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So I am guessing by now those of you that have known me for a while will have realised I am a total nature nerd, yes? Well, it's an inherited condition. My dad and my mum are the same. Both were forever bringing home THINGS when they were younger. In fact when they lived in Poland they at one stage had a hedgehog, a gerbil, a hamster, a Boxer dog and several birds going at the same time as my brother was a toddler. That should give you an idea how insane they are.
( Who is Vilk? Plus a couple more for other Challenges )
( Who is Vilk? Plus a couple more for other Challenges )
First tho: DON'T read the 65redroses blog which is currently in Spotlight UNLESS you want to cry like your heart is shattering into a million pieces!
Now: I may have mentioned, probably with much evil giggling, the birds that have been nesting in the rock garden of the carpark next door to work. They provide me and the rest of the coms room with endless amusement because the little bastards SWOOP like the devil itself. They are Masked Lapwings, commonly called Plovers (Vanellus miles). And they are VICIOUS! Well, not vicious, just very, very good parents. Can't hold that against an animal, can you? So of course Maggie views this as a challenge. :) It's taken me weeks of extremely careful approach but I did it. I have gained the trust of the demon birds. Check it out :) And in case you are wondering, yep these were taken from about six or so steps away and in the car. That's the parent birds comfort zone and I don't intend to break it. Last thing I need is to be hand raising 3 baby birds :P
The proud parents and one of the hatchlings. He's about 2 or 3 days old. Yep, they are hatched ready to run :)
( PREPARE FOR CUTE OVERLOAD!!!! )
I kinda proud of those shots. Birds are notoriously difficult to photograph, esp the active baby variety!
Now: I may have mentioned, probably with much evil giggling, the birds that have been nesting in the rock garden of the carpark next door to work. They provide me and the rest of the coms room with endless amusement because the little bastards SWOOP like the devil itself. They are Masked Lapwings, commonly called Plovers (Vanellus miles). And they are VICIOUS! Well, not vicious, just very, very good parents. Can't hold that against an animal, can you? So of course Maggie views this as a challenge. :) It's taken me weeks of extremely careful approach but I did it. I have gained the trust of the demon birds. Check it out :) And in case you are wondering, yep these were taken from about six or so steps away and in the car. That's the parent birds comfort zone and I don't intend to break it. Last thing I need is to be hand raising 3 baby birds :P
The proud parents and one of the hatchlings. He's about 2 or 3 days old. Yep, they are hatched ready to run :)
( PREPARE FOR CUTE OVERLOAD!!!! )
I kinda proud of those shots. Birds are notoriously difficult to photograph, esp the active baby variety!
Right, been slack :) So yes, am back in BKK now and really wishing I were back in CM but making peace with it. Yesterday was exhausting. We went on a bus tour of Ayatthaya. A very historis part of Thailand not far from BKK. It was a bit exhausting, to be honest. We had to meet the bus early, and then we were in a very large group, so it wasn't as intimate as all the other stuff we'd done. It also felt very rushed. We couldn't linger in any of the places we wanted to i.e the Grand Summer Palace, the ruins of the ancient Wats. We did get to scoot around the Grand Summer Palace grounds tho. Marion has owie legs at the moment and we wanted to see as much as we could in our limited time so I splashed out INSANELY and hired a little golf cart thingy ($10 for an hour Australian). That was WICKED fun :D
( pics from the Grand Summer Palace Grounds )
After that we set off for about an hour to the ruins that broke my heart. Over the 2nd world war and over wars these temples were destroyed, they are now World Heritage listed so that no one can ever cover up the sheer destruction the stupidity of war creates. This is Wat Pra Raturana, the site of the famous Buddha Head in a Tree that all the tourists come to shoot.
( Wat Pra Raturana shots )
We had a bit of a kip in the arvo, the headed out to Cabbages and Condoms for a really good but rather expensive dinner. C&C was created to help raise funds to provide villagers education and practical help with family planning and also to help them seek alternatives to growing drugs to make a livelihood. It started as a small back room eatery, it is now HUGE.
Today Marion wasn't feeling all that well so C and I disappeared. We went to this MASSIVE tech mall. 6 levels of gadgets and everything a tech geek could want i.e Craig heaven :D I didn't mind wandering around. Got myself a water proof cheapy watch. We then had lunch where I foolishly thought that because I could eat a small amount of mild green chillies, I could eat a fork full of them.
