It's simple to be Happy

These words are from this quote - "It is very sinple to be happy, but it is very difficult to be simple"                                                                                                                                    - Rabindranth Tagore.
I found them in the most recent post of 'Beating the Bounds' blogger Mark.

His post was filled with delightful images of primroses, moths, butterflies, spring buds, violets, bumblebees, cowslips, hoverflies, marsh marigolds and a blackbird.

The post concluded with this quote.

"Instructions for living a life.
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it"
               - Mary Oliver

These words epitomise my outlook on life. This post will have few words, just photos of the beauty that has made me happy in the past few weeks, whilst out and about in our wonderful Aussie outdoors.

Reflection of a bird diving for a refreshing dip. This activity was regularly repeated.

We were walking along the shoreline of a reservoir when we spotted Mother Duck with her very young ducklings. They had us laughing with their antics on the lily pads.

We had to tear ourselves away. About 50m further on, we spotted this little fellow who had to have been a sibbling. We just hoped he managed to swim back to his Mum.

On another occasion, this echidna crossed our path. He waddled ahead of us until he found his hollow log beside the path.

Frenzied feeding on the ponds. 

Over the past few weeks our hikes have been slowed by the abundance of wildlife just begging to be photographed.

On Saturday evening we were able to slow down completely and relax on the lawns of the Gold Coast's new outdoor entertainment centre, along with another 15,000 patrons. We were all here for the performance of 'The Symphony of the World' - a captivating and sensational National Geogrphic film supported bythe full Queensland Chamber Orchestra. The orchestral backing to this wildlife spectacular was sensational.

Yes, finding happiness is simple. Just stop, look and listen.

I would love to read your comment.

Easter, Down on the Farm, Part 2.

Easter Sunday

I'm not the best of sleepers. In my waking moments throughout the night, it was wonderful to hear the rain pattering on the iron roof. The morning dawned damp and overcast but I was not deterred from setting forth with my camera, to enjoy a peaceful morning here on the farm.

First cattle seen- a relaxed pair, chewing the cud.

Exiting the home paddock I looked west and was excited to see the full moon setting.

In the east, fog had settled in the valley.

A little hovered over Mt Cullen, where I had climbed the previous day.

It wasn't long before the 'curious cows' appeared over the brow of the ridge. Much calmer than yesterday, they were a joy to behold in the early morning light.

The clouds slowly parted on the horizon allowing the sun's rays to burst into the valley.

Raindrops and fungi now captured my attention.

Adding to the beauty of this dawn was the wondrous symphony of the birds. Turn your sound up.

Easter Monday

This is what I woke up to. Taken without leaving my bed.

From the window.

Of course any thoughts of luxuriating beneath the covers and reading my book, vanished immediately.

Not wanting to greet the cattle too early, I took a different route  to climb the hill. One gate wouldn't open so I had to climb over and ingloriously fell to the damp grass. 

Lesson to self "Remember, you are not as young as you think!"

This isn't the one I tumbled off, but similar.

Dawns golden glow.

In the west, the moon and my favourite muted pink and blue shades.

Playing with the camera.

There was more oohing and aahing over the mushrooms.

If only you could see the interior walls of the dairy which are filled with pencilled messages, reminders and information on the herd.

Over 100 years old, what stories this giant fig tree could share of the humorous, sad, busy, relaxed, drama filled and happy times on the farm. Its roots can be seen a good 30m from its trunk.

Mid afternoon, I reluctantly packed up the car and headed north again. There was no need of melancholy as the beauty of the farm followed me back over the border.  These cattle grazing, just 20 mins down the road, interrupted the journey for a good ten minutes.  

I take the Lions Road home. Built by Kyogle Lions Club, [my Grandfather and Uncles also worked on it] it winds its way along Gradys Creek, climbs through the dense rainforest of the Macpherson Range to the border and then drops down to Running Creek. Soooo many photo opportunites, but this was the last one - for Ben.

I would love to read your comment.