This image is included in a gallery "Photo Gallery" curated by Ryan Miller.

London Bridge is a well known, hollowed out sea stack that can be viewed from a lookout at the end of London Bridge Road, Portsea, Mornington Peninsula. On either side of London Bridge are two high tide platform beaches, backed by 30 to 40 m high calcarenite bluffs and fronted by continuous inter-tidal rock flats, with reefs further offshore. Waves average 1.7 m on the outer reefs, with their height at the beach depending on the tide. The narrow sand beaches are awash at high tide, but fronted by exposed rock flats at low tide. It is located approximately 60 km (37 mi) south of the Melbourne CBD, on the opposite side of Port Phillip Bay. (Sourced from internet)

Looking beyond the horizon is Bass Strait.

This image is included in 2 galleries : - 1) "Landscapes" curated by Kina Action and 2) "RED ROCKS!" by Pete Tillman.

Kata Tjuṯa (means many heads), also known as the Olgas, is a group of large, dome shaped rock formations or bornhardts located about 32 km west of Uluru and 360 km (220 mi) southwest of Alice Springs. Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, located 25 km to the east, and Kata Tjuṯa form the two major landmarks within the Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. The 36 domes that make up Kata Tjuṯa cover an area of 21.68 km2 (8.37 sq mi), are composed of conglomerate, a sedimentary rock consisting of cobbles and boulders of varying rock types including granite and basalt, cemented by a matrix of sandstone. The highest dome, Mount Olga, is 1,066 m (3,497 ft) above sea level, or approximately 546 m (1,791 ft) above the surrounding plain (198 m (650 ft) higher than Uluru. They are thought to have been one huge piece of rock, much like Uluru, that has weathered over millions of years to become an intriguing series of individual formations. Kata Tjuta has been listed as Dual UNESCO heritage site.

This close-up image of 2 of the domes was taken on a fine evening, from a popular viewing spot. These towering domes glow beautifully in the warm evening light. The Walpa Gorge and Mt Olga is on the right and beyond. The reddish-brown colour is due to the iron oxide and clay covering the conglomerate rock surface. On the left dome, many small caves have pock-marked the surface. It is of interest to note that low bushes have managed to populate on these solid domes.

(Explored : Jul 31, 2022 #97)

This bird is tossing its catch to facilitate swallowing.

This was taken at a pier in Lakes Entrance on a summer evening. Lakes Entrance is a seaside resort and fishing port in eastern Victoria, Australia. It is situated approximately 320 kilometres east of Melbourne, near a managed, artificial channel connecting the Gippsland Lakes to the Bass Strait.

This image is included in 5 galleries :- 1) "BIRDS (3)" curated by dominiquesainthilaire (Namaki), 2) "In Australia" by Ron Brindley 3) "Brids" by Dmitrii Loktionov, 4) "Ces oiseaux aquatiques...# 6" by Impatience_1 and 5) "À la chasse...à la pêche..." by Impatience_1.

(Not explored)

The Little Wattlebird is a medium to large honeyeater, but is the smallest of the wattlebirds. It is mostly dark grey-brown above, with faint white shafts on each of the feathers. The underparts are grey and are heavily streaked with white. The streaks are finer around the throat, becoming more blotched on the sides of the belly. In flight, there is a large rufous patch in the wings. The eye is blue-grey. Birds of Western Australia have a red eye and a silver patch on the side of the throat; these are sometimes regarded as a different species. The sexes are similar. Young Little Wattlebirds resemble the adults, but are duller, have less streaking and a have a browner eye.

The range of the Little Wattlebird is said to have been shaped by fashion. Before the 1970s, Australian suburban gardens were dominated by exotic trees, shrubs and flowers, providing little food for native birds. In the 1970s, the elms, rhododendrons, roses and gladioli had gone out of fashion, and were replaced by native trees and shrubs which provided bounteous nectar-laden flowers, and shelter among spiky foliage. This coincided with the invasion by Little Wattlebirds into the suburbs of various cities, where they have remained and flourished. (Birdlife Australia)

These little birds are aggressive to other honeyeaters.

This image is included in 3 galleries:- 1) "2022 06 10 Freitag" curated by BAKAWI, 2) "Parrots" by Radoslav Besenyi and 3) "Australian Birds" by Garry Sanders.

Two females are chatting non-stop, ignoring the male.

The gang-gang cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum) is a parrot found in the cooler and wetter forests and woodlands of Australia, particularly alpine bushland. It is the only species placed in the genus Callocephalon. Mostly mild grey in colour with some lighter scalloping (more pronounced and buffy in females), the male has a red head and crest, while the female has a small fluffy grey crest. It ranges throughout south-eastern Australia. The gang-gang cockatoo is the faunal emblem of the Australian Capital Territory. It is easily identified by its distinctive call, which is described as resembling a creaky gate, or the sound of a cork being pulled from a wine bottle.

The name gang-gang comes from a New South Wales Aboriginal language, probably from one of the coastal languages, although possibly from Wiradjuri. It is probably an onomatopoeic name.

The gang-gang cockatoo is a grey bird with a wispy crest. The head and crest is bright red in males, but dark grey in females. The edges of feathers in underparts have edges of yellow or pink. The edges of feathers on upperarts are slightly paler grey than the rest of the feather, which makes the bird look somewhat barred. Juvenile males can be distinguished by their brighter crowns and shorter crests, but otherwise look similar to the adult female. The birds are not easily mistaken for other cockatoos, but while in flight may resemble the Galah. Gang-gangs are very social birds, but not overly noisy.(Wikipedia)

This was taken from Woolamai Surf Beach, Phillip Island, on the way to see The Pinnacles. Looking beyond is Bass Strait. It was a fine summer morning. The waves looked inviting for surfers. The light was soft and warm.

