Koala Cutness

 On Tuesdays, I walk with one of two groups. For various reasons, the Gaiter Girls aren't walking regularly. As we are now living in the 'Tarragindi Green' retirement village, I can join their early-morning walking group, which is enjoyed at several local locations. I also join this group on Thursday mornings. Leaving from The Green, we walk about 800 metres up the hill to a reservoir surrounded by tall eucalyptus trees and complete as many circuits as we like.

This week's destination was the Archerfield Wetlands. 

The past couple of weeks of cold, wet weather have been replaced with hot, humid and stormy conditions. A very noisy thunderstorm passed through at 2 am, the result being that the Archerfield Wetlands lived up to their name. At just under a kilometre, the path became unwalkable.

The sky after Monday afternoon's storm.   

Archerfield Wetland trail.

A huge bush turkey nest was spotted as we returned to the bus.

Photo by Jeni McKenzie.

We returned to the reservoir but only managed to complete 2 laps when a cute, furry marsupial was discovered in a gum tree.

I took photos of him, but Jeni's camera had far better clarity, as he was high up in the tree.

I did successfully take a video of his antics.

To complete an eventful morning, we enjoyed a cuppa back at the Green's cafe.

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Tree Trunks and Jacarandas of Tarragindi

 South East Queensland has been swamped with rain over the past few days. A further deluge was forecast for today. Waking up early and finding it dry, I decided to walk my local 5 km circuit. 

Tarragindi is a very old, hilly suburb of Brisbane (approx. 1930s) and consequently very leafy. Its most notable tree is the jacaranda, brought to Brisbane from South Africa in 1864. At present, the trees form a vivid sea of purple and violet, and the pavement below is a carpet of fallen leaves.  Pring Street is always particularly beautiful, so I made it my main destination.

But first, the tree trunks on the footpaths caught my attention. 

Low, dense cloud as I set out.

Amazing new growth.

The Flame Tree is also looking stunning.

Flame Tree, misty mountain, and spot the jacaranda.

Leopard Tree.

The jacarandas nearing Pring Street.

Looking east, then west. Same tree.

Now entering Pring Street and its spectacular purple blossoms. The blue sky didn't linger.

Looking up. 

White jacaranda. 

Looking back down Pring Street. 

Making my way home.

Top of our street

Bottom of our street.

It has rained steadily all afternoon, and it continues as I turn out the light.

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