Day 19 - Home at last!

Today I woke up determined not to be lazy and to explore regardless of the weather. After some mindless computer work and breakfast I went for a run in the park - I actually made it two laps this time! (6.4 k). After lunch I decided to head down into the city to explore. I stopped at Melbourne Central for bit (GIANT mall (Spanning 2 blocks or something - and about 5 levels worth of stores). At federation square I paid a visit to the information center and picked up more brochures to investigate. I continued on and decided to take a walk along the Yarra (river). I saw some new birds and got caught in the rain for a bit but then I found my new home. I reached the gates to the Royal Botanic gardens. I guess when I heard the word "Garden" I was envisioning some type of mulchified field with lots of petunias. This is not at all what I found. There were hundreds of amazing plant and tree species, ponds, wooden walk ways, hidden fern grottos, and little stone hide-aways. It was amazing, new birds everywhere I was like a kid stepping into a candy factory. Since I had taken my time getting there ( the city is about 5k from Whitley and the gardens farther than that - a good 50-60 minute walk depending on traffic) I didn't have a lot of time to explore - I raced to everywhere I could manage before I had to turn around and start back to Whitley. I think I may borrow bike in the future for such excursions cause 20k in a day is a bit tiring. Anyway I am so excited to have finally found a natureish place to explore that I am heading back tomorrow. After dinner I read for a while before I was invited to go down to Pugs and watch a Red Hot Chili Peppers Coverband. I figured watching a band would prevent me from going to sleep at 10 so I took my friends up on the offer. I decided to only stay for one set and then home to bed. I apologize for the lack of pretty garden pictures - the rainy overcast weather made them all turn out yucky - hopefully tomorrow will be sunny and I can get some good ones.


The shot factory inside Melbourne central - the shopping center is built around it - The dome is supposed to help preserve the historic tower from the elements


Masked Lapwing


From the front...


This is a Darter - apparently they aren't all that common in this area - he was a bit aggressive so maybe he was hurt?


Eastern Spinebill - picture a bigger hummingbird and that's this guy