Coastal lights

This is a view from Marino Conservation Park (near the lighthouse), looking north along the coast.

Kites at the Festival

Here are some of the kites that were being flown at the 2009 Adelaide International Kite Festival on Saturday. I used to make and fly kites as a child but mine were very basic in comparison; modern materials and technology have changed kite flying immensely.

















































Seeing all these beautiful kites has rekindled my interest; a pity I have so many other hobbies already!

Kite Festival

The Adelaide International Kite Festival is being held this weekend at Semaphore Beach.

Rainbow Lorikeet

Now this is a pretty bird! The rainbow lorikeet is found throughout Australia's eastern states and South Australia; it feeds on seeds and nectar. I took this photo at Warrawong Sanctuary; still experimenting with my new camera and zoom lense.

Noisy miner

The other day I visited the Rose Garden in the Botanical Gardens once again. Many of these small (24-28cm) birds were active in the garden. I think I have identified them correctly; the noisy miners frequent areas where there is a good supply of nectar and insects. They are found throughout the eastern states and South Australia.

ABC Wednesdays - J for joey

This young joey was reared by caring humans after its mother was killed in road accident. About a year old now it is now living at Warrawong Sanctuary, in the Adelaide Hills.

This western grey kangaroo joey has a diet of grass and shrubs, supplemented by milk from a bottle. A joey would normally live in its mother's pouch for about 9 months, and continue to drink her milk for about another 9 months.

Click here to read more about this species and foster care of Australia's native animals.

The ABC Wednesday meme was created by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here.

Surfing at Southport

The reason I was at Southport Beach last Friday was to photograph students during their elective surfing program.

This is how it's done boys!

Maybe this week I will have a go, but I will happy if I get up on the board in an upright position; it's many years since I surfed.

Southport Beach

This Southport Beach looking north towards Port Noarlunga. This is one of the surfing beaches on the mid-south coast. During the week many school students have aquatic lessons here. This is an ideal beach for learners as there are no rocky outcrops as is the case on some of the other mid-south beaches.

Looking north along the beach; the mouth of the Onkaparinga River is to the left of the photo.

Fishing

What a way to relax on a beautiful autumn day; fishing near the mouth of the Onkpararinga River about 30 km south of Adelaide. I have no idea what (or if) they were catching. I had spent the day nearby on the surf beach at Southport.

Mascot race

This morning local Adelaide radio station Triple M ran a Mascots' Race. Held at St. Raphael's Primary School, it was part of one of the station's breakfast program's regular segments "Back to School Friday."

The breakfast show hosts Kim, Ali and Dzelde ran their show on site at the school. Click here to see a slide show of the mascots on Triple M's web site.

ABC Wednesdays - I for Icecream

This guy made my day; not because I wanted ice cream, but because I needed a photo for the letter "I". When I heard his bell ringing, I grabbed my camera and headed out the front gate!

I remember as a child when not only did we have ice cream deliveries, but almost everything else - no need to travel to the shop. There was the butcher, the baker (not sure about the candlestick maker!) We had ice and milk deliveries and calls by a grocer and a greengrocer.

I really don't know how this ice cream delivery man survives; I rarely see any customers.

The ABC Wednesday meme was created by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here.

Chalk Drawing

Last Sunday as part of the Fringe Festival, artist Annalise Rees drew with chalk on the pavement by the Broadway Cafe; drawings depicting the local Glenelg area. The image above is the Glenelg Town Hall. Children were invited to participate in their own Kid's Chalk area.

Porsche Show

Another car show at Wrigley Reserve at Glenelg; on Sunday was the Porsche Club of SA's Annual Show.













53 years hence - the convertible on the left is a 1956 Porsche 356 Speedster and on the right a current model Porsche Boxster.

The beautifully restored and maintained Speedster was one of about 4000 built between 1955 1n 1958. This particular vehicle was found in Arizona in poor condition in 1996.

Interested in owning a Porsche? There were several classic models for sale at the Show or you could settle for a new one - the Boxster is priced from $118,000.

