May 19, 2007~Sally~ wrote:
I think this is a cute little bird. It looks very intelligent as if it is taking in everything. Fabulous Foto!
June 2, 2007
MargaretS wrote:
This is a kookaburra. It is quite a large native bird. It has a very unique call. We say that it "laughs". They eat worms, cicadas, crickets, snakes, small animals. We see them in the trees around here and on our TV aerial, clothes line, fence. we live in Newcastle, NSW.
June 2, 2007
MargaretS wrote:
These are sulphur crested cockatoos. They are also native but have come to the suburbs. They are sometimes kept as pets. They can be trained to talk and do tricks. They can also cause damage to wooden fences and decks by biting at the wood.
I recall perhaps 20 years ago watching a documentary on these beautiful birds and hearing they were considered Pests by Australian Farmers. Ate too much of the crops.
I have cockatiels, the smaller relative of these birds. They are so cute and sweet. Mine are love bugs.
All of the birds shown in Al's photographs I think are known to be very intelligent creatures. I wonder if it is US who doesn't understand and all the animals of the kingdom wonder when we will catch on.
May 19, 2007
Shirley wrote:
Love all the birds. The koala is adorable.
June 10, 2007
Ken Farrell wrote:
These are called Rainbow Lorikeet's. They are also commonly called "blueys". They are found in most places of Australia and the nest in holes found in trees
May 19, 2007kati wrote:
The pictures are beautiful, I think You had a marvelous time! Lot to see, so much to learn! Thanks Al, for sharing, Your experience! Kati
May 19, 2007
moira wilkins wrote:
DEAR AL BY THE LOOK OF THE BIRD LIFE PICTURES AND SURROUNDS YOU MUST HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO WHERE WE LIVE IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS N.S.W. REPLY IF YOU ARE NEAR AND BILL AND I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE YOU WELCOME MOIRA AND BILL
May 19, 2007
Al Girard wrote:
I'm back in Canada now. I didn't get to NSW on this trip, although I've been there before. All of the bird photos were taken in Victoria with the exception of the rainbow lorikeets which were taken in Brisbane.
May 19, 2007
Shirley wrote:
I nominate you photographer of the year.
May 19, 2007
Jeanine Ann wrote:
AL THIS PAGE IS JUST BEAUTIFUL. WHAT A DELIGHT TO SEE THE BIRDS AND THE BEAUTIFUL SKYLINES AND THE PEOPLE! YOU TOOK FANTASTIC PHOTOS AND I THINK SHIRLEY IS RIGHT, YOU SHOULD BE THE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING. WE WILL SEE YOU IN TORONTO! HUGS
May 19, 2007
Marlene Warren wrote:
I really enjoyed the pictures Al, the birds are just beautiful and the koala, one of my favorite things is so cute. The skyline is picture perfect and the graffiti is incredible. I agree with Sally, someone should give these people some canvas or whatever to put their art to good use. I would never think of going to Austrailia to view the graffiti, amazing the surprises we see when someone is so kind to bring back these memories to share with everyone. Thanks Al, the pictures are enjoyable.
May 19, 2007
Al Girard wrote:
Graffiti is a major problem in some parts of Australia. In Melbourne it's difficult to find a wall along the rail lines that has any space for more graffiti. The spray painters have even done their work in tunnels, on concrete abutments and on the back walls of commercial buildings.
I classify the painters in two categories: graffiti vandals and graffiti artists. In late April, a graffiti vandal was caught in the act and arrested. He had painted the same gibberish in hundreds, if not thousands of spots, and he was known as the graffiti king of Australia. I don't know if the title was created by him or by others. The judge did not treat him kindly. He was sentenced to 350 hours of supervised labour, where he was to remove his graffiti. That works out to about nine 40 hour weeks.
However, some of the stuff that one sees is really pretty good. I took these photos in a lane in downtown Melbourne.
I'm still sorting out my photos, and have not even touched the pictures that I took in Hong Kong, which I'd like to share with you as well. I'll get to them in a few days. I love that city, and would go back in a heartbeat.
May 19, 2007marianne peters wrote:
dear Al it looks like I may be able to come to edmonton for the Andre concert. If so I would like to know the closest best western to the venue. If all goes well I may be able to go to Toronto &will have to do the same thing. The pics are great & I am looking forward to seing the rest of your photos. You are a very talented photographer & we friends are so lucky to be able to have a small share of your travels. Thanks so much Love Marianne
May 19, 2007
Paul Nicholson wrote:
Nice photos! Brisbane is a nice city. Warm and sub-tropical. A ride on the river ferry is a "must" for any visitor. It is inexpensive and part of the Brisbane public transport network. Plenty of good views like the one taken by Al!
