Canberra Retreat part 2
I was up way too late watching the Australian Open, from Melbourne. It was here live on TV and lasted until the wee hours of the night.
Towards the end of the week Canberra was having some lovely warm but not brutal weather. So I took a walk that went up Red Top Hill (1-7). At the top, you have a view of the center of Canberra. Here is a panoramic from the top (2). In the detail (3) you can see the Pariliament Building (left) and the Australian War Memorial (right). They say that the office of the Prime Minister faces the monument to the sacrifices of the AU soldiers to remind him how his decisions have serious consequences.
On the way back, I came across this parrot. He is a parrot that is like the one that died hitting out school hall (but he is alive) (5-7). Usually these parrots come in pairs. Also this one looked a bit grey headed to me. I am not sure if parrots get grey as they age or if their feathers become less vibrant as the get older. In past interactions with this variety of parrot, I have noticed that they seem more skittish than the lorikeets or cockatoos. But I had the impression that he was a weathered old soul and so was not afraid. Seemed to enjoy the attention, as you can see from his smile.
On Thursday, I visited the Canberra Cathedral of St. Christopher (8-19), which was a short walk from my hotel. I loved the simple architecture. It is a modern church but preserved the best of the old. I love the detail in the stones (8-10). The windows were quite nice, too (13-19).
On the last night, I took a walk about the Capitol and the lake near it (20-27). We had some dramatic clouds and sunset. It looked like red lightening had frozen in the clouds as the sun was setting (21). Very cool! I liked the architecture of this building. A room just juts out over the sidewalk (22-23). The War Memorial (24) and the Parliament Building (23) at sunset. I didn't get a chance to go into the War Memorial on this trip, but if you come we will go; it's well worth the visit. It is full of wonderful exhibits and information about war, along with a moving wall of the dead full of red poppies in remembrance. A bell tower on the lake (26) and a pari of black swans (27).
On the last day of my retreat, I took a trip to Weston Park (28-55). Twice! Once in the morning and once in the evening. I really didn't want to leave Canberra. The weather was so nice. And I felt like I needed more time to explore.
At the park were a couple of variety of parrots. I haven't the foggiest the species. This bright fellow (28-29) was the same variety as its senior spied earier. Compare the plumage with the first bird (5-7) and you will see what I mean. This other pair (30-32) were a lot smaller. About the size of a parakeet! And they were so cute. Clearly in love. He showed off his plumes to the camera and his girlfriend (31). Just look at those colors!
And then there were roos! So many! I have never seen so many in one place sonce coming here. As I said, I went twice to the park. The first set are from the morning (34-45) and the second set are from the afternoon photo shoot (33, 46-55). Some of the animals had tags and collars (35), (I guess they want to track where they go.) I was able to capture a Joey while nursing (44) and then just lazing about after being well fed (45) with Mom ever close by.
They were clearly ever vigilant and aware of my presence. I prayed my morning prayer under a tree with them nearby so that they would get used to me and not spook. They always look as if someone has "goosed" them; check it out (37).
In the afternoon, they seemd to have more. And there were more tourists with cameras. I get angry when it seems like people don't respect the animals. They approach them as if they were tame. But roos can attack. And they have claws that are pretty sharp! I tourist got to close to them and they spooked (47-48). Here are some shots of their hops! This fellow seemed especially cute to me (50-51) Look at this last photo of him (I think it's him, 54); he seems to be posing! Finally a selfie with the roos (55). They were a lot closer than they appear in the shot…oinly a couple of meters away.