Art Car in Perth

For those of you who know about Art Car in H-town, here is one from Perth!
Artist is Charlie Riley, car is a Ford Falcon; he has painted the interior surfaces including the engine.

Wildlife at Yanchep

Today at Yanchep National Park...another milestone-- saw a bunch of koalas, a tiger snake, and a blue-tongued lizard.  This park has a colony of koalas, numerous types of trees, caves, wetlands, and other natural attractions.  It is a small park, but lots to look at and search for.  The koalas were tucked up high in the trees and only by stopping and looking for them, did you see them (else one could walk right past a handful.)

After, we stopped by at the beach, or lagoon, and got a little sun.  


Trail around wetlands.



Tiger snake...venomous serpent.

One of the caves that holds functions....someone let us
peek in while she was setting up.

Ooh La La and La Di Da

Esperance, WA

Freemantle, WA

I spy an EMU can U?

This tall bird was walking along a very windy road during dusk between Nannup and Balingup. Upon slowing down he/she was quite shy and hurried into coverage, but continued to watch me for this shot. Smile.

Repurposing Old Tyres

Or tires....steps!!

Queen Arrives in Perth

This year the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) is in Perth.  53 Heads of governments are in town where they all meet, chat about global, other affairs and yadda yadda.  The city is a little turned upside down, especially the central business district, bus routes are re-routed, and some streets closed.  There have been cops on many corners even as far up towards us.  Helicoptors have been heard all week over head.

The Queen has been touring Australia all week and has arrived here an hour ago.  We live on Great Eastern Highway and about 10 minutes from the airport, so figured the motorcade would pass by, as did many others standing along the verge (or curb.)  I know some people have different opinions about royality, but it is still cool to see it, see how people react, hear others stories about meeting her or where they have seen motorcades in other cities.

The cars went by pretty quickly, but she is in the black Range Rover and wearing pink.

To tell the truth, I didn't know what to be looking for, oh well!

Wine is Good in the AM

Driving along Scotsdale Road one passes green rolling hills, fields of cattle, and a few handful of wineries.  Wednesday morning we hit a couple of them.  Yes it was a little early, but they do open at 10:00, what can I say!?  The first one was Howard Park and Mad Fish and further down the road we checked out Moombaki.

Both had very good reds (Brian was partial to the whites), but Moombaki was a tucked away gem.   The place was so warm and welcoming.  I loved the surroundings-- wetlands, waterbirds, and the tall shedding trees. In the cellar they exhibited wood pieces by Tony Docherty and paintings by Melissa Boughey (http://melissaboughey.com/home.html.)

Approach to Moombaki Winery.

Tree Hugger

Hugging a Karri tree in Shannon National Park.  Took a quick loop through the forest to see some older tree groves.

Torndirrup National Park: Natural Bridge

Around the corner from the Gap laid another gem--  a Natural Bridge.  Other hot spots in the park are the Blowholes, Salmon Holes, lighthouse and Stoney Hill.  The swells were not large enough to come through the blowholes, but staring over the holes (which is not recommended) we were started back with a loud WHOOSH from beneath the rocks!

Torndirrup National Park: The Gap

A short bit out of Albany, WA is an amazing National Park along the coastline.  There are a few very impressive rock formations.  I was totally salivating and my heart was racing!  As some one you know, rocks are my second love.  

First, the Gap.  This gap was formed from the water pounding the granite rock over many, many, many, many, many years.  Keep in mind this edge was once connected to Antarctica.  The two lands separated about 45 million years ago.  "...Where you see the dark rock that is gneiss which is created deep in the Earth's surface...this hardened into the granite that helped in cementing the two continents together."

View One.  Approaching...

And sheer drop!!!!  You can hear the waves crashing in against the rock.
WHOOSH!

Walked a little further out, you can see the outer portion and 

how erosion is slowing re-shaping the coastline.

Kangaroos on the Coast

Yeah, first (two) kangaroos I have seen in Australia!  They were feeding off the road in the evening light.  VERY EXCITING!

Kangaroos in Esperance

Sammy the Sea Lion

Someone likes sunbathing early in the AM in Esperance!

Sleeping time in the sun.

Flip, other side

A second sea lion hanging out beneath the deck waiting for fish heads. Yes that water is SO clear!!!

Next Car Purchase

Prospectin' Fool

I am a town where the major industry is gold mining.  Gold was first found in 1893.  The mines and the Super Pit are still yielding gold.  You can see great arial view with Google Maps.

See the vehicles?

Image from brochure...

Heading towards Kalgoorlie...

Remember, the "r" is silent.

Still green....and Golden Pipeline.

Trees and Golden Pipeline

Can you hear me now?

View looking back.

South Carolina Representin'

Fremantle, WA