Skywatch Friday

Sunset, Severn Beach, Gloucestershire, UK

Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens

Sunday was Mother's Day here in Australia, and so I took Maryann out for Lunch in the Adelaide Hills. On the way we stopped at Mount Lofty Summit, a look out with fantastic views over the city. You can clearly see the green of the Adelaide Parklands surrounding the CBD (City Business District). In common with many Australian Cities, Adelaide only allows high rise buildings in the CBD. After lunch we visited the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens. The gardens were packed with families picnicking, and generally enjoying a beautiful autumn day. As we walked around, we heard the evocative sound of a didgeridoo being played, which really created a wonderful atmosphere. There were leaves of many colours, and the kids were having a ball with them. One thing I noticed there was a huge variety of lichens on the trees, something that I rarely see in the city. Finally, by the car park, there was a huge hedge of Hebe which was full of busy bees!!

Skywatch Friday

A misty morning in Bavaria, Germany

Red-back Spider

Working in the garden yesterday I came across this large Red-back Spider. This is one of the most common venomous spiders in Australia and is of the same genus as the Black-widow Spider in North America, and like the Black-widow, the female Red-back eats the male after mating. This one had a body about 1cm across. Though many people are bitten each year, many do not require treatment as the spiders mouth parts are small and cannot inject venom through thick skin. There have been no deaths from Redback bites since 1956 when a commercially available anti-venom was introduced.

Skywatch Friday - Limestone Coast (Part 4)

On the way back from the Limestone Coast I noticed a flock of Pelicans circling above a lake in the Coorong National Park. When I stopped and looked properly, there were waves of Pelicans circling, gaining height, and then peeling off, all heading north. I estimate that there were at least 600, in groups of 75-100. I don't know where they were going, but they all seemed to know! It was a wonderful sight.

Limestone Coast (Part 3)

The beaches on the Limestone Coast area are fantastic, and here are a few close-ups of some of the things we saw along the tideline.

Limestone Coast (Part 2)

While we were in Beachport, we took a drive through Beachport Conservation Park. The park consists of Limestone cliffs, secluded sandy bays all backed by dune systems. The cliffs have some wonderful shapes carved into the limestone by centuries of erosion due to the wind blown sand and salt. This looked like it may have been a fossilised root And this one possibly a shell This one reminded me of a giant turtle's head, complete with eye and mouth.

Limestone Coast (Part 1)

This weekend, Maryann and I were on the Limestone Coast. This area is around 350 Km (220 miles) South East of Adelaide, and has wonderful coastal scenery, with sandy beaches and rugged cliffs. We were based at Robe, a lovely little town nestled around a small harbour. The weather was mixed, very wet at the beginning, then windy, but clearing nicely at the end. On the way, photo opportunities were very few and far between, but I did snap this Spotted Pardalote whilst stretching my legs in the Coorong National Park. Just outside Robe is a small lake, and here I spotted a Little Egret standing patiently. The Australian race (nigripes) differs from the nominate race in that it has yellow only on the soles of its feet. There was also a Pied Cormorant here. Nearby in a tidal channel were a distant group of Royal Spoonbills, and a Black-fronted Plover. (the plover is cropped at over 100% so is not very clear - sorry!!) The coast is king here and try as I might I couldn't capture the full majesty of the views. Sheltering on one of the cliff faces were a large group of what looked like pure Rock Doves, but according to my list they are not included in the Australian List except as feral pigeon. We also visited Beachport, which has this impressive 775 metre (2550 feet) long jetty.