Ain't nature grand!

Dear All

I must share with you a couple more photos of the baby birds outside the College entrance door. I feel that, if I stood still in front of the nest, I would be able see the babies growing, they are changing so fast! The parents on the other hand, are getting slimmer! They work so hard going to and fro to the nest feeding their hungry off-spring. Here are this week's pics: 1) a good view of a parent bird near the nest; 2) the chicks this morning - Sunday 2nd August - looking very mature!

They have slightly worried looks on their faces because of the dark 'eyebrows' which seem to slope down outwards, as though they have all the worries of the world on their shoulders! You can enlarge them further with the double-click. T

While I am on my 'nature ramble' I must show you some pictures I took yesterday when I needed to get out in the fresh air and away from the house for a while so, on the spur of the moment, decided to go and take some pictures at Fogg Dam because when I went with Kath and John, I didn't take any. What is more, I decided when I got there, to go on the walk we were too pestered by mozzies to attempt and it was absolutely beautiful, so now you will see a few of those. I'll put six small ones in.

It was about 4 pm when I arrived there and the walk is 1.1 km each way. There was no one about so I had the walk to myself and there were birds galore, although I didn't photograph them all. The vegetation changed from open forest to ti-tree swamp and other swamp vegetation. After I finished the walk (a few mozzies were arriving!) I did a quick drive along the dam wall and back and there were only 2 other cars, so it was fairly peaceful, so I was able to stop and take a couple of photos - without getting out of the car! I will add a photo from that too.

The photos above show the sign at the start of the walk and if you look closely, you can see the route of the walk, first through the forest which becomes swamp eventually, then on walkways above the wetland.

Below, I have shown one stretch of the extensive walkways and some of the lilies (not in peak season) promised on the opening notice. I noticed a large bird flying into a tree and photographed it. To my surprise, when I enlarged it, I saw it was not a 'raptor' as I had thought, but a Coucal.

Finally, there is the photo from the Dam wall which shows an immense number of water birds.
I imagine Kath and John will enjoy these particularly. I saw no crocodiles. There were lots of other photos I took, but this is a sample of a very enjoyable walk.

The four ladies from Miligimbi were still at the College last week for another subject taken by a different Theology Teacher. I have a couple of photos showing them in the Chapel which you might see next time. Unfortunately, their father 'Papa Joe' has taken very seriously ill now and has been in Hospital. He will be discharged to go home with medication to keep him comfortable as soon as he is fit to travel. So there are 3 members of that family in medical strife now. There is a Doctor at Milingimbi, so they will be under him until they must return to Darwin. It was hoped they could all fly back together today (Sunday) when the 4 students returned to their community.

We've had glorious weather the last few days and I also drove over to Vestey's Beach, which is just the next beach to Mindil beach and used by all sorts of aquatic 'vehicles'. The water was sparkling and I will put in three pics which show the delights of the scene and the multiplicity of craft.

1) Just look at the sparkle on the water - it was beautiful! My editing has slightly exaggerated the colour, it was still a beautiful aqua however. The editing has only made it more dense.

2) I tried to get as many different water craft in the picture as possible: jet skis, catamaran, yachts, and a large cargo ship in the distance. The first photo also has a number of craft.

3) I couldn't resist this one - which I have enlarged to the nth degree! The line in the middle is the fence through which I was looking to take the photo of this long craft being paddled by a group! The paddlers are not very coordinated - you can see the flat side of some paddles and nothing of others. Behind them is a pleasure cruiser. There is such a range of activities out on the water.

I had better stop this and head off to bed - it actually takes a long time and there were other things I hoped to do which will have to wait until the morrow! - fortunately that is a Public Holiday here in Darwin - Picnic Day for the Darwin Cup (Racing). The City is full of tourists - even more so than when Kath and John were here.

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A final addition to this blog is a picture of the notice (self-explanatory) outside the Church where I go to 10 am Mass on Sunday, when possible. It is very friendly and welcoming. I took a couple of pictures when the children came back from Children's Liturgy and do a song with hand actions led by the leader (right picture - back to camera). The Priest and Adult Altar Server join in also. I put this picture in because the Server is a fine looking man who I think may have been the 'model' (he denies it) for the 'Saint Martin' on the Notice! The photo is a bit blurry, but can you see any resemblance? I leave that with you.

I am supposed to be seeing some of you soon (you'll know who you are) but there is a little glitch in those arrangments. Watch for an email tomorrow night.

Much love from Rita