This is a NOISY Miner Bird

This is what a NOISY MINER looks like
for the benefiT of those folk who get them mixed up with MYNAH birds
which are BROWN!

Yes I know the shot is a bit blurry but the bird kept moving feeding on the pollen of these autumn camellias.

Yes there is a creek sorta on and off

The recent heavy March 2013  actually briefly filled the RUNNEL my nickname for the creek / storm water drain that runs thru the park.

This is what it looks like on the rare occasions water is running or receding downslope before it  dries out again.

I wonder if it will ever be full enough for kids to do something as old fashioned as sail paper or leaf boats down it? I have not seen kids down that for a few years now?

Happy Birthday Fellow Geminis

Enjoy this free png format ecard

Dog Walkers Beware!

Do you use the park that runs parallel to Pretoria Parade?

I've never actually seen any rangers enforce this but do keep an eye out just in case. Personally I have NO objections to well behaved dogs running off the leash so long as its away from the play area and the only bad dog behaviour I've seen was really more heard. Some dogs will bark at others. And then there's the Killer Marshmallows two terriers who seem to aggravate other dogs simply by strutting past them. Yes T78 and B5678 we love you and you areboth adorable but also very macho!  Anyway just careful! Some one must have complained.

However do watch out.

A note to those timid about dogs. If a strange dog  lunges leaps or runs towards you on or off a lead just stand still and straight and  tell it firmly to stay down.
If it shows signs of aggression like barking and isnt with an owner calmly walk away.

Leather Tribe New Store

New store leather tribe shoes leather goods bags belt but be warned no shoe boots over 7 or 8

History under your feet

Next time you walk past the Polaris building on your way to Barker or College Crescent or Waitara or elsewhere glance down and check out this plaque. 

Where the Polaris block of apartments is now was once the location of the Masonic hall used for a variety of local community events.

The nearest community event venue is now ... er ... mmm ... oh there's meeting room in the library and the war memorial hall next to the RSL and ... and ... lets hope some of these promised west side developments really do include space for community events and services at a low and reasonable cost?

Australian Women at War

Facing the main War Memorial at Hornsby is a low brick wall supporting flag poles and covered with plaques in memory of World War 2 including this one.

Never forget women served too. Think of the military nurses who ended up in Japanese war camps or the support staff in offices and many others.