DESKTOP 2709 - SUNFLOWER

Helianthus x multiflorus 'Flore Pleno' is a robust, perennial plant that produces double yellow flowers throughout the summer. Its deep green foliage is an excellent screen or foil to showcase small plants. Flowers of Helianthus x mult. 'Flore Pleno' are scattered all throughout this "green wall" which makes it an excellent choice for the back of your border.

This is a good plant for cut flowers and blooms for 4 weeks or more. It can be planted in containers and attracts butterflies. Prefers average, neutral to slightly alkaline soil. Well drained soil is good for overwintering, but give Helianthus a good soaking if August begins to overpower. Can be divided in spring every 3-4 years. Cut back by one-half in early to midsummer to prevent staking.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

DESKTOP 2708 - GUM LEAF

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

DESKTOP 2707 - SYDNEY

Sydney is the state capital of New South Wales and the most populous city in Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds the world's largest natural harbour, and sprawls towards the Blue Mountains to the west. Residents of Sydney are known as "Sydneysiders".

Sydney is the second official seat, and second official residence, of the Governor-General of Australia, the Prime Minister of Australia and the Cabinet of Australia. The Sydney area has been inhabited by indigenous Australians since the Upper Paleolithic period. The first British settlers arrived in 1788 to found Sydney as a penal colony, the first European settlement in Australia.

Since convict transportation ended in the mid-19th century, the city has transformed from a colonial outpost into a major global cultural and economic centre. The population of Sydney at the time of the 2011 census was 4.39 million, 1.5 million of which were born overseas, representing many different nationalities and making Sydney one of the most multicultural cities in the world.

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

DESKTOP 2706 - FOUR SEASONS OF 2020

Four moments in 2020 remembered, as they were special and helped make a difficult year more bearable...

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also part of the Blue Monday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme.

DESKTOP 2705 - CREEK

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

DESKTOP 2704 - DUCKS

This post is part of the Weekend Reflections meme,
and also part of the Saturday Critters meme.

DESKTOP 2703 - IN THE CITY

 In the City of Melbourne, enjoying the Christmas illuminations.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

DESKTOP 2702 - DOGWOOD

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

DESKTOP 2701 - MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tecoma capensis (common name Cape honeysuckle) is a species of flowering plant in the family Bignoniaceae, native to southern Africa. Despite its common name, it is not closely related to the true honeysuckle. Synonyms include Bignonia capensis, Tecomaria capensis and Tecoma petersii.

The flowers are tubular, narrow, about 7.5 cm long, and are produced at different times throughout the year. They are grouped in 10–15 cm long terminal clusters. The flower colour ranges from orange to orange-red to apricot.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

DESKTOP 2700 - GLENELG, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Glenelg is a popular beach-side suburb of the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Located on the shore of Holdfast Bay in Gulf St Vincent, it has become a popular tourist destination due to its beach and many attractions, home to several hotels and dozens of restaurants. Established in 1836, it is the oldest European settlement on mainland South Australia (the oldest being Kingscote on Kangaroo Island), with the proclamation of the colony of South Australia.

 

It was named after Lord Glenelg, a member of British Cabinet and Secretary of State for War and the Colonies.Through Lord Glenelg the name derives from Glenelg, Highland (previously Inverness-shire), Scotland. In Scottish Gaelic the name is Gleann Eilg. The name Glenelg is noteworthy for being a palindrome.

 

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

DESKTOP 2699 - SEASON'S GREETINGS

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also part of the Blue Monday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme.

DESKTOP 2698 - FALLEN

Brachychiton flowers that have fallen onto the tarmac road.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme,
and also part of the Photo Sunday meme.

DESKTOP 2697 - DUCK

The Pacific black duck (Anas superciliosa) is a dabbling duck found in much of Indonesia, New Guinea, Australia, New Zealand, and many islands in the southwestern Pacific, reaching to the Caroline Islands in the north and French Polynesia in the east. It is usually called the grey duck in New Zealand, where it is also known by its Maori name, pārera. This sociable duck is found in a variety of wetland habitats, and its nesting habits are much like those of the mallard, which is encroaching on its range in New Zealand. It feeds by upending, like other Anas ducks

This post is part of the  Saturday Critters meme.

DESKTOP 2696 - MOONSHINE

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

DESKTOP 2695 - SUCCULENT

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

DESKTOP 2694 - PARKLANDS

Summertime in the Darebin Parklands in suburban Melbourne.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

DESKTOP 2693 - BRISBANE

Brisbane is the port and the capital city of Queensland, Australia, and Australia’s third largest city. It lies astride the Brisbane River on the southern slopes of the Taylor Range, 19 km above the river’s mouth at Moreton Bay. The site, first explored in 1823 by John Oxley, was occupied in 1824 by a penal colony, which had moved from Redcliffe 35 km northeast. The name honours Sir Thomas Brisbane, former governor of New South Wales, when the convict settlement was declared a town in 1834. Proclaimed a municipality in 1859, it became the capital of newly independent Queensland that same year. Gazetted a city in 1902, it was joined during the 1920s with South Brisbane to form the City of Greater Brisbane. Its municipal government, headed by a lord mayor, holds very broad powers. The Brisbane statistical division, including the cities of Ipswich and Redcliffe, has close economic and social ties to the city.

