Grevillea superb.

It is easy to see how this exotic flower came by its common name.

I saw this specimen in the Australian section at Kew Gardens,England . I was immediately transfixed by its curious beauty. It is a compact evergreen shrub, a hybrid with long lasting flower clusters.

Click on image to enlarge.

I love this summer 'golden' sunset at Rainbow Beach, Gold Coast, Australia, here, where a lot of surfers enter the water and where a good wave break is. The shimmering light over the wet sands really caught the eye.

/em>

Everything you ever wanted to know about Quokkas:

visitperth.com/blog/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-ab...

How to pronounce: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH5zZjXj7ss&ab_channel=EmmaSa...

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youtu.be/ZbZSe6N_BXs?si=2KbAltv38d4K-o6R

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Bento Mesh Head: LeLutka Gaia EVO-X

Bento Mesh Body: Maitreya Lara

Face/Body: Ivy w/ freckles by enLight (formerly ND/MD) now @ Uber (until 7/22/2023) @ maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Uber/128/128/2

Dirty Body Tatt: Even~Tide

Hair: I1009 by Tram

Ensemble: Zara (incl. dress, shirt, legwarmers) by Les Sucreries de Fairy

Gloves: Zafia Fashions

Bullet Belt: Remarkable Oblivion

Potion Flasks: Pucca Firecaster Creations

Rebel Boots: Mossu

Croc Dundee Hat by Roosters

Winchester 73 Rifle: GS Creations

Eyes Applier: XLII by Shimmer

Eye Blush: Just Magnetized

Spool bench/driftwood: Consignment

Quokka Animesh (Companion or held): [Rezz Room]

SIM: Pitch Perfect Venue, Australia @ maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Australia/95/104/21

Jasper: What are you doing back there, Dad?

Todd: Trying to take your portrait.

Jasper: Seriously Dad! Put down the camera and let's play frisbee.

Orders received. Will comply.

Canon M50

Laowa 25mm macro

Godox 350

ᐕ Skin : Leronso Naki @2Much

🚩More Details

Jasper often prowls the shrubberies in the neighborhood. He likes to see if he can find kitty cats. He really wants to meet them, but their posture when we do encounter a cat seems to indicate that they don't particularly want to meet him. We get the classic Halloween cat pose with arched back, tail up, bared teeth and a hiss. But Jasper is always kind, wanting only an inter-species encounter.

Beautiful view from Wattamolla Beach

This gorgeous dress from Mirage.NA is available at this months round of Shiny Shabby!

Dress: Mirage.NA @Shiny Shabby (Jan. 20)

Hair: Doux

Pose/Hat: IDK

Location: Aussie Shores

BLOG: cateheartsong.wixsite.com/cate/post/aussie-shores

Sydney Opera House

6 weeks old Australian Shepherd

Betty Bunny was mysteriously flying through the air when Jasper snatched her in-flight and brought her safely back down to Earth. What a hero!

We're still in Wisconsin visiting family, so a photo from a while back of Jasper enjoying the neighborhood early morning sun..

Queried Jasper with a tilt of his head and a proffer of Betty Bunny

Jasper can sometimes be a little underwhelmed with our playfulness. Betty Bunny seems to have the same attitude. Jasper will keep his eye on me just in case I decide not to be totally lame.

I think Jasper looks right at home her exploring the Old West. I'm glad he's showing his mustache in the shot to kind of fit with the theme. Those sun-kissed mountains in the back are the Superstition Mountains. In the first comment I've shown the real set of explorers - a phone pic that my sister-in-law's husband took of us on the trail

When patrolling the neighborhood a dog must remain vigilant. Jasper and I did a nice walk around the neighborhood this morning soon after sunrise. Be calm, we found nothing awry.

Jasper is playing the sympathy card here, looking up at me with his puppy eyes. Pleading for play. Which of course we did. Jasper brought out Lemur the other day. Lemur's neck is broken and he can't hold his head up, but he remains in good spirits, always ready for a little rough and tumble.

Jean, Jasper and I had an opportunity to meet one of my Flickr / Instagram friends in the real world this weekend. Borzena joined us at the Riparian Preserve and we had a nice stroll, took some pictures (mostly of Jasper) and got to know each other. She's a very talented photographer so it was fun to share our love of photography. This is one of the shots I took along the way, Jasper posing with his usual grace and professionalism.

Meanwhile, across carpet land, Jasper and Betty Bunny conspire to engage the humans in play. Clever duo.

Jasper inspects the shrubbery troops. A perfect line. Tops high and tight. Polished roots. Everything is ship shape. Inspector Jasper gives them a paws up. And he knows where to go in case he runs into the Knights that say , "Ni" (Monty Python reference)

With very pleasant weather, we've been playing in the back yard quite a bit. But at some point I have to tell Jasper we've got to go in. Got stuff to do, you know. But Jasper always gives me this totally disappointed look, like, "what do you mean we have to go inside? We were just having fun!" Well, kiddo, life has a few disappointments along the road. Took this shot blind as Jasper looked me in the face to communicate he wasn't ready to go in.

Jasper just loves playing in the back yard. It's his happy place. I took this portrait of him the other evening after some fun play and as the sun faded. I liked the bokeh as the dwindling sun filtered through the trees

Jasper taking a brief respite from a rousing game of OddBall with both of his humans.

