Scenes from around Cairns. Parks and waterfalls.
The oldest turtle in captivity in Australia. Happy 100th birthday.
Boom netting. A sport Down Under. Toss a net over the back of the boat then hold on while you're being towed. If you get your balance right, you can stand up.
Diving the Great Barrier Reef.
A giant clam. And I do mean giant!
Australia has beautiful and huge trees. Makes you want to stop and climb one doesn't it?
One of the most incredible things to see from a cold Alaskan point of view is a white beach. It's the middle of summer here, on a weekend: the beach is almost empty. Why? Can there be that many beaches that you can find one without crowds? Guess so.
The other thing that is a marvel from someone not used to Australian waters is to find a patrol boat near the beach, watching for sharks. Maybe that is one reason there aren't a lot of people in the water. There was even a helicopter in the air.
It's a koloa bear. They are like big fur lumps in the trees. When you're walking the trails you might get lucky to see one or maybe more. They sleep all day.
And sometimes you find a creepy crawly that you don't want around. Like a spider. This one had spun its web between the eves of the house, and the swimming pool. Beautiful creepy crawly.
There are some great hikes along the edges of Adelaide. This part of the landscape reminds me of the Southwestern states of the U.S. I kept thinking I'd find a cliff house tucked away in the overhangs. The river and waterfall that sculpted this area were almost dried up due to the extensive drought.
This area of tortured and blown down trees takes a little effort to traverse. Everything is still alive and green. 
Of course hiking has to be inter-spaced with shopping. This great little lamp is just one of many found in a little shop in Hondorf.
One of the gardens on the edge of the city. This garden had great sprinklers hidden in the trails. They threw up great sprays of water and cooled the hundred degree temperatures.
Of course, after hiking and shopping, you have to lie in a pool and think about your day. Amazing how wonderful lemonade and vodka goes down after a hot day.
In February 2008, I returned to Australia once again. This was my third trip to what has turned out to be my extended family and second home in so many ways. The following photos are just a sampling of some of the beauty 'Oz' has to offer. My brother in all ways but blood feeds quite a brood of wild cockatoos every morning. There is no way to sleep through all the racket and after awhile you must get up and watch the antics. Which means grabbing a camera and spending a long time shooting birds as they dance and swirl through the feeders.
The Adelaide Museum Polynesian exhibit. One of the most wonderful things about Adelaide is the museum, and the library, and the gardens. The list goes on and on.
This statue is dedicated to those who served in WWI, 1914-1918. It is very striking and I've yet to walk by it without a few tears. The middle of Adelaide is well worth the walking tour and taking the time to read all the plaques.
Once you leave the city there are many gardens and parks to explore. Some are more remote than others, requiring some 'bush wacking' to see the scenery.
For example, this cave. You won't find it on a map. You have to hike up a trail, climb up a rock face to find it. Once there, the silence of the forest is wonderful. If you're lucky you might see a koala bear along the way.
