I spent the weekend at the Terrick Terrick National Park again helping out with research on Australian birds that utilise grasslands in central Victoria. However, we have a new helper who will be very appreciated in the colder months. His name is Ned and you don’t need to ask why.

I was standing under a tree the other day, waiting for someone to put their gum boots on, (there’s been a lot of that lately) and I looked up.

I was lucky enough to take a Helicopter flight recently over the Edithvale region of south east Melbourne. It was great fun.

Our destination, the Edithvale Wetlands

My view from the front of the Helicopter

I think Kylie may have also had a good time.

Mark and I visited Lockington last weekend for breakfast. Turns out the cafe called the “Providore on Hopetoun” can match it with most inner Melbourne venues.

But Lockington is also unique because it has an irrigation channel flowing down the main street. A great little town with a population of 400 people. There are no traffic jams in Lockington but you do need bathers to cross the main street.

Sorry, but all I see see during the day this week is birds, sheep, cattle and wind turbines. Here’s an early shot from this morning. To quote a great movie: “Dad, he reckons powerlines are a reminder of man’s ability to generate electricity” (the Castle 1997).

Just a quick post this time to share a photograph of a waterway I visited today. I can’t say where but the vegetation is great.

iphone, three pictures stitched together with "Calico"

From time to time I need some inspiration. I once sat next to Bob Brown of “the Greens” and asked him how he dealt with self doubt. His reply was something like . . .  forget about it and keep on doing what you think is right. That’s fine in theory but when there are many people who disagree with you, it gets tough.

However, recently I have put the photo below on my iphone wallpaper. Aung San Suu Kyi must have experienced years of doubt but at last it would appear things are improving for her and her people. You can build a mountain range with pressure and time.

Aung San Suu Kyi

Having spent a bit of time on beaches in many regions of Australia, I do appreciate an opportunity to get a picture of a nice bit of beach. Below is a shot at Byron Bay in an area where there is some Shorebird nesting activity. As is the case in many natural ecosystems, a dead tree can still be useful, that is: for habitat and aesthetics.