Friday, November 30, 2012

Day 240 - Cairns; Breaking Dawn.


 

Calming waters of the marina, waking up to a brand new day.  Officially last day of Spring today.  Although I think someone forgot to tell the weather gods that.  It is heating up all over the country.  Looks like summer is going to be a scorcher for everyone.  Make the most of our last day of Spring.  Enjoy your day and have a great weekend.  Wherever you may be. :)

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Day 239 - Got you.


 

In the animal kingdom, if you want a photo of a two legged, four, six, eight legged friend you have to have patience.  I've been stalking this Intermediate egret for the last couple of days in the local tributary.  Hiding amongst the mangroves, her beautiful breeding plumage drapes out over the water, as she feeds in the shallows, waiting for Mr Right to come along.  When she eventually lays her eggs high in the nest of a tall tree, they will be pale green colour. 

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Day 238 - Mangrove Dusk.


 


Early in the morning, or just as the sun sinks below the mountains for another day.  A beautiful light glows across the waters.  Beginnings of mangrove trees stick out of the mud riding the tide.  Fish dart in and out of the grown mangroves protecting themselves from the bigger fish.  Bigger fish hide in the more 'mature' mangroves to stay away from those snappy handbags.  Mangrove cycle of life is a 24/7 job, it doesn’t happen all below the water, as they support and protect a huge array of birdlife too.  A tree of many talents. :)

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Day 237 - Tangled web of dreams.




  Way back at day 135 I did one of those 'dumb things' and agreed to a 1.5km ocean swim, in croc, shark, box jellyfish waters.  On a leg of an Olympic distance triathlon.  Now some 102 days later the stakes are getting higher.  It's turned into that PLUS the following weekend,  swim leg of the 70.3 Ironman Cairns; 1.9km ocean swim.  Only an extra 400m, what should I be worried about.  Awesome.  No, not thinking that at the moment.  The white's of my eyes are showing from pure fear, headache from just thinking about it.  Cause can't even string a 100m together without stopping but in 7 months time I'm hitting the ocean with hundreds of others.  Mind boggling.  Coach said; "if your dreams don't scare you, you aren't dreaming big enough..."  All I'm saying is can I stop dreaming now!  Stay tuned this could get interesting. :)

Monday, November 26, 2012

Day 236 - Air Control.




 This is major Tom.  Should have been the song ringing out over the lakes district today.  The Pacific Black ducks were all having a meeting, bathing, and preening their feathers with expertise.  A dip in the lake, splash around, another dip.  Bit of preening with that 360 degree head/neck (well it seemed like it) getting to the hard spots on the back.  Fast air dry with the flap of the wings, above the water.  All done.  Next.  Another comes to land and it happens all over again.  Nothing like splashing around in the water on a hot almost summer's day.   

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Day 235 - Steaming ahead.




 A scary thought that in exactly one month's time it will be Christmas.  The majority having an afternoon siesta from too much Christmas goodness.  Or playing cricket in backyard, splashing around in pool or beach.  A total of 30 days and it will be here before we know it.  So hope all your plans are coming together, going full steam ahead.  The only thing dormant in the tropics this silly season will be the cane train lines.  As the sugar cane season comes to an end.  Just in time for all that extra sugar this silly season - yeah. :)