Yes, graffiti is a big problem in Australia and the authorities seem unable to control it. We need to impose long prison sentences and hefty fines for those convicted. But they seem to get off lightly and go back to their "art"!
Most of the culprits seem to be young men. We need a "zero tolerance" approach! I would like to see those convicted serve sentences of 20-30 years to take these people out of the community for the bulk of their adult lives.
Take a train ride in Melbourne and you will see how graffiti has blighted the lineside landscape.
It was cleaned up in the general area of the Commonwealth Games events last year 2006 but they didn't attempt to restore the extensive damage done throughout our suburbs.
I would be upset if I were the property owner who had to pay for damages. I wonder if there is an option to have space set aside for graffiti. I dunno, but something to be done. I know in my city they use special paint on some buildings where it can be easily washed to rid the buildings of spray painted art. (sadly most around the bay area is not art but gang signs)
May 19, 2007
Christine Blacker wrote:
Hi Al. Great photos, hope you enjoyed your trip to Australia. Was happy to see you visited our Queensland capital of Brisbane. It is a wonderful city. I live in the northern tropics about 1400 Kilometers north of Brisbane, a lot more lush and tropical up here. Lets hope when Andre comes to Australia he puts Brisbane on his agenda to perform and we get lots of overseas visitors. I have a petition going at the moment to get him to Brisbane, but if not I will travel to where ever I have to. Love to all. Christine
May 20, 2007
Al Girard wrote:
I've been to Queensland before - to Hervey Bay and I also went camping on Fraser Island. I really enjoyed the River Kats. There is an amazing amount of activity on the Brisbane River.
May 20, 2007
lorraine wrote:
Beautiful photographs. Graffiti....terrible...i can just imagine how it has blighted the landscape! So thankful that we do not see Graffitti anymore in New York. It was at one time a big problem. I believe it was Mayor Giuliani who cleaned it up. New York is now sooooo beautiful! Thanks Al, for the photos! Would love to see more of your travels! Lorraine
May 21, 2007
Al Girard wrote:
This is the Flinders Street Station in Melbourne. I used a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ10 with a Leica lens
May 21, 2007
Shirley wrote:
Once again, awesome photography! Al, you must use professional equipment. what did you use to take these magnificent pictures? I feel as if I'm looking at National Geographic.
May 22, 2007
Inge Cossette wrote:
A short greeting from Bavaria, Today it is rainy, I stay home and do the wash and crossword puzzles, read and feed the cat of house, Murlie took right away to me, cats know, when one is a cat lover! We had yesterday 32 C , a hot and beautiful day, went to Munich for the day and at night we ate all at my older daughter.
lovely pictures from Australia, Al and nice comments about the concerts from André from all .
On the 3rd of June I will be in Maastricht, wonder what I will see there????? Talk to you later again, Inge
May 23, 2007
Trudy wrote:
Oh I would love to see Bavaria. My family is from Germany but it has been so long. I am 94 years young.
June 9, 2007marianne peters wrote:
dear Al. Noted the pic of the Flinders bldg. The man it is named for has the distinction of being the man who circumnavigated the Aussie continent, with not much more than a row-boat. The feat was accomplished not long after the settlements were established. Their Governor was none other than Wm. Bligh of Mutiny on the Bounty fame or infamy as you will. He didn't fare any better as a governor than as a sea captain so he was replaced with a man named McQuarrie, who was a vast improvement in that he treated the transported in a more humane fashion. Australia is a fascinating country as its' roots are so different from the other places in the world which were colonized by the British, who at time were very heavy-handed. They did some good things & some pretty bad stuff as well, but that cannot be judged by to-days standards. Those times were much more primitive & brutal, & we like to think mankind has gotten better but only in small doses. Am looking forward to meeting your friends & family. Used live in Kelown, until I came to Brooks in June 97. Time does fly. Love Marianne Love Marianne
July 13, 2007
frankbasten wrote:
What is amazing about this sulphur-crested cockatoos, is that you are probably looking at a bird that was born when you were just starting school, Al.
I think this is a cute little bird. It looks very intelligent as if it is taking in everything. Fabulous Foto!
This is a kookaburra. It is quite a large native bird. It has a very unique call. We say that it "laughs". They eat worms, cicadas, crickets, snakes, small animals. We see them in the trees around here and on our TV aerial, clothes line, fence. we live in Newcastle, NSW.
These are sulphur crested cockatoos. They are also native but have come to the suburbs. They are sometimes kept as pets. They can be trained to talk and do tricks. They can also cause damage to wooden fences and decks by biting at the wood.