Phillip Island, also known as Corriong or Millowl in the Boonwurrung language, is an Australian island about 140 km south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. The island is named after Governor Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, by explorer and seaman George Bass, who sailed in an open whale boat, arriving from Sydney on 5 January 1798.

Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of the Western Port. It is 26 km long and 9 km wide, with an area of about 100 km2. It has 97 km of coastline and is part of the Bass Coast Shire.

This image is included in 3 galleries :- 1) "Photo Gallery" curated by Ryan Miller, 2) "Fotografías amigos de Flickr" by Salvador Heredia Cazorla and 3) "Mes belles rencontres avec les oiseaux sur Flickr" by Sète Île Singulière.

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is a large white parrot. It has a dark grey-black bill, a distinctive sulphur-yellow crest and a yellow wash on the underside of the wings. Sexes are similar, although the female can be separated at close range by its red-brown eye (darker brown in the male). This is a noisy and conspicuous cockatoo, both at rest and in flight.

The raucous screech of the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo can be heard in many parts of eastern and northern Australia. A flock of hundreds of snow-white birds with pale-yellow crests can be a spectacular sight when seen in the distance, but up close their calls can be deafening. Being a gregarious species, these cockatoos usually spend much time in flocks, foraging together on the ground (often with a few perched in nearby trees keeping a lookout for any sign of danger) or roosting together in trees. (BirdlifeAustralia)

This image is included in 4 galleries:- 1) "INTERPHOTO * TOP FLICKR 2022" curated by Gianfranco Marzetti, 2) "Rock" by Eden Liu, 3) "Red Rock's & Canyons (2)-->unique landscapes of Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado" by Reinhard Link and 4) "Bryce & Zion" by 2lynnehume.

Bryce Canyon National Park is located in south western Utah. The major feature of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon, but a collection of giant natural amphitheatres along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks. The red, orange, and white colours of the rocks provide spectacular views for park visitors. Bryce sits at a much higher elevation than nearby Zion National Park. The rim at Bryce varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet (2,400 to 2,700 m). The Bryce Canyon area was settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1850s and was named after Ebenezer Bryce, who homesteaded in the area in 1874. The area around Bryce Canyon became a National Monument in 1923 and was designated as a National Park in 1928. The park covers 35,835 acres (55.992 sq mi; 14,502 ha; 145.02 km2) and receives substantially fewer visitors than Zion National Park (nearly 4.3 million in 2016) or Grand Canyon National Park (nearly 6 million in 2016), largely due to Bryce's more remote location. (Sourced from Internet)

This was taken at Bryce Point (8300 ft above sea level). It was a fine morning, and the light was beautiful.

(Explored : Feb 26, 2022 #103)

This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "INTERPHOTO * TOP FLICKR 2022" curated by Gianfranco Marzetti and 2) "Only The BEST Nature Landscape, (My Opinion)" by Patrick Bigelow.

This image encompasses 4 of the main limestone stacks. Beyond is Bass Strait.

The Bay of Islands is located in Blairgowrie, Sorrento. Blairgowrie is a seaside town in Metropolitan Melbourne on the Mornington Peninsula, approximately 63 km south of Melbourne’s city centre, Victoria, Australia.

The Bay of Islands lies to the east of Diamond Bay and is part of the Mornington Peninsula National Park.

This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "Birds I Hope to See One Day" curated by Sue Milks and 2) "Birds." by Irina Miroshnikova .

The Brown Thornbill is a small bird, but is one of the medium-sized and more common of the thornbills. It has olive-brown to grey upperparts, with a warm reddish-brown forehead scalloped with paler markings. The rump has a reddish-brown patch, the tail is grey-brown with a black band and a pale tip, and the underparts are off-white, streaked blackish on the chin, throat and chest. The eye is dark red. The sexes are similar and young birds are only slightly different to adults, with a duller eye.

The Brown Thornbill is found only in eastern and south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania.

The Brown Thornbill feeds mainly on insects, but may sometimes eat seeds, nectar or fruit. They feed, mainly in pairs, at all levels from the ground up, but mostly in understorey shrubs and low trees. Will feed in mixed flocks with other thornbills out of breeding season.

The Brown Thornbill may lack the flamboyance of a rosella or the melodious song of a butcherbird, but for many people in eastern and south-eastern Australia, they are a familiar and friendly face in the garden or the bush alike. With a cheeky demeanour, bold attitude and frenetic buzzing calls, these diminutive birds have the ability to brighten the day of anyone nearby. (Birdlife Australia)

Brown thornbill (Acanthiza pusilla) sometimes mimics the hawk warning call of a variety of birds to scare off predators threatening its nest. (Professor Robert Magrath of ANU)

Previously mis-identified as Golden Whistler.

(Explored: Mar 14, 2022 #128)

This image is included in 3 galleries :- 1) "Favourite Landscapes" curated by MK Hardy, 2) "Birds" by Jeff Tripod and 3) "COLORFULL BEAUTY BIRDS VOL 6" by Jean-paul Vancoppenolle.

The rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) is a species of parrot found in Australia. It is common along the eastern seaboard, from northern Queensland to South Australia. Its habitat is rainforest, coastal bush and woodland areas.

The rainbow lorikeet is a medium-sized parrot, with the length ranging from 25 to 30 cm (9.8 to 11.8 in) including the tail, and the weight varies from 75 to 157 g (2.6–5.5 oz). The plumage of the nominate race, as with all subspecies, is very bright and colorful. The head is deep blue with a greenish-yellow nuchal collar, and the rest of the upper parts (wings, back and tail) are green. The chest is orange/yellow. The belly is deep blue, and the thighs and rump are green. In flight a yellow wing-bar contrasts clearly with the red underwing coverts. There is little to visually distinguish between the sexes.

