Doors, Windows, Portals etc - Italian Adventure

I am still working my way through all my photos but thought I'd share some of the many pics of entrances - doors, windows, portals and various door knockers too!

Venice

After a long flight, I arrived in Venice, booked into hotel, showered and dressed and went to explore!

P!nk Sydney Concert

Well, what a fabulous concert! P!nk is a wonderful performer..... so here are a few pics from last Friday night!

Whale watching on Dolphin Watch Cruise

Today we went out on Tekin III - The Spirit of Jervis Bay. Not only did we encounter a couple of fur seals, but spent quite some time watching humpbacks. If you are ever going to be in Huskisson I would urge you to go out with these guys! To view larger images, just click on one of the pictures which will take you to another page and you can then select full screen.

Whale Census Day

Well, was up at 5am .... and out at Cape St George Lighthouse in Booderee National Park at 6.45am..... It was such a glorious morning..... and it wasn't long before I spotted our first whale for the day, a Minke.... We had 46 whales, sea eagles, dolphins and a couple of seals! Glorious sunrise, and the historic light house remains were great, as well as a few heart shaped rocks I found when going for a walk!

2009 Humpback Whale Migration

Has started.... if you are near the coast, head for the headlands and if you are lucky you may encounter a humpback or three!

For those of you visiting the South Coast, head down to Huskisson and go out on a whale watching trip with Dolphin Watch Cruises, you may not only enounter the local resident dolphins but other species as well!  In October and November we do encounter many mother and calf humpbacks too! 

Take care

Janine

Help needed from Animal Lovers

As a lot of you know, the very talented Bernie Berlin has a shelter she is trying to finish and needs our help.  A Place to Bark  is the place to visit as Bernie will be starting her yearly art auctions / fundraiser.  

In her crusade to help the animals, Bernie has been assisted by her friend Joe Frazz.
Joe is a canine photographer, dedicated to helping dogs in shelters. He donates his time and energy by helping every chance he can.   Bernie and Joe are going to be working on collaborative projects in the upcoming months.  

At this present time Joe is in a photo contest and needs the help of all animal lovers everywhere!

If you are an animal lover, would you please be so kind to pop over to   

The Day The Dogs Stood Still, A photographic journey of Life & Hope

If you love dogs, please help by taking a moment to vote.  There is no monetary cost involved, just your time.  By taking the time will make a world of difference to an animal in need.

Please spread the word!! If you have children, they too could help and together we could all make a difference!  As Bernie email says....  

"Because Life is Worth Saving at All costs.."

I've voted.... it would be great if you could too!

xo

Introducing Jessie

Jessie a 15 year old Lab X - was rescued when she was 16 weeks old...  went to live with my ex with her older adopted *sister* Corky.   Sadly, Corky is no longer with us.

Jessie has come to live with me again, and although Baillie and Harley don't mind her, they are not too sure what too make of it all!  

Jess has been an outside dog for the past 3 years, having to sleep outside ....  as she can fit through the doggy door, she now has a bed made up in the living room!  I am going to have to make some changes so that the old girl can live out the rest of her life in a home filled with love.

I have also included some photos taken many, many years ago when I visited Wolf Mountain Sanctuary in Lucerne Vallery, California.....  The first wolf is Apache Moon and the 2nd and 3rd is Dakota.... they are such huge creatures...  but it was an experience I will cherish...  if you get the chance.... go and meet the wolves.....

Kangaroos in the garden

After dropping off a friend last Saturday after being out on Jervis Bay monitoring a dolphin, these little guys were scattered throughout the yards in the cul de sac!  

More Koalas - Victorian Bushfires

One World One Heart Draw

Firstly, a big thank you to everyone who visited my blog during this fabulous event.  

Earrings were drawn by Donna of World of Joy

Pendant was drawn by Marsha of Tumble Fish Studio

Kindest regards

Janine

The Koala and the Firefighter!

Local CFA firefighter David Tree shares his water with an injured Australian Koala at Mirboo North after wildfires swept through the region on Monday, Feb. 9, 2009. Suspicions that the worst wildfires ever to strike Australia were deliberately set led police to declare crime scenes Monday in towns incinerated by blazes, while investigators moving into the charred landscape discovered more bodies. The death toll stood at 181   .(AP Photo/Mark Pardew)

To read more about this lucky little koala check out the video, story and pics here....  grab the tissues....

