Autumn

This week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, hosted by Johnbo, invites us to celebrate the beauty of Autumn. No matter where you are in the world, there’s something truly magical about autumn. It’s my favourite season — and I bet I’m not alone in thinking that. In Victoria, Australia, the countryside glows in rich shades of amber,…

Floral Friday – 17

A field of different coloured Poppies at the Wilson Botanic Gardens in Berwick

Floral Friday – 15

Daffodils are the first cheerful signs of spring. It shows their bright yellow trumpets and delicate petals to remind us that even after the coldest season, warmth and light will always return.

Floral Friday – 13

DID YOU KNOW? While the Lady’s Foxglove is strikingly beautiful, every part of the plant is poisonous and should never be eaten—especially by children and pets. Common Names: Foxglove, Digitalis, Lady’s Glove, Fairy Bells.

Floral Friday – 11

On my walk a few months back, I spotted a camellia bush with its pretty blooms peeking out between the leaves. It felt like such a nice little surprise along the way—like the season quietly showing off. I couldn’t help but pause for a moment just to take it in before moving on. Floral Friday…

Floral Friday – 10

There’s something timeless about a rose. It stands in the garden like a quiet storyteller, every petal unfolding a chapter written in velvet. Floral Friday FOTD

Back in Cloudehill Gardens

I’ve been to Cloudehill Gardens & Nursery in Olinda more times than I can count— with my sister on holiday, after brunch with hubby, and even with my two besties. This time, it was my brother-in-law’s turn while he’s visiting from the Philippines. I almost forgot to post about this walk which was already about…

Into the Dandenongs

BACK STORY: “Into the Woods” isn’t a phrase used much here in Australia. People are more likely to say something like “a walk through the bush,” “a hike in the forest,” or just “a wander in the trees.” It’s been a while since I had walked in the forest—my knees haven’t been too kind lately….

Floral Friday – 6

I’m no expert in flowers—what I share in my posts simply reflects what I was feeling at the moment I took the photo. So here I am posting photos every Friday for Floral Friday and for FOTD. This Wild Iris and Crimson Bottlebrush caught my eye during a Sketchmeet at Fitzroy Gardens a few years…

Floral Friday – 4

TE ANAU, NEW ZEALAND I’m no expert in flowers—what I share in my posts simply reflects what I was feeling at the moment I took the photo. So here I am posting photos every Friday for Floral Friday and for FOTD. This is a Garden Dahlia which I saw in the Te Anau Garden. This…

Mellow Moments

For this week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Sofia leads us with the gentle and reflective theme of Mellow. Mellow is a soft, quiet kind of feeling. It’s like warm sunlight in the late afternoon. Or it can be the gentle colours of autumn leaves — not too bright, not too loud, just calm and easy. There’s…

Floral Friday – 3

I’m no expert in flowers—what I share in my posts simply reflects what I was feeling at the moment I took the photo. So here I am posting photos every Friday for Floral Friday and for FOTD. Here are sunflowers which I saw at the Veg OutCommunity Gardens in St Kilda last February.

Roadtrip from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

TRAVEL DIARY: DAY 4 On the Road from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo Ever heard that New Zealand has more sheep than people? I used to think that was just a running joke—but it turns out, it’s absolutely true! In 2023, there were about 24.4 million sheep roaming the country, compared to just 5 million humans….

Serenity found Outdoors

Being outdoors brings a kind of peace you don’t find anywhere else. There’s something really calming about a misty day. Sometimes it’s in the rustle of trees as the wind moves through them.  Other times, it’s the stillness of a lake, or the soft ripple of water as ducks glide by. Even clouds drifting slowly…

Some Blooms…

I’ve been missing flowers in my posts lately, so I thought I’d jump in with what Cee started with FOTD — time to bring some blooms back!

Pirianda Garden

Jack and I figured autumn was almost over, so we wanted to catch the last of the leaves before they all dropped. I found Pirianda Garden in the Dandenong Mountains on Google—we hadn’t been before, so we thought we’d check it out. But when we got there, I hesitated. The walk looked seriously steep. And…

A Cinematic South Island

Cinematic photography is the art of creating still images that feel as though they belong in a movie. It’s not just about capturing a subject, it’s about telling a story, setting a mood, and building a visual atmosphere. The South Island of New Zealand is a dream for cinematic photography. With its dramatic mountains, crystal-clear…

A drive to Te Anau

The clouds on our drive from Queenstown to Te Anau were light and fluffy, drifting slowly across the bright blue sky. The sun made everything shine, and the clouds looked like soft white shapes floating above and within the mountains. I am linking this to Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday

A snapshot from Akaroa

Making friends with the alpacas at the Shamarra Alpacas in Akaroa. This is just an hour away from Christchurch, New Zealand I am linking this to Johnbo’s Cellpic Sunday

One last tribute…

I’ve known Cee through her various challenges on WordPress. There was even a time when we casually discussed my hosting some challenges, but I never felt confident enough to do so. Still, since I started blogging in 2020, I’ve participated in several challenges, with my favourite being the “Flower of the Day challenge”. When I…

Wordless Wednesday – 26

GARDEN WORLD, SPRINGVALE I am linking this to Wordless Wednesday and to Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge

Seeing the world differently

Photography captures moments, but the choice between colour and black and white changes how we perceive them. This coloured photo showcase the warmth of a sunset, while a black and white version emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow, making it feel more dramatic or nostalgic. This photo was taken in my local wetlands some…

Geometry of Flowers

OLD CHEESE FACTORY, BERWICK The Old Cheese Factory grounds showcase a charming mix of flowers, trees, and shrubs that are stunning any time of the year. Here, I also noticed the geometry in the flowers that I found. I am linking this to Cee’s FOTD and for Becky’s GeometricJanuary

White clouds floating

White clouds floating in the sky, Soft and quiet, drifting by. Blue above, so wide, so free, A peaceful world for all to see. It’s 32 degrees here, and the heat is a bit uncomfortable. But looking at the clouds, so soft and peaceful, brings a sense of calm that makes it all feel a…

Stepping back in time

Coming from Melbourne’s southeast suburbs, it took us just about an hour to reach San Remo. From there, we crossed the bridge and made our way to Churchill Island. I’ve been to Phillip Island countless times—so many that it feels like second nature to me. From its stunning beaches and rugged coastline, to the feeding…

Gratitude for the year that was…

There’s something magical about mornings during the holiday season—everything feels quieter, softer, and full of possibility. I had such a wonderful time soaking in the festive moments, surrounded by warmth and joy. As I reflect, I want to focus on gratitude. There were days when life felt heavier, and I wasn’t sure how I’d move…

Poinsettia

The poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) is a vibrant plant renowned for its bright red and green foliage, making it a popular symbol of Christmas. Poinsettias thrive in warm climates and prefer indirect sunlight, making them a festive choice for indoor decoration during the holiday season in Australia. I am linking this to Cee’s FOTD Challenge

Clouds in Monochrome

Clouds have always been an inspiration, acting as symbols of feelings, fleeting beauty, and nature’s mysteries. Each type of cloud has its own unique charm, sparking thoughts and imagination. And this is my favourite…not the long haul flights, but being on top of the clouds flying to a wonderful destination as inspired by Margaret’s Post….