This image is included in 5 galleries:- 1) "Landscapes" curated by wolfram.bradac, 2) "Work I admire by other Flickr members Vol 16" by Sett N trenZ, 3) "TOP FLICKR 2020 * INTERPHOTO-THE BEST OF THE WEB" by Marzetti Gianfranco, 4) "Cascades, chutes, falls, water il all it's forms....." by Rick The Zoo and 5) "mossy forest" by Yousaf Ejaz.

The Horseshoe Falls is in Tasmania, Australia. A 6km Grade 3 Walk from the visitor centre of Mount Field National Park covers the three waterfalls. The loop walk contains information and education boards at various intervals about the flora and fauna of the region. From the information centre to Russell Falls, glow worms can be seen at night. Between Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls, there are plenty of swamp gums (Eucalyptus regnans). These trees are the second tallest tree species in the world.

The Horseshoe Falls, a tiered–cascade waterfall of about 5 metres, is a short 10 minute upstream walk from the Russell Falls, and about a 50 minute walk from Lady Barron Falls. The waterfall itself is encased in a natural amphitheatre with eye catching rainforest. Platypuses are frequently observed in the late afternoon.

(Not explored)

This image is included in a gallery "LANDSCAPE VOL 4" curated by Jean-paul Vancoppenolle.

These magnificent sea stacks are located at the tip of Cape Woolamai along side with the Pinnacles (not shown here), Phillip Island. The texture of the formation is beautifully appreciated in the early morning sun. The blue sea beyond is Bass Strait.

About 360 million years ago, molten rock forced its way up from the earth's core. It cooled very slowly beneath the ground, forming the pinkish brown granite which is Cape Woolamai's foundation. The granite was exposed as the mountains above wore down due to weathering and wave action. The granite extends down to an unknown depth below sea level. The Pinnacles we now see are the result of cracks which formed as the rock was cooling and shrinking. They have been further sculptured by rain and wave action.

Phillip Island, also known as Corriong or Millowl in the Boonwurrung language, is an Australian island about 140 km south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. The island is named after Governor Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, by explorer and seaman George Bass, who sailed in an open whale boat, arriving from Sydney on 5 January 1798.

This image is included in 4 galleries :- 1) "скач 3" curated by nastiajoua (Anastasia D), 2) "Beautiful landscapes" by KAIAZ75, 3) "LA MER" by Jacqueline Bernard (Garoua Kaélé) and 4) "Beautiful landscapes without people and cars" by Gerda (Miau44).

The Pinnacles is about half a kilometre from here. The texture of the formation is beautifully appreciated in the late morning sun. The blue sea beyond and to the left is Bass Strait. Below the seashore plants and to the left is Cowrie Patch Beach.

The Pinnacles are located at the tip of Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island. About 360 million years ago, molten rock forced its way up from the earth's core. It cooled very slowly beneath the ground, forming the pinkish brown granite which is Cape Woolamai's foundation. The granite was exposed as the mountains above wore down due to weathering and wave action. The granite extends down to an unknown depth below sea level. The Pinnacles we now see are the result of cracks which formed as the rock was cooling and shrinking. They have been further sculptured by rain and wave action.

Phillip Island, also known as Corriong or Millowl in the Boonwurrung language, is an Australian island about 140 km south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. The island is named after Governor Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, by explorer and seaman George Bass, who sailed in an open whale boat, arriving from Sydney on 5 January 1798.

This image is included in 3 galleries :- 1) "Favourite Landscapes" curated by MK Hardy and 2) "AMAZING LANDSCAPES.PAISAJES DE ALUCINE XVX." by Lagarto (miguelitoiglesias21) and 3) "Nature images that made an impression in my heart" by Patomarazul.

Mount Wellington (officially kunanyi / Mount Wellington (/kuːˈnɑːniː/) is a mountain in the southeast of Tasmania, Australia. It is the summit of the Wellington Range and is within Wellington Park reserve. Hobart, Tasmania's capital city, is located at the foot of the mountain.

The mountain rises to 1,271 metres (4,170 ft) above sea level[1] and is frequently covered by snow, sometimes even in summer, and the lower slopes are thickly forested, but crisscrossed by many walking tracks and a few fire trails. There is also a sealed narrow road to the summit, about 22 kilometres (14 mi) from Hobart central business district. An enclosed lookout near the summit has views of the city below and to the east, the Derwent estuary, and also glimpses of the World Heritage Area nearly 100 kilometres (62 mi) west.

This image was taken near the summit, on a misty, overcast spring morning. The colours and fine texture of these boulders came out really well because of the soft light.

( Explored : Jul 25, 2023 #82 )

This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "Birds" curated by Dmitrii Loktionov and 2) "Amazing Birds" by valentina425.

This was taken at a pier in Lakes Entrance on a summer evening. Lakes Entrance is a seaside resort and fishing port in eastern Victoria, Australia. It is situated approximately 320 kilometres east of Melbourne, near a managed, artificial channel connecting the Gippsland Lakes to the Bass Strait.

The Bay of Fires (indigenous name: larapuna) is a bay on the north eastern coast of Tasmania, extending from Binalong Bay to Eddystone Point. It is a 29 km long sweep of powder-white sand and crystal-clear seas, with a string of superb beaches, punctuated by lagoons and rocky headlands, backed by coastal heath and bush.

The bay was given its name in 1773 by Captain Tobias Furneaux in Adventure, who saw the fires of Aboriginal people on the beaches along the coast line. The Bay of Fires is characterized by white beaches, blue water and huge granite blocks that are coloured bright orange by lichens. Perhaps, Captain Tobias Furneaux named the bay after these fiery red rocks. The lichens responsible for the orange hue in the rocks of Bay of Fires belong to the family Hymeneliaceae.

