Tree Squares: Around the Power Lines

This is a determined tree!

I snapped this tree with my phone today, while out walking (exercise being one of the four permitted reasons to leave your home in Sydney these days). In the 15 years I’ve lived in this area of Sydney, I’ve never walked down this street before, so was taken aback when I spotted this. I’m amazed that the electricity company goes to the bother of trimming the inside branches of this tree so they don’t touch the lines, rather than simply cutting it back. And I admire this tree’s determination to grow up and around!

July Squares are all about Trees

Tree Squares: Bottle Tree

Planted in 2007

Here’s another interesting tree type from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. The trees in these photos are both Queensland Bottle Trees, one much younger than the other.

The label for this tree didn’t say when it was planted, unfortunately, but look at the size of the trunk!

It’s so large that it needs propping up.

About the trees

July Squares are all about Trees

Tree Squares: Not extinct after all

The Wollemi Pine was thought to be extinct until 1994, when specimens were identified in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. A program to conserve and propagate these trees, in the wild and in gardens, aims to preserve the species. This one is in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney.

It’s not the most attractive tree I’ve ever seen, but the scientists seem very excited.

A plaque commemorates the tree’s planting.

Wondering about the statue at the tree’s base?

July Squares are all about Trees

Tree Squares: Winter (2)

Bare branches and a palm tree. View from my kitchen, Sydney, July 2021

July Squares are all about Trees

Vivid Blues

Customs House, Vivid 2014

The Vivid light festival was cancelled in 2020 due to covid, and this year it’s been moved from the usual late May/early June slot to August. Let’s hope that by then, Sydney’s covid crisis is over and we can get out and about.

Sydney Opera House, Vivid 2014

Life in Colour: Blue

Sydney Tower aglow

sunset, 3 July 2021

#WordlessWednesday

Tree Squares: Dead

I couldn’t think of a kinder way to say it, but this tree is, well, dead. Very striking, though, with its strong and dramatic lines. I spotted it while walking between Coogee and Maroubra, which are Sydney coastal suburbs.

I thought those bold shapes and textures would work well in black and white, too.

July Squares are all about Trees

CBWC: Trees or Tree Parts

Last on the card: June

You wouldn’t believe it, but there’s quite a good view of the city and North Sydney behind all this morning fog.

Last on the card

Panic buying in Sydney? Who, us?

My local supermarket about 1pm today.

Day 1 of a two-week Greater Sydney lockdown. We’re not off to a good start.

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian, speaking today

Posted as part of Six Word Saturday

Australian White Ensign

Navy helicopter towing an enormous white ensign

The Australian Navy White Ensign was introduced in 1967, replacing the previous practice of flying the Royal Navy’s White Ensign on Australian Navy vessels.

White ensign and tall ship Lord Nelson

On 4 October 1913, the first Royal Australian Navy fleet entered Sydney Harbour. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of that event, an International Fleet Review was held in Sydney Harbour in October 2013. Ships came from around the world — not only military vessels, but other types. One of those ships was the tall ship Lord Nelson, owned by the Jubilee Sailing Trust and home-ported in Southampton, England. (And now, sadly, retired, leaving the JST with only Tenacious.) I’d been involved with the JST and ‘Nellie’ since 1993, so was thrilled to be aboard once again, although the mixing of my old UK life and my new Aussie life was odd!

White ensign and tall ship Lord Nelson

Life in Colour (White)