Australian Magnets

I found one of these exotic-looking Spider Orchids last year - in a different part of this reserve. After hours spent trying to identify it I eventually discovered it's called Brown Beaks (Lyperanthus Suaveolens). Found at Baluk Willam Reserve in Belgrave South, Victoria, Australia.

The Murrindindi Cascades are near the top of the Murrindindi Scenic Reserve in the Toolangi State Forest near Yea, in Victoria, Australia. This Alpine river flows over a series of rapids and waterfalls, creating this chaotic turmoil over the rocks.

This is a wattle called Prickly Moses ( Acacia Verticillata). The branches are covered with prickly thorns - so it lives up to its name! Wattles are everywhere in Spring in Victoria - their yellow or creamy flowers really light up the place after the gloom of Winter!

Proof of how smart spiders are! I was taking a macro shot of this Common Bird Orchid (Chiloglottis Valida) but I kept seeing these fine lines across the flower. I realised a very smart spider had spun it's web around the flower to make sure any visiting insect became lunch! Found at Hochkins Ridge Flora Reserve in Croydon North, Victoria, Australia.

Now the Chocolate Lilies ( Arthropodium Strictum ) are in full flower, it was possible to find a stem with 2 flowers open at the same time. Don't they make a lovely composition! Hochkins Ridge Flora Reserve, Victoria, Australia.

Part of a series of 4 images of a female Lowland Gorilla, sitting under a tree at Melbourne Zoo in Victoria, Australia. They show her changing moods and expressions - she's so human!

The Nobbies are an outstanding piece of scenery at the southern end of Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. This was a beautiful sunny day & I couldn't resist taking lots of photos!

Australian Aboriginal American Multinational Patriot Flag Series

Pink Pom Pom

Sometimes theres nootin better than an Australian shoey!! Hand drawn Australian NootNoooot!

Vintage Australia Sunflower Flag Australia Soccer Lover

Concert print from The Big Day Out '96

This Koala Mum was rocking her joey to sleep in the branches of a tree, at Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia.

The Dingy Swallowtail is a sub tropical butterfly - so I was surprised to see this one in my garden in Southern Victoria. It was really pretty - can't imagine why it's called "Dingy"!

This is Hedge Wattle (Acacia Paradoxa) - favoured by early settlers for keeping stock in - and predators out. Hard to see in this photo, but each branch has rows of sharp thorns - nasty! Another from my walk along Mullum Mullum Creek in Victoria

It's a good sign Summer is not far away when Chocolate Lilies come into flower. Proper name is Arthropodium Strictum and they have a faint smell of chocolate, which is where they get their name. Hochkins Ridge Flora Reserve, Victoria, Australia.

Hutan, the Sumatran Tiger, was exploring his enclosure at Melbourne Zoo in Victoria, Australia, when he heard the clicking of cameras - and came to check us out!

Sat down for a spot of lunch at the Wetlands at Healesville Sanctuary, Victoria, Australia - and saw this Great Egret, in full breeding plumage, parading on an old log, trying to attract the females. Must be that time of year!

The old farm dam is the lowest point in the 100 Acres reserve, in Park Orchards, Victoria, Australia. This pair of Great Egrets were in full breeding plumage, and looked gorgeous reflected in the still water. The White Faced Heron in the background looks miffed - I think the Egrets stole his lunch!

The Tree Kangaroos at Healesville Sanctuary, in Victoria, Australia, have a nice new enclosure - they celebrated by producing their first joey. Mum was so proud she brought it down to show me!

The higher you go on Hanging Rock in Victoria, Australia - the better the view! Clearly shows what a hot and dry country we live in.

Yellow Rush Lilies (Tricoryne Elatior) are quite inconspicuous - 'til they flower. The long, thin, almost leafless stems look like grass, but the bright yellow flowers light up the woodland floor! Hochkins Ridge Flora Reserve, Victoria, Australia.

Underneath the motor bridge over the River Murray, Murray Bridge, South Australia.

A Koala waiting to be fed. Posed nicely! Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia.

Birds: Superb Fairy-wren Rosella Kookaburra Magpie Black Cockatoo Wedgetail Eagle

Some creatures are doing OK in spite of Climate Change. Eastern Spinebills are nectar eaters so the drought doesn't affect them - as long as the flowers survive!

Giraffes are always curious, so when a rabbit popped up in front of him - what's a boy to do but chase it! Taken at Werribee Open Plains Zoo in Victoria, Australia.

Part of a series of 4 images of a female Lowland Gorilla, sitting under a tree at Melbourne Zoo in Victoria, Australia. The series shows her changing moods and expressions - she's so human!

These pretty little violets are in flower everywhere right now. I've been trying to get a good shot for a while, but the flowers are tiny and never grow more than about 5cms above the ground. Finally found a clump growing on top of a small mound and managed to get low enough to get the shot. Viola Hederacea at Hochkins Ridge Flora Reserve, Victoria, Australia.

A Black Swan sitting on her nest in the Melbourne Zoo Great Aviary in Victoria, Australia. She was quite aggressive if anyone got too close!

IYKYK.

Australian Outback Landscape - acrylic painting

Australian Cattle Dog In Watercolor & Pen

Australian animals, with a bit of zentangle, a bit of aboriginal, and a lot of colour. Inspired by the Zentangle® method of pattern drawing. www.zentangle.com

Walking throughChurchill National Park in Victoria, Australia, I came across this huge Hakea Sericea shrub - the size of a small tree! Its common name is needlebush. I got a bonus when I checked the photo later - and found a bee collecting pollen and feeding on the bountiful nectar!

Black Eyed Susan, or Tetratheca Ciliata, is a low growing shrub with pretty pink flowers in Spring. Getting a shot into the flower to show the black eye was a challenge - lying flat on the forest floor again! Hochkins Ridge Flora Reserve in Victoria, Australia.