The conservation area is divided into three sections, with Anson's Bay dividing the southern and northern ends. A scenic view of the bay can be glimpsed by driving along the coast to The Gardens.

This was taken near Binalong Bay and Skeleton Bay.

(explored Aug 16, 2020 #123)

This image is included in a gallery "Photo Gallery" curated by Ryan Miller.

These 12 sea-facing limestone/sandstone stacks at Red Bluff look mesmerisingly beautiful against a cloudless sky. The colour is rich and warm despite a fast approaching wintery sunset. The half moon above these stacks is a welcomed participant. I took liberty to call them the 12 Apostles of Red Bluff.

Located in Black Rock, about 19 km from Melbourne, Red Bluff is a high (over 25 m), active cliff cut in poorly consolidated clayey sands, with harder sandstone beds forming a series of irregular ledges and benches at the base. The greater part of the cliff is an exposure of the Red Bluff Sand, this site being the type locality for that geological formation. (Sourced from Victorian Resources Online)

This image is included in a gallery "Photo Gallery" curated by Ryan Miller.

Located about 77 km from Hobart, it is an easy drive of just over an hour. In geology and geomorphology, a tessellated pavement is a relatively flat rock surface that is subdivided into more or less regular rectangles, blocks approaching rectangles, or irregular or regular polygons by fractures, frequently systematic joints, within the rock. This type of rock pavement bears this name because it is fractured into polygonal blocks that resemble tiles of a mosaic floor, or tessellations.

The most well-known example of a tessellated pavement is the Tessellated Pavement that is found at Lufra, Eaglehawk Neck on the Tasman Peninsula of Tasmania. This tessellated pavement consists of a marine platform on the shore of Pirates Bay, Tasmania. This example consists of two types of formations: a pan formation and a loaf formation.

The pan formation is a series of concave depressions in the rock that typically forms beyond the edge of the seashore. This part of the pavement dries out more at low tide than the portion abutting the seashore, allowing salt crystals to develop further; the surface of the "pans" therefore erodes more quickly than the joints, resulting in increasing concavity.

The loaf formation occurs on the parts of the pavement closer to the seashore, which are immersed in water for longer periods of time. These parts of the pavement do not dry out so much, reducing the level of salt crystallisation. Water, carrying abrasive sand, is typically channelled through the joints, causing them to erode faster than the rest of the pavement, leaving loaf-like structures protruding.

This backlit image here shows a fine example of the loaf-like formation. Looking beyond the horizon is Tasman Sea.

A striking image of a white rhino standing at a watering hole in Namibia, captured in the golden glow of the late afternoon sun. This powerful yet peaceful moment showcases the raw beauty of African wildlife.

This image is included in 4 galleries:- 1) "Ces jolis papillons...# 11" curated by Impatience_1, 2) "Ici...on butine... on picore...ou on infeste...#2" by Impatience_1, 3) "Incredible Macros!" by John Russell and 4) "Nature G3" by morgonsilkstone.

(Not explored)

This image is included in 4 galleries:- 1) "BUTTERFLIES / PAPILLONS (3)" curate by dominiquesainthilaire, 2) "Happiness" by J Lewis (Denalidaze), 3) "magical nature details" by Fadmaa Farasha and 4) "lovely butterflies and many other bugs" also by Fadmaa Farasha.

(Not explored)

This image is included in a gallery "La Planète des oiseaux (134)" curated by Laval Roy.

The Osprey is a medium-sized fish-eating raptor (bird of prey). It has dark brown upperparts contrasting with pale underparts. There is a black band through the eye, separating the white throat from the pale crown. The Osprey has a rather small head and neck and typically swivels its head around or sways its head from side to side. When it is perched, there is a short bristly crest. The eyes are placed well forward on the head. The fingered wings in flight are narrow and angled distinctively. There are dark carpal patches on the underwing (at the bend in the wing). The beak is strongly hooked and the legs are powerful. The female is similar to the male but is larger and has a fuller, darker breast band. The Osprey is also called the Fish Hawk or White-headed Osprey. (BirdlifeAustralia)

(Explored: May 7, 2022 #81 )

This interesting landscape was taken on board a fast travelling tour coach, after visiting Glen Canyon Dam, Lake Powell, and on our way to visit Antelope Canyon. The overhead lighting made the layering of the rock formation more apparent. The scrubby plants in the foreground appear to be blurry because our coach was travelling at speed. Panning and focusing were on the interesting features in the middle.

I can't pinpoint the exact location of this shot. I'd be grateful if fellow photographers could help to supply more information.

The was taken on board a coach travelling along Zion Mount Carmel Highway after passing the East Entrance and Zion Tunnel. The off-white peaks beyond the chocolate-brown sandstone mounts is called the Beehives. The glass of the window gave the image a bluish-grey tint. Against a clear blue sky, these mountains peaks looked austere, surreal and indescribably beautiful. At this point in time, the beauty is clinical.

Bee Hive is located north of the park headquarters at the south entrance to Zion Canyon. The east face of Bee Hive, named The Streaked Wall, rises 2,900 feet (880 m) above the floor of Zion Canyon. Neighbors include Altar of Sacrifice and Meridian Tower to the west, and The Sentinel to the northeast. The peak's descriptive name is for the beehive shape of the summit. This name was officially adopted in 1934 by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names.

