We thought our friends and family would want to see how we are doing, so we put together a post with some pictures from the past couple weeks. Meg and I spent Easter weekend with her Dad and Glenda in Bermagui where they have a house on the coast. The first couple pictures show the beach out in front of the house where we spent most of our time. The water was 72 degrees, and the waves were rolling.

We spent Easter Sunday climbing Gulaga, the mountain pictured below. The area has several drastically different environments all right next to each other. The terrain goes from the beach, with arid plants, to rolling country farm land, to eucalypt forest, to temperate rain forest.

When we were approaching the top of the mountain, we discovered three Lyre birds. Lyre birds are known as the best mimics in nature. Their call is a combination of every other bird in the forest, with some mad man sounds thrown in as well. I recorded one that was hiding in the nearby brush. Click the play button to hear it.

It was difficult to get a picture of one since they constantly are moving between the trees and bushes. I managed to snap this one picture as it ran across the trail.

Also on the mountain there are Bell birds. The Bell birds all group together, such that you can walk for hours, not hearing a single one, until suddenly you are surround by hundreds of little ringing bells. Click play to listen ( i haven’t figured out what type of bird is making the single loud call):

The environment becomes a temperate rain forest about half way up the mountains. Some of the ferns towered over our heads.

Surrounding the base of the mountain is idylic country. The hills are covered with lush pasture. There is really cool town nearby called Tilba, which we visited; the town was alive with the yearly easter festival, which included several live bands, a poisonous snake handler, an egg toss, and a contest called the gum boot throw (don’t ask me, i had no clue either, it had something to do with throwing an old boot up through your legs and over your head; i never figured out how or what you won.)

Meg and I now live in area just outside of Melbourne, called St. Kilda . St Kilda is located right near the bay, so the ocean is just a few blocks away. The area is full of great restaurants and all types of people. This is the George hotel on the corner of our street, a popular pub and landmark of the area.

This is the St. Kilda pier, on it is a renovated old building that is now a restaurant and wine bar.

Another famous landmark is Luna Park, a throw back amusment park, that sits right on the oceans edge.

There is a boardwalk that runs along the beach.

After fighting the rental market for a month or so, we finally landed this apartment. These photos are here at the request of Meg’s mother to assure her that we have a roof and four walls.

We hope all is well back in the states. We miss all of you and really look forward to seeing you this summer when we pop back to America for a bit.

Cheers.

3 Responses to “St. Kilda and Bermagui”

1. Thank you, Megan and JB, for posting this wonderful update! People keep telling me about the drought in Victoria, but it doesn’t seem to have hit the Tilba area…how lush it looks. Brilliant addition to have the bird sounds! I feel privileged to have the St Kilda apt photos posted in my honor :*) Very cute…lots of “Megan touches” all through the rooms. My favorite photo, though, is the close-up of my beautiful daughter (awwww:*) and her gorgeous long hair. I’m sure I’m not alone in counting the days til we see you this summer. Love you xo Mum

   posted by Mum on April 15th, 2007 at 10:00 pm

2. Happy Birthday brother. Don’t know if you’ll get my other email, so I thought I’d post it here. Even though its the 29th in Australia, you were born EST here, so it doesnt really count. Cheers to you and Megan. Stay healthy. Catch some waves!

   Patrick

   posted by ptu on June 28th, 2007 at 6:22 pm

3. Hmm well i’ve been a little out of the loop since I just noticed an update and this seems to be from Easter time but hello to both of you anyway! You both look great- happy and healthy and you keep seeing pretty incredible sites. thanks for sharing

   xoxo
   Joanna

   posted by joanna on August 7th, 2007 at 11:51 am

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