formation located offshore at the end of Pyramid Rd,...

Features & Details | Location Map Phillip Island Penguin Parade

Ventnor Natural Attractions - Phillip Island

A truly memorable experience – The award-winning Phillip Island Penguin Parade, one of Australia’s most popular wildlife...

Features & Details Seal Rocks

The Nobbies Natural Attractions - Phillip Island

One of Australia’s largest fur seal colonies – Phillip Island is also well known for the amazing Seal Rocks, which is home for a colony of up to...

Features & Details | Location Map

Over five acres in area, Seaberry Creek Park forms a stunning feature at the entry to Seagrove.

A bridge link through the open space ensures the wetland is central to people’s experience of the site. This is further reinforced by extensive boardwalks suspended above the wetland, and walking trails linking a series of open spaces designed to accommodate a range of unstructured activities, from ball play and kite flying to exploration of rocky waterways or simply sitting and taking in the view.

A strong motif of overlapping leaf forms has driven the wetland design and created the opportunity for a rich pattern of stepped wetland cells that provide the water quality treatment function. Porous and non-porous gabion walls help define the wetland shape, providing a defined, but nevertheless soft, form.

In the north-west corner of the park, a striking picnic shelter echoes the leaf motif of the wetlands.

Southern 80 Visitors Urged to Play it Safe While Having Fun

 

With thousands of people expected to flock to the Southern 80 in Echuca this weekend, Parks Victoria, The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the CFA are asking visitors to play it safe while having fun on the Murray.

 

Parks Victoria’s Ranger in Charge at Echuca, Kane Weeks, said rangers and Victoria Police will be patrolling the river between Echuca and Torrumbarry Weir, offering advice and assistance to campers.

 

“It should be a great weekend to enjoy the river so we’ll be talking to people and giving them information about safe and sustainable camping,” Mr Weeks said.

 

“We are fortunate to have access to many beautiful beaches along the length of the river – as well as campsites and picnic areas. By looking after these areas we ensure they are protected for everyone to enjoy in the future,” he said.

 

Parks Victoria has a ‘carry in carry out’ approach to litter so campers must take their rubbish to either a local waste disposal location or home with them. 

 

When camping, all toilets must be set up at least 100 metres from the river.  All toilet waste, including toilet paper, must be buried.

 

DSE North West Land and Fire Area Manager, Rob Price, said people must be aware of the potential fire risk while camping in the bush.

 

“Small portable gas bbqs are encouraged but if you do need a small fire for cooking or warmth use a constructed fireplace where provided,” Mr Price said.

 

“Otherwise, you must build a trench 30 centimetres deep, make sure there is no flammable material like grass or leaves within three metres and never leave a campfire unattended,” he said.

 

CFA North West Area Region 20 Operations Manager, Stuart Broad, said people should also monitor the weather conditions and keep informed about fire danger ratings during the event.

 

“CFA and DSE will have fire fighting resources on stand-by but we’d prefer to not have to use them,” Mr Broad said.

 

“Remember, too, that a car in long grass can start a fire quite easily so please be careful while you’re camping this weekend,” he said.

 

For information about camping along the Murray River, go to www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

For i www.dse.vic.gov.au

 



nformation about fire danger ratings and total fire bans, go to www.cfa.vic.gov.au

For information about campfire regulations and campfire safety, go to www.dse.vic.gov.au

 

 

 

Today, Reg and I had an emotional, return to Kinglake, for the first time since the devastating Black Saturday fire, we took photos of the regeneration of the forest.

We were excited to see the shy, and incredibly beautiful, Lyrebird on a forest track and know these had survived the firestorm or been returned to the area. 

We ate lunch at an outdoor cafe, and I wept when I saw the hand written messages, on the yellow ribbons tied around trees, it was the one that read, 'dogs' we remember you', that was the first to 'crack me up'.

It was an 'uncomfortable' visit', I still felt like a 'vulture', a 'fire tourist', even though I waited over a year before returning and deliberately spent money in the town to assist the locals.  There is just no way you can visit a place like Kinglake and not be moved by the horror of that fire and the incredible ability of nature to recover.  This post and my visit is meant as a positive one to show my awe at the regrowth of nature.
These photos were taken by Reg from the moving car I drove. I felt uncomfortable stopping to photograph other than in the town itself, this I will post tomorrow.

Parks Victoria rangers have spotted the first koala at Kinglake National Park since the Black Saturday bushfires in February 2009 that destroyed approximately 98 per cent of the park.  

Ranger in Charge of Kinglake National Park, Ion Maher, said the koala was spotted in late January, bounding across Bowden Spur Road.  

“It was a healthy young male who had made a long journey that is estimated to have been many kilometres from the nearest unburnt forest,” Ion said. 

“It was a welcome surprise to see this animal back in the burnt forest this soon after the fire. Let’s hope there are others following the same path,” he said. 

Some animals survived the fire in pockets of unburnt or less intensely burnt areas of bush, while others at some stage will migrate back to the burnt areas from neighbouring unburnt forest. For the fire affected area of Kinglake, the most important unburnt linking forests are around Toolangi and south to St Andrews and Christmas Hills. 