I can't.
Craig got video. I will post it when he puts it online.
Gotta dash now; dinner time :)
( pics from the Grand Summer Palace Grounds )
After that we set off for about an hour to the ruins that broke my heart. Over the 2nd world war and over wars these temples were destroyed, they are now World Heritage listed so that no one can ever cover up the sheer destruction the stupidity of war creates. This is Wat Pra Raturana, the site of the famous Buddha Head in a Tree that all the tourists come to shoot.
( Wat Pra Raturana shots )
We had a bit of a kip in the arvo, the headed out to Cabbages and Condoms for a really good but rather expensive dinner. C&C was created to help raise funds to provide villagers education and practical help with family planning and also to help them seek alternatives to growing drugs to make a livelihood. It started as a small back room eatery, it is now HUGE.
Today Marion wasn't feeling all that well so C and I disappeared. We went to this MASSIVE tech mall. 6 levels of gadgets and everything a tech geek could want i.e Craig heaven :D I didn't mind wandering around. Got myself a water proof cheapy watch. We then had lunch where I foolishly thought that because I could eat a small amount of mild green chillies, I could eat a fork full of them.
I can't.
Craig got video. I will post it when he puts it online.
Gotta dash now; dinner time :)
Chiang Mai
Aug. 14th, 2010 10:58 amAfter that epic train ride I think we all just wanted a quiet day, so that's what we had. Also, C and I got upset tummies yesterday morning so neither or us were in a mood to go explore terribly much. We walked up the street just out of our Soi to the pharmacy tio get supplies like Deet etc when my stomach cramped up violently. Dashed across traffic (ped crossings and obeying traffic lights seem to be optional extras in Thailand!) to the McD's and spoke to god for a bit. Felt FABULOUS after that :D M's legs started to swell up a bit tho so after C and I had checked out a little of the old wall that used to surround the city, we headed back. Stopped at a book shop and I got a copy of 'The Life of Pi' since EVERYONE is telling me to read it. Also did a little shopping, go some presents for a few ppl back at home and also got M her 'tacky-gift' gift. We're doing a thing here where we get each other something terribly tacky to take back :D I drew Marion, Craig got me, Marion got Craig. This should be exciting :D Spent a rather lovely afternoon just hanging out, chilling out. M got a txt saying she'd won an interview she was desperately wanting so we all cheered and went a little HAPPY for her :) She has to go to it the day we get back!!!! Thankfully we're back early morning and this will be at 6pm. I'm keeping EVERYTHING crossed for her.
I really like Chiang Mai so far. It's far more relaxed than BKK and more ppl smile at you. It's also cleaner and not anywhere near as hectic. Less food stalls but then again we HAVE found the most important thing you poss can in Thailand; THE BANANA GUY! They cook roti right there for you on like an inverted hot plate. Then they spread raw egg over the top, slice up a banana over that, then pour condensed milk over the whole thing. Then they flip another roti over THAT and cook it for about 1 min. HOLY SENSORY OVERLOAD, BATMAN! You have NEVER tasted anything like it! The bananas here are super sweet and just PERFECT! We loooove it. I think we're pigging out on it again tonight :D
Anyway, some photo's of the local area under the cut and, if I have time, some random shots from Craig :)
Craig trying to get a fix on us with his Tracker. We're down a soi off a soi. It's like a rabbit warren! If you didn't know where this place was, you'd NEVER find it :) We LOVE it. (Soi - like a laneway that runs off a main street. Some are quite big, others you would prob not be able to get the average family sedan down).
( Chiang Mai )
I really like Chiang Mai so far. It's far more relaxed than BKK and more ppl smile at you. It's also cleaner and not anywhere near as hectic. Less food stalls but then again we HAVE found the most important thing you poss can in Thailand; THE BANANA GUY! They cook roti right there for you on like an inverted hot plate. Then they spread raw egg over the top, slice up a banana over that, then pour condensed milk over the whole thing. Then they flip another roti over THAT and cook it for about 1 min. HOLY SENSORY OVERLOAD, BATMAN! You have NEVER tasted anything like it! The bananas here are super sweet and just PERFECT! We loooove it. I think we're pigging out on it again tonight :D
Anyway, some photo's of the local area under the cut and, if I have time, some random shots from Craig :)
Craig trying to get a fix on us with his Tracker. We're down a soi off a soi. It's like a rabbit warren! If you didn't know where this place was, you'd NEVER find it :) We LOVE it. (Soi - like a laneway that runs off a main street. Some are quite big, others you would prob not be able to get the average family sedan down).
