A tribute to Mr Percival

Recently I went to Goolwa for a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the movie 'Storm Boy' which was filmed in the Coorong and nearby Goolwa and Port Elliot. Boat enthusiasts have restored the little boat from the film and it was displayed in the Centenary Hall car park. Also on display were posters, photos and other film memorabilia. Along with 200 people I listened to a talk about Colin Thiele, the South Australian author who had written the novel 'Storm Boy' back in 1964. But the film, released in 1976, was a huge success for the fledgling Australian film industry, as well as endearing us forever to pelicans. The highlight of the afternoon was a showing of the movie; there were lots of sniffles when we learnt of Mr Percival's fate and more when we saw the baby pelicans.

So the pelican (Pelicanus Conspicillatus) is my current favourite bird. I spotted them in a lagoon in Berri and on the Murray River in Renmark on our recent trip. And here in Encounter Bay and beyond we are blessed with a plentiful supply: in the Hindmarsh estuary, the Inman River, the Murray over at Goolwa, and the Coorong peninsula.

I love how noble and graceful they look as they glide across the tannin-coloured waters of the estuary or strut along the white sand beaches, or suddenly pierce the surface of the water with their long pink beak to nibble a fish. I adore the way it opens its pouch to gobble its meal, as in the next photo.

On the Murray River

On the Coorong

The Onkaparinga River

My camera can't get enough of them. Just turn your head a little more to the left Mr Percival.....

We visit a waterfall

After three days of rain, wind and general dreariness, Saturday dawned crisp and clear with a sparkling blue sky and a hint of warmth. Perfect for a trip to Hindmarsh Falls, about 30kms due north of home. How I loved the drive: the winding road, stunning vistas of lush green hills rising, falling and stretching in endless folds to the horizon, deep verdant valleys, the occasional farmhouse, pockets of bushland, then to the edge of the Hindmarsh Tiers. Unfortunately, there was no place to stop safely for a photo and capture the peaceful panorama.

We found the falls by following a gravel and muddy road then walked down a steep concrete-step path. The recent rains meant that the water gushed over the rocks to fall in frothy eddies, then fell further to a calmer pool then leapt over the rocky edge to plummet downstream and continue on as the Hindmarsh River.

Upstream

The Falls 

I then concentrated on looking for details in the surrounding environment.

We motored on to Myponga (passing Rowley Road, named after Dad's part of the family who settled here in the 1860s), wandered around the Saturday market, had lunch at the bakery, continued on to Yankalilla  then home through the Inman Valley. On the way back I was able to record some bucolic scenes.

A gorgeous Saturday drive.

The architecture of Encounter Bay

Our home was built in a small part of Encounter Bay about 8 years ago, so all the homes are of the same vintage and look fairly similar in style.

However, wandering the nearby streets that wind down to the ocean or up into the hills, I am amazed at the diversity of architecture and how the houses of such different eras sit companionably with each other, from ultramodern to fibro beach shacks, timber cottages, bland seventies red-brick homes and (probably my favourites) the glorious mellow-coloured stone cottages of the early twentieth century.  There are permanent homes, holiday houses, and rentals; a wonderful melange of styles and all lovingly cared for.
I took my Lumix with me last week to record some of these.

 One of the earliest was built in 1878 and is now rental accommodation.

Here are those lovely stone cottages that caught my eye.

 I love looking for details.

This typical cottage is a real gem, with its perfectly white picket fence.

This Arts & Crafts style house is dwarfed by old gums.

There's an element of the Californian bungalow about this next one.

I love the air of mystery with this house. To me it sums up lazy holidays by the sea.

Most of the older homes are surrounded by mature trees.

Many homes in Encounter Bay, whether holiday or permanent, are often basic in style, reflecting the relaxed way of life here and the adage 'easy maintenance, easy care'.

And of course, there are modern homes. Some of these are built to pay homage to earlier styles with complementary gardens, as in this one...

...while others make use of modern material such as corrugated iron and use dry-weather plants.

 Some make use of the local stone as a feature.

Some are rather conservative and suburban....

others are small but contemporary in style.....

 ... and others are just big!

I'll finish with a favourite view of mine - at sunrise from the front fence of a seaside cottage.

Winter colour

A walk around the local wetlands recently had me admiring the wonderful array of floral delights. I always thought spring was the time for this bonanza, but evidently, not so. I am not sure of the names of some of these plants, a serious setback and something I should rectify.
This one, however, is easy. It's a flag iris (I think).

I'm on a roll now - this one is the common pig face that looks lovely spilling over the bank and down to the lake.

And while the flowers took most of my attention, I did manage to spot a duck and an ibis.