Zion National Park is an American national park located in southwestern Utah near the town of Springdale. A prominent feature of the 229-square-mile park is Zion Canyon, which is 15 miles long and up to 2,640 ft deep. The canyon walls are reddish and tan-colored Navajo Sandstone eroded by the North Fork of the Virgin River. The lowest point in the park is 3,666 ft at Coalpits Wash and the highest peak is 8,726 ft at Horse Ranch Mountain. Located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert regions, the park has a unique geography and a variety of life zones that allow for unusual plant and animal diversity. Numerous plant species as well as 289 species of birds, 75 mammals, and 32 reptiles inhabit the park's four life zones: desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest. Zion National Park includes mountains, canyons, buttes, mesas, monoliths, rivers, slot canyons, and natural arches. (Wikipedia)

(Explored: Sep 17, 2022 #38 )

This image is included in 2 galleries :- 1) "Mountains and Canyons" curated by Chris Boothman, 2) "Red Rock's - Land of Canyons --> Utah, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico" by Reinhard Link and 3) "Bryce & Zion" curated by 2lynnehume.

Bryce Canyon National Park is a located in south western Utah. The major feature of the park is Bryce Canyon, which despite its name, is not a canyon, but a collection of giant natural amphitheatres along the eastern side of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Bryce is distinctive due to geological structures called hoodoos, formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of the river and lake bed sedimentary rocks. The red, orange, and white colours of the rocks provide spectacular views for park visitors. Bryce sits at a much higher elevation than nearby Zion National Park. The rim at Bryce varies from 8,000 to 9,000 feet (2,400 to 2,700 m). The Bryce Canyon area was settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1850s and was named after Ebenezer Bryce, who homesteaded in the area in 1874. The area around Bryce Canyon became a National Monument in 1923 and was designated as a National Park in 1928. The park covers 35,835 acres (55.992 sq mi; 14,502 ha; 145.02 km2) and receives substantially fewer visitors than Zion National Park (nearly 4.3 million in 2016) or Grand Canyon National Park (nearly 6 million in 2016), largely due to Bryce's more remote location. (Sourced from Internet)

This was taken at Sunset Point (8000 ft above sea level).

The Singing Honeyeater has a plain grey-brown upperbody, a distinctive black streak through the eye from the bill to the neck, bordered by a yellow streak below the eye grading into a white throat, and a white to grey underbody streaked dark grey-brown. There is a small, inconspicuous white ear-tuft, usually hidden by the yellow ear coverts (feathers). The bill is black and the eye is dark brown. Young birds are similar to adults, with a lighter forehead and crown and a narrower, duller face marking. This widely-distributed species is known for its pleasant voice and is usually seen in small noisy groups of five or six birds.

The Singing Honeyeater feeds on nectar, insects and fruit. It forages in low shrubs or on the ground, usually alone, but sometimes in loose flocks. It feeds at lower levels than most other honeyeaters (birdlife Australia)

This image was captured at the entrance to the Bay of Martyrs lookout. It was my first encounter of this species. This bird was very co-operative - it gave me just enough time to grab my camera from my car and capture a few images before taking off. The early morning light imparted a warm feel on its plumage.

This image is included in a gallery "La Planète des oiseaux (33)" curated by Laval Roy.

The little wattlebird (Anthochaera chrysoptera), also known as the brush wattlebird, is a passerine bird in the honeyeater family Meliphagidae. It is found in coastal and sub-coastal south-eastern Australia. (Wikipedia)

As with other honeyeaters, Little Wattlebirds feed on nectar, which is obtained using a long, brush-tipped tongue, specially adapted to probing deep into flowers. Other food includes insects, flowers, berries and some seeds. Most feeding is done while perched, but some insects are caught in mid-air. Birds may feed alone or in small to large groups. (Birdlife Australia)

This species is aggressive to other honeyeaters.

This image is included in 2 galleries:- 1) "Paesaggi 18" curated by Stefano Bacci and 2) "Explore in Portrait Format" by Andreas Helke.

This landscape belongs to the sandstone peak forest landform in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China. Crustal uplift changed the sedimentary rock stratum into a hilly and mountainous area, then the sandstone was carved by exogenic processes like weathering and erosion into rugged rock pillars.

(explored Jul 14, 2021 #106)

This image is included in 5 galleries:- 1) "Beautiful Nature Shots, Vol. 4" curated by John Russell, 2) "Colourful nature" by Harishankar V, 3) "Waterfall - Şelale" by duran6687 and 4) "Waterfalls" by d_kmeyer and 5) "Water - Waterfalls, Rivers and Sea" by Glass Angel.

It is about 75 km from Hobart. A 6km Grade 3 Walk from the visitor centre of Mount Field National Park in Tasmania covers the three waterfalls: Russells Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls. The loop walk contains information and education boards at various intervals about the flora and fauna of the region. From the information centre to Russell Falls, glow worms can be seen at night.

The Russell Falls, a tiered–cascade waterfall, is downstream from Horseshoe Falls on Russell Falls Creek. Its total height is 34 - 58 metres with 2 drops. It has an excellent flow of water during the winter / spring months. These falls were originally known as Browning Falls after the original discoverer around 1856, but by 1884 it became known as Russell Falls. It is a flat 10 minute walk from the Information Centre and is one of few waterfalls that can be reached with a wheelchair. Other viewing platforms alongside the waterfall and above the waterfall can also be accessed for people who are able to negotiate staircases.

This is a front on view.

This image is included in 4 galleries :- 1) "Most Beautiful Landscapes !!!" curated by Linnea Sw, 2) "Most Outstanding Landscapes in the World" by mark doyle, 3) "Landscape Images" by Jacobus Coetzee and 4) "un viaje maravilloso" by BYKTOR-f.d.

This landscape belongs to the sandstone peak forest landform in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China. Crustal uplift changed the sedimentary rock stratum into a hilly and mountainous area, then the sandstone was carved by exogenic processes like weathering and erosion into rugged rock pillars.

