The Changing Seasons June 2018

June 30 already! It is been a different month for us with me changing to working 0.7, and preparing to move off the farm to a suburban block. I have added the usual bunch of cloudy watery pics with a couple of ring-ins taken by others.

Driving in the country in Australia, especially at night, and more so in Winter, is a challenge due to our lovely furry friends jumping in front of us without warning. This photograph is doctored but is a timely reminder for all of us to slow down a bit and keep our eyes peeled.

Last week Jo and went to see a special viewing of movie called Brothers’ Nest. Shane Jacobson attended the screening with an introduction and post movie Q&A session. I enjoyed the movie very much. It could be classified as a black comedy. For Australians it is nothing like Kenny. It’s distribution may be limited to Australia. Jo and I are in this photo but we cannot be resolved.

Thanks again Su for running changing seasons. See her blog here.

Port Phillip Bay June 2018

I get out sampling a fair bit these days. It’s a great job; I’m so lucky to have it this late in my career. The youngies put up with my whinging about my back or something else that might be bothering me. We get the work done no matter what the weather. On Thursday 21 June, our Winter solstice, we a had a glorious day for sampling on the Bay. Port Phillip is a large (1930 sq km), very open and mostly shallow embayment. It is separated from the sea by a narrow opening referred to as the rip; mainly because with tidal changes, the sea rips through there at quite a rate. Having said that, we do not have tidal variations seen in other parts of the world like Cornwall or The Kimberley; the Bay would indeed be a very different place if that was to occur. I have seen seals, dolphins, penguins and many migratory birds in the Bay. Whales visit, but I am yet to see one. Being next to a city of more than 4 million people, it has been hammered over the years. Treated sewer still empties into it; it has been over-fished and subject to many nasty pollution events. At its northern, southern and western ends it is has been deeply dredged for shipping. Despite this, it is still beautiful. Here’s some pics from the other day.

 

 

 

Mal, left, is checking data from the profiler, far left. Chris is filtering samples. I have completed my phytoplankton tasks

At the centre of the bay, we try to hook on to the buoy, rather than anchor, as the bay is 24 m deep. The hooking rope was damaged so we were unable to.

The Changing Seasons April 2018

April for me has been mixed, with some highs and some lows. I know people like a good read, but I live my life with Jo and the dogs, play music, take photos and measure things. I wish I could enjoy writing but I just make a hash of it most of the time. Here is some photos from April 2018. Still warm here, even today on May 1. Colder nights and mornings. The beach is all (mostly) packed up, with our caravan still in a suburban driveway waiting to be brought home by a suitable vehicle. Thanks again Su for you inspiration and changing seasons initiative.

I turned 60 in March. This cake was baked by a colleague pictured below on the boat. Thanks Chris

Lucy and Chris

Sunset viewing at Rosebud

Gippsland Lakes land-based sampling

The swinging udders

Winery in the Mt Macedon Region

The Changing Seasons. March 2018

As I approach the end of my wonderful 4 weeks off work I realise I have done a lot of things but I have not reconnected with blogging. I’m so glad that Su has kept the changing seasons going because I can continue to drop in here at least once a month. It’s been an eventful month with spending some time down at the beach, home and a few days in the mountains. Here’s some snaps

The Lady Nelson (Replica)

Friends relaxing on the beach

Cruising – not my cup of tea

Girls having a ball on the Ovens River

Our little teardrop, Button

Bright

Bright

Brunch at Bright

Girls getting dunked

Our little mountain over the warter

More sky

Rosebud at night

Rosebud at night

Another sunset

Home at night

Home at night

The Changing Seasons February 2018

It’s such a mad month for me. I am so looking forward to March. Friday is my last work day for 4 weeks. One small problem; I’m working Saturday! Duh how did that happen. Oh well, big relax on Saturday night and some extra time at the end of my leave. Here’s some pics of my February. Added for Su’s Changing Seasons

Callistemon

View from Red Rock at dawn

Rosebud Sunset No @@##$

Handstanding great niece

Roseb…..

Rosebud clouds

Rosebud clouds 2

Sunset reflection

R…….

Drinks on the beach

The Upper Yarra River at Warburton

Starvation Creek Res

Sunset at home

Ah, the serenity

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged anything but on the changing seasons. Here’s a bunch of photos specially chosen for the Serene theme. Apologies as some have been previously published.

At home

At home

Wye River

Wye River

Wye River

Wye River

At home

Lakes Entrance

Rosebud

At home

Rosebud

At home

Rosebud

Lakes Entrance

At home

At home

Lake Victoria

Altona

Hobart

Maldon

At home

Lake Tyers

The Changing Seasons May 2017

Out on the Bay May 10

Lazing around in the early May sun

I’m outta here

Tranquil bay

Beautiful big bay

The You Yangs

In the garden 21 May.

Sage

Beautiful gum

Gum bark

Gum tree

Smoke bush

Silver Birch

Correa Reflexa

Added for Max’s changing seasons

March in Southern Victoria

March is a glorious time in Southern Victoria. Beautiful warm days. Cooler nights. Dry, often too dry…..For some reason I have been struggling taking photographs. I have been loving making music; maybe that’s the reason. This evening sky at home I could not resist.

A gathering of old friends for a pot luck dinner. A great time had by all.Out on the job on the Gippsland Lakes between sites.

Back Down at the Bay with a G&T in hand

Another freakin sunset

All added for Max on his great monthly photo feature at Cardinal Guzman

Changing Seasons. February 2017

As we approach the end of Summer we will be experiencing an unusual blast of Summer weather. It was only six months ago when I was in Rome experiencing a very similar end of Summer weather. February is not my favourite time to photograph. The light is too harsh except early in the morning and before sunset. Jo and I also spend a lot of time down at the beach to enjoy the mild to warm weather. Last weekend it snowed in our alps; a very very unusual event. Here’s some pics of the beach from a couple of weekends. For Max’s blog.

This dog has got swimming nutted out

The blue in the background is storm clouds

The Norwegian Star being towed back to port

Neutral

Ailsa’s weekly post is neutral. Do I have some to fit the bill – yeah maybe

Charley Brown

Banjo Shark

Neutral Sunset, Port Phillip Bay