Cleland Blitz and Cleland Wildlife Park

 Today I volunteered to take part in the Cleland Blitz, a working bee at Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills.  Recent storms had caused many trees to lose branches and there was a lot of debris around the park.  Around 80 volunteers picked up the debris and piled it up for later disposal by park staff.

My group was in the Kangaroo Island Kangaroo enclosure.  by the end of the morning we had made 4 large piles of debris, and the enclosure looked as good as new

After morning tea, this Kangaroo Island Kangaroo was sheltering by one of the piles and did not take kindly to being disturbed. When he realised we would give him his space he soon chilled out.

After lunch, the volunteers are free to wander around the park and see the animals and birds on display there.  There are other kangaroo species here including Potteroos, Red Kangaroos and Yellow-footed Rock Wallabies

As you know, i love my birds, and there are three aviaries to walk through here.  This gives you a chance to get up close to birds that are used to being close to humans, and allows for some exceptional photo opportunities.  Some of the waterbirds were White-headed Stilt, Plumed Whistling Duck, Glossy 
Ibis, Black Swan Australian Pelican and Magpie Goose

Amongst the smaller birds were White-browed Woodswallow, the endangered Regent Honeyeater, Zebra Finch and Tawny Frogmouth.  

There were also lots of pigeons, with Diamond and Bar-shouldered Doves very confiding.

As always, the Emu was having a bad hair day!

All in all a very enjoyable day! 

Unusual visitors at Adelaide Airport

There were some unusual visitors at Adelaide airport this weekend.

On Saturday, a Scoot Boeing 787 Dreamliner diverted into Adelaide after is suffered an issue with one of its engines on it's flight from Sydney to Singapore.  Today, another Scoot Dreamliner came to Adelaide to take the stranded passengers on to Singapore.

This is the stranded Dreamliner parked near the Long term car park. (not a good photo, but the best I could get as it was surrounded by ground equipment)

These are of the plane that came to take the passengers to Singapore, landing and taxying for take off.

Finally, my first attempt at publishing a video on You Tube.  The Dreamliner taking off on it's way to Singapore.  Its a bit wobbly at times, but I was standing on a step ladder!

ANZAC Day Parade 2023

 Today is ANZAC day. All across Australia and New Zealand there are dawn services and parades to remember those  who died, not only at Gallipoli, but anywhere in service to their country.

In Adelaide there is a big parade of veterans, acting servicemen and relatives, remembering and giving thanks to those the served and still serve.

The parade is led by the greys of the mounted Police, the Police Band and the Flag bearers.

They are followed by representatives of Legacy, a charity supporting the families of veterans of all conflicts.

  

There are no veterans from WW1, and very few from WW2. Those that can, march proudly, and those that can't are pushed or driven in the parade. all proudly displaying their medals.

After the veterans, the serving armed forces march past, followed by the relatives of veterans unable to attend, some carrying mementos with them.

Interspersed in the groups of marchers are marching bands. Some are military bands, but mostly local brass bands and pipe and drum bands.

I noticed this year that some dogs were also included in the parade, with Guide Dogs, Working Dogs and Support Dogs all included.

The parade ends with members of the Barossa Light Horse Historical Association.

Today is a time of reflection and remembrance.  For me, it is the first ANZAC day since my beloved wife Thelma Maryann passed away. We always tried to get to either a dawn service or the parade. It is also for remembering other members of my family who gave their lives for their country:

George Frederick Holbrook, Died 12 Aug 1915, age 23, at Gallipoli, Rifleman in the Hampshire Regiment.

Eric Raymond Holbrook, Died 12 Aug 1915, age 18, at Gallipoli, Lance Corporal in the Hampshire Regiment.

George and Eric were Uncle and Nephew.

Henry George Funnell, Died 28 Oct 1915, age 20, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Sapper in the Royal Engineers

Alfred Victor Funnell(1), Died 28 Oct 1915, age 18, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Driver in the Royal Engineers

Henry and Alfred were brothers.

William Albert Funnell, Died 28 Oct 1915, age 20, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Sapper in the Royal Engineers

Frank Funnell, Died 28 Oct 1915, age 22, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Sapper in the Royal Engineers

Henry, Alfred, William and Frank were all cousins.

Frank Crittenden, Died 28 Oct 1915, age 21, aboard HMS Hythe, off Gallipoli, Turkey , Sapper in the Royal Engineers

HMS Hythe, a troop carrier taking troops to the conflict, was accidentally rammed and sunk off the Gallipoli coast by HMS Sarnia with the loss of 155 lives including 5 of my relatives

Alfred Victor Funnell(2), Died 9 Oct 1916, age 18, Somme, Picardy, France, Private in the Queens Own Royal Kent Regiment

Alfred was also a cousin of Henry, Alfred, William and Frank.

Albert Edward Holbrook, Died 19 Apr 1917, age 23, Palestine, Rifleman in the Hampshire Regiment

Alexander Male, Died 1 Dec 1917, age 33, at Cambrai, Pas de Calais, Private in the Royal Tank Corps.

Harry Philip Holbrook, Died 12 Aug 1918, age 31, Borre, Pas de Calais, France, Sergeant in the Hampshire Regiment

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Thorndon Park Reserve

This morning I caught up with a friend of mine for a walk at Thorndon Park Reserve.  Completed in 1860, it was originally a reservoir supplying Adelaide with water. It is now a recreation park with a playground, picnic and barbeque facilities and walking trails.

We took a slow stroll around the wetland area.  The weather was cold, and there weren't many birds, but we soon spotted some lorikeets feeding in the gum trees.  As usual, they were perfuming acrobatics to get to the nectar.  We saw all three common lorikeet species, but I only managed a photo of this Musk Lorikeet

There ware plenty of ducks and other waterbirds around the park.  This Little Pied Cormorant was loafing by the edge, and close by was an Australian White Ibis having a wash and brush up. 

The only ducks I saw were Pacific Black Duck, and Maned Duck.

As usual, there were Dusky Moorhens, Common Coots and Purple Swamphens in good numbers.

I had a bit of fun trying to get some portrait shots.  They didn't turn out too bad.  Here are Purple Swamphen (again) and a Noisy Miner

A great spot.  I'll come back again when the weather is a bit brighter.