西海峰林, 位於索溪峪景區的西部。為一盆地型峽谷峰林群，千姿百態，林木蔥蘢茂密，有“峰海”、“林海”之稱。春夏或秋初雨後初晴，則云如浪濤，或湧或翻，或奔或瀉，鋪天蓋地，極為壯觀，譽為“雲海”。三“海”合一即為西海之特色。

This image is included in 5 galleries :- 1) "A World of Wonder 37" curated by thanks 173rd Airborne, 2) "TOP FLICKR * INTERPHOTO-TOP PHOTOSHARING" by Gianfranco Marzetti, 3) "landscapes" by Macaquito Soccer, 4) "Wonderful Landscape and Seascape 3" by Glass Angel and 5) "As Tho Everything Is A Miracle 13" by 173rd Airborne.

The Red Stone Forest (Hongshilin National Geopark) is located in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, China. These red carbonate rocks are believed to be formed during Ordovician, the second period of the Paleozoic era, between the Cambrian and Silurian periods. The stone formations originated underwater, later rising above sea level following tectonic shifts. The natural elements and 450 million years of erosion gave them their striking wavy texture. The rocks are known to change hues with the weather and seasons, with a deep rusty red being their most distinctive, hence the park’s name, the “Red Stone Forest.”

This was taken in an overcast, autumn afternoon.

紅石林國家地質公園是中國湖南省湘西土家族苗族自治州古丈縣紅石林鎮的國家地質公園。園內有罕見的紅色碳酸鹽岩石林，形成於奧陶紀，石林顏色會隨季節和天氣改變。這些石柱不但顏色各異，而且大小不等。有的高達七、八米，而有些則像半埋於地下的巨獸骨架。

(explored Apr 16, 2021 #178)

This image is included in 10 galleries :- 1) "Insects & Bugs" curated by el-liza, 2) "Macro Photography - Makro Fotografie" by jörg schubert and 3) "Le peuple de l'herbe (The grass people)" by Thierry Chevrier, 4) "Libellules (Dragonflies)" by AURA Nature_Thierry Chevrier, 5) "Libellules (Dragonflies)" by Garagnas Photos, 6) "Insects" by Jeff Tripodi, 7) "INCREDIBLY COLORFUL!!!" by Carol k, 8) "Big" by ReNato '59, 9) "Celebrating Odonata -- damselflies and dragonflies" by Jeffrey Caldwell and 10) "Amazing Photos" by Daren Rose.

This was taken at a small creek just outside Fung Yuen Butterfly Reserve during a visit to Hong Kong.

They have a habbit of rasiing the abdomen vertically towards the sun to reduce heat uptake on hot sunny days.

(Not explored)

Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls that straddle the international border between Canada and the United States; more specifically, between the province of Ontario and the state of New York.

Accordding to information from the Niagara Parks :-

• More than 168,000 cubic metres (6 million cubic ft.) of water go over the crestline of the Falls every minute during peak daytime tourist hours.

• The average fall from Lake Erie to the beginning of the upper Niagara Rapids is only 2.7 metres (9 ft.)

• The Canadian Horseshoe Falls drops an average of 57 metres (188 ft.) into the Lower Niagara River.

• The crest line of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls is approximately 670 metres (2,200 ft.) wide. The plunge pool beneath the Falls is 35 metres (100 ft.) deep.

This is seen on board a cruise boat "Hornblower" originated from the Canadian side. Below the rainbow arc in the left is part of the American Falls, while the left arm of the Horseshoe Falls is briefly highlighted by sunlight peeping through cracks of thick misty clouds.

This image is included in a gallery "Wonders of Nature" curated by Jacqueline Tolcott.

This was taken at a pier in Lakes Entrance on a summer evening. Lakes Entrance is a seaside resort and fishing port in eastern Victoria, Australia. It is situated approximately 320 kilometres east of Melbourne, near a managed, artificial channel connecting the Gippsland Lakes to the Bass Strait.

The Pinnacles are located at the tip of Cape Woolamai, Phillip Island. About 360 million years ago, molten rock forced its way up from the earth's core. It cooled very slowly beneath the ground, forming the pinkish brown granite which is Cape Woolamai's foundation. The granite was exposed as the mountains above wore down due to weathering and wave action. The granite extends down to an unknown depth below sea level. The Pinnacles we now see are the result of cracks which formed as the rock was cooling and shrinking. They have been further sculptured by rain and wave action.

The texture of the formation is beautifully appreciated in the late morning sun. The blue sea beyond and to the left is Bass Strait. To the right is Woolamai Surf Beach.

Phillip Island, also known as Corriong or Millowl in the Boonwurrung language, is an Australian island about 140 km south-southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. The island is named after Governor Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of New South Wales, by explorer and seaman George Bass, who sailed in an open whale boat, arriving from Sydney on 5 January 1798.

Phillip Island forms a natural breakwater for the shallow waters of the Western Port. It is 26 km long and 9 km wide, with an area of about 100 km2. It has 97 km of coastline and is part of the Bass Coast Shire.

Moraine Lake is a glacially fed (Fay Glacier) lake in Banff National Park, 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) outside the village of Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. It is situated in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, at an elevation of approximately 1,884 metres (6,181 ft). The lake has a surface area of 50 hectares (120 acres).

The lake, being glacially fed, does not reach its crest until middle to late June. When it is full, it reflects a distinctive shade of azure blue. The unique colour is due to the refraction of light off the rock flour deposited in the lake on a continual basis by surrounding glaciers. Depending on the light reflecting off the rock flour, Moraine Lake can have different shades of blue colour.

This image is included in a gallery "Imagens" curated by Patrícia Nicoloso.

