The Story of the Ladybirds

Early 2012, my sister-in-law Michelle, suggested I make cards, using my photographs. She felt the photographs were worthy of such an endeavour and that people would love to buy them. I couldn't get my head around selling the cards for my profit so to speak, so did nothing. A few months later it was my birthday, and my gift from Michelle was a kit to create 20 cards. My friends snapped them up. Soon after, my son was involved in a charity bike ride and had to raise $2500.  This gave me a purpose and I raised over $800 for him. I continued selling the cards and regularly donated money to the cancer fund. 

A colleague and now good friend, mentioned that if I could make cards with ladybird photographs, she would be able to sell heaps. There was a very sad cancer story attached to this reasoning. 

Collage of some of my cards sold.

So I went hunting for ladybirds, but the Australian ladybird is quite small and elusive. My attempts to photograph them, were poor to say the least.

I needed the skill of 'Linda's Lens' to capture a shot good enough for a card.

https://photomomlinda.blogspot.com.au/2016/03/first-day-of-spring.html

Not long afterwards, I was in our local hardware store and found the ladybird below. Given her size, I thought she would be would be perfect to use as a model. Often there is too much shine on her wings, but I have captured some lovely snapshots. 

Alas I had to sell all my cards that were already made, before creating the ladybird cards. The result is that, although the cards are sold, I've yet to find time to create more. Sometime soon I hope.

Ladybird and the bromeliad.

Joining us on a hike at the beach - ready for some dune jumping.

Delighting in the beauty of some rarely seen autumn leaves.

Accompanying us on a rainforest walk.

Unexpectedly having a horse ride.

About a year later, a smaller ladybird was found in a craft shop. Much easier to pack, she has enjoyed some overseas jaunts.

Canadian fir tree.

Swiss snow.

English soulmate.

Attending the Ladybird summit in the Lake District of England.

On our return home from overseas, my ladybird family grew. A lovely friend brought a tiny Murano ladybird, from Venice for me.

Being a little shy and fragile, she rarely leaves the house.

July 2016, saw me visiting my brother in North Queensland. The lovely Michelle [his wife] welcomed me with this cute, wooden ladybird for my collection.

He is very adventurous and hiked the the thick northern rainforest and lovely sandy beaches with us,

2 more ladybirds have arrived from wonderful friends. The tiniest, on the leaf, flying all the way from Terrace, Canada.

Having made such a long flight, he quite happily sits on my hat, when we are out and about.

Slightly larger than his Venitian friend, this ladybird only likes the bromeliads.

On special occasions, this little fellow likes to ride along on my earrings, another lovely gift from a friend.

When I first photographed the ladybird, I added captions to the photographs and included them in my blog. I happened upon these recently and decided to include them again.

So that is the story of the Ladybirds and why they keep appearing in my blog and on occasion, tricking people into thinking they are real.

Recently, I have had one or two more successful photographic attempts.

Kneeling down to take a lake view, I discovered this tiny one in Banff National Park, Canada.

 

Locally

Alpurjurra, Spain.

This was a heart breaking find amidst the lava of Mt Etna.

Some of you may have noticed that the Ladybirds have a new friend when they go exploring.

I wonder if you can guess what is special about this gorgeous ladybird?

So that's the story of my ladybirds. Keep your eyes open to spot them in your garden.

I would love to read your comment.

A Morning Beside the Brisbane River

Wednesday 1st March

The official first day of autumn in Australia. The previous few days the temperature had dropped to 29 C, but summer was not going to play fair and quietly fade away, so our choice of walk by the river was far hotter than expected. There was no breeze and the heat of the pavement reflected upwards.

We met at the Southbank train station at close to 9am, having all commuted rather than taking cars through the deadly peak hour traffic. Our plan was to have coffee on the Goodwill Bridge and then walk beside the river all the way to Teneriffe ferry terminal, to cross to Oxford Street and its very popular eateries - a good 10kms before lunch and a movie.

Crossing the Goodwill Bridge

The Goodwill Bridge, so named after the Goodwill Games of 2001, is, I have just discovered, only one of three bridges in the world to have a cafe. It's owner, Brendan, offers an experience not expected from a humble coffee cart. The spectacular river and city view is already in place, but Brendan adds a warm welcome, efficient service, conversation, music, locally roasted Merlo Coffee, and home baked muffins, cakes and slices. It would be quite easy not to continue walking.

 

Low tide in the mangroves beside the Botanical Gardens.

The view down river, as we walked along the riverbank of the Botanical Gardens, after crossing the Goodwill Bridge.

The city skyline from the Botanical Gardens riverside.

Prior to walking under the bridge to towards the Riverside walkway, we had this view.

View from the Riverside Walkway to the city skyline.

The Brisbane Riverwalk, a water highway for pedestrians and cyclists, juts out along a cliff section of the river. This permanent fixture was built to replace Brisbane's first floating riverwalk, that was all but swept away in the catastrophic flood of 2011.

A fantastic shot of the cliffs beside the walkway, taken by Laurel.

Further along the river we were much amused by this offical looking sign.

A marble car sculpture in one of many riverside parks.

Growing up, every garden had at least one frangipani tree. Its heady romantic fragrance, is synonymous with the best things of summer. It was named, after the creator of a 16th C Italian perfume used to scent gloves - Marquis Frangipani.

It was lovely to find them growing prolifically, along his section of the river shoreline.

Lovely view, but the seats did not tempt us on this hot day.

About a kilometre further downstream from the above photo is the Teneriffe Ferry Terminal, our end destination for this side of the river. Here we crossed to the opposite terminal of Oxford Street, Bulimba. With over a 100 metres left to walk, we spotted the CityCat coming up river. A very impressive dash from us all, and fortunately many passengers waiting to board, saw us covering the distance in time.

View from the Oxford Street Terminal, as our ferry continues back to Brisbane City.

From the tranquility of the river, we walked along the lovely tree lined Oxford Street, to its vibrant collection of cafes, bars and boutiques, to its original [then open air] early 19th C, cinema. We bought tickets to 'Hidden Figures', before finding the highly recommended Greek Cafe - My Greek Cuzina'. The prices were low and the food was simply superb. I will be returning.

I found 'Hidden Figures' a deeply moving story of these remarkable women working for NASA, given the prejudice and bias of that time. I've since learnt through googling, that these women went on to have respected and valued careers. 

It may have been hot and sweaty, but hiking down under always lifts ones spirits and makes one glad to be out and about.

I would love to read your comment.