Ibis and Water Dragons

 Ibis and Water Dragons

Both creatures are regularly spotted when we are out and about. Both were rarely seen when I was growing up. Both have had to adapt to urban life over the past ten years. Their numbers are now quite prolific in suburbia. Sadly, both are spotted scavenging for food in outdoor cafes and parks.

Many people intensely dislike the Ibis because it can look very dirty from where it has been scavenging. They are too often found landing on cafe tables or pulling out the contents of open bins. They have been named the Bin Chicken because of this habit.

I feel very sorry for this native bird and am thrilled to photograph them in their natural habitat. This post stems from an April Fool joke that I fell for. It was announced that Ian the Ibis would be our mascot for the Olympics to be held here in Brisbane, in 2032.

Time will tell if the Ibis will claim fame at the Olympics.  During March however, I enjoyed our Roma Street Gardens and spotted the living and non living Ibis.

In the wild.

A recent comment from a regular reader of my blog re the Water Dragon, prompted me to include them in this post.

We have many venomous and dangerous animals here in Oz, but the Water Dragon isn't one of them. Yes, he looks fierce and frightening, but he is regularly seen scavenging beneath cafe tables and resting in the sunshine along busy pathways. Spotted unexpectedly they give one a fright, but left alone they are harmless. In the first 2 images I was less than a metre away when I took the photos. They didn't even flinch.

By the sea.

And everywhere in the Roma Street Gardens. I was thrilled that I had brought my camera with me, allowing me to zoom in for these images.

Both such beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.

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Making the Most of Things.

29 April to 13 May 

We have settled well into our new life at Tarragindi Green. The thing I miss most is my open golf course view. The best I can do for sunset images here at the Green, is to walk to the far corner of the bowling green and look over the back fence. Here's the scenes I've enjoyed, almost on tiptoes.

Thick morning fog.

Inter Village bowls meet.

Fun but damp at times.

Some of you will know that I belong to a 'Pigs' group of friends. All teachers, meeting regularly now for some 25 years. Our lovely Sue has just walked the breast Cancer and double masectomy trail and has come through brilliantly. Our meet up recently was hosted by Lyndell as a cancer "Big Morning Tea", in honour of Sue's journey. $300 was donated to breast cancer research.

The circle around Sue and Liz is because Liz had to take this same journey this time last year. Thankfully Liz has also been given the all clear.

A recent Hungry Hiker walk took us along Norman Creek, before we returned to Joc's unit for brunch.  Joc was unable to walk, as yesterday she had a melanoma surgically removed from the side of her left foot. Again the news is good. A PET scan earlier in the week showed that it hasn't spread. Both she and Margot will not be walking for some weeks to come. Margot had her left hip replaced on Wednesday.

We aren't called Hungry HIkers for nothing, but we had just completed 10 km with a 6.30am start.

I join the Tarragindi Green walkers when I am available. A 6.30 am start last week, saw us strolling at Sherwood Arboretum.

These leaves are as close as we get to autumn colour.

Everyone brought their own breakfast to cook on the BBQ. Such a lovely morning and new group of friends.

Last week the Hungry Hikers were only three. We explored locally and walked in and out of showers. Our reward, this magnificent rainbow

The city looked just as damp.

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