Autumn mornings

Thursday 1 June

The first of June is officially Winter, here in Australia. The last two weeks of autumn have seen crisp cool mornings with clear blue skies. Our temperature range has been as low as 6C and as high as 23 C. Several days only reached 19C.

It is such a joy to be out and about early. Without the heat and humidity, I feel energised and have been able to complete my 6 km circuit much more quickly. Of course, that time is often lengthened when nature begs to be photographed, as below.

Walking with Janice locally.

Nature's reflections.

First mist on my favourite oval.

And nearby dewy, misty scenes.

Dew drops on a dandelion.

Calliandra or Red powder Puff flower with dewdrops.

One morning last week, I was delighted to discover that there were no golfers on the fairway, so I was able to start my walk on the golf course. 

First misty scenes.

And then the sum slowly rose.

It was just magical light.

Pink Galahs or Cockatoos flew overhead.

Further on, this baby Cormorant kept me fascinated as he dived and swam.

Our Grevillea has been pruned to let the winter sun into our pergola area. This Rosella Parrot entertained my husband and me as we had a cuppa.

Tuesday 30th, the Gaiter Girls walked beside the Logan River at Cornubia. Tranquil scenes greeted us.

Yesterday the Hungry Hikers drove to the coast and walked the path of the Southport Broadwater. Even at 9am the views were stunning in the autumn light. Of interest, the first whales have just been sighted off the coastline, beginning their northern migration.

Unusual to see a number of Black Swans on the Broadwater, but very few Pelicans.

You may have noted that there has been no autumn colour in the above images. The odd deciduous tree can be spotted but to find true autumn colour, Jocelyn and I had to drive the 140 kilometres to Toowoomba, at an elevation of 690 metres.

It was a lovely day, but high winds at the weekend had dropped much of the colour and we really had to search to take these images.

Lake Annad Park

Japanese Gardens

The Camellias in the Japanese Gardens were in full bloom.

What a difference elevation makes. Warwick, 80 kilometres further south of Toowoomba, and at a similar elevation, woke to this frosty scene on Tuesday. Brrrr!

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Enjoying Country Vistas

Friday 24 February  - [catching up]

I had long wanted to attend the annual Killarney Country Show. It always coincided with our visits to PEI. This year it was held in February, so friends Jocelyn and Marlene joined me for the approx 200 km road trip out.

An overcast and unusually, cool, February day made the drive very scenic with the clouds drifting over the ranges and down into the valleys. 

I know the road like the back of my hand and didn't bother to check google maps until we came to a sign that said ROAD CLOSED! I was very disappointed as this was my favourite section of our journey.

The road we were on, continued with bitumen, and as it was a long way back to find another road to take us to Killarney, the decision was made to continue, hoping the road would circle around to our destination.

Alas, only a few k's on we were greeted by a gravel road. Another few k's and some workmen vaguely said, 'Yes, you will get there". It was a marvellous mystery drive, and eventually, we knew exactly where we were and were very happy that the road closed sign, sent us into new territory.

A herd of Hereford Cattle were grazing in an unfenced paddock. We stopped to gaze and take photos. 

We noted that the morning was passing quickly and this field was the perfect spot to have our morning cuppa. [Aussie speak]

Continuing on, the road crossed into the state of New South Wales and then back into Queensland.

LHS - Qld road, border fence and NSW's green pasture.

Back into Queensland. 

Bottom image - the headwaters of the Condamine River. Its waters eventually join the Murray Darling River system to reach the Great Australian Bight, over 3000 km away.

If Joc is shivering, it is definitely a chilly day. 

The Condamine above the Queen Mary Falls.

A 3 km circuit took us below the falls.

A few k's on the water tumbles over Daggs Falls.

Mural in Killarney. It is a country show and we soon discovered that as such it wasn't getting underway until 4pm. We wanted to be well and truly on the way home by then. Next year?

The Tannymorel grain storage shed.

Google map image of the agricultural, Darling Downs area we were driving home through.

We didn't experience the Killarney Show, but it had been a marvellous day in the country.

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