Monkey Magic Mural for Mural Monday

 

I recall a mural once painted upon the wall of an abandoned factory in North Richmond. At that time, the television series then airing on the ABC was immensely popular, and the mural seemed almost a reflection of that cultural moment. How changed the area is now. The neighbourhood has fallen into neglect and disrepute, its streets shadowed by the presence of the state-sponsored heroin injection facility—an establishment most ill-advisedly situated beside a primary school. What was once a modest but spirited corner of Melbourne has been marred by this ill-conceived social experiment, leaving North Richmond diminished in both safety and dignity.

Pentax K20D

Da 15mm f1.8 limited 

Linking Mural Monday

Angel Fish Melbourne for Saturday Critter

 

I once kept angelfish in my home aquarium, a hobby that began with Joel’s enthusiasm and soon became my own. What started as a pastime eventually turned into a modest enterprise, as we found ourselves breeding and selling these elegant creatures for profit. Angelfish, however, are notoriously delicate to breed, requiring pristine water conditions, precise acidity levels, and absolute absence of ammonia — a challenge that demands both patience and precision.

In their natural habitat, angelfish (Pterophyllum species) are native to the slow-moving, vegetation-rich waters of the Amazon Basin and its tributaries in South America. Their laterally compressed, disc-like bodies and elongated fins allow them to glide gracefully among submerged roots and reeds, perfectly camouflaged against dappled light and shadow. Renowned for their regal bearing and subtle iridescence, they are among the most striking of freshwater ornamental fish, combining beauty with a temperament that reflects both curiosity and a touch of aloofness.

Pentax K20D

FE 15mm f1.8 Limited 

Linking Saturday Critter

Emu in Kyabram Victoria Australia for Saturday Critter

 

Though the beak in this portrait is a touch over-exposed, the eyes hold the true essence of the bird—bright, alert, and commanding. This photograph was taken near Kyabram in Victoria, within the grounds of a wildlife reserve dedicated to the preservation of native fauna.

The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), immortalised in both Aboriginal tradition and the national coat of arms, is the largest bird native to Australia and second only to the ostrich in stature worldwide. With its powerful legs, the emu is capable of remarkable speed, traversing the plains with strides that echo the ancient rhythms of the continent itself. Its feathers, soft and dusky, provide protection from the sun’s harsh radiance, while its sharp eyes and inquisitive nature mark it as both wary sentinel and curious wanderer of the open country. For countless generations, it has held a place in the mythology and sustenance of Australia’s First Peoples, its form appearing in story, dance, and art.

Kyabram and its surrounding district lie within the Goulburn Valley, a region shaped by the slow meander of rivers and the fertility of their floodplains. Once a mosaic of woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands, it offered rich habitats for kangaroos, wallabies, waterbirds, and of course the emu, whose foraging paths crossed the open country in search of seeds, fruits, and insects. In more recent centuries, settlement transformed much of the land into orchards and farms, yet sanctuaries such as the Kyabram Fauna Park safeguard the memory of what once was, allowing the visitor to encounter these creatures in surroundings that still whisper of the older Australia.

Thus, within this single image—an emu’s brilliant eyes meeting our own—one glimpses both the enduring spirit of a species and the layered history of the land upon which it strides.

Pentax K20D

A 300mm f2.8 

Linking Saturday Critter

Grey Headed Pigeon in Braeside Parkin for Saturday Critter

 

Braeside Park, situated not far from metropolitan Melbourne, has long been renowned as a haven for bird photography. The wetlands and open woodlands provide rich feeding grounds for many migratory species, whose seasonal journeys bring both colour and life to the reserve. I recall, some years past, attempting to capture these birds with a manual telephoto lens; it was no simple task, for the creatures were swift and wary, and the art of bird photography demands both patience and steady hand.

Among the avian visitors, the Grey-headed Pigeon (Patagioenas plumbea) is of particular interest. This shy and rather elusive bird, distinguished by its smooth slate-grey plumage and gentle bearing, is more often heard than seen within its forested haunts. Native to Central and South America, it inhabits dense lowland forests and foothills, where it feeds upon fruits and seeds high in the canopy. Though not a resident of Victoria, it represents the broader wonder of migratory and nomadic birds whose presence enriches sanctuaries such as Braeside Park. Their life histories remind us of the delicate web of ecosystems that sustain them, and of the fleeting beauty that birdwatchers and photographers alike strive to preserve in image and memory.

Pentax K20D 

A 300mm f2.8 

Linking Saturday Critter

Zebra Finch Healesville for Saturday Critter

 

The Zebra Finch, which I had the rare delight of observing just beyond the bounds of Healesville Sanctuary, presented itself most unexpectedly. Believe it or not, this lively creature graced the shallows for but a fleeting moment, and I took great satisfaction in capturing its likeness through the disciplined craft of manual lens and manual focus—a demanding pursuit when directed upon so agile a bird.

The Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata) is a species of singular charm and resilience. Belonging to the family Estrildidae, it is one of the most widely distributed and abundant birds of the Australian continent. Its natural domain encompasses arid grasslands, open scrub, and lightly wooded plains, where it thrives in colonies often gathered near ephemeral watercourses. Unlike many species that falter in the face of drought, the Zebra Finch is remarkably adapted to the continent’s harsh interior, surviving on meagre resources, feeding upon grass seeds, and subsisting with a frugality that has rendered it emblematic of endurance in a sunburnt land.

Its appearance is no less striking than its habits are resourceful. The male, adorned with a vermilion bill, a bold orange cheek, and barred plumage across the breast, is a spectacle of contrast and pattern; the female, more subdued in hue, carries a quieter dignity. Their song, though modest, is melodious in its simplicity, and has for centuries captured the fascination of naturalists, ornithologists, and aviculturists alike. Indeed, so great has been their adaptability that the Zebra Finch has long since been carried beyond its homeland, establishing itself in distant lands and becoming one of the most studied avian models in science, particularly in the fields of song learning and behavioural ecology.

Thus, to encounter the Zebra Finch near Healesville, fluttering and bathing among the stones, is to glimpse both the immediacy of its quicksilver vitality and the enduring story of a bird that has, from the heart of Australia’s dry plains, risen to international renown. My humble photograph, wrought by patience and careful focus, preserves but a fraction of its spirit; yet in that fraction lies the charm of nature itself.

Pentax K20D 

Pentax 300mm f2.8 

Linking Saturday Critter

Hyaline Grass Bug in Melbourne for Saturday Critter

 

📸 Macro Marvel: Liorhyssus Hyalinus in Melbourne! 🦟

Captured this stunning macro shot of the Liorhyssus hyalinus, also known as the Hyaline Grass Bug, on the wall in Melbourne. The intricate details of its body and the vibrant colors are truly mesmerizing. 

Liorhyssus hyalinus is a fascinating plant bug, often found on various grasses and plants. Its transparent wings and distinctive markings make it a favorite subject for macro photographers.

Pentax  K20D

Voigtlander 125mm f2.5 Macro

Linking Saturday Critter

Having completed the final season of Cobra Kai in one uninterrupted viewing session, I observed that the young characters' movements are rather slow, and the fight sequences appear somewhat amateurish. Nevertheless, the show possesses an undeniably captivating quality that renders it irresistibly addictive.