I recall perhaps 20 years ago watching a documentary on these beautiful birds and hearing they were considered Pests by Australian Farmers. Ate too much of the crops.
I have cockatiels, the smaller relative of these birds. They are so cute and sweet. Mine are love bugs.
All of the birds shown in Al's photographs I think are known to be very intelligent creatures. I wonder if it is US who doesn't understand and all the animals of the kingdom wonder when we will catch on.
This is a parrot. They too are sometimes kept as pets and can be taught to talk.
Love all the birds. The koala is adorable.
These are called Rainbow Lorikeet's. They are also commonly called "blueys". They are found in most places of Australia and the nest in holes found in trees
Trust you found the natives friendly Al?
Even in suburban Melbourne where I live it is nice to hear the occasional "laugh" of the kookaburras!
Paul in Australia
I have a lot of friends in Australia, so yes, the natives are friendly. I love Melbourne!!
where would you find these paintings?
This graffiti was in a laneway in downtown Melbourne.
Aren't this cool? This is graffiti.
I wonder why someone doesn't buy large paper or canvas for these people. (wonder if they would use that instead of walls/buildings)
love skylines.....where would this one be?
This is Brisbane
Crimson rosellas? Now one of my favorites,besides our red cardinals.
This is a "City Cat" in Brisbane...used to transport passengers to and from destinations via the Brisbane River.
Is this Ms. Chartreuse? Chartreuse's Sistah? Inquiringly Minds What To Know!
The Past meets the Present? My title for the photograph.
Well I'll be darn, this looks like that "cheeky chartreuse character"!
I think I like this one.
Beautiful Brisbane.
The pictures are beautiful, I think You had a marvelous time! Lot to see, so much to learn! Thanks Al, for sharing, Your experience! Kati
DEAR AL
BY THE LOOK OF THE BIRD LIFE PICTURES
AND SURROUNDS YOU MUST HAVE BEEN CLOSE
TO WHERE WE LIVE IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS
N.S.W. REPLY IF YOU ARE NEAR AND BILL
AND I WOULD LOVE TO MAKE YOU WELCOME
MOIRA AND BILL
I'm back in Canada now. I didn't get to NSW on this trip, although I've been there before. All of the bird photos were taken in Victoria with the exception of the rainbow lorikeets which were taken in Brisbane.
I nominate you photographer of the year.
AL THIS PAGE IS JUST BEAUTIFUL. WHAT A DELIGHT TO SEE THE BIRDS AND THE BEAUTIFUL SKYLINES AND THE PEOPLE! YOU TOOK FANTASTIC PHOTOS AND I THINK SHIRLEY IS RIGHT, YOU SHOULD BE THE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING. WE WILL SEE YOU IN TORONTO! HUGS
I really enjoyed the pictures Al, the birds are just beautiful and the koala, one of my favorite things
Thanks Al, the pictures are enjoyable.
Graffiti is a major problem in some parts of Australia. In Melbourne
it's difficult to find a wall along the rail lines that has any space for more graffiti. The spray
painters have even done their work in tunnels, on concrete abutments and
on the back walls of commercial buildings.
I classify the painters in two categories: graffiti vandals and
graffiti artists.
In late April, a graffiti vandal was caught in the act and arrested. He
had painted the same gibberish in hundreds, if not thousands of spots, and he was known as the graffiti king of Australia. I don't know if the title was created by him or by others. The judge did not treat him kindly. He was sentenced to 350 hours of supervised labour, where he was to remove his graffiti. That works out to about nine 40 hour weeks.
However, some of the stuff that one sees is really pretty good. I took
these photos in a lane in downtown Melbourne.
I'm still sorting out my photos, and have not even touched the pictures that I took in Hong Kong, which I'd like to share with you as well. I'll get to them in a few days. I love that city, and would go back in a heartbeat.
dear Al it looks like I may be able to come to edmonton for the Andre concert.
If so I would like to know the closest best western to the venue. If all goes well I may be able to go to Toronto &will have to do the same thing. The pics are great & I am looking forward to seing the rest of your photos. You
are a very talented photographer & we
friends are so lucky to be able to have a small share of your travels. Thanks so much Love Marianne
Hi Maryanne,
There are only three Best Westerns in Edmonton, and this one is the closest.
http://www.bestwesternalberta.com/hotels/best-western-city-centre-inn/
Nice photos! Brisbane is a nice city. Warm and sub-tropical. A ride on the river ferry is a "must" for any visitor. It is inexpensive and part of the Brisbane public transport network. Plenty of good views like the one taken by Al!