When we saw this pleasingly purple plant along our walk, we knew we needed a photo.

The Rocks, Sydney

Australia

I think his coat is looking particularly full in this portrait. Poor guy suffers a bit when its hot. And it's very hot this week. Highs through the mid week are 117ºF (47ºC) and last night the low only got to 91ºF (33ºC). Jean said he was a trooper on their walk this morning though. A few stops to crunch on ice cubes, then soldier on. We don't bother with his after-dinner walk this time of year. Instead, we play in air conditioned comfort.

Here's Jasper doing his impression of a barrel cactus, like those behind him. Nice try Jasper, but you're just not prickly at all

On Sunday we went to Boyce Thompson Arboretum. They open at 6AM starting in May so we took advantage of the cooler early morning to check out some desert blooms. There were lots of these purple flowers about and Jasper agreed to pose for a shot or two.

Jasper commiserates with Betty Bunny after the humans stopped playing. Poor Jasper never gets any attention!

Here's an example of how Jasper is ignored and lives just a horrible existence. On a typical weekday morning I do a workout while Jean walks Jasper. Yesterday I got done with my workout and came downstairs to find Jean on the floor massaging Jasper. I said, "Hey, how come you never massage me?" She said, "You're not soft and furry and fluffy" True, none of those adjectives fit Todd. But if Jasper isn't getting a massage when they get home from the walk, he's getting play and fun and love. What an existence.

Sunset over Port Darwin, seen from Bicentennial Park, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia

Well looky here, Jasper bagged himself a rooster. Rebel Rooster that is. Poor Rebel, face down in shame. But, such is the life of a dog toy

The weather was really delightful this past weekend. Normally, after Jasper eats his dinner we take a walk around the neighborhood. But Sunday Jasper had play on his mind. We started on a walk, but he did his "business" right away and then started pulling us back home. Once back home, he grabbed Betty Bunny and stood at the back patio door. Oh, we had such fun with Betty and frisbees and running and flying and jumping and tugging and challenging. [pant, pant, pant...] I'm getting tired out just typing about it 😀

Jasper at the riparian preserve wondering why Mom took his leash off and told him to stay. Humans are so weird!

As the golden dawn light spilled through the trees, Jasper remained vigilant at his post. Watchful. Alert. Aware. (corny enough for you?)

Stormcloud, Wetlands, Northern Territory, Australia

Jasper is a dog of passions, one of which is frisbee. He gives each catch he goes for 100% effort. And when he's done, he's done. There is no giving a catch 50% effort because he's getting tired. He either gives 100% or 0%. No middle ground.

This is Nyhavn, Copenhagen’s famous colourful 17th-century waterfront, canal, and entertainment district. As you can see, we weren’t the only ones who had the brilliant idea of visiting that day - apparently half the planet had the same idea.

At first, I tried the usual photographer’s trick of waiting for a “people-free” shot. After several laps around the canal, I realised that was about as likely as finding a Dane without a bicycle. So instead, I embraced the throngs of fellow tourists and made them part of the scene.

Speaking of Denmark — they do have some fascinating traditions. One of my favourites is “peppering.” If you turn 30 and you’re still unmarried, your friends cover you in cinnamon. Make it to 40 and still single? You get the pepper treatment instead. The poor birthday victim ends up looking & smelling like a walking spice rack. I wasn't game to look what happens if you hit 50!

We Aussies also have a royal connection here - Crown Princess Mary is from Hobart, Tasmania. I dropped by the palace to say g'day, but she must have been busy. Otherwise, I’m sure she would’ve popped out for a quick chat 😉 She holds many honours and titles, my favourite of which is Knight of the Order of the Elephant. I have no idea what that means, but I'm willing to bet it involves herbs and spices. 🐘👑

Hope everyone is enjoying a fun weekend, and thank you to everyone who takes the time to comment — it’s always greatly appreciated.

"You will play! You will play! You will play! " broadcasted Jasper through the powers of his mind. Then suddenly, inexplicably, I got up to play. Amazing how we fall victim to the powers of a dog's telepathy

My Vacation Cabin at Aussie Shores :)

Thanks Pris and Adam for this amazing vacation Feels at SL <3

Jasper came with us to the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch on Saturday. This is a 110 acre park about 15 minutes from our home. It features 7 recharge ponds that are stocked with fish for the birds. There is also a fishing pond stocked with fish for humans to catch. The park is free and ebird.org typically lists over 300 species of birds that have been spotted there. The park is a real gem in our community. Jasper has been birding with me his whole life. Fortunately, he's never chased the birds. Only watched them with interest.

A shot of one of the ponds in the first comment.

Jasper perches to take a look around at the water tower square in Gilbert, Arizona

Waiting. Watching. Wondering. Betty Bunny at the Ready. A typical evening scene with Jasper

Jasper likes to sniff around some of the neighborhood shrubberies. Sometimes we see bunnies. Or sometimes we see kitties. All very exciting

Sometimes you just want to lay down in the grass and enjoy the moment.

Jasper keeps an eye out for lizards and ground squirrels and whatnot. All those creatures that inhabit the rocks and scrub of the desert