tiabunna's photos

This is the Wonga Wonga vine growing along our side fence. Recently, to my surprise, there was a moderately large Gippsland Water Dragon sitting motionless among it, trying hard not to be noticed. Happy Fence Friday!. PS. These are reasonably timid (though they do become accustomed to people) and live mainly on insects.

The Gippsland Water Dragon who came visiting and tried to remain invisible against the fence when I wandered along.

A welcome and fairly regular visitor in our neighbourhood (another shot in a note)

Bluetongues are very good garden residents, as they include garden pests such as snails and slugs in their diet.

We have an old dog feeding bowl in which we keep some wild bird seed. The Crimson Rosellas are frequent and welcome visitors.

Ice cliffs at the edge of the Antarctic continental ice sheet, disappearing upwards into the fog and mist. Best on black (press Z).

A pod of Orcas (or "Killer Whales" if you prefer) swam around the ship, then passed beneath: I was fortunate to have my camera handy when they surfaced alongside.

Hoverfly on dandelion.

I was very surprised to find that we were to experience not one, but two, Iridium satellite flares, a little over a minute apart and in almost exactly the same part of the sky. I'd always thought the Iridiums were well separated. The only problem was that it was at an ungodly hour of the morning. And that hour and slow preparation are my excuse for missing the main flaring of Iridium 94 (the centre track) - by a second or two. Not a problem though, as Iridium 23 flared at the much brighter magnitude of -7 just a little later (the lower track). I must admit that the third (top) track was a complete and unexpected bonus, found when I reviewed the photo on the camera. A quick check on the satellites at that time showed that it is the rocket body associated with the 1992 launch of Cosmos 2227. I went back to bed feeling pleased. :) Two minute exposure with 50mm lens, photo cropped. Satellite information from www.heavens-above.com