The May Full Moon

 It had been an incredibly busy week. On Thursday, I spread 20 bales of sugar cane mulch on a friend's garden. The temperature was perfect for this work. In the past, a task like this was no big deal, but yet again the body is telling me times are a changing. I struggled to finish and had to have a long soaking bath on arriving home. By the time the moon was due to rise, I wasn't sure I had the energy to walk outside to watch. So glad I did. It was the most beautiful, still and peaceful evening. Nature worked its magic on me.

With a wide horizon, one has to watch carefully to catch the moon's first appearance. I wasn't sure I had found it, when I took the first image.

On Monday, as I mentioned previously, I took my cousin to visit a friend at Cabarita. My time was spent sitting on the rocks watching the ebb and flow of the waves.

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These lads must have tough soles to their feet. They causally walked across the chiton encrusted rocks to jump into the surf. My heart didn't enjoy watching.

Tuesday was another busy day, but the Gaiter Girls accommodated me with an afternoon, local walk.

The Albert River.

Wednesday I had to take a quick trip to Kyogle. It takes 2 hours, but the rural vistas always thrill me and slow me down. Only one photo stop this time.

This morning I finally found time for my morning walk. This shrub mass below is called Snowflakes and it always puts on a wondrous show, at this time of year.

 I was going to photograph the moon, but the birdsong was so lovely this video resulted. Our natives are a mass of blossom for them to feed on.

This now finds me sitting with this view of Brisbane's main railway station. I am travelling overnight to Townsville to visit my brother and his family.

I would love to read your comments.

Fabulous Weather Flora and Fauna

This is May.

Sunday night, 5 May, saw me up at 3 am to enjoy the much advertised Eta Aquariid meteor shower, claimed to be the best of the century! We had had days of cloud, so I was thrilled to wake to a starry sky. Alas, not one was a shooting star! My phone image just shows the light illumination from the Gold Coast, some 30 km away, not that my phone was ever going to record a shooting star. As a consquence, I never imagined that if I had travelled to the farm, I may have had a chance of seeing the Southern Aurora. There have been some amazing, widespread sightings here, and of cause brilliant images from the northern hemisphere. I can only hope that October may be a good time to see them on PEI.

6 May

Waking at 6, the sky to the west had a touch of pink, but a golden sunrise, mist, birds and shadows, thrilled me in the east.

The golf green mower, had already been through.

7 May 

The weather radar, and the sky to the east, showed ominous clouds, but there was no forecast of rain. The Gaiter Girls set off at  6.30 to the Crinkle Bush, Shark's Tail and Stone Hut Trails at nearby Carbrook. In January, the Hungry Hikers set off for a different trail but one very near here . They arrived to a torrential downpour and escaped to Mt Cotton for coffee, and then a lovely, local suburban walk.

Low and behold, this morning had exactly the same outcome for the GG's! Much laughter from me!

About 5 k's from our destination this huge rainbow appeared. Fortunately, we were at a point where we could turn right, to take a short road down to the Logan River parkland.

Janice's photo.

On our arrival at the trail's entrance, it was raining to the extreme. Yep, let's head for Mt Cotton and coffee.

Coffee enjoyed and the rain had cleared! The lovely suburban walk had its second walk from me. I was not complaining.

Top to bottom, LHS - Butcher Bird, Blue Stone Curlew, mother and noisy baby Ibis. RHS - Great Egret.

9 May

My early Mt Warren walk.

10 May - Ditto

It is unusual to see the Scaley Breasted Parrot.

11 May - Ditto

Looking east, the rain is still about at sunrise, but held off until later in the day.

12 May   - 5 pm onwards.

The massive whiteish cloud  on the RHS became a storm cell. Lightning was flashing all evening. I was surprised that my I-phone caught this image below.

14 May

It was Gaiter Girl walking day again. We headed for last week's trails. An absolutely marvellous morning exploring this new trail ensued. We were surprised by the diversity of the vegetation and the Gums/Eucalpyts, were looking stunning in the morning light, under crisp, clear blue skies.

I was amused by the trail names.

Someone named this tree, 'Shark's Tail'.

Morning tea was back at the Logan River.

15 May

Standing at the kitcken window at 7 am, I was thrilled to spot not one, but 5 pelicans feeding on the closest pond. It has been a long time since they have visited. Time poor, I decided to use the zoom on my camera to photograph them from some 100 metres away.

16 May - Feeding is over and 2 extras have flown in.

20 May

Winter has arrived. 9 C this morning at 6 am. The max is forecast to be 23 C. I am taking a friend to the coast to visit an elderly friend, so am looking forward to a sunny beach walk, under blue skies and gentle waves caressing the shore.

I'm back. It was a glorious day.

Meanwhile, 2 days ago, [18 May] my morning walk brought me these joys.

The above, is a very old and large Melaleucca, Paper Bark tree. It was a mass of blossoms and the scent of the nectar was heavenly, attracting many, many birds.

I think you just may guessed that I love this time of year. I recently spent 2 days in the garden planting, pruning and rearranging. Such a pleasure with these temperatures.

I would love to read your comment.