Carmichael's Crag is a sacred site for the local Aboriginal 'Luritja' People. Carmichael's Crag, together with the associated hills are woven into the dreamtime story of a mother dingo with her pups. Ernest Giles in 1874 called the north-west point of George Gill Range Carmichael's Crag after Samuel Carmichael, who contributed to Giles' expedition.

{{As the sun dips behind Carmichael's Crag and the George Gill Range, watch the spellbinding changing colours of the sandstone and sky before the stars come out. The mesmerising shift of red, orange and pink colours are created by the red center's natural sandy environment preventing the light from the sun's rays coming through, enabling an array of red light to reflect on the range and sky to emphasise an array of vibrant colours.}} - according to the Kings Canyon Resort website.

The Sunset Viewing Platform is within walking distance from Kings Canyon Frontier Resort where we stayed for the night. The resort is about 320 km from Uluru.

From the platform Carmichael Crag as well as the George Gill Range were in full view. The temperature was warm and the atmosphere was great. The alignment of the mountains made the whole of George Gill Range beautifully highlighted in the low setting sun.

(Explored Sep 24, 2021 #140)

The delicate blossoms of Banksia Park’s cherry trees may be fleeting, but the history of this beautiful grove tells a story of resilience and lasting friendship.

In February 1980, the Japanese Government donated 100 flowering cherry trees to the people of Victoria to mark the visit of the Japanese Prime Minister Masayoshi Ohira (大平正芳). Having fought disease, drought and relocation in their 40-year life, the trees are now being maintained and cared for by a dedicated group of volunteers and Parks Victoria rangers.

They were originally planted at Jells Parks in Dandenong Valley Parklands but was relocated to Banksia park in 1988. In the month of October visitors flock to the park to participate in Hanami – a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the transient beauty of Cherry Blossoms or Sakura.

The Cherry Friends started in 2015 when a group of Japanese-born residents began feeding and hand watering the trees, vastly improving the health of the grove.

Since 2018, the Cherry Friends has hosted a visiting arborist Mr Kazumi from Japan to conduct a pruning masterclass with Parks Victoria rangers and the volunteers. This labour of love is celebrated at an annual ‘Sakura’ (cherry blossom) Picnic Day. (Parks Victoria)

Only a few newly planted pink weeping cherry trees (3) are in full bloom early in the season. The blossoms are young and glisten beautifully in a background of freshly mown lawn.

( Explored : Oct 3, 2022 #427 )

This image is included in a gallery "the light" curated by Matthias Huber.

This was taken on our way to see rock arts and the Mutitjulu Waterhole, which is somewhere to the left. Spinifex grass and gum tree are the main plants in this desert climate.

Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock and officially gazetted as Uluru / Ayers Rock, is a large sandstone rock formation. Uluru is just the expsed tip of a huge vertical body of rock. This rock probably extends far below the surrounding plain, probably for several kilometres. It lies 335 km (208 mi) south west of the nearest large town, Alice Springs. It has been listed as Dual UNESCO heritage site.

Uluru means Meeting Place. It is sacred to the Pitjantjatjara Anangu, the Aboriginal people of the area. The area around the formation is home to an abundance of springs, waterholes, rock caves and ancient paintings. Uluru and Kata Tjuta, also known as the Olgas, are the two major features of the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. Uluru, the world's most famous monolith, is an evocative and powerful icon of the Australian landscape. Uluru appears in many guises and poses a unique photographic challenge.

Elevation: 863 m (2,831 ft)

Prominence: 348 m (1,142 ft)

Circumference: 9.4 km

(Sourced from internet)

This image is included in a gallery "TOP FLICKR 2020 * INTERPHOTO-TOP PHOTOSHARING" curated by Marzetti Gianfranco.

This image is included in 3 galleries:- 1) "Magistral Paysage 2" curated by Paul Paradis, 2) "Scenery 2" by Judy Baum and 3) "PLACERES VISUALES-volumen 6" by byktor -f.d..

Ellery Creek Big Hole is one of the most popular and picturesque camping, walking, swimming and picnic spots in the Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park. It is about 90 km west of Alice Springs. The spectacular waterhole is fed by the West MacDonnell Ranges (Tjoritja) and surrounded by high red cliffs and sandy Ellery Creek. Thousands of years of massive floods have carved out this waterhole, which is recognised as an internationally significant geological site. The Aboriginal name for Ellery Big Hole is Udepata. The permanent water made it a special meeting place for the Aranda people on the fish and honey ant dreaming trails.

This image is included in a gallery "Photo Gallery" curated by Ryan Walker.

Saw a few of these beautiful wild flowers on the roadsides on my way to visit Peyto Lake in Banff, Canada. Morning was still young; morning dew was plenty on the leaves.

Kata Tjuṯa (means many heads), also known as the Olgas, is a group of large, dome shaped rock formations or bornhardts located about 32 km west of Uluru and 360 km (220 mi) southwest of Alice Springs. Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, located 25 km to the east, and Kata Tjuṯa form the two major landmarks within the Uluru-Kata Tjuṯa National Park. The 36 domes that make up Kata Tjuṯa cover an area of 21.68 km2 (8.37 sq mi), are composed of conglomerate, a sedimentary rock consisting of cobbles and boulders of varying rock types including granite and basalt, cemented by a matrix of sandstone. The highest dome, Mount Olga, is 1,066 m (3,497 ft) above sea level, or approximately 546 m (1,791 ft) above the surrounding plain (198 m (650 ft) higher than Uluru. They are thought to have been one huge piece of rock, much like Uluru, that has weathered over millions of years to become an intriguing series of individual formations. Kata Tjuta has been listed as Dual UNESCO heritage site.

This was taken on board a helicopter run by the PROFESSIONAL HELICOPTER SERVICES. The domes were illuminated beautifully in the warm spring morning light.

