Trees in the Sea

There is something about mangroves that stays with you. Mostly it is the smell, I think, that pungent odour that permeates the air at low tide. There are mangroves in New Zealand, but not nearly so many as you tend to see here. Or as big.

They are a bit like icebergs when you see them at high tide and cannot see what lies below the surface as their branches and leaves bob on the water, almost appearing to float unattached. I always think they look pretty mesmerising. Then I get another whiff at low tide from the exposed mudflats and wonder how the two images in my mind can be so different.

They are part of a pretty intricate ecosystem though. There are several mangrove walks around Brisbane being closer to the coast than we have been in a while. We have been to one, twice.

The first visit was at low tide, where that familiar smell greeted us. It did give us a chance though to observe the ordered yet frenetic life of the mud dwellers making the most of their time above ground and in the fresh air. We appreciated the shade; these mangroves are giants compared to those I would always plot how I could photograph in the Waitemata Harbour on my way home from work. These ones towered above us as we wandered along the boardwalk.

We went home that day and studied the tides to find a day when there were no commitments AND the tide would be more favourable. It took awhile but we did make it back. Still not at full tide, but definitely not low.

Just a few interesting observations

A three hour commute (90 minutes each way) isn't such a drama in an actual city - it felt like a real barrier back in Victoria.

There don't seem to be Galahs, Cockatoos or Rosellas around here feasting on grasses and seeds,much. [EDIT: two Galahs spotted in the park foraging on the ground on the way home one night this week.] But there are plenty of Lorikeets, although they don't hang around to be friendly. Instead they flash past at warp speed, if you are lucky you see a flash of color. Mostly you just hear them, or catch a glimpse of colour in the gum trees.

There are also Kookaburras in the trees in the park and around the school and neighbourhood ! Millions more Crows too, and Ibis (Bin Chickens). I haven't seen any Ibis scavenging on the ground, but they look very elegant as they fly overhead morning and evening on their way to their hunting grounds.

People's gardens and parklands are a constant explosion of colour. So many trees and plants to learn the names of. Wattle, Bouganvillea, Silk trees, Eucalypts, Jacaranda, Poinciana, Frangipani (in way more colours than I thought there were)...Grass is green.

Springtime in Central Victoria

So, spring has sprung and many photos have been taken on days when I have wandered into town to the shops, or to the library to print stuff.

I haven't tired yet of all the old buildings. A taxi driver told me they have pulled a lot down - but there are still enough for me ! Ghost signs on the sides of some speak of days gone by, others stand in all their glory, protected from the demolition people by their heritage listing.

Then there is the lake just down the road, with a great cafe and an easy stroll around the edges with lots of wildlife to see.

Then today, we got a rental car since it is a long weekend for Lauren and we are going exploring. This afternoon we found the Botanic Gardens.

what will tomorrow bring ?