Koalas and Gutter Children

The other afternoon, we were at our dear friends', playing in the drain, as you do, when we spotted a koala in the backyard!

We all oohed and ahhed at its cuteness, all snuggled up there asleep in the branch.

But later, it climbed down the tree and just sat in the water. We think it must have had chlamydia. We called the wildlife carer who came and took the poor thing. The prognosis wasn't good, I'm afraid. It's so sad.





We went to Alma Park Zoo the other day and they gave us some statistics on the koalas of Brisbane. There are 4000 left and they're dying at a rate of 1000 a year. Horrifying.

So: plant koala food trees, keep your cats and dogs under control and fight for preservation of bush and wildlife corridors. Also put the number of your local vet or wildlife carer in your phone so you can report any sick, injured or dead koalas. xx

Butterfly Life Cycle

A beautiful experience to witness the life cycle from caterpillar to butterfly!

"Mum, MUM! It's SO BEAUTIFUL! You have to come and see!"

The amazing golden chrysalis...

Montessori 3-part cards...

Much waiting and checking, until....

"Mum, MUM! It's amazing!! Wait till you come and see!"

A wonderful change....

A Magpie's Gift

On arriving home from a Big Morning recently, a lovely music caught my ear....it was the song of a Magpie, singing for all he was worth, right outside our window. We all stopped in our tracks, tiptoed over, pulled up chairs and enjoyed the concert.



 

For me, this is such a quintessential sound of Australia. If it's not familiar to you, you can listen to a short Magpie call here on Youtube. Stacey, soon you'll be hearing that lovely Magpie song again!

He sang for ages; for all the world it felt like he was doing it just for the sheer pleasure it gave him. And it certainly brought us a lot of pleasure too.  Thank you, Mr Magpie, for your special gift to us. You brought a beautiful spell of peace and calm to us all.

Getting to Know Our Local Environment

Just a few snaps of us enjoying some activities at our local environmental centres!

The Sky Was So Blue Today ...

You really can't beat a winter sky in Brisbane. What a beautiful morning at the Billycart Markets. Hope your sky is this blue today! xx

Finding New Creeks!

This post is a bit belated (like pretty much all of mine) and it is from summer. There is no way I'd be swimming in creeks now - it's freezing! Can you believe the maximum temperature today is 16! And it's raining, and Matt's home, and that is why I am having a little sit at the computer for a change.

So, last summer, it was very exciting to find some beautiful sparkling creeks to swim in, that aren't too far away. We whiled away those hot afternoons in fresh clean waters. I can't wait to make this a regular weekend outing next summer.

PS: Check out Matt's cool V-neck ;0)

Where I Live #4

I snuck off from a family ride to the beach the other evening, when a little something lovely caught my eye. What a privilege it was to be able to admire this charming sandcastle; a special surprise. I imagined the enjoyment some little people must have felt, whiling away their afternoon completely absorbed in creating this beautiful artwork. Thank you for the pleasure, left there for everyone to enjoy.

PS: Sorry about the tone in the last post. I was having a little bit of a moment. I am usually more circumspect and patient about these things. I know people are just looking out for my kids and I am grateful for that loving concern. ;0) xx

The Urban Meadow

I'm as a big a fan as any of a freshly mown lawn, but there's something else I love: what I like to call "the urban meadow." Sometimes unruly wild grass looks so fetching; I feel like I'm in the country. And there's something truly heavenly about cool, thick grass under your feet. Ahh.

Celebrating Spring: PurpleLilacMauveAmethystViolet