"Black Boys" - Grass Trees of Australia

“Black Boy” Grass Trees only grow in Australia.
These remarkable plants have a lifespan of 600 years but are very slow-growing. The trunk takes about 10 years to form and is composed of a mass of old leaf bases held together by a natural resin. It is then a further 20 years or more before the mass of thin, grassy leaves form on top. From then on, it grows only about 1-2cm in height per year.
This plant grows to a height of over 4 metres and often has branches. Its growth rate is only about 1 metre every 100 years. However, the flowering stalk grows at a rate of 2 – 3 cm per day reaching to a height of over 3 metres.
The Grass Tree attracts a wide range of lizards and insects that shelter in the plant’s massive foliage. The flowering spear of the plant attracts honey eating birds, bees, ants, and butterflies.

Photo by Kaye

Sydney Harbour Bridge

If you enlarge either of these images, you will see "tiny little people" walking over the top arch of the bridge. This is called the "Bridge Climb". For more information, go to: www.BridgeClimb.com

View of Harbour Bridge from a cruise boat on Sydney Harbour.The top shot is going out in the morning past the Opera House, and the lower shot is coming home late afternoon. At present, there is maintenance work being done, hence the scaffolding that can be seen on the horizontal part of the bridge.

Photo by Kaye

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Sydney Opera House

Close up shot of the Sydney Opera House. This is one of the numerous "sails" which form part of the infrastructure of the roof of the Opera House.

Photo by Kaye

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Hawkesbury River sunset

Photo by Kaye

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Sound of a Kookaburra laughing

Following a comment on my photo "Hawkesbury River - Sydney", I thought I would attach some brief information about the Kookaburra, a native bird of Australia. Below is a cropped version of my Hawkesbury River photo.
The following information I obtained from Google:
"The 'Kookaburra' is considered to be an Aboriginal word meaning 'laughing jackass'.
The kookaburra is the largest genus of the kingfisher family, with some measuring up to 20 inches (about 50cm) long. And the fluffy bird, whose name comes from the Aboriginal word guuguubarra, also has a formidable beak, making quick prey of lizards, snakes, mice and insects."

Click on the URL following to hear a Kookaburra laughing:
http://soundboard.com/sb/kookaburra_sound_clips.aspx

Lake in Chamonix

Hawkesbury River, Sydney

Some of the Hawkesbury River's sandstone which comes in varying colours.

The Hawkesbury River in Sydney offers residents and tourists activities such as fishing, boating holidays or boat hire to explore. The bush landscape is mainly gum trees, but there is much animal activity including lizards & birds, eg. the Kookaburra awaiting food. There is also a lot of beautiful sandstone in this area.

Photo by Kaye

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The "Little Oasis"

This reminds me of a "Little Oasis" - East coast, NSW

Photo by Kaye

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Freshwater Beach - Sydney north

Foreshore above Freshwater Beach

Photo by Kaye

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A gaivota

Azenhas do Mar

Perto de Sintra e do Cabo da Roca - o ponto mais ocidental da Europa - esta vila é sempre deslumbrante.

Near Sintra and Cabo da Roca - the most westerly point in Europe - this village is allways amazing

A variety of Australian Bottlebrush

Photo by Kaye

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Sunset in Sydney

Sunset shot taken on west side of my house.

Photo by Kaye

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Serra da Arrábida - Debruçada sobre o mar

Lisboa e a Foz do Tejo têm a norte a serra de Sintra e a sul a serra da Arrábida. Esta tem a característica de ser a serra mais alta junto ao mar em todo o continente e de ter uma vegetação com arbustros únicos no mundo. Contudo a falta de escrúpulos não tem respeitado a natureza e a beleza desta serra. Há muitas décadas que tem sido desarborizada e destruída por uma enorme pedreira e pela cimenteira de Outão. Pior ainda: é na cimenteira que está a funcionar uma incineradora de resíduos tóxicos. 

A beleza da Arrábida ainda continua e será que vamos deixar os nossos filhos e netos contemplá-la com admiração ou vamos deixar mais uma vergonhosa chacina do meio ambiente? Até quando continuamos a permitir esta destruição?

Smooth petals of Azalea

I am amazed at the coloured patterns that form on the petals. It is really like the work of an artist.

Photo by Kaye

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White/mauve flowers showing intricate stamen

I am practising on contrast for a photo competition. This is another with black background. I hope I can improve more with each try... Different ideas on "contrast" would be appreciated.

Photo by Kaye

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Praia de Dona Ana - Lagos

Com o calor antecipado deste Março apetece é mesmo praia. Esta praia é pequena e o acesso é um pouco difícil mas as praias algarvias são mesmo assim - quanto mais duro é o acesso mais bonita é a praia.

Princess Lilies contrasted against black background

Photo by Kaye

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Yellow bulbs

Photo by Kaye

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Orchids

Photo by Kaye

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Natureza escultora

Cabeça da Velha, Sortelha, Portugal

Esta obra de arte, esculpida pela mãe natureza em granito de duas micas com traços de perfeita caricatura, encontra-se junto à porta poente de Sortelha, maravilhosa aldeia histórica perto da Serra da Estrela (entre as vilas de Caria e Sabugal). Sortelha, inserida em belas e altivas muralhas, cujo pelourinho podem ver a seguir, constitui visita obrigatória para todos os amantes da natureza e da história. Muito havia para dizer mas as imagens falam por si próprias.

More from Curl Curl Beach, Sydney

Photo by Kaye

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Meia-maratona de Lisboa

Este acontecimento anual junta sempre cerca de 50.000 pessoas, que correm, marcham, passeiam e aproveitam uma ocasião de apreciar e fotografar belos momentos. Este ano havia nevoeiro e nuvens baixas que não beneficiaram as imagens. Mesmo assim há que gastar as baterias - nossas e das câmaras...

Urban view - Curl Curl - Sydney

Photo by Kaye

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