Gallipoli Underpass

Today it was announced by the premier, Mr Rann, that the new road under Anzac Highway be named Gallipoli Underpass. The 118 million dollar underpass will be opened to traffic later this month; significantly improving traffic flow. Another underpass is scheduled to be built under Port Road.












This morning the public was given the opportunity to walk through the underpass at a community day; entertainment by the 10/27 Bn South Australian Army Band and other bands, a free sausage sizzle and activities for children.

Stormy Saturday

This afternoon I drove to the beach hoping to photograph some kiteboarders; but there were none to be seen - obviously too windy and rough. This is a view looking south along West Beach towards the boat ramp.

Pyrophone Juggernaut

How time flies; it was two weeks ago that we experienced a spectacular performance of five musicians and their multi-octave fire organ; the Pyrophone Juggernaut. It is the creation of Hubbub Music from Queensland.

Built of recycled metal and industrial waste this massive instrument dominated Rymill Park.

Rather than me try to describe the exciting performance, you can see it for yourself on You Tube.

Pyrophones are not new; they have been around since the 1700's. You can read more here on Wikipedia.

ABC Wednesdays - H for Haigh's

Haigh's Chocolates is a local company that was established in 1915; its original retail store being in this prime location - the corner of King William Street and Rundle Mall. The company, Australia's oldest family-owned chocolate retailer, now has 12 stores in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.

Take you pick! Haigh's offer a range of fine chocolates; beautifully packaged and presented with a taste to match. Mmm - sorry I can't share with you now; I just ate the last one from a box I was given as a present.

The ABC Wednesday meme was created by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here.

More Womadelaide

As well as listening to great music, patrons at Womadelaide had a big range of merchandise they could purchase, and then buy some food and drink and relax a while in an open air "restaurant".

Womadelaide

Yesterday I went to Womadelaide; the first time for me. I have contemplated going for several years now and am glad I finally went - it is a fantastic event with lots of interesting music and a great atmosphere. This year the weather was perfect; 25 degrees C and fine.

Womadelaide is held annually over three days; located in Botanical Park. You can read all about this year's event on the Womadelaide website.

Minis and Mokes

Yet another club activity at Glenelg last Sunday; the annual "Mini Meet" was held at Wigley Reserve by the Mini Club of SA.

Although I did not own one, I well remember these vehicles in their heyday; not only as a popular passenger vehicle but also the sportier Cooper and Cooper S versions that were used for rallying.

Based on the Mini the Moke was a popular recreational utility vehicle. Between 1966 and 1981 Mokes were built in Australia; 26,000 of them. Many were exported.

Vintage bikes at the Bay

Last Sunday the Vintage Motor Cycle Club of SA had a display of about 30 motocycles in Moseley Square at Glenelg.

To think that these bikes are over 60 years old and look every bit as good as when they were manufactured; a credit to their dedicated owners.

ABC Wednesdays - G for gulls

Very common along our metropolitan beaches is the seagull. Many a time I have eaten my lunch on the beach front and been hassled by these ever hungry birds; awaiting for any morsel I might drop or throw their way.

This gull has scooped a prize; a parcel of discarded chips. It was happily pecking away at the paper and retrieving its lunch when a couple of other uninvited guests wanted some of the action.

After a few moments of wing flapping and generally asserting its authority the other birds soon got the message and flew off to find their own pickings elsewhere. No sharing here!

By the way there are other G's here; these photos were taken at Glenelg on the shores of the Gulf of St Vincent.

The ABC Wednesday meme was created by Denise Nesbitt. To find out more about ABC Wednesdays and see other participants' contributions click here.

Cruise ships

On Saturday two cruise ships berthed at Port Adelaide for the day, so we decided to cycle about 30 kilometres from home and along the coast to see them. Visits of cruise ships is not an everyday occurrence in Adelaide, so there are always lots of people paying them a visit and looking for a vantage point to see them depart.

I have never watched such a large ship as this leaving its mooring; marvellous to watch it move sideways from the wharf and then forward into the channel. The ships I have watched in the past have needed assistance from a tug. This gigantic cruise ship could manoeuvre unaided.


This is the Diamond Princess, a very large cruise ship; a floating hotel. Launched in 2004, she is 286.86 metres long and carries 2674 passengers.