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25038852-2862,00.html

Victorian Fires

I have had many friends email to find out if everything is ok where I live.  The fires are located in Victoria, which is roughly 600miles away.....  although there have been a number of fires locally, they have been nothing compared to those in Victoria.

It is so hard to believe just how devastating these fires have been.....  they are estimating well over 200 lives have been lost not to mention the vast numbers of animals, both native and domestic.

I've listed a news site for those of you who are interested in keeping up with what has happened.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/

There are a large number of appeals being set up and the response has been amazing.

My sympathies go to all those families who have lost someone and heatfelt thanks to all the firefighters and volunteers who are helping fight the fires and help with survivors.  

I really do hope that they find the arsonists.....I just cannot fathom how anyone could start fires!

A very hot summer

As the weather has been so unusually hot, I decided to get the boys a haircut! You should have seen them when they got home..... it must have been such a relief! Next day we went swimming....... Harley decided that he had had spent enough time swimming and had a rest on Baillie!

Baillie, Harley and Roxy..... Harley just doesn't like having his photo taken! lol

Heatwave

Well, we are all experiencing a heatwave at the moment. In Victoria this little Koala nicknamed Star went into the Young's property in search of water. From the reports I have read, Star was hesitant at first and then drank some water from Ms Young's hand, then lapped up some water before hopping into the bucket! Star is now being cared for and will be released in the future. For those of you who don't know, Koalas get their fluids from the gum leaves that they eat, so for them to be actively seeking out water shows just how hot it is as the leaves would be dried out!

This little guy nicknamed "Lance" actually approached these bike riders who kindly gave him some refreshments! Koala's are usually very shy little creatures!

One World One Heart

Lisa Swifka, "Oceandreamer" is once again hosting "One World-One Heart" a worldwide blogging event which started on 19th January and finishes on 12th February.

For those of you who are not aware of this event, the following is an excerpt from Lisa:-

"The original idea behind this giveaway event was to bring bloggers together from around the world who may never ordinarily meet.

It closes the gap of the blog community and enables us to interact, discover new and wonderful people, and in the process possibly win a prize or many prizes along the way...This is more than wanting to win something.......that is only the means.......in the end it's about finding kindred spirits.

Someone who may be fairly new to blogging, not sure how to navigate, find others and have others find them....

Some are long time bloggers and in some cases well known in the art community. Whatever the case it brings all of them together...

We are not solving the worlds problems nor are we curing anything nor are we changing the world. We are merely generating a closer community between humans through blogging."

I am participating in this event and am offering two items for the first 2 people to be drawn on 12th February.

This giveaway is open to anyone who has an active blog worldwide! All you need to do is leave me a comment and be sure to remember to link back so that I may contact you Once drawn, I will post the winners on my blog and organise delivery!

The first draw is a pair of Vintage watch face earrings. They have sterling silver earwires and jump rings and the wings are cast metal.

The second draw is this resin pendant with floating vintage watch parts!

I look forward to participating in this wonderful event once again. Many thanks Lisa for giving us this wonderful opportunity.

Visitors

While the Northern Hemisphere is experiencing winter, those of us down under are experiencing a strange summer! (Well where I am located anyway!) One day it is 40 degrees and then it falls to 16!

Tonight is one of those balmy evenings and I managed to take a couple of photos of a family of Kookaburras who where obviously enjoying the evening!

Hope you enjoy the pics!

Wonderful Wildlife in Alaska

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=aEG8A-YrTWY

If I Could

I Wish You Enough!

A little bit of inspiration....

Happy New Year

Well, where has the past year gone?


I'd like to wish everyone all the very best for the coming year....

Hours of happy times with friends and family
Abundant time for relaxation
Prosperity
Plenty of love when you need it the most
Youthful excitement at life’s simple pleasures

Nights of restful slumber (you know - don’t worry be happy)
Everything you need
Wishing you love and light

Years and years of good health
Enjoyment and making merry
Angels to watch over you
Remembrances of the happy years!