( Chiang Mai )
TIGER TEMPLE!!!!
We woke up late and had 20 mins to get the 3 of us showered, fed and dressed. Try THAT with one bathroom! We made it tho. Our driver and guide came and met us in the foyer and so we drove out of BKK and to the Kanchanaburi province. Took about 2-3hrs to get there, with a couple stops (including one at a beautiful but very sad graveyard, and also the River Kwai which made me sad and angry all at once) and also a lunch break. Tiger temple is AWESOME. I have NO idea where the hell ppl get the idea that the tigers are mistreated there. All I saw were sleepy, very well fed, healthy, happy, playful tiggers. The guides were very careful about where you were allowed to walk and what you were allowed to do. We got to pat the tigers, but only from the back and to the right. Then we got to have a few steps with each one down to the canyon. There you got to have photos taken with the sleeeeeeepy spoiled fat happy tigers who rolled over a few times for tummy rubs from their handlers. The cubs were playful as heck! Also saw the enclosures they are developing, they look great! There were also piggies, deer, cattle and PONIES! The big daddy bull Brahman liked me and brushed up against me as he walked past to get the scratch :) There were 2 mules (I think) and a little brown pony. All 3 were colts. It took about 3-4hours to get home as the traffic in BKK was awful, and they made us go to this gem place. Was very pretty but VERY exxy. Blergh. Had dinner at the usual place. Now waiting for our laundry to be delivered, then off to Chiang Mai tomorrow morning. :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39873599@N07/sets/72157623106437297/
Photos there for now; I'm too stuffed to do the posting thing. I'll try and do them tomorrow, i swear.
We woke up late and had 20 mins to get the 3 of us showered, fed and dressed. Try THAT with one bathroom! We made it tho. Our driver and guide came and met us in the foyer and so we drove out of BKK and to the Kanchanaburi province. Took about 2-3hrs to get there, with a couple stops (including one at a beautiful but very sad graveyard, and also the River Kwai which made me sad and angry all at once) and also a lunch break. Tiger temple is AWESOME. I have NO idea where the hell ppl get the idea that the tigers are mistreated there. All I saw were sleepy, very well fed, healthy, happy, playful tiggers. The guides were very careful about where you were allowed to walk and what you were allowed to do. We got to pat the tigers, but only from the back and to the right. Then we got to have a few steps with each one down to the canyon. There you got to have photos taken with the sleeeeeeepy spoiled fat happy tigers who rolled over a few times for tummy rubs from their handlers. The cubs were playful as heck! Also saw the enclosures they are developing, they look great! There were also piggies, deer, cattle and PONIES! The big daddy bull Brahman liked me and brushed up against me as he walked past to get the scratch :) There were 2 mules (I think) and a little brown pony. All 3 were colts. It took about 3-4hours to get home as the traffic in BKK was awful, and they made us go to this gem place. Was very pretty but VERY exxy. Blergh. Had dinner at the usual place. Now waiting for our laundry to be delivered, then off to Chiang Mai tomorrow morning. :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39873599@N07/sets/72157623106437297/
Photos there for now; I'm too stuffed to do the posting thing. I'll try and do them tomorrow, i swear.
Babinda Rocks and Wildlife :-)
Nov. 1st, 2009 06:14 pmSpent most of today at one of Al's parents properties. Yeah I said ONE OF. This one is goooorgeous!!!! I would kill to live on a place like that; right up against the bush/rainforest, plenty of birds, insects, frogs, lizards and a couple little lakes. Just lovely. I did find a Banjo frog (still no Green Tree Frogs!!!!) but it hid before I could get a shot. I did find a Cane Toad. These evil bastards are an introduced species here who do incredible damage. They were supposed to control Cane Beetle... that didn't work out so well. The rest of Australia dreads them spreading. Here they kill them by the thousands and still it seems to have no effect. We had a lovely lunch after all that, then Al and I went to Bramston Beach while his folks had a nap. Been a really nice relaxing sort of day.
