Beautiful patch of green hood orchids at the Rise and Shine Nature Reserve near Castlemaine

“It may seem an unlikely bird haven, but the abundance of birdlife at the Western Treatment Plant rivals Kakadu..nearly 200 man-made lagoons & natural wetlands sit side-by-side..More than 300 species of birds have been recorded, including many threatened species” www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Love this! Would definitely go and watch.

Carmina Burana at the Melbourne Recital Centre

Just a month after learning of a remote observatory run by a single volunteer, Rebecca Tayler and Richard Wilkin were handed its keys. These days, the observatory is part of a "star trail" for astronomy enthusiasts.

And the final leg from Hawker to Bacchus .. Just look how the country changes as you head south ...

The Flinders Ranges and Wilpena Pound

South of William Creek and the Painted Hills

The Cessna at dawn. Views of Lake Eyre North.

More photos from Arkaroola, a Wedgetail Eagle, view from Painters lookout, Bearded dragon.

A few more photos from the Cessna's outback adventure. The Darling river, a stumpy tailed lizard at Pooncarie and an old building in Broken Hill

So the Cessna's outback flying adventure is done. Safe back in the hangar at Bacchus. 626 litres of avgas, 21 hrs flight time and over 2000 nautical miles travelled across some amazing country

The Cessna is tied down at Hawker ... horizontal rain this morning. Waiting for the front to go through and hopefully we get to Wentworth this afternoon.

Lunch at Parachilna- mixed feral grill! Then a fly past of Wilpena Pound. Overnight Hawker.

Final view of Lake Eyre. No water in Lake Eyre South yet

Part two of the afternoons adventure was a flight out to the Painted Hills, south of William Creek

Part one of the afternoons adventure was a drive to the Strangway mound Springs and ruined telegraph station

Departed William Creek just after dawn for a scenic flight over Lake Eyre - truly an inland sea! Quite amazing.

Bit of scud running on the way to William Creek. Lake Eyre South at low level.

So the flight from Arkaroola to Leigh Creek was entertaining. Severe turbulence below 4000' so climbed to 6500' which gave us a 54knt headwind!

A day of ground exploration today, view from Sillers lookout Arkaroola wilderness area. We'll be flying over tomorrow on our way to William Creek

Amazing landscape ... Lake Frome from 6500' direct track Broken Hill to Arkaroola

The outback flying adventure begins - today was Bacchus to Wentworth - Pooncarie for lunch then on to Broken Hill for our first night. The Cessna purring along nicely

This is Pungo. He is glad you found a new favorite hobby, but please don't forget about his favorite hobby. 13/10 (IG: ksmith.clay)

Haven't been in the Astor for years. Looking forward to "But Also John Clarke"

17 tows at Bacchus today .. worth getting out of bed for!

Cartographers in the 1600s had bold ideas of Australia, and some incredible methods of depicting those ideas in maps and globes.

Amazing day planting 4000 trees and shrub with the local community at Afton Street Wetlands in Aberfeldie. Well done Moonee Valley City Council what a fabulous event! Happy National Tree Day Australia!!!!

Rumpole the labradoodle out for a walk along the creek. He's looking pretty good for nearly 11!

Lovely flight to Bendigo and back today, took Dad and one of his mates for a fly

Took a friend of my Dad's grandson for a flight today. He's 15 and wants to be a commercial pilot. Lal Lal reservoir in the distance

Looks like it was a great day in the wave at Bacchus!

We had an older lady come for a flight in a glider a few weeks ago and absolutely loved it. I suggested she joined the club and learn to fly ... you are never too old!

Beautiful Eucalyptus coming into flower

The #echidna's diggings attract the attention of the rufous tree-creeper - looking to snaffle whatever insects escape the echidna's tongue. #MammalWatching #echidnas #WildOz #WesternAustralia #Dryandra

Getting the look from a Whistling Kite #om-systems #westerntreatmentplant #werribee

Had a great day at the Western Treatment Plant in Werribee yesterday with #om-systems getting a lot more out of my camera and realizing I've just scratched the surface. Sanderling touchdown!

Badass!

Takes 2 minutes save these unique dragons from extinction, vnpa.org.au/dragons/

I want to be very clear to those here that are quick to throw stones at #Boeing or crew members. This could have been anything & we won't know for some time what caused the crash. Let the investigators do their jobs. They will update us when they know. Have patience & reserve judgement. #aviation

Really great chat about dogs and dog language with dog guru, @drmiacobb.bsky.social. www.sbs.com.au/audio/podcas...

Flight plan's done ... need a good weather window to escape Melbourne. Looking forward to an outback trip in the Cessna!

Professor Andrew Kornberg speaks with the Australian Aviation Podcast about his upcoming solo flight to raise money for children with rare and complex neurological conditions. #aviation #aerospace

I have drawn a mildly unkind cartoon about a certain billionaire person and the beautiful city of Adelaide www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

And it's your typical winters day at Bacchus with a 45 degree crosswind for entertainment value

Results suggest dingoes are top predators that cull emus, wallabies & kangaroos rather than sheep, cattle & - unlike cats and foxes - small marsupials. Farmers fear dingoes are eating their livestock – but predator poo tells an unexpected story theconversation.com/farmers-fear...

Dear right wing fascists. Pay attention. Canada - fascist leader lost election and lost his seat. Australia - fascist leader will lose election and lose his seat. We are standing up and saying NOT ON MY FUCKING WATCH. ✊🏽

A lovely story about 6 mountains on Dja Dja Wurrung Country. 'Our Ancestors have told us of our beginning. On mountains, where colonial development is more limited, it is easier to hear their whispers, the language of Country'. themountainjournal.com/2025/04/28/s...