Sunshine Coast Daily Photo

Wednesday, 31 March 2010

Thistle

Occasionally when walking around cow paddocks, one comes across a Scotch Thistle. Definitely not an endemic species, and one can't help but wonder what relationship the seeds of the thistle have to the digestive system of a cow, but there's definitely a correlation.

Autumn

We don't really have autumn, but we do have leaves falling at regular intervals throughout the year, so if we look in the right places we can pretend at least.

Mangroves

Across the river from our home. Mangroves, with their aerial roots visible at low tide, somewhat reminiscent of a bed of nails. Not pleasant to walk on, but not too nasty either, sort of soft but stiff none the less!

We're almost home, and looking forward to renewing our acquaintance!

Going Home

The Lifeguard at Alexandra Headland packs up after another day on the beach. There are people who would kill for a collection of toys like he has!

We're packing up too after another month or more on the road, and will be back on the coast in a few days, hopefully arriving before the Easter Traffic begins, ready to see what sort of devastation has been caused by six weeks of big seas and heavy rain.

Welcome

Now just a few friendly reminders to ensure your stay is a happy one.

Alexandra Headland

Splash

Splashing around in the rockpools is just about the best fun anyone can have on a warm afternoon.

The Old Caloundra Lighthouse

When I say the only thing we lack on the coast is a history, this is perhaps the best example I can give.

If you have followed the links to the Old Lighthouse web pages, you will already know that this is thought to be the oldest surviving structure in Caloundra, and I doubt that we will find evidence of an older one on the Coast. Built with a timber frame and clad in corrugated iron, it has survived (just) since 1896.

I know people who are almost that old!

One of my many projects listed for coming years is to try to track down further remnants of construction, but I suspect there will be little to find until around the 1940's and once I get to there.... well I do know people that old, lots of them.

Caloundra Lighthouse History

In the left corner, we have the "New Lighthouse" which if you follow the link you will discover was built in 1967 and was last in use in 1997.

On the right, the "Old Lighthouse" which has a much more interesting history and worth one more photo I think.

Three Lighthouses

Let me explain:

The one on the left is the old "New Caloundra Lighthouse"

The one in the centre is the old "Old Caloundra Lighthouse"

The one on the right is an apartment block which blocks the view (and light) to the shipping channel for both of them. Appropriately or not, it is named "The Lighthouse".

A history lesson follows tomorrow!

Where's the lighthouse?

Here's a hint, there are three of them in this picture.

Glamour

It does look a bit glamorous from the water, I'll give you that, but it's no Monaco.

Can you see the lighthouse?

A spot of revision.

Anyone paying attention over the past few years will recall that Caloundra is to all intents and purposes, the largest settlement at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast. Like all of the populated parts, it is confined to a relatively small geographic area, huddled against the water's edge. Unlike many of the other centres, residential development has actually taken place on the hilly bits, giving it a little more interesting streetscape than some of the lesser endowed suburbs.

Layers but not much Sky to Watch!

I think I could take a thousand photographs of hills at sunset and be happy with them. Or I could just tear up newspaper and spray paint a cheap imitation. I love the way the colour changes every second, and how it becomes unbelievably odd at times, but I'm not going to bore you with the other twenty in this set!

Of course with a clear sky we have to rely on the texture of the land to create the focal point, so if it's dramatic photos of the actual sky you are looking for, pay a visit to Skywatch headquarters!

Maleny

Battens

I know I'm standing here with a camera, but I love the way that timber battens on the picnic shelter give a framed view on what's going on outside. Even though there are no walls one gets a subconscious feeling of enclosure, and ownership of territory.

That's why I asked the people at the table if it was OK if I came "in" to take the photo!

Loo with a view too.

Mooloolaba has its "Loo with a View" but I think the one in Golden Beach doesn't fare too badly either.

Loo with a habitat.

Much has been written about our vernacular building methodology, and to my eye the juxtaposition of timber and tin can provide a very pleasing visual result. Of course as it ages, all those gaps provide homes for all manner of spiders and lizards and frogs and other crawly things, and the girls in our household aren't at all happy with public conveniences constructed like these.

We're two!

Unless I'm mistaken, and I know I'm not, today marks the second anniversary of this blog, and what better way to do it than with a picture of sunset on a hill near Maleny.

This is a popular spot for paragliders, and yes in the late afternoon sun the sky had faded to almost white, the rest was the result of a slight overexposure!

The next twelve months will almost certainly bring a number of changes in our situation, including the relocation of the place we call home, but with just a little luck and a bit of energy to be expended, we'll be able to continue with a photo each day, just as we have done thus far! It's all pretty much downhill after the first couple of years I understand.

Thank you to all who drop by and comment, your comments are greatly appreciated. As those who follow my other blogs will realise, we are often on the road with limited internet access, which does make regular reciprocal visits quite challenging, so thank you for your patience as well!

Here's to another year, three to go and I've caught up with Eric! ;-)