 

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

DESKTOP 2692 - CHRISTMAS IS NEAR

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme.

DESKTOP 2691 - SUMMER WALK

A pleasant Summer morning made for a leisurely walk in Melbourne's Darebin Parklands.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

DESKTOP 2690 - LORIKEET

The rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) is a species of parrot found in Australia. It is common along the eastern seaboard, from northern Queensland to South Australia and Tasmania. Its habitat is rainforest, coastal bush and woodland areas. Several taxa traditionally listed as subspecies of the rainbow lorikeet are now treated as separate species. Rainbow lorikeets have been introduced to Perth, Western Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; and Hong Kong.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme.

TRAVELLING...

 ... again, now that the Lockdown has ceased and our new COVID case numbers are zero for more than 40 days in a row!

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

DESKTOP 2688 - SOUTHERN BOUQUET

A Southern Hemisphere Summer bouquet with lots of proteas.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

DESKTOP 2687 - IN THE CITY

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme.

DESKTOP 2686 - SINGAPORE LANTERNS

In Chinese culture, red represents wealth, fame, and prosperity, which is why festivals, weddings, and other celebrations often have a lot of red decorations and outfits. Most Chinese lanterns are red, and lanterns of this colour symbolise a prosperous business and a thriving life.

 

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

DESKTOP 2685 - TRAVEL

We have the first international flights arriving in Melbourne after our multi-week lockdown. All the news are full of shots of planes, travellers and airports, which has made me very nostalgic for the good old days where travel to wherever one wished they could go to. Let's hope that soon we can travel again...

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also part of the Blue Monday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme

DESKTOP 2684 - SUNSET

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme,
and also part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

DESKTOP 2683 - BUG

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme.

DESKTOP 2682 - SUNRISE

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

HYDRANGEA 'FOREVER"

Hydrangea macrophylla 'Forever' (Youme) has lovely double lacecap flowers in colours of either delicate pale pink or blue (depending on soil). It grows very well in a pot or tub – this enables you to control the ph of the soil and maintain the beautiful colours. This compact hydrangea has a strong rooting system and sturdy stems. Because of this, the abundantly blooming flower heads stand up straight.

 

It is a Winter hardy hydrangea down to -22° Celsius. Plant in moist, well-drained soil in (full) sun or partial shade. Prune in spring and you’ll see its wonderful flowers appear once again. The plants grow to 120 cm high and 80 cm wide. A perfect size for planting in a container on your terrace or balcony. This hydrangea is also very suitable for shrub borders, mass planting or combined with other plants.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

DESKTOP 2680 - SUMMER'S SIGNS

Summer has begun and the heat is now beginning to be more obvious each day that passes.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

DESKTOP 2679 - ELOUNDA, GREECE

Elounda (Greek: Ελούντα), is a small fishing town on the northern coast of the island of Crete, Greece. It is part of the municipality of Agios Nikolaos, until recently (2010) belonging to the prefecture of Lasithi and as of the passage of new legislation, the periphery of Crete. Elounda comprises seven villages and an uninhabited island area. The village of Schisma is by far the most populated one and is often understood as 'Elounda Centre'. The community of Elounda has a total of 2,193 inhabitants according to the 2011 census.

The road into Elounda from Agios Nikolaos is approximately 12 km in length and follows the shore as it climbs to the top of a small mountain. On a clear day it is possible to see the whole of Mirabello Bay and all the way to the eastern tip of Crete. The small fishing village of Plaka (Lasithi), which overlooks the island of Spinalonga and the Kolokithia Peninsula, can be reached a mere 5 km from the main square of Elounda heading north away from Agios Nikolaos.

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

DESKTOP 2678 - VEGIES

Eating Vegetables Provides Health Benefits:

• The nutrients in vegetables are vital for health and maintenance of your body.
• Eating a diet rich in vegetables may reduce risk for stroke, cancer, heart diseases and type-2 diabetes.
• One to four cups of vegetables are recommended each day, depending on how many calories you need.

 

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,

and also part of the Seasons meme.

DESKTOP 2677 - ON THE LAWN

 At the Darebin Parklands in suburban Melbourne.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

DESKTOP 2676 - BLACK CAT

Remy, the black cat, survived Halloween and enjoyed Thanksgiving!

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme.

DESKTOP 2675 - SUMMER SKY

Today was a fine, hot day in Melbourne, the mercury climbing to 34˚C; it was the hottest day since last January. Looks like our Summer has arrived!

