Wineries local to the Melbourne Area. Most are taken from the Yarra Valley wine region.
Sea and Sand. Here are shots from a marina, several of their beaches and fortunately we happened upon really great sand sculptures, which were open to the public.
Melbourne Cemeteries. Cemeteries really are different here! They have paved brick walk ways, denser designs, higher use of wrought iron, and of course their own native vegetation and surroundings.
Healsville Wildlife Sanctuary. Here are some shots of dingos (wild dogs), koalas, various birds, and kangaroos. It also started to really pour and I tried to get some shots of the rain hitting the water.
Magic Rose Garden. Aren't these lovely roses? I can't imagine a more happily situated garden.
Downtown Melbourne & Local Churches. I really had no idea Melbourne would have so many old and gothic churches. The downtown area also had fabulous archbuildings of architectural interest that I wanted to get a few shots of. The 'white lady' mime was fun to watch. Mike and I also enjoyed one of the best lunches I've had at a restaurant called "The Box". It was fine, open aired dining, right on the main boulevard. After visiting downtown, I realised I could have easily spent a good 3-5 days just browsing the shops on the street, photographing amazing buildings and discovering all that this incredible city had to offer.
Misc. Australian shots. Mike's lemon tree just looked like happiness on a branch. I really want to plant one of my own now. The magpie is as common here as crows are in Washington. Like Ravens, they are part of the crow family. Figures I'd love them! Though I didn't take the pictures myself of a few of these birds, I wanted to include ones that I saw but couldn't capture on film. These include the pelican, the Sulphur
Crested Cockatoo, and the brilliantly colored Rosetta. Here is also an interesting link on crows and ravens in Australia. I thought I was seeing oversized crows, but they were really ravens. The last two photos on this link are from Dandenong National Park.
Some other shots are of Mike's backyard and some mystery bug which looked a bit like a praying mantis.
Saying Goodbye. Goodbye is never easy when you care about some one or some thing. I found it really hard not to cry when I left those dear to me. I know not when we will meet again, but like all kindred spirits, you shall be forever close to my heart. Near or far, you'll be loved.
