Down by the river.....

Running down through the middle of Townsville is the Ross River.

It has many attractions for people including

guided boat tours, water sports areas,

an art gallery at the Dam, bird watching

and also lots of walking tracks.

This section of the river bank is called Loam Island.

The Local council put a lot of work into making

this area accessible and safe for people to utilize.

And a wonderful job they have achieved!!!!

I used to rent a house across the road from here

and spent many afternoons and weekends strolling

along the river, thinking wistful thoughts and watching the turtles.

I remember one day I went for a swim and

there was a small bunch of aboriginal kids

digging for muscles in the river bed floor,

so I was taught how to do it and joined in.

I found four muscles!!!!!!

It's such a lovely stretch of river.

I have always loved the giant old

paper bark trees that over hang the bank.

It's like they know your need for solitude

and oblige by providing sheer leafy curtains to

shield you in a cool earthy embrace. 

It truly is a special area.

There are heaps of water lilies and

masses of dragon flies that compete for landing privileges.

They move too quick for me to get a picture!!

There are also lots of turtles!!!

I saw heaps, but couldn't manage to get close enough for a picture!!

Even after sitting really still on the gravel path for 30 minutes.

I know they are there cause I could

see their heads pop up and look at me.

Distrusting little buggers!!!

I must be a slow learner.....

Still didn't bring bread!!!!

This part here is my favorite spot.

It's a paper bark tree alley

and it leads right up to a bird observation deck!!

  

On the left is the river, and on the right the council

is still regenerating the habitat by

replanting natives and culling weeds.

It is also a habitat for wild bush turkeys.

And no wonder with all these wild figs around!!

On my way out of the walk I spotted a group

of hard working council men taking a much deserved break.

I tried to get them to wave but I think they

might have thought I was being sarcastic.

They do cop a hard time,

but I think they do a wonderful job.

I appreciate all the hard and sometimes

very dirty work that they do for our (the communities) benefit.

So without boring you too much....

Here's my pic of the day....

Until my next adventure

Ciao for now

Barb :)

A Lovely stroll....and a few kisses!!

I'm currently on some long awaited holidays

and I have made myself a list of projects that

I would like to accomplish during this time.

However, some of those "things to do" are actually

things like giving myself time to enjoy what's on my doorstep.

There are lots of places around my town that

I drive past all the time and rarely stop in,

even though I know they hold beauty and wonder.

SO.....

Today I chose to explore one of the parks

that I haven't been to in almost three years!!! 

This is a small part (but my favorite part of)

Anderson Park.

Smack bang in the middle of the park is a large man made lake.

There is always lots of bird life there as well as my favorite water lily.

The Lotus!!

All the way around there were Native Magpie Geese.

I know it's hard to see but this one is a mother

and baby cuddling together on the edge of the lake.

Everywhere I looked there were

Lotus flowers budding, blooming, and seeding.

I saw many ducks attacking and eating the seeds.

This fellow was sitting under the trees when I arrived,

but decided to come down to the

waters edge and give me a guided tour.

He proceeded to whisper and titter the whole way around!!

I think he is the result of someone "releasing"

their domestic animals in the park.

Tut tut.

He was nice company and stayed by my side,

but every time I turned around it seemed like

the crowd of followers was gathering!!!

There were a few domestic ducks,

lots of wild Magpie Geese minding everyone else's business!!!

Some sweet Pacific Black ducks!! 

And another sweet native called a Plumed Whistling-Duck.

They are all truly gorgeous up close!!!!

I was about half of the way around the park

when my friend was getting very amorous!!

I think he thought that every time I put my camera

 to my face I was eating something and not sharing.

He started getting a bit insistent that I give him some of that stuff!!!!

He never spoke rudely, but started nipping me

on the legs and shoes whenever I held the camera up.

It was then that I noticed a close honking in the background

 and turned around to find 10 plus birds politely asking....

What ever he's getting... can we get some too???

They had all walked about 100 meters from where we started.

I had to get out of there and do a bit of crowd control.

I also now need to explain all the little love bites

which have left bruises on my lower legs!!!! 

I headed over to the Pandanus palms.

They always look so interesting,

and I especially love to look at them from the inside, out.

And I love the weird shapes their "prop roots" make.

That's what I discovered they are called!!!

I was crouching down taking this shot when I saw these two!!!

Frozen in position!!! 

Our wonderful Bush Stone Curlew.

I was almost right on top of them.

They were doing their best Durasik Park 

"Don't move!!!"

"They hunt by sight, and if you don't move they can't see you!!!!!"

So I took my shot and left the poor little guys alone :)

They do make me laugh :)

Well...that seems about it for the park.

I had a wonderful time there!!

And took 60 odd pics!

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Here's my photo pic of the day.

Hope you like it!!

Until my next adventure...

Ciao

Barb