Last Day of Spring

"Spring, when the earth tilts closer to the sun, runs a strict timetable of flowers."
~ Alice Oswald

It's the last day of Spring here. Although, our Spring has been much more like Summer with high temperatures, high humidity, and afternoon storms...

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Wild Bird Wednesday: Intermediate Egret

I love discovering images that I haven't posted before... The first 3 were taken on a separate occasion to the last 3, and all were taken over 3 years ago when I was learning to use my first DSLR.

The Intermediate Egret (Mesophoyx intermedia) is medium-sized heron with striking white plumage. While nesting, the intermediate egret has a red bill with a yellow tip, green eye lores (the region between the eye and bill), red irises, and red upper legs. At other times of the year, the intermediate egret has a yellow bill, often tipped with brown, while the iris is yellow and the legs and feet are black. The juvenile is similar to the non-breeding adult.

The Intermediate Egret can be distinguished from the Great Egret by the length of its eye lores, which extends beyond the eye in the Great Egret. The Intermediate Egret also lacks the distinct S-shaped kink in it's neck when standing upright.

The Intermediate Egret is most attractive during the breeding season when it develops dense breast plumes and elaborate, long plumes on the back that cascade beyond the tail.

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The Greatest Gifts

The greatest gifts we can give to others are those that are free; the gift of ourselves, our love, our time. The most valuable gifts we have are our children, our family, our loved ones and the relationships we have with them.

In this day and age when wealth and possessions are often more highly valued, many people have lost sight of what matters most. The emphasis on making money and gathering possessions has taken the place of creating lasting memories with the people in our lives who should be our priority.
What do you value most?

My hope and prayer for Thanksgiving this year is that people will take the time to reflect and focus on what is most important, rather than that which is fleeting; that relationships with family and loved ones will be restored and highly valued, just as they should be.
My prayer is that the family unit will once again be restored to its rightful place.

I'm thankful for:
My husband Michael who is kind, loving, supportive, understanding and compassionate.
My 4 wonderful children; Sarah, Daniel, Ben & Bec, who have given me the opportunity to be a Mum. I love all of them dearly, they have brought me incredible joy, and I am extremely proud of each one of them.
My son-in-law, Oscar (married to Sarah).
My daughter-in-law, Angie (married to Daniel), and my 4 beautiful grandchildren; Matthew, Annabelle, Sophia and little Olivia, all such blessings.
My amazing Parents who have been such a fantastic support to me throughout my life.
My 5 "other-daughters" (I dislike the term "step"), Amy, Tamsyn, Kathryn, Jess & Lizzie. Five more children to love.

H A P P Y   T H A N K S G I V I N G!

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Country Fences in the Boonah Region

While out on a day trip in the Boonah region, in south-east Queensland, we came across this property. Being a lover of leading lines, I really liked how the driveway leads your eye into the image and towards the distant mountain range.
I thought was that this would also be perfect for Theresa's meme.

And a bonus in the paddock was this old piece of farming machinery.

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South East Queensland Coastal Journey: Greenmount & Coolangatta Beaches

Continuing on from my "South East Queensland Coastal Journey" series from earlier in the year.
The next beaches are Greenmount Beach and Coolangatta Beach, another two of my favourite beaches on the Gold Coast.

Although the beaches all along the Gold Coast can become crowded in Summer, the more southern beaches tend to be less crowded than the northern Gold Coast beaches.

Looking across the ocean from Greenmount headland.

Looking back towards Rainbow Bay & Snapper Rocks...

Greenmount Headland walk...

Greenmount Beach on a perfect Queensland day!

Coolangatta Beach as viewed from the breakwall.

Surf Lifesaving flags near the breakwall that separates Coolangatta Beach from Kirra Beach to the north.

Greenmount Beach is on the southern end of Coolangatta Beach.

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Ocean Blues at Snapper Rocks

There's nothing more inviting on a warm sunny day than the beach; blue skies, fluffy white clouds and bright aqua blue water...

Paradise...

Some daytime shots of Snapper Rocks beach to add to my post from March 2015 as part of my "South East Queensland Coastal Journey" series.


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