tiabunna's photos with the keyword: Western Australia

A new bridge across the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia. To the right a newly erected sporting stadium.

Quokkas are small macropod animals, related to kangaroos and wallabies, and found in south-western Australia. Sadly, their numbers have been greatly depleted by land development and feral animals. Rottnest Island is where most are now found and they are quite relaxed about being around people - hence this portrait (and PiP). I'm heading away for a while and likely to be largely offline for about a week. Best wishes, everyone.

When visiting Rottnest Island, near Perth in Western Australia, among the attractions are the little animals known as Quokas (or, occasionally, as a "short-tailed scrub wallaby"). The island was, in fact, named after them by the Dutch explorer Willem de Vlamingh who thought they were a type of rat and named the island Rottnest (Dutch for rat's nest), though they are actually macropods and related to kangaroos. Quokkas are not much larger than a domestic cat and once were much more widespread in Western Australia, but their population has been decimated by feral foxes and cats. It's another week, so I'll wish everyone a very Happy Bench Monday and a good week to follow.

Portrait of an Australian Raven, showing the distinctive hackles below the beak. Taken at Rottnest Island, Western Australia, these are found in the east, centre and southwest of Australia.

I'd just sat down to have a coffee and a pastry for lunch at Rottnest Island, when I saw this Australian Raven on the fence only a few metres away, so I grabbed the camera to get some shots. I'd been warned that these birds can take food, so I placed one hand on the food packet, while taking this image. Suddenly...whoosh... another Raven flew in and took the pastry from under my hand without even slowing! The result was the PiP image, with the local mob feasting on my pastry. At least I got the photos. :-) I've now added what I think is an appropriate musical link. Happy Fence Friday and have a good weekend, everyone.

A passing rain shower had made these benches wet, but this seagull still was awaiting anyone who was kind enough to share some food. Happy Bench Monday, have a great week everyone.

These "Beardman" jugs were salvaged from the wreck of the Vergulde Draeck (Gilt Dragon) which was lost in 1656 and finally found, about 100km from Perth, in 1963. In the PiPs, the block of coins is from the same wreck, while the displays of coins and silver are from the Batavia .These displays are in the WA Shipwrecks Museum in Fremantle.

One of Australia's most famous shipwrecks, the Dutch East Indies Company ship Batavia was en-route on its maiden voyage to the port of the same name (now Jakarta) when it went aground in 1629 on the islands of Houtmans Abrolhos off Australia's west coast. And that was only the start of an amazing story of mutiny, murder, mayhem and retribution, all explained in this link. The link (recommended) also has many fine images of a modern replica of the Batavia. The wreck was found in the 1960s and, in the 1970s, maritime archaeologists recovered much of the cargo and a section of the hull. Amazingly, it had survived the wave action for over 340 years under part of the cargo which included the bricks and stonework seen in these images. Yes, that rope around the display is a fence, so Happy Fence Friday, everyone, and I hope your weekend goes well.

The Shipwrecks Museum in Fremantle is a "must visit" to see the remains of shipwrecks from the early days of European visits to Australia (many unintentional), beginning in the early 1600s.

Looking across Perth from Kings Park. With another Friday here, I'll use this to wish everyone a Happy Fence Friday and a good weekend.

Fremantle is not only the main commercial port for Perth, it also has a long history as a fishing port. That is where I saw these sculptures of old-time fishermen, commemorating that history.

This rather fishy bench caught my eye in Perth. For those wishing something a little more conventional (or another with even more fish), visit the PiP. Best wishes for the coming week starting with a Happy Bench Monday, everyone.

Western Australia is known (within Australia at least) for its range of marvellous wildflowers. I saw this in Perth's Kings Park gardens, with a sign alongside giving me the name. Apparently these come from the south west of Western Australia. i'd suggest this is best viewed large.

Treetop walkway in Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia. Wishing everyone a Happy Fence Friday and a great weekend.

This is an Australian Raven, found in eastern Australia and in the south-west. They grow to about 50cm and the glossy black coat has a distinct sheen. This one was in Kings Park in Perth, but I met more later (to be future images).

This Boab tree is now in Kings Park, in Perth, Western Australia, but in 2008 it was tranported for 3,200km by road from the north of the State when it needed to be moved for bridgeworks. (See PiP and below for more details of the move). The tree, known as a Jumulu in the language of the local people, is estimated to be some 750 years old. It is deciduous and much healthier than it may appear here I'm afraid I'm having major computer problems at present, so I'm largely offline for now. That said, I wish everyone a very Happy Fence Friday and a great weekend.

The view from this bench in Elizabeth Quay in Perth is very pleasant, but what took my interest was the annotation on the stonework alongside - as shown in the PiP. This apparently is a historical reference. The Swan River in Perth is now tidal, but I understand that, until the late 1800s, a rock bar across the entrance limited the water in the river to the outflow from the nearby ranges, so with a relatively dry climate the water level would have normally been much lower in those days. Happy Bench Monday, everyone, and have a good week.

While I was in Perth, a friend there arranged a meeting of Perth members of the Renault 4CV Register of Australia, which began with the Renault 4CV (at right) and now also encompasses all the derivatives of the 4CV - including those in the PiPs. In this photo, next left is an early (round headlight) R10, then a brightly coloured Dauphine and a blue 4CV, with an R4L completing the line.