The collected works of ScottyB

Happy Australia Day (to any Aussies viewing - if any! :P)

The weather has been kind for Australia Day celebrations and right as I type, I can hear the familiar sounds of fireworks echoing through the night..

It was fantastic driving around today, seeing all the Aussie flags everywhere, people in their cars waving the flag, having huge flags anchored to their aerials and on the fronts of houses. Days like this make you truly proud to be Australian.. seeing everyone band together to celebrate the Nation and forget about the petty stuff.

Shame it wasn’t Australia Day every day really

Wish I had known where and what time the fireworks were going to be.. would have taken the camera out! Never had a chance to shoot fireworks pics.. Maybe next year! Though I guess New Years will probably be the next best opportunity.

Happy Aussie Day

Quack Quack Jill, a memorial to Ruthie Christopher, who loved to travel and meet Mini buddies from many lands.Ruthie spent time traveling with Quack Quack Jack, and her love for her family and friends was as boundless as Ed’s was. Quack Quack Jill reminds us of Ruthie’s kindness, and will travel, like Quack Quack Jack, as a reminder to us all to keep her in our hearts.

And so Quack Quack Jill makes the voyage to promised Novocastrian land. After an exciting trip across the skies, over the Nullabor, Jill was handed to me today by the lovely ClubMINI WA member, Ally.

While I never had the pleasure of meeting Ruthie (or Ed for that matter!) the essence of their spirit lives on in the form of the Duckie. And so he and she travel the world, meeting the MINI members and spreading the joy that always came from these two wonderful individuals.

For years I’ve carried the twin Duckies that Ed sent me way back when (Maxamini originals as they are often referred) so its been a wish of mine to have their larger, International siblings with me for some time so I could show them the wonders that Newcastle (and surrounds) have to offer. The little Duckies that ride with me have seen many a great sight, some beautiful roads, some sensational people. I only hope in the time I can spend with Quack Quack Jill that she too will see some beautiful sunsets and fabulous landmarks.

My interest in Photography was largely honed due to the opinions and feedback from the Amateur Photographers Roll Call thread on M2 - perhaps my favourite thread on the board - and authored, followed and loved by none other than Ruthie herself. Many a time we’d marvel at each other’s photos, dreaming of one day seeing each others’ imagery in real life. The thread lives on, as does her spirit in giving back a wonderful timeline of enthusiasts photos to the community.

We’ll never forget you Ruthie.

And Quack Quack Jill, we’ll show you the beauty of every corner of the globe.

Stay tuned for the Newcastle edition of ‘Where in the World is Quack Quack Jill’

Spotted today all over the tree out front.

We have no idea where they came from or what they are doing there. There are no signs of caterpillar invasion on the tree or any of its leaves, yet you’d think with at least 10-15 cocoons that I spotted, they’d surely have done some damage to the plant itself..

Strange. Unless they’ve come from somewhere else, but then why would a whole group of them eat another plant, all mass-commute to another then turn themselves into cocoons in the same place.. I don’t think Caterpillars are that social really?

It was a muggy day today, so sitting out in the Sun trying to get the best angle for these pics was quite unpleasant - also made exposures very difficult as obviously, a cocoon hangs from the bottom of the leaf and hence, is always in shade..

Must keep an eye on them, there was one hatched there, so maybe they’re all due to enter the world as their new selves very soon.. I’d love to be around to take pics for that!