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

DESKTOP 2674 - BLUE BINDWEED

Convolvulus Blue (Convolvulus sabatius) is a super vigorous, non invasive, easy to grow ground cover that covers those difficult to maintain places. The violet blue flowers appear in early spring and continue until early autumn.
It is native to the Mediterranean region and suitable for a full sun to part shade position in well drained soil, requiring little water once established. Suitable as a spillover plant ground cover plant hanging baskets and coastal gardens.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

DESKTOP 2673 - ALTONA WETLANDS

The Altona Important Bird Area (IBA) comprises several wetland sites on, or close to, the north-western coast of Port Phillip in Victoria, south-eastern Australia. Collectively they total 1223 hectares in area and lie within, or adjacent to, the western suburbs of the city of Melbourne. They were classified as an IBA because they support more than 1% of the world populations of Red-necked Stint, Chestnut Teal and Pacific Gull.

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

DESKTOP 2672 - LIPARI, ITALY

Lipari (Italian pronunciation: [ˈliːpari], Sicilian: Lìpari, Latin: Lipara, Ancient Greek: Μελιγουνίς Meligounis or Λιπάρα Lipara) is the largest of the Aeolian Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the northern coast of Sicily, southern Italy; it is also the name of the island's main town and comune, which is administratively part of the Metropolitan City of Messina. Its population is 12,734, but during the May to September tourist season, the total population may reach up to 20,000.

 

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

DESKTOP 2671 - MAPS

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme.

DESKTOP 2670 - TRANQUILLITY

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

DESKTOP 2669 - AQUARIUM

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme.

DESKTOP 2668 - SKY PANORAMA

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

DESKTOP 2667 - SOWTHISTLE

Sonchus oleraceus, with many common names including common sowthistle, sow thistle, smooth sow thistle, annual sow thistle, hare's colwort, hare's thistle, milky tassel, milk thistle, soft thistle, or swinies, is a plant in the dandelion tribe within the daisy family. It is native to Europe and western Asia. Its specific epithet oleraceus means "vegetable/herbal". The common name 'sow thistle' refers to its attractiveness to swine, and the similarity of the leaf to younger thistle plants. The common name 'hare's thistle' refers to its purported beneficial effects on hare and rabbits.

 

Leaves are eaten as salad greens or cooked like spinach. This is one of the species used in Chinese cuisine as kŭcài (苦菜; lit. bitter vegetable). The younger leaves are less bitter and better to eat raw. Steaming can remove the bitterness of older leaves. The younger roots are also edible and can suffice as a coffee substitute.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.

DESKTOP 2666 - LEAF

While we are enjoying Summer weather here in Melbourne, I am sparing a thought for people living in the Northern Hemisphere. Keep warm and safe, take every precaution against the Virus and let's all hope the vaccines being tested will soon be available to fight this pandemic!

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

DESKTOP 2665 - TINOS ISLAND, GREECE

Tinos (Greek: Τήνος) is a Greek island situated in the Aegean Sea. It is located in the Cyclades archipelago. In antiquity, Tinos was also known as Ophiussa (from ophis, Greek for snake) and Hydroessa (from hydor, Greek for water). The closest islands are Andros, Delos, and Mykonos. It has a land area of approximately 194 square kilometres and a 2011 census population of 8,636 inhabitants.

 

Tinos is famous amongst Greeks for the Church of Panagia Evangelistria (The Annunciation of the Virgin), its 80 or so windmills, about 1000 artistic dovecotes, 50 active villages and its Venetian fortifications at the mountain, Exomvourgo. On Tinos, both Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic populations co-exist, and the island is also well known for its famous sculptors and painters, such as Nikolaos Gysis, Yannoulis Chalepas and Nikiforos Lytras.

 

The island is located near the geographical centre of the Cyclades island complex, and because of the Panagia Evangelistria church, with its reputedly miraculous icon of Virgin Mary that it holds, Tinos is also the centre of a yearly pilgrimage that takes place on the date of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary (15 August, "Dekapentavgoustos" in Greek). This is perhaps the most notable and still active yearly pilgrimage in the region of the eastern Mediterranean. Many pilgrims make their way the 800 metres from the ferry wharf to the church on their hands and knees as sign of devotion.

This post is part of the Our World Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Travel Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme.

 

 

DESKTOP 2664 - SUMMER

We've had a couple of days of quite warm weather in Melbourne and there are more forecast in the week ahead. Looks like Summer is fast approaching...

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme.

DESKTOP 2663 - CUT & DRIED

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme.

DESKTOP 2662 - HAPPY DOG

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme.

DESKTOP 2661 - SUNSET

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

DESKTOP 2660 - SHOWY EVERLASTING DAISY

Showy Everlasting Daisy, Schoenia filifolia ssp. subulifolia, (synonym Helichrysum subulifolium) is a native Western Australian daisy now threatened with extinction in the wild. Fortunately, this species responds well to cultivation and is being planted widely in parks, gardens and forested areas throughout Australia. It has many fine, bright green leaves and many upright stems to between 30 and 40 cm high. Each stem carries a large golden-yellow flower that is 2 to 4 cm across. The flowers are good for drying, to use in dried flower arrangements.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.