Another animal that has been seen again in the park is the Large-footed Myotis – a rare bat species that is small enough to fit in the palm of a person’s hand, but has the most oversized feet you could imagine. For these micro bats, their large feet are perfect for skimming along rivers and plucking small fish and insects to eat. 

“Rangers were not feeling particularly hopeful that this species would be seen again until one night, while out with a wildlife consultant, we saw the little guys with the assistance of a spotlight and an anabat detector. This detector converts their inaudible chatter to audible frequencies, and greatly assists surveying,” Ion said. 

“Park staff are happy to receive calls from locals with reports of animals observed across the Kinglake Ranges.  Of note this month have been sightings of Lace Monitors or Goannas, in both the St Andrews and Strathewen areas. These animals were uncommon before the fire and again it is great to know there are a few survivors,” he said.

Meanwhile, Parks Victoria is busy carrying out feral animal control programs in the park. This is aimed at preventing foxes and cats from preying on the native animals in these critical first few years after the fire so as to assist their long-term repopulation.

For more information about Parks Victoria, call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963 or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.

 

What fun is this? If I lived closer I would bid.

Five Dance lessons Bollywood or Belly Dance style In Fremantle WA, all proceeds go to the Hope From Ashes Charity to assist those rebuilding their lives after the Toodyay Fires of December 2009

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Bollywood-or-Belly-Dance-Lessons-five_W0QQitemZ300395416370QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_15?hash=item45f0f64b32

 Five Dance Lessons Bolly Wood or Belly Dance style VERY HAPPY TO POST AT BUYERS EXPENSE

Free Spirit Dance Community are offering you five lessons in either Belly Dance or Bollywood style. Their Facebook page says.........A community based dance group aimed at empowering women through music, dance and friendship!! Come and meet this wacky wonderful tribe of beautiful gypsies. I dare you!!!! Classe are held at South Fremantle High School.


Hope from Ashes
The Hope From Ashes auction will run online starting on the date of the benefit concert with new items being put up daily over the next week.  This online auction will raise awareness and funds and give people the opportunity to contribute and help Toodyay people who are rebuilding after the fire.

We have tried to gather together a range of diverse and high quality items and services that in some way reflect the diversity and creativity of the Toodyay community. In finding a gift for yourself you will be giving to the Toodyay community and we hope the excitement and high energy of the auction will be uplifting and inspiring in its way.

The auction has the Hope From Ashes flavour celebrating and demonstrating the generosity, positivity and support that has flowed so readily for and within the Toodyay community.

As well as people from Perth many local Toodyay businesses and individuals have also contributed to the auction, some although deeply affected by the fires through loss of home or workplace. Artworks, craft items, trips away, fantastic meals and even life coaching sessions, massages, motoring items, clothing and collectors plates are just a few of the amazing items we can offer you. The list grows every day so “no napping” or you may miss a fabulous item…which is just what you need!

We hope you will enjoy the items on offer and we hope you have fun whilst you bid big as we pull together to raise much needed funds for the survivors of the Toodyay Bushfires.

If you wish to make a donation in person, please use the following Bendigo Bank details. Thank you.
Hope from Ashes
BSB: 633 000
Account: 139 064 364

Great practical item for locals to bid on.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Margaret-River-Fresh-N-Tender-Meat-Voucher-100_W0QQitemZ300394614678QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Vouchers?hash=item45f0ea0f96

Meat Voucher to value of $100, all proceeds go to the Hope From Ashes charity to assist those rebuilding their lives after the Toodyay Fires of December 2009


Meat Voucher to the value of $100 at  Margaret River Fresh N Tender Meats ( Two Perth  locations) Meat voucher to value $100 for Margaret River Fresh and Tender Meats redeemable at Shop 17 Greenwood Village or Shop 9 The Village Shopping Centre High Wycombe

Hope from Ashes
The Hope From Ashes auction will run online starting on the date of the benefit concert with new items being put up daily over the next week.  This online auction will raise awareness and funds and give people the opportunity to contribute and help Toodyay people who are rebuilding after the fire.

We have tried to gather together a range of diverse and high quality items and services that in some way reflect the diversity and creativity of the Toodyay community. In finding a gift for yourself you will be giving to the Toodyay community and we hope the excitement and high energy of the auction will be uplifting and inspiring in its way.

The auction has the Hope From Ashes flavour celebrating and demonstrating the generosity, positivity and support that has flowed so readily for and within the Toodyay community.

As well as people from Perth many local Toodyay businesses and individuals have also contributed to the auction, some although deeply affected by the fires through loss of home or workplace. Artworks, craft items, trips away, fantastic meals and even life coaching sessions, massages, motoring items, clothing and collectors plates are just a few of the amazing items we can offer you. The list grows every day so “no napping” or you may miss a fabulous item…which is just what you need!

We hope you will enjoy the items on offer and we hope you have fun whilst you bid big as we pull together to raise much needed funds for the survivors of the Toodyay Bushfires.

If you wish to make a donation in person, please use the following Bendigo Bank details. Thank you.
Hope from Ashes
BSB: 633 000
Account: 139 064 364