We had a wonderful summer in Australia. Dr. D was busy doing research but we got to see lots of new places and meet many wonderful people along the way.
Getting ready for the long 14.5 hours flight to Sydney. We had two more flights after that one. In total, we spent about 35 hours in the air this summer. The girls did great much to our relief, as well as fellow passengers.
Miss A's first flight. A little international traveler at just 8 months.
Luckily for us Miss S was seated next to Mr. and Mrs. Petty, family of the people we stayed with on our first trip down under. Talk about a small world.
Miss S got to hold a koala in Brisbane.
Miss A and Dr. D in Quilkan country.
The whole family near the big lagoon (place of the rainbow serpent) at Chuulangun.
Miss S making fast friends.
Miss S checking out a grass tree.
Crossing the Pascoe River. At this time the depth was about 2 feet (0.5 m). We had other crossings that were 4 feet deep. Good to have a snorkel on the Prado.
Dr. D mid-stream.
Miss A making friends.
Miss S enjoyed the frogs of Chuula. Here is a common tree frog.
Who's for dinner. The miniature tree frog is about the size of a typical fly.
82% relative humidity and on the way to burn a patch of tea tree country. Another small world event... Shaun (left) knows friends of ours from home.
Old man Dundee demonstrates how to use stringybark (AKA messmate) to spread fire.
Miss A experienced her first landscape-scale fire. No better time to learn about the right fire.
A nice low intensity burn removing the dry grass while leaving the canopy intact.
Miss S even lent a hand to the burning effort.
Miss A really took a liking to Grandpa Steve.
Miss A really enjoyed her first taste of watermelon. Well deserved after a morning of burning. Miss A got to try all sorts of new foods including custard for breakfast.
Dr. D with fellow fire mob.
Nighttime burning in stringybark country.
Photos don't capture the awe inspiring beauty of a nighttime burn under the southern constellations.
Helping out with data collection. Miss A is a quick learner.
Gone fishing on the Wenlock. Miss S helps reel in a black brim for dinner on a handline.
Cooling off in the Wenlock.
Fire, fire, fire. Miss S is a fire enthusiast. Here she is building a campfire. The hand motions are the dancing flames. Quite poetic.
Dr. D relaxing by the fire after a long day in the field.
Heading out to the field. Miss S really wanted to ride the quad.
Giant golden orb weaver in the rainforest near Chili Beach, Iron Range National Park.
Miss A really enjoyed the day at the beach despite being a little under the weather.
Every evening brought a beautiful sunset. Sometimes the simple things in life are overlooked.
Saying 'goodbye' to our hosts (Claudie family). We can't wait to return.
Miss S. enjoyed the sendoff with the didgeridoo. Dr. D is practicing his skills now.
Kookaburra sits in the old... well its a tea tree. But the blue-winged kookaburra is a great bird with a lovely call to wake up to in the morning.
The sacred lotus in bloom at Lakefield National Park.
Woke up to a flat. Miss S lends a helping hand in replacing the tire (or is it tyre).
The flocks of rainbow lorikeets were among Miss A's favorite. Here is a closeup shot of one near the Laura Roadhouse.
Saltwater crocodiles occur in many areas of tropical Oz.
Fortunately the mozzies were not too bad during this trip, but we found humor with this caravan.
Outgoing tide at Cape Tribulation.
As if the crocs weren't enough... some of the jelly fish (stingers) can be lethal. Apparently not an issue during the winter months along the Cape York Peninsula.
Auntie Gail looked after us at Cape Tribulation.
Daintree National Park (Queensland wet tropics) rainforest.
Family shot at Mossman Gorge.
Baron Falls near Kuranda, Queensland.
Miss S and the Sydney Opera House.
Sydney skyline at night.
Yes, some buildings do have a 13th floor, and we stayed on it.
Thanks to Oli and family (below) for showing us around the Blue Mountains.
The rainbow was a nice end to a great day in the mountains.
Miss S hanging out with her cousin in the pool waterfall at the Buckley's party.
Miss A helped herself to pluots while daddy was harvesting them.
It is so much fun being able to walk around and pull things off the table.
We entered some photos and canned goods into the county fair before heading out to Australia. Dr. D received a 1st place ribbon for his zucchini relish, 2nd for his bread and butter pickles and a 2nd for a photo. I received a 1st for a photo. We had fun seeing what placed and also visiting all the livestock.
Miss S of course loved all the carnival rides.
Miss A started eating cheerios when we got back home too. Now Kylie stays close by in the event that there is a stray cheerio.
Dr. D went out for a run on Lake Englebright.
Miss S loved being out on the water too.
Miss A our seasoned camper.
Why play with the toys when you can crawl in the box and sit on them.
AHHH nice and cool on those incoming teeth.
I'm off and walking with the aid of some toys.
Behold the watermelon...from seeds that Miss S scattered in the garden.
Miss S very serious in her muffin making.
The girls in their cute dresses made by grandma H.
Miss S and her first cotton candy. She was not sure how she was supposed to tackle eating it. I had to show her how.
Miss S with her first face painting of a little heart.
Miss S was very excited to show me her creation.
