Ken and Emily on the deck at Hyams Beach enjoying a quiet moment.

On inspecting the back garden this morning — 132mm rain since early Tuesday — I was surprised by this. Sharing the web with a much smaller spider — possible the male — this critter has a leg span of 75mm.

Rain has been great for garden and the new rose bed didn’t wash away.

[Show as slideshow]

Has burst out and expanded — the close-up is hanging over the back gate — so the bush has sneaked out a metre since last year.

Tillandsia cynea, from Ecuador via Bunnings. More at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tillandsia_cyanea.

Is this the Homo Sapiens equivalent of red-arsed monkeys? Is this ‘I want a mate’ signalling or did she get up too late to do this at home?

Sydney trains are useful for anthropological field work. This was going into the City. Coming home an old guy who could barely lift his phone had a long, loud, animated and interesting conversation. Those who resent mobile phone conversations in public should relent a little  — the differently-abled have communication.

The smart phone has given us observers of people a very useful tool. I can take the above while appearing to change my podcast choice — and continue listening.

Long ignored, I discovered that this tree in the front garden has delicious fruit. Self-seeded we have no idea what variety but probably Haas.

Near the back door and had to rebuild it’s web after I damaged it with the tripod. Back to hand-holding and now using the Leica 45mm macro which has it’s focusing challenges. More info. of this youngster at http://ednieuw.home.xs4all.nl/australian/Cyrtophora/Cyrtophora.html

burst into flower last week. Classified as a pest in Hawaii, it livens up the back garden at Xanadu. More info. at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tibouchina

[Show as slideshow]

The cyst was an impacted hair follicle and the wound is healing well. Ten stitches to be removed next week and since the cyst was cut out, she has become very sparky.

Outside the kitchen window this morning.