Monday, June 13, 2011

Chorus Oz 2011

This weekend was the annual Chorus Oz weekend at the Opera House. This year we did Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. Wow! What a difficult work it is and we had to stand for the whole performance. Nola, Jennie and I booked together so we could sit together and had a great time.

Saturday afternoon was spent practising with altos and sopranos, Sunday was all day in the Opera House.

Last year Nola completed her coat using the Tshirts we are given each year to perform in and this year I finished my coat in time to wear for the weekend.






There is even a more public photo here.

Bushwalking

While away in the Top End my gammy leg/hip/back improved remarkably and apart from the warm weather it could also have been all the bushwalking and rockhopping I did.

I've decided to keep it up if I can, at least on a weekly basis. So Elaine and I went for our first walk together last week. Only a short one from Gray's Point to the Royal National Park Visitor's Centre and back. Beautiful views over the Port Hacking River and magnificent angophora's.


 

The walk is along the track called Service Trail on the map here.

Aus Geo Scientific Expedition - El Questro, Kimberley, WA

Here are some photos to accompany my diary for the trip. Happy reading.

Many of these photos have focus difficulties but I have now learned a lot more about how to use my cameras effectively and am happy with some of the results.

 I shared this lovely tent with Gloria.
 View of the Cockburn Ranges from the Pentecost River crossing on the Gibb River Road.
 We were privileged to see, catch and handle many animals. Many were taken back to camp to measure and photograph then released at their place of origin again.

Each day we volunteers were rostered on to help a different scientist for all or part of the day.
 Steve checking the toad fence traps at Emma Gorge.
 We had caught a King Brown (Mulga snake) and these tinies.

 Life back at base camp was spent entering data, measuring and photographing animals, identifying species, chatting and eating....


 Photo taken at Branco's Lookout ... what a view and so much of the vegetation has been wiped out by the recent flooding rains.
 Tiny beasties along Emma Gorge


A strange waterplant found at Emma Gorge - Eriocaulon setaceum...
A blue winged Kookaburra - they woke us most mornings sounding as if they were being strangled.
An elusive rainbow bee eater...
 A Blue Argus...
 Posed photos back at camp.
 The array of technology was incredible but no internet.
 I would love some of this fabric, not skin of course but the design is beautiful and so tactile.
 Yes, I really did lend a hand.
 In this bag there is a huge tree frog species, Litorea splendida. A real find for the frogologist.
 There were some really bad river crossings... this one is up to Branco's Lookout.
 Our tented cabin luxury... here we are all gathered (Eddie, Shane and Gloria as well) in my cabin having after dinner nibbles.
 Gloria hugging a medium sized Boab at Emma Gorge Resort.

Australian Geographic article can be found here.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Three days in Darwin and Kakadu

My recent trip to the Top End included a short stay at Garry and Helen's then a quick 2-night trip to Kakadu with Garry.
 Lilies on a pond in a park near Garry's house.

 Lilies on Fogg Dam.
 Lunch at Fogg Dam with Anna, Garry, Helen, Joel and Eliza (and Alice not in picture).
 Lots of wet road crossings. The crossing into Arnhem Land was 0.7m over the road but very swift flowing. There are salties in that water so those fishermen are risking their lives.
 Sunset at Ubirr.
 A drive-by photo of two Jabiru.
 Garry knew a lovely secluded creek and waterfall where we had lunch. Lots of rock-hopping involved.
 Some beautiful plants - Eucalyptus miniata.
 Lots of walking to see aboriginal art.

 Kapok bush in flower after losing its leaves.
 A beautiful damsel fly.
 Elusive crocs.
 A Golden Tree Snake
 A croc having a yawn.
 Sunset at Yellow Waters.
 A butterfly that caught my attention - an Orange Lacewing.

If you'd like to find out more about my trip click here.