My Frustrating, Blue Feathered Friend

This is the view through the window beside my desk, where I am constantly interrupted by the twittering of a blue wren and his two female companions. I am ever hopeful that he will sit still long enough for me to enjoy his beauty and even better, to capture that beauty with my camera. Success is rare, but I continue to live in hope.

This is the loud twittering that disrupts and has me regularly peering out the window and often, reaching for the camera. The hen was happy to pose for me. [All the pics have been taken through the window.]

This morning when I walked in, I spotted him sitting under the hedge.

Now you see him. Now you don't.

Seconds later.

The blurry images.

When I walked outside to try my luck, the hen flew up and rested on the power line.

Three of my more successful images.

We have lived in this home for almost eleven years now, but it is only in the last year, that the wrens have become residents in our garden.

 I've also noticed that their twittering is also more prevalent in the shrubbery, the length of my 8 kilometre morning walk. I don't understand why they are now prolific, but it adds joy to the walk, especially if there is an occasional sighting. I'm ever hopeful of the perfect capture!

The Adventure of 'Lonely' Gaitor and Leslie Ladybird

For various reasons, today's Gaitor Girl hike was cancelled. I really wanted to get out and about after 4 days of drizzly, but lovely rain. Last night I phoned a friend and asked if I could drop in for tea and toast. I was given the nod and had planned to set off about 6am.  I woke early, so as the sun rose, Leslie Ladybird and I were heading out the front door.

Leslie spotted two of her friends.

A short rest stop.

The sun was on our backs.

We enjoyed the creek reflections.

Weeds took on a special beauty in the early morning light.

Eye-catching trees.

 It was definitely a morning for enjoying reflections.

A distant view.

Sensational waterlilies were enjoyed to the max.

Decaying but beautiful.

Unbelievable that almost 12 months ago, the footbridge I am standing on, was totally covered by flood waters. A boat that went adrift was caught in its railings.

7 kms under the belt, time to relax in the garden paradise of a very special friend.

As the timed neared 10am, Leslie Ladybird and I stopped to check our newly planted begonias before diving into the pool to refresh our feet.

I was able to extend our return journey, giving a final distance of 16 very rewarding kilometres. My motto is " It is not the distance. It is the journey" So true this morning. I will also add, "You don't have to travel far, to find nature's beauty."

Tamborine Mountain Sunset Hike

The humidity is back and an afternoon hike, in rainforest, seemed the best solution for the Hungry Hikers destination this week. Our local 'peak', Tamborine Mountain, [525m] offered both rainforest and a perfect viewing spot to enjoy sunset across the valley, to the Scenic Rim.

Immediately we stepped into the rainforest of the Palm Grove / Jenyns Circuit at 4pm, we felt the benefit of a lower temperature. This rainforest is filled with soaring piccabeen palms and dramatic buttressed yellow carabeen and strangler fig trees. On this occasion, I assume as a result of our Christmas / New Year storm activity, the understudy was quite clear, so our eyes were drawn to magnificent trees we hadn't been able to spot before. Our progress was slow as we tried to take in the breathtaking beauty of the living, and sadly the recently fallen old trees.

I usually can't help clicking away madly on our bush walks. Now that we find ourselves repeating our favourites, I have tried to keep my camera in my backpack and just enjoy the moment.  By the end of the hike and seeing my friends pics, I wish I had done otherwise. Thankfully they don't mind sharing.
Each photographer will be acknowledged.

Laurel

Jocelyn

Jocelyn

Jocelyn

Halfway through the trail, there is a sneak view of the Gold Coast. The tall white buildings are our new university hospital, and to the right, the Commonwealth Games athletes village.

We walked passed these towers on our outing last week.

We were on a time schedule to be out of the forest by 6pm. We suddenly realised that the time had gotten away from us, with the result that our ascent out of the Grove was quite rushed and the beads of sweat became rivulets.

It was a short drive to our sunset viewing destination. It seemed inconceivable that within minutes of stepping out of the car, we would be grabbing for a light jacket to protect us from the cold of the afternoon mountain breeze. Heavy, threatening, foggy cloud was behind us as we organised our picnic. Thankfully the first drops didn't fall until 7.30 as we made our departure.

Laurel

The view to the horizon of the Scenic rim, using my zoom - approx 60 km /40 miles. 

Without the zoom.

The sun's rays spread across the valley as we relaxed with our nibbles and bubbles. - Jayne

My panorama.

Capturing this bird in flight was a sheer chance. I gasped as I clicked, having spotted its flight in the viewer. It had chosen the perfect moment to fly across our view.

Jocelyn's I-phone capture.

On arrival, we were the only visitors to this outlook. Within minutes others arrived to also enjoy the beauty and serenity of this wonderful viewpoint.

Jenny's Samsung capture.

Looking south-west to my favourite peak, Mt Lindsey. 

My early childhood was spent on a farm an hour south. We made an annual winter trek passed Mt Lindsey,  driving to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, for 2 weeks of sun, sand and surf. It was always quite an expedition.

View north west.

Last light - time to pack up, but feeling quite elated with the joy of our afternoon out and about down under.