Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Top of the Morning from the Land Down Under

Greetings from Summer! How nice it is to be on the wrong side of the world in the middle of winter. I am working and dodging wet season raindrops in Port Douglas, in the far northeastern part of Australia.
After a quick, effortless 36 hour travel day that included brief stops in Denver, San Francisco and Sydney - I woke up to this murky full moon descending just as the sun was rising up out of the Coral Sea. Dueling rain showers north and south called to mind Prince and his purple rain - music to my eyes.

I really can't complain about the view from the office - delicious raspberry toned clouds floating against a bright, blue sky sprinkled on the edges with palm trees. Pinch me. So what if its 5:45 am. I ran down to the beach to see what daybreak might reveal.

Rainbow bee-eaters! Eureka!!! Hosting IATB last month - I met and fell in love with bee-eaters here. I could not believe my good fortune! Not a soul in sight and a beach full of rainbow bee-eaters!

And solemn tides lapping gently

remnants of the waves having already meet the Great Barrier Reef that lies just distant

and rivulets rushing in from the rainforests of Daintree

at this place where the jungle meets the sea

other feathered friends had come and gone.

but not the insect-hawking rainbow bee-eaters!

Time to put the camera down and marvel at those elongated tail feathers...

and the tropical splendor of this amazing place...

where the only footprints for miles around are mine. And I wonder why...

but not for long!

Queensland, Australia
Home to rainbow bee-eaters and empty beaches and box jellyfish

27 comments:

  1. What a wonderful beach you have there. The forms of the sand are magnificent.

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  2. Anonymous1:32 AM

    sunrise is my most favorite time of day and you captured it so beautifully with your pictures. I sure miss the beach now. My world entry is up too.

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  3. Anonymous2:37 AM

    Oh my gosh... this is an outstanding set of pictures! Great job with this.

    My World welcomes you here. Have a great day!

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  4. Gorgeous series of images. Your Douglas is a lot prettier than the one here, and we hardly ever have jellyfish on the beach.

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  5. absolutely wonderful post and photos. enjoyed each and every one.
    the beautiful sky...the birds, the ocean.
    thanks for sharing with us.
    have a great week.
    erin

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  6. My favorite pic was the one of the flower. All of them are awesome. Glad trip was uneventful.

    Your right, I do need to make a trip to the west sometime so I will know a prarie dog from a gopher. lmao

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  7. Beautiful photos! I hope they send some of that rain to the bush fire areas. I love you first, "purple rain" shot. All of them, actually, but your description was so fitting.

    Glad you escaped without need of vinegar!

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  8. Beautiful, TR! You know, if you ever want to switch jobs for a while, I'd be more than happy to oblige!

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  9. Stunning, as usual. When the only footprints around are mine, I'm happy. ;)

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  10. Great sights from your world. Thanks!

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  11. I hope I get to see a rainbow bee eater someday. The name sounds made up! It would be a good name for a rock band! Wonderful photography as always TR. I hope you are enjoying yourself. I awoke to snow this morning!

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  12. Oh man, I would have LOVED to see bee-eaters in Port Douglas. We spent part of our honeymoon there in October. Great little town. I highly recommend Salsa's Restaurant. It's not Mexican, although it sounds it. Hope you see a Cassowary!

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  13. Anonymous9:21 PM

    Such stunning photos and I love the one with the bird on the end of the branch . . . WOW

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  14. I love the flower. Thanks for sharing your beautiful world. I love the photos.
    Have a great week.
    Grammy
    Missouri, USA

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  15. A book, "Destinations by TR", "The View from My Office Around the World", "How I Make Most Working Stiff Jealous as Hell".

    Hugs,
    Mary

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  16. oh my these are instant favorites. i love your shots.

    Let me share to you My World thru Cagayan De Oro's Night Cafe.

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  17. Anonymous6:02 PM

    Beautiful photos - how did you stand to leave, even for just a little while?

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  18. Glorious. Glorious. Glorious. My dear bloggy, Le, at http://www.thirdontheright.com lives in Aussie. I'm sure it's a long shot. I believe she is in Brisbane. She is such a great gal and blogger. How wild if you met her before you meet me. hahahahahaha.

    i can't B-lieve U didn't win. P.O. I am.

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  19. Anonymous6:57 PM

    Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! What rich color in the full moon sky- purple rain indeed.Those bee eaters are magic.

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  20. You do great work, my friend.

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  21. Beautiful series of images. The bee-eater silhouette shot is cool, the first 2 images of sunset are marvellous as well...Thomas

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  22. Hi TR,

    What a great adventure you are having from under there...

    I'm looking forward for your next post... I'm imagining it will be all underwater pics... :)

    I am excited!

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  23. Wonderful scenic photos and welcome to Australia. So peaceful to have those moments to yourself. I love the bee-eater silhouettes.

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  24. Your photos are beautiful! Photographing the beach is always a hoot. Check out my new book at: http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Photo-Opportunities-San-Francisco/dp/1598638009

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  25. Anonymous11:28 PM

    Glad to have you in the land of Oz (if only briefly). G'Day. Hope you enjoy yourself!

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  26. I could leave this comment on so many of your photographs. Stunning, jewel-like, endurable images. So glad Debby sent me.

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  27. Anonymous8:41 AM

    I remember seeing those vinegar stations at Mission Beach in Queensland--I thought it was some kind of salad dressing for the clam bakes. Silly me!

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