Yes, graffiti is a big problem in Australia and the authorities seem unable to control it. We need to impose long prison sentences and hefty fines for those convicted. But they seem to get off lightly and go back to their "art"!
Most of the culprits seem to be young men. We need a "zero tolerance" approach! I would like to see those convicted serve sentences of 20-30 years to take these people out of the community for the bulk of their adult lives.
Take a train ride in Melbourne and you will see how graffiti has blighted the lineside landscape.
It was cleaned up in the general area of the Commonwealth Games events last year 2006 but they didn't attempt to restore the extensive damage done throughout our suburbs.
Enough of my rant...
Paul in Melbourne
I would be upset if I were the property owner who had to pay for damages. I wonder if there is an option to have space set aside for graffiti. I dunno, but something to be done. I know in my city they use special paint on some buildings where it can be easily washed to rid the buildings of spray painted art. (sadly most around the bay area is not art but gang signs)
Hi Al. Great photos, hope you enjoyed your trip to Australia. Was happy to see you visited our Queensland capital of Brisbane. It is a wonderful city. I live in the northern tropics about 1400 Kilometers north of Brisbane, a lot more lush and tropical up here. Lets hope when Andre comes to Australia he puts Brisbane on his agenda to perform and we get lots of overseas visitors. I have a petition going at the moment to get him to Brisbane, but if not I will travel to where ever I have to. Love to all. Christine
I've been to Queensland before - to Hervey Bay and I also went camping on Fraser Island. I really enjoyed the River Kats. There is an amazing amount of activity on the Brisbane River.
Beautiful photographs. Graffiti....terrible...i can just imagine how it has blighted the landscape! So thankful that we do not see Graffitti anymore in New York. It was at one time a big problem. I believe it was Mayor Giuliani who cleaned it up. New York is now sooooo beautiful! Thanks Al, for the photos! Would love to see more of your travels! Lorraine
A lot of vintage Australian buildings and home feature decorative wrought iron railings such as these.
This is a marina in Geelong, Victoria.
My only problem with animal photos is I want to hug them. Every animal is my baby and I must nurture them.
What powerful tails they have. And those feet. Wow.
I like the lines of this photo. The curves, the color, the height and yet the pavement. Gosh, I like all of it.
Melbourne is known as "The city of trams" and they are justfiably proud of them
Is this a private home? Wish it were mine. Beautiful architecture!
It's a church rectory in Melbourne. A lot of heritage architecture in Australia is preserved.
I love this little guy. Wouldn't it be great to hug him. HUG
I WANT ONE!
The Yarra River in downtown Melbourne
I love this tree! Nature is Awesome.
It reminds me of the Banyan tree in Florida.
Al, your snippets of life photographs are terrific. I feel as if I am there, walking with these people.
This is the Flinders Street Station in Melbourne. I used a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ10 with a Leica lens
Once again, awesome photography! Al, you must use professional equipment. what did you use to take these magnificent pictures? I feel as if I'm looking at National Geographic.
A short greeting from Bavaria, Today it is rainy, I stay home and do the wash and crossword puzzles, read and feed the cat of house, Murlie took right away to me, cats know, when one is a cat lover! We had yesterday 32 C , a hot and beautiful day, went to Munich for the day and at night we ate all at my older daughter.
lovely pictures from Australia, Al and nice comments about the concerts from André from all .
On the 3rd of June I will be in Maastricht, wonder what I will see there????? Talk to you later again, Inge
Oh I would love to see Bavaria. My family is from Germany but it has been so long. I am 94 years young.
dear Al. Noted the pic of the Flinders bldg. The man it is named for has the distinction of being the man who circumnavigated the Aussie continent, with not much more than a row-boat. The feat was accomplished not long after the settlements were established.
Their Governor was none other than Wm. Bligh of Mutiny on the Bounty fame or
infamy as you will. He didn't fare any better as a governor than as a sea captain so he was replaced with a man named McQuarrie, who was a vast improvement in that he treated the
transported in a more humane fashion.
Australia is a fascinating country as its' roots are so different from the other places in the world which were colonized by the British, who at time were very heavy-handed. They did some good things & some pretty bad stuff as
well, but that cannot be judged by to-days standards. Those times were much more primitive & brutal, & we like to think mankind has gotten better but only in small doses. Am looking forward to meeting your friends & family. Used live in Kelown, until I came to Brooks in June 97. Time does fly. Love Marianne
Love Marianne
What is amazing about this sulphur-crested cockatoos, is that you are probably looking at a bird that was born when you were just starting school, Al.