.jpg)
Lines and Curves
The boardwalk along the edge of Lake Curalo is a stone’s-throw from my front door, and is the main reason we bought our “Sea Change” house where we did. (08May2021)
It is easy to take one’s own backyard a bit for granted!
It is winter in Australia at the moment – a time when I’m often in the Northern Hemisphere looking for better weather. Truth be told, though, winter in my corner of the world – in Eden on the temperate Far-South Coast of New South Wales – is neither that long nor that harsh. When I’m not travelling, I spend a lot of time on my balcony, just letting the sound of the birds wash over me, feeling the air, and watching the light on the water.
I do make a point of going for a short walk most days: tumbling out of my front door, onto the estuary, and turning right along the boardwalk (see: A Little Slice of Paradise), or left towards the pathway.
While house-cleaning old photo-files, I’ve found some “backyard” pictures: photos from a late-autumn and early-winter past, when – thanks to ongoing Covid19 lockdowns – overseas travel was not possible.
When I’m at home, my cameras tend to sit in their case, waiting for the next trip. But, I’ve learned to love my iPhones. As they say: the best camera is the one you have with you! So, these are all iPhone shots. For many years, I’ve used Instagram as a form of sketch pad: trying to “see” and post something at least daily: always in the square format that used to be the requirement on that platform.
Re-editing photos into landscape format when I originally envisaged them as squares can be a challenge, but I think these work well enough to share with you.
Join me for some quiet cooler-weather scenes in my immediate neighbourhood.
.jpg)
The Garden Bench
If you want to travel, it pays to keep the yard as low-maintenance as possible! Native plants attract birds and bees, and mostly look after themselves. (08May2021)
.jpg)
Lake Curalo Reflections
Technically an ICOLL – an Intermittently Closed and Open Lake or Lagoon – Lake Curalo is a brackish body of estuarine water that is tidal, and sometimes completely open to the Pacific Ocean. Surrounded by tea trees (melaleucas) and tall gum trees including woollybutts (Eucalyptus longifolia), it is home to a large population of waterbirds. (08May2021)
Picnic Bench
Every so often, the local council makes some improvements to the the walkway along the lake. There are now a few spots to stop and take in the surrounds. (09May2021)
Back on the Boardwalk
Every day, the light is different. (10May2021)
Low Tide on the Estuary
Spoonbills and ibises are regular visitors to the mudflats at low tide. (18May2021)
Waterbirds on the Estuary
Small numbers of egrets and herons make their homes on the lake, as do large numbers of black swans and Australian pelicans. Gulls and terns stop by regularly. (18May2021)
Colourful Grasses
(22May2021)
Swans on the Estuary
Although a large number of black swans (Cygnus atratus) live here, they often hide in the tributaries. Only once have I seen them with their cygnets. (22May2021)
Full Moon Over Twofold Bay
Eden is a very small place: it is only a ten minute drive to the lookout on the hill on the other side of town. (25May2021)
Full Moon Over the Estuary
Aside from the powerlines in my way, I have a good view of the moonrise from my balcony. (26May2021)
Eastern Grey Kangaroos – Macropus Giganteus
Although there are many resident ‘roos in Eden, these are on the Panboola Wetlands in the next town over – a twenty minute drive away. (27May2021)
Madagascar Fireweed – Senecio Madagascariensis
Although the flowers are pretty, this invasive plant is toxic to livestock. I can’t go for a walk without pulling it out if I see it! (30May2021)
A Curve in the Path
We get a fair bit of rain in autumn and winter – but few frosts – so things stay nice and green. (30May2021)
The Impossible Brightness of Morning
The low-angled sun bounces off the water. (31May2021)
Red Leaves
The leaves on my plum trees put on a colourful display in winter …
Plum Leaves
… which is lucky really – as the trees never produce any plums! (03June2021)
Fallen Trees
Tea-trees (melaleuca) have a short life-span, and regularly get blown over by strong winds. Palestine Creek is one of several tributaries into Lake Curalo. (06June2021)
Even in the Rain!
(09June2021)
A Curve at Low Tide
The mouth of the estuary is opened during times of very heavy rains to prevent flooding. (09June2021)
A Bench on the Lake
(10June2021)
Tugboat
Eden is very much a working harbour, with the two resident tug boats kept busy. (14June2021)
Australian White Ibis – Threskiornis Molucca
I never know which birds will be around when I go out! (29June2021)
In some ways, I take it for granted.
On the other hand, I give thanks every day as I feel the sun (or rain!) on my face, listen to the birds around me, and watch the ever-changing light on the water.
Who needs any more than that?
Photos (iPhone12Pro) : May-June2021.
