Enjoying Nature and Other Things

 "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks". - John Muir.

I totally agree. Please enjoy the many special special moments I experienced over of the past few weeks.

Kookaburras

Pelican

King Parrot

White Faced Heron

Tawny Frogmouth - I've just learnt that they are not an owl. They have a different physical structure and behavior.

We were looking for koalas in the eucalpytus trees, when Janice spotted them. Can you see them up high?

It is rare to spot them, but visiting a friend last week, we were surprised that one was visiting her. 

Masses of Corellas frequent the golf course. On occasion they will take to the air en masse, very noisily.  Their white feathers against a blue sky is a sight to behold. As yet, I haven't managed to capture the spectacle. Below is my effort last week before they settled in the tree.

After lunch yesterday, their numbers made a white line along the edge of the golf pond. I felt sure that they would take flight. I held my camera in readiness for about 10 minutes but all they did was spread out and continued to graze.

Sunrise light.

A happy bee!

Much of my regular walking in nature has been disrupted by the Major Mitchell Parrot below. I had created the book shown, several years ago for Ben and Nora. Then, when the daughter of a friend was expecting a baby, I created a felt MM parrot. Since June, three of my close friends have welcomed a new Grandchild. When I discovered a crochet pattern for Major Mitchell, I thought it would be easier than working with felt. My right wrist doesn't agree, but no 3 was gifted this week, to a newly arrived bundle of joy.

This sunset with Nora dancing in the foreground fills me with joy and was snapped by her Mum. Kim sent it to the local news station. The following evening it concluded the news.

An unusually thick fog blanketed the golf course recently.

Quite the opposite scene the following morning.

Early morning reflections on the Brisbane River at Sherwood, as we set off walking yesterday.

The reflections were enhanced by birdsong.

An information board nearby, stated that this Eucalyptus was 200 years old!

This trio must each be at least 100.

Walking through one of Brisbane's oldest suburbs, we found that many of the streets were lined with Camphor laurel and Moreton Bay Figs, filling the pathway.

A return visit is definitely on the cards in October, to see this amazing Jacaranda covered in its purple blossoms. Jacarandas shed their leaves in late winter before flowering in late October.

Sunday afternoon saw me at a concert - 'Brisbane Sings'. Community choirs sang individually and also massed for three sensational items. It was a joyous and uplifting event.

I was unable to take public transport to the event in Fortitude Valley in the city. Not wanting to pay for parking, I drove some very prestigious streets to find a spot with no time limit. Concentrating on driving, I didn't notice this piece of real estate until I stopped the car. What a gem it once must have been, but it was the mini amongst the nasturtiums that I fell in love with.

Sun kissed beauty of a spider's web.

So grateful for the beauty of nature and to have the time to stop and appreciate it in her many forms.

I would love to read your comment.

Return to Girraween

9 - 11 August, 2025

 October 2020, saw four good friends visiting Wyberba Cottage and Girraween National Park, on the highlands west of Brisbane. An amazing 3 days were enjoyed. Jan recently decided that a return visit was due. Two weeks ago, on a very wet morning and with a very cold, wet forecast ahead, 8 of us set off. Thankfully we drove out of the rain before reaching the range. 

Here ia a link to our 2020 visit if you are interested to compare our visits.

https://outandabout3.blogspot.com/2021/01/girraween-adventure-part-one-arrival.html

The clouds still hung low over Cunninghams Gap.

The black soil plains had relished the wet conditions, but the road was extremely potholed. Eventhough a major thoroughfare, the speed limit was reduced to 60 k/h for many, many kilometres.

Wyberba Cottage - With only 3 bedrooms, it was lovely that Catherine and Grant were able join us and sleep in their van.

Check in was 2 pm. We were soon settled in, relaxing and enjoying the fire. A rare treat to be mesmerised by flickering flames.

At 3.30pm, a short drive had us at the entrance to our sunset trail. Alas, no sooner than we were out of the car, than it began to drizzle. We were in luck, it didn't last long.

Eventhough light snow had fallen here the previous weekend, the spring wildflowers were bursting into bloom.

Our joy of this lovely, circuit trail came to a flooded end.

About turn! We were now walking the circuit in an anti-clockwise direction.

A very friendly female kangaroo.

A pretty impressive buck.

After a kilometre, the trail passed beside the swollen Bald Rock Creek. On our previous visit we were able to cross to the opposite bank quite easily. Not on this occasion, and we soon became aware that we would have to keep to the bush path to get to The Junction, our destination.

We have arrived.

Time to enjoy our wine and nibbles, a package that Leanne had individually organised.

A colourful sunset didn't look promising, but we were a happy bunch enjoying the serenity of the hour and our surroundings.  

Well after what we thought was sunset time, the sky put on a delayed show.

The light was quickly fading. We donned our headlamps and returned to the trail.

The final sunset glow in the west and a watery full moon trying to rise in the east.

7pm saw us relaxing back at the cottage. Joc and I were on dinner duty.

As we relaxed around the fire after dinner, we were all grateful that weather had been kind, allowing us this very special start to our weekend.

I would love to read your comment.