Monday, September 04, 2006

Spring has sprung in the National Capital

A beautiful day was well worth a walk around part of Lake Burley Griffin and through Commonwealth Park.

Manchurian Pears with Black Mountain behind.


Similar photo back in the autumn.Posted by Picasa


Manchurian Pears with Mt Ainslie in the background.


The High Court of Australia.


Commonwealth Avenue Bridge and Black Mountain Tower.


The Carillion (Bell Tower) a gift from the British Government.


Old Parliament House with New Parliament House and flagpole behind. Questacon on the right - a hands-on science museum.


The High Court of Australia.


The National Gallery of Australia.


The Carillion and Kings Avenue Bridge.


The National Library of Australia.


Pink flowering Prunus.


Lake Burley Griffin.


Weeping willow.


View across the lake to the site of Floriade - which is a magnificent display of bulbs and flowers for one month from mid-September each year.


Reflections in Commonwealth Park.


Australia's Floral emblem, Golden Wattle (Acacia).

21 comments:

Stuart said...

Gorgeous photos Alice. You could almost do a photo book on Canberra by now.

I remember seeing all these sights when I visited Canberra when I was only 10 years old (the age of my eldest boy now). Though I don't ever remember it looking as good as you've shown it here.

And, how good is Spring? It's been such a long time in the coming but now that it's here everything seems possible again.

I pity the poor northern hemisphereans (is that a word?). Looking down the barrel of another winter. Never mind, what goes around comes around.

Val said...

Hmm, don't know about Spring taking such a long time to get here, the year seems to have flown to me, Stu!

Canberra such has come along since I first saw it in 1974 after first arriving here. It has reinvented itself.

Love all the photos, Alice. That wattle is so fluffy looking.

Kerri said...

What a wonderful place for a walk that is! So beautifully maintained. The pear trees are simply magnificent. Do they have a perfume? I also love the pink prunus. And you know how I feel about wattle....I'll be singing the wattle song all day AGAIN! Thanks a lot Alice! :) Tanya made me sing it the other day :) I'm trying to remember all the words.
Stuart is right...you could publish a photo book of Canberra. Your pictures are SO beautiful.
Thanks for this wonderful tour.

Kerri said...

A note to Stuart....hey buddy, YOUR winter is NOT long....OUR winter is LONG!!!!! (think...Paul Hogan saying the "That's not a knife, THIS is a knife!" line) :)
"Looking down the barrel of another winter" is a good way to put it.
This is one Northern hemispherean who is definitely not looking forward to all those months of cold weather!
I need lots of sunshine!!

Norvona said...

Wow, Alice! The Weeping Willow has always been one of my favorite trees . . . and that one is beautiful, but the plum and the Wattle have to take first and second prize, and I can't make up my mind which. All of the photos are wonderful and I agree with Stuart and Kerri, you could/should do a photo book.

Diana LaMarre said...

Wow! Those Manchurian Pears are so beautiful. It looks like they are covered with snow.

I can't believe your winter is over already. Until I met you, I never realized what a great climate Australia has.

Sandy said...

Wow! Your pictures are gorgeous Alice! Spring is so wonderful. I agree with Kerri Stuart...are winters are long!

Alice said...

.... and I agree with Kerri and Sandy, Stuart. Our winters are not long - even shorter in Busselton, I'm sure. Even in cold Canberra there is rarely a day that you can't get out into the garden and there's always something to do - and it's definitely NOT shovelling snow.

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Canberra sure is pretty, Alice. Thanks for sharing.
Take care, Meow

Susan Tidwell said...

Springtime in Australia! Looking forward to a whole season of new flowers to carry us through the winter here.

Reflection Through The Seasons said...

Alice Dear....
What lovely pictures. Spring with you already, amazing! your winter seems to have gone remarkably quickly. What joy to be anticipating Spring. I love your picture of the weeping willow, a glorious shade of green. Such a wonderful walk, thank you for sharing it with us. Marion

TUFFENUF said...

How lovely! The manchurian pears are just breathtaking! Thanks for all the photos, I really enjoy them.

Michelle said...

That is the most used present you have ever had...the camera I mean. fantstic photos. So nice to see photos of my City as it changes and as I don't get out much...or at all!!!

Alice said...

You're right, Shelle, - there's scarcely a day goes by without me taking a few photos. Thank heavens we don't have to get them all developed.

Stuart said...

I agree with you all. Our winters in Busselton aren't long but if winter were only 1 day that would still be 1 day too long!!

Alice - I do count my blessings that I don't have to shovel snow ever!

Carole Burant said...

Oh what beautiful pictures once again...the trees in bloom are looking marvelous and I can't get over that blue sky!!

Unknown said...

Hello Dear Alice, I have returned from my break.

Your photos are superb as ever. It's lovely to see all these things, as someone who has lived in Australia for 10 years and never been to Canberra!
It looks so pretty...

xxx

Anonymous said...

I love those white flowering trees, the Manchurian Pears! They are so striking in a line along the water like that.

LindaD said...

Amazing pictures.. from your close ups to distant scenery.. All so vivid! Do those blossoms actually produce pears? Breath taking..

Jeanette said...

Hi Alice
JUst popped in for my daily dose of your beatifull photos just stunning on the lake .I was there a few years back, it was a freezing Day And the wind was blowing the spay from the fountain around as you can guess was 2 cold to stay too long .
Take care

Sigruns German Garden said...

Now I have two times the year spring: 1. in your blog and 2. in the german spring time!

Sigrun