Little Pied Cormorant

During my visit to Bobbin Head this week, is where I also found this sweet Little Pied Cormorant.

Sharing with S.O.O.C. Sunday

Ocean views

Sharing with Scenic Sunday

Flowers (and hugs) for Leontien

An email during the week from TexWisGirl/run-a-roundranch, as one of several co-ordinators of a surprise blog event starting today, for Leontien Vandelaar of Four Leaf Clover Tales.

Leontien can do with some cheering up we know, while she's working through her battle with cancer.  We wish to offer you Leontien, a super flower-power event, to show you we care, and are here barracking for you from every corner  of the globe.

Purple tibouchinas from my garden in coastal N.S.W. Australia, after heavy overnight rains early this week for you Leontien.  Wishing you the reprieve you deserve, strength and courage, in big numbers.

Linking here with A Rural Journal (Flowers for Leontien)

Kuringai National Park, Bobbin Head

Pebbly Beach (also known as Gravelly Beach)

After such a crisp and breezy start to this morning, who'd have thought the afternoon would be so glorious. Pebbly Beach is on the southern side of Norah Head, where the lighthouse stands.

Sharing with Outdoors Wednesday

Swans, and Magpie Geese

admiring how sweet .. Mother Swan, and her beautiful little cygnets, at the Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo

a closeup of the Daddy Swan ...and the last.  I hadn't noticed that he had Attitude, until exhibiting quite some momentum as he surged toward the bank.  Hadn't planned on being attacked by a swan either, so it was at this point that a quick retreat back to the car eventuated. 

Magpie Goose seen at the Hunter Wetlands Centre, Shortland

According to Birds in Backyards, it would appear that the goose at the front is a male, since the knob on the crown is large.  This also, characteristically increases in size as the bird ages.

Sharing with World Bird Wednesday

Fort Scratchley, Newcastle

Yesterday I was cutting aromatic rosemary, to deliver to a local club where dawn services will be held this quite cool morning, to commemorate Anzac Day.  In my front garden, the flag will be up shortly, though this photo is one from my archives.  Protocol is for the flag to be raised only halfway through till midday, when it can then be raised to the masthead.



My tribute to Anzac Day last year is here, and I hope you'll read it, because that post tells not only the significance of Anzac Day (and the rosemary too), but also shares a little surprise.

Fort Scratchley, Newcastle, opened in 1882, after fears of Russian attacks.

 

Following information taken from signage at the Fort:

Walls and ceilings were made with concrete up to a metre thick.  Earth heaped against the external walls provided extra protection.  Vaulted ceilings and arched openings strengthened the fortress structure.


This fort was designed as an enclosed fortification so that it could be defended from all sides.

Large guns were aimed through small firing windows by manoeuvring them on curved floor rails.

Cool air flowing through corridors and hidden vents, leaves the tunnels dry and free of mould

Wall cavities were moulded into the concrete as mounts for candles or lanterns.  In dangerous areas the naked flame was shielded behind glass.  (Air vents allowed the flames to breathe.  Bronze mesh protected the glass from breaking).

 A very comprehensive site, for history and photographs Fort Scratchley Historical Society.

Sumatran Tiger

 Location: Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo, N.S.W.

 A great opportunity to get a photo of this beautiful animal between lots of other people, wherever I could nudge me and my camera, without treading on anyone's toes.

Feeding on a young kangaroo

and naturally the tiger chose to eat it's meal way back from the audience, in the shade of a tree

Signage reads: Sumatran Tigers are the smallest and darkest of all tigers  Less than 400 Sumatran Tigers are left living in five national parks and two game reserves on the island of Sumatra.  Some lie in unprotected forests which will soon be lost to agriculture.

Almost three quarter of Indonesia's forests have been destroyed.  However, half of the remaining forest is now protected by the Indonesian Government.

Zoos in Australia have committed their resources to support the Sumatran Tiger.  They work together with European zoos on a coordinated breeding program for this species.  Financial support is also given to a number of conservation projects in Sumatra.

Sharing with Camera Critters