Babinda Boulders :-) Guess how it got it's name.... :P
( moar )
Babinda Boulders :-) Guess how it got it's name.... :P
( moar )
NOT a sad post, I promise!
Jul. 2nd, 2009 04:06 pmWhile pottering around in my garden this morning before it got too cold out there, I found a nest of these itty bitty teeny tiny little baby garden snails! They were all lined up along the leaves of one of my daffodils (which are coming up all over the place all of a sudden! It's MIDWINTER, for cryin' out loud!). Now normally any snail I find usually finds itself offered as sacrificial victim on the birdfeeder. These guys wreck utter havoc on my garden. Well I couldn't put BABIES up there now, could I! So, I took them inside, took some happy snaps and then yeah I know this is lame, but I let them go again. I know, I know. I have kept 6 so I can play a bit more with photography. Currently they are in a jar on the kicthen bench with some yummy yummy leaves to gnaw on. Hope you guys like the pics. Macro and I are FRIENDS!
Looks like every freeway in the world, really, doesn't it? :-)
( more slippery little suckers )
Looks like every freeway in the world, really, doesn't it? :-)
( more slippery little suckers )
Sam the Koala
Feb. 11th, 2009 03:42 pmYou guys need to all watch this, seriously, you NEED to. In the midst of all this tragedy around me, the dispair, the horror, the loss of life, this has brought tears to my eyes like nothing else. HAPPY tears. This is David Tree from the Mirboo North CFA, and his friend Sam the koala. This shows everything we are about.
This photo is now famous, beemed all over the world. You can buy it at www.heraldsun.com.au and all the proceeds go to helping the animals effected by this terrible week. It's only $20 Australian. That about $10 US.
Sam was taken off the fire-ground along with numeour other animal survivors and is now in the hands of a wildlife carer. Now THOSE guys are heroes!!!!! They and all the other vols from various assoc.'s deserve just as much kudos as we FF's.
Poor little koala-bear (who isn't a bear). So glad she is going to be alright.
This photo is now famous, beemed all over the world. You can buy it at www.heraldsun.com.au and all the proceeds go to helping the animals effected by this terrible week. It's only $20 Australian. That about $10 US.
Sam was taken off the fire-ground along with numeour other animal survivors and is now in the hands of a wildlife carer. Now THOSE guys are heroes!!!!! They and all the other vols from various assoc.'s deserve just as much kudos as we FF's.
Poor little koala-bear (who isn't a bear). So glad she is going to be alright.
Mousey mousey
Jul. 12th, 2008 07:05 pmSo I come home from work, all exhausted. Al goes to get dinner, I go to feed and clean Remi and Rosie. Went to the feed bin to get Rosie's feed, reach in without really looking and started scooping feed into her bowl with my hand. Feel something very soft, warm and fuzzy in my hand. Look down. MOUSE!!!!
Side note: maggie loves animals. All animals. She considers mice sweet, if inconvient in feed bins.
Only a wee lil one. Poor little thing looked pretty worn out, and wasn't jumping high so who knows how long the fuzzy had been in there. Went inside, grabbed a jar, coaxed said mousey into jar using advanced Mouse Whispering techniques perfected as a child. It takes years, folks. ;-) Took him inside and took some happy snaps and a little vid.
Yes I know, I know... mice are vermin. Kill, main, destroy.
But that's not me. Waited till Al got home, we walked him to the little park and let him go. Dunno if he'll survive, and he headed right back in the same direction on my house. -_-* Ah well, good luck, little buddy.
Side note: maggie loves animals. All animals. She considers mice sweet, if inconvient in feed bins.
Only a wee lil one. Poor little thing looked pretty worn out, and wasn't jumping high so who knows how long the fuzzy had been in there. Went inside, grabbed a jar, coaxed said mousey into jar using advanced Mouse Whispering techniques perfected as a child. It takes years, folks. ;-) Took him inside and took some happy snaps and a little vid.
Yes I know, I know... mice are vermin. Kill, main, destroy.
But that's not me. Waited till Al got home, we walked him to the little park and let him go. Dunno if he'll survive, and he headed right back in the same direction on my house. -_-* Ah well, good luck, little buddy.
( shooo kyooooot )
