Better Late Than Never!

by Anna Campbell

More photos than text today!

Do you remember last month I did a piece on midwinter in south-east Queensland in Australia where I live?

I had a couple of shots of a beach at Maroochydore from a charity talk I gave. But I'd also taken a stack of photos on a late afternoon walk along the seafront near my house and then my digital camera decided it wasn't talking to my computer anymore. So I couldn't include them in the original blog as intended.

Grrrr.

As a result, I promised to share the pics if I could get the camera working again. Well, thanks to some seriously techie friends of mine, I now have access to my photos.

Huzzah!

I hope you enjoy these shots of Pumicestone Passage at Golden Beach in the late afternoon on a beautiful winter's day.

The first picture is of one of my favorite local birds, the blue heron. They're usually quite shy so I was delighted I got close enough to get this shot. This particular walking path is popular with dog walkers so the birdlife is best after all the pooches have gone home for dinner.

The next shot looks south along the passage to Moreton Bay. The trees in the distance are on the Bribie Island National Park. From my house, which is about five minutes walk from where this was taken, you can hear the surf on the ocean side of the island at night. It's a wonderful sound!

Speaking of birds, this area is one of the world's largest tern sanctuaries. Vast flocks of migratory birds use the sandbanks to stop off for rest and recuperation. Some birds come from as far away as Alaska and Siberia! Wonder if they get jetlag!

The next shot looks north to the holiday resort of Caloundra - see the high-rise apartment blocks. There's some wonderful beaches and cafes up there. I'm definitely on the quieter end of the Sunshine Coast.

Just to prove the seasons have moved on, check out this magnificent melaleuca that grows in my neighbor's garden but cascades over my back fence like a beautiful white waterfall. Spring has definitely sprung down here!

I've always loved the ocean and it's such a treat to live so close to it. So are you a seaside person or do you prefer the mountains or the plains or the city? If you could have your choice, where would you settle?