10 September 2013

Don't fence me in


At the Sewerage treatment works, Cooranbong, there's a row of wooden posts sticking up out of the water over there, near the middle of the pond.  Obviously part of the filtration fixtures because there were multiple parallel rows of them.  

With my camera lens aimed through the wire netting I hoped to get a reasonable photograph of all those posts ...



and, leading you along here, moreso, I wanted to capture this water-dragon as I know it.   Or is it known as something else; maybe it's the Eastern Water Dragon?


Before I walked away from the fence I could see something else coming along from one side, so waited for it to come into view of the camera lens ...


 here's the Chestnut Teal paddling by in a hurry.  I might wonder for a moment what those big dragons actually eat?  Do you think they could sample a Chestnut Teal if they really wanted to??


As I stepped back there was lots of this old-fashioned daisy.  I remember it from childhood days, and these daisies would grow on roadside verges, when we had dirt roads and no cement kerbs for many years.  Neighbourhood kids would sit on the grass and gather the daisies.  You'd  make a split in the stem with your fingernail, in which to thread the next daisy stem.

Did this happen in other parts of the world too?  Make long chains of threaded daisies, and then join the ends to make a daisy-chain for around your neck or a daisy-head-band?


From dragons to daisies; from sewerage treatment works to nostalgia; a little something different.

20 comments:

Irma said...

Beautiful pictures Carole, especially picture 3 and 4.
This animal we have not in Netherlands.
Greetings Irma

Seraphinas Phantasie said...

What a wonderful Water dragon. So beautiful. I enjoy also the yellow flower !

TexWisGirl said...

just awesome! love your zoom!!!

grammie g said...

Hi Carole... So made me laugh that Dragon all hanging out on the posts!!
Then the Duck just floating by, just a strange combination! : )

Yes the daisy chain we did here to in the same way!! Crowns and necklaces, and they like !! The difference is that our daisies are white!!Also did the petal pulling, he loves me he loves me not until the last petal !! Hated the loves me not when it came at the last petal! haha!!

Grace

Joop Zand said...

WOW...this is again a lovely serie Carole.... specially that second one.

Greetings, Joop

John @ Beans and I on the Loose said...

I like that big lizard. I can imagine him swimming out there and climbing the stakes.

DeniseinVA said...

Great shots Carole, that water dragon is amazing! The duck doesn't seem to be too bothered by it :)

Brian King said...

I'm not up on my reptiles much, but that's a cool looking lizard! Your composition is really nice with those posts.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Carole lovely selection of shots today. I wonder is that Dragon dangerous?

Deanna said...

yikes, I don't think I want to run into that water dragon...it is a bit large and it does look like it could take that Chestnut Teal down without any problem.

Carole M. said...

thanks to everyone for your comments, and to 'grammieg' Grace, nice that we grew up with like traditions re the daisy-chains, and also the 'he loves me/not' rhyme...

Lynn said...

I would be hesitant to get close to that dragon , but the duck does not seem to be concerned .

We used to make chains from the stems from dandelions in my part of the world in much the same manner as you described the " daisy chain" .

I enjoy your blog - thank you for sharing.

Christian Perrin said...

Haha, sounds like the Sewerage Treatment Plant offers a great day out! That photo of the Dragon and the Teal is fantastic - I love mixed species shots like that. And what an impressive Dragon specimen! I reckon he'd have a go at a duckling for sure, but I think the adult Teal would be safe.

I also like the personal touch at the end there :)

eileeninmd said...

Carole, the water dragon is cool. And the Teal and flowers are pretty. Great sightings and photos.

Karen said...

Oh wow Carole, that water dragon is magnificent!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

The water dragon looks like he is enjoying his sunny post. He's not even interested in the duck swimming past.
The daisies are really pretty.

Jan Castle said...

Yep, I remember doing that!!! Never saw a 'water dragon' before...hope he does not eat the little duck!

Unknown said...

I remember being told when I was young that if you picked the dandylions, you would wet your bed. I did and I didn't. Good capture of water dragon, Carole.

Montanagirl said...

Amazing photos! Hope that Dragon didn't eat the Duckie!!

Wally Jones said...

Nice series of photos and excellent commentary, Carole!

Water treatment facilities are among my favorite places to go birding. As you illustrate, there's no telling what you can find there!