WhaleSong

We booked a boat once called Whalesong but it cancelled on us due to heavy weather. Today we got on board Gemini for a two hour cruise.  This was non stop whale action. They are saying that the whale interactions are increasing each year and that at the moment the whale fornication is off the scale.  Hooray!  I have taken some video but it is like filming a bobbing cork from a bobbing cork.  The breeding season is happening now during January and February then its back to the feeding grounds in Alaska.

Tail Slapper

Up ya Spout

We had another round of snorkelling off Black Rock.  There is a lot of wave action here. There were colourful fish and some corals. The most striking thing is the movement of the sand on the bottom when the swells hit. The beaches here are steep which means the shore break is hard hitting.  This is tricky for getting in and out with snorkel gear. This was all before lunch. We spent the rest of the day by the pool. We used the slides, the pools, the bar and the bird cage. 

get out bikini photo bomber

Birds and Possums

I could hear this ruckus from my desk. Monarchs and Magpies were getting very animated. I got the video out but I mixed it up as I filmed the floor when I thought it was off and then turned it off when I pointed at the target.  The birds were having a go at a possum all in broad daylight. Possums must be nest and egg raiders.  At least I got a photo.  I had another bird video so I've posted that one instead.

back to the wall - the birds were way bigger

                                                          love that formation flying

Fruity attraction

I am meant to be resting up which I mostly am but I did go for a short ride into Drysdale and back.  I have to build up to 40km by the time I get to Lake Constance in mid year.  The birds have been having a feast here on nectarines and tomatoes while we were away but that does not seem to be enough, as they have dug huge holes as well. We also spied a possum last night heading for the nectarines.  Now I know why there are 20 or so pips in our back yard.  Hopefully he doesn't get into our roof, like the rat did a few month's back.

We'll need a shovel for this 

Roof Rodent

Got up at 1:00 am to the scratch scratch of a roof resident. A few days ago we killed two mice in the garage.  I guess critters come with the territory here as there is a lot of grass and bush just over the road. I have filmed Nankeen Kestrils grabbing mice out of the grassland.  We made our first foray into our roof space which is well lit and there is plenty of headroom.  The ratsak is now in place.

Cleanest roof space I've ever seen

Brisbane City

We toured the SouthBank area of Brisbane today.  We stayed outdoors for the walk along the bank. The beach area is a good mix of pools and sand and there were plenty of people lapping up the sun.  We had lunch at Puoppolo's which was three sharing plates of seafood and one of pasta for the four of us.  The walk continued through the gardens and finally returned via the Hop On Hop Off ferry along the river.  I had some trouble getting out of the car park when I scraped some paint. Hopefully they wont notice.

the Beach

Story Bridge

Sandridge - No Go Dog Zone

Sandridge Beach behind the Surf Life Saving used to be a fairly quiet spot, but the dogs today were driving us a bit dog eared.  Particularly when the council has declared it a dog free zone.  We confronted a woman whose greyhound was running amok, interfering with families, the usual stuff. When it came at us, I slapped it with my thong. The woman just yelled that it was a dog beach and the dogs were allowed to run. I am going to take the below map with me next time not that it will do much good. I have emailed the council asking for "No Dogs Allowed" signs to be put up.

Far left red zone

And stay out

and keep off the grass

This is not a dog pole

Windy Williamstown

Did an out and back ride to Williamstown. The north wind was an issue on the way back but we flew there in the first half.  The total was 43 km, not nearly enough for the upcoming Tour De GOR but it will have to do.  Snakes seem to be following me lately. This one was busy having a snack on our track. We stopped at the kiosk near the Life Savers. They were struggling to serve coffee let alone be a restaurant,

Diamond Python

We have a good house at this van park but a snake crawled out today.  I was in the shower and a commotion ensued outside. Debbie spotted a guy wrangling a snake from under our house.

Yellow diamonds on the back

Too Caso-Wary

One of the things to tick off is spying a Cassowary. But we could not find one. The signs were everywhere. We lingered at the cassowary crossings but no birds. However we did bust a bustard. This is an equally big bird and rare as well. These are big and we saw a pair of them.

Big Bird Bustard

Berlin Zoo

I have always resisted going to a foreign zoo however when your hotel room is looking down into the horses den then whoa nelly.  We had two hours to kill and the zoo was open for another two hours. Having checked it out it seemed a bit substandard. The drive to Berlin was fast. We were going at 130 Km/h and were the slowest car.

Jungle King