This image is included in 4 galleries :- 1) "Beautiful Nature Shots, Vol. 6" curated by John Russell (Zoom Lens), 2) "land and water" by Sylvia Okkerse, 3) "WATER FEATURES" by Creamy Pet and 4) "Waterfalls and Cascades" by Radoslav Besenyi.

It is about 75 km from Hobart. A 6km Grade 3 Walk from the visitor centre of Mount Field National Park in Tasmania covers the three waterfalls: Russells Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Lady Barron Falls. The loop walk contains information and education boards at various intervals about the flora and fauna of the region. From the information centre to Russell Falls, glow worms can be seen at night.

The Russell Falls, a tiered–cascade waterfall, is downstream from Horseshoe Falls on Russell Falls Creek. Its total height is 34 - 58 metres with 2 drops. It has an excellent flow of water during the winter / spring months. These falls were originally known as Browning Falls after the original discoverer around 1856, but by 1884 it became known as Russell Falls. It is a flat 10 minute walk from the Information Centre and is one of few waterfalls that can be reached with a wheelchair. Other viewing platforms alongside the waterfall and above the waterfall can also be accessed for people who are able to negotiate staircases.

This is a close-up view from the left front.

This image is included in 2 galleries:- 1) "LUGARES INCREIBLES volumen 2" curated by BYKTOR-f.d. and 2) "" also by BYKTOR-f.d.

The Buchan Caves are a group of limestone caves that include the Royal Cave and the Fairy Cave, located south-west of Buchan, in the East Gippsland region of the Australian state of Victoria. They have a total length of between 3 and 4 Km, and six entrances.

The limestone rock at Buchan was laid down during the Devonian period about 300 – 400 million years ago. At the time, the sea covered this area of East Gippsland which was alive with shellfish and coral. Their remains were deposited in layers and over the years compacted to form limestone. The caves were formed by solution of the limestone.

The Buchan Caves are located approximately 360 Km from Melbourne, along the Princes Highway, north of Lakes Entrance. (Wikipedia)

Tours were conducted by candlelight and magnesium ribbon from 1907 until in the 1920s. During the 1920s and up until 1970, the caves were lit by power generated at the Buchan Caves Reserve. In 2008 both Royal and Fairy Caves were rewired with low heat and low voltage LEDs.

The magnificent Royal Cave is a through-tour with a separate entrance and exit. Connected by intimate passages, the cave features a number of large, heavily decorated chambers, including the Octopus Chamber, the massive Princess Royal Chamber, and the Skeleton Chamber. Noted decorations include the Crystal Portal, Niobe's Bower, Font of the Gods, Indian Rugs and the Temple of Peace (The Buchan Caves by Kent Henderson).

This is a handheld HDR image taken in the Royal Cave. No tripods or flashlights are allowed in the cave. The Royal Cave is famous for its beautiful calcite-rimmed pools.

This image is included in 6 galleries:- 1) "Reflets...# 5", 2) "FÉVRIER 2020", both curated by Impatience_1, 3) "Australia in Focus" by dave hangover, 4) "World in Focus G29" by dave hangover, 5) "Australia" by Ros.alba and 6) "lumière marine" by Christian Ragaine.

A stone's throw before reaching the 12 Apostles is a sightseeing stopoff called Gibson Steps. Reaching the beach surface via 86 steps, two huge limestone stacks, referred to as Gog and Magog by locals, are towering into the sky at an arm's length. Surveying these stacks at such a close distance, visitors are easily "dwarfed" if not enthralled.

Gog and Magog are names that appear in the Old Testament and in numerous subsequent works, including the Book of Revelation and the Qur'an, sometimes indicating individuals and sometimes lands and peoples. Sometimes, but not always, they are connected with the "end times", and the passages from the Book of Ezekiel and Book of Revelation in particular have attracted attention for this reason.

Gibson Steps --- originally built by the Aborigines, subsequently maintained by Hugh Gibson of the Glenample Homestead, are a steep and slippery flight of rocky steps, giving access to a wild, kelp-covered beach beneath the 70 metre cliff. According to Alison Dods of Parks Victoria, Gog is the male and the larger stack, whereas the smaller one is Magog and is the female.

Beyond the stacks is Indian Ocean.

According to some people Eagles Nest is a large sandstone rock structure that resembles the top half of a map of Australia. It can be seen driving along Bunurong Coast road towards Cape Paterson. The unusual rock formation separated from the headland is often photographed by visitors to Inverloch.

Inverloch is a seaside town located in Victoria, Australia. It is about 143 km south east of Melbourne via the South Gippsland Highway on the Bass Highway in the Bass Coast Shire of Gippsland, Victoria, Australia.

This was taken at high tide using a telephoto lens while walking on Inverloch Surf Beach. It was a fine autumn afternoon.

This image is included in a gallery "Butterflies & Moths 3" curate by Cheryl Blay.

This was taken at the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Parks near the Niagara Falls in Canada. Approaching In the dark background is a Red Postman (Heliconius erato). The fully spread wings of the resting butterfly are beautifully highlighted in the soft. filtered light of the Conservatory.

According to the 2008 Official Guide of the Conservatory:- "The Julia is bold in colour and personality, displaying dashing flight patterns and animated courtship behaviours in the Conservatory. For over 10 years , this butterfly has been reared on site. The female wings, framed by dark lines, seem dull compared to the flaming orange colour of the males."

Dryas iulia (often incorrectly spelled julia), commonly called the Julia butterfly, Julia heliconian, the flame, or flambeau, is a species of brush-footed (or nymphalid) butterfly. The sole representative of its genus Dryas, it is native from Brazil to southern Texas and Florida, and in summer can sometimes be found as far north as eastern Nebraska. Over 15 subspecies have been described. (Wikipedia)