<i>It would be faster to fly to New Guinea.</i>

I don't think I'd mind doing that at all, now that you mention it.

I forget sometimes how much of Australia is still north of you

Wow, that's some construction project the Bowerbird gets up to. Interesting!

Of all the Aussie birds that first seemed so foreign to me at first, the one that I came to love most was the the sound of the Bell Miner. When I first heard them, they reminded my how far I was from home. Of course, one adapts and joins in and I've come to think of them as the voice of Australia.

I too love the call of Bell Miners. This far north we don't have them but the Spotted Pardalote can sound a bit like them.

Fabulous video Alan.

Oddly enough, I miss the screeching, laughing and cawing of those prolific Aussie birds. I've seen masses of deer, squirrels and prairie dogs, but there just aren't enough colorful and noisy birds here in CO. I DO adore the cooler (and downright cold) weather though...it's going to be quite a shock when I'm plunged into summer on my return to Perth next week.

I took a walk through the fire ravaged neighborhood of Mountain Shadows today. It was sobering, as one might expect. The fire was ruthless, yet merciful, demolishing some homes, yet sparing those right next door. An odd sight indeed.

The affected neighborhoods have made incredible progress in such a short time. Potential erosion is the current concern, but efforts to keep it in check are well underway. Good on ya, Colorado Springs!

Only 19*C in Perth this afternoon. It is even hotter than that on the Tablelands! Here is is 30*C. In Perth next Monday it will be 32 and 34 on Tuesday before cooling down for a few days.

Tomorrow both Hobart and Sydney will be hotter than here in Yungaburra.

Can't wait for the cool change. It was 38 here in Melbourne today.

32, 34, 38....argh!

Anything over 26c is hot to me; 19 sounds pretty good though.

Colorado is having a very weird weather year. They desperately need snow...or rain...or any kind of moisture... but the temps have been barely below freezing at night and into the upper 60's and low 70's by day. Coldest it's been since I've been in town is 9F, which felt pretty good to me, as there was no wind (with wind I'd have frozen my tatas off). I just put on an extra layer and walked for two hours that morning, felt good.

36*C in Brisbane but up here in the tropics 29*C right now. We we have a cool 19 tonight while down south in our subtropical capital it will be a minimum of 22.

Meant to say Mel that at that temperature my ears begin to ache.

That's what fleece hats are for Alan!

Back in Perth after an incredibly long return journey.

As if 26 hours in the air wasn't bad enough, there were lengthy delays in Seoul due to weather, airport congestion, de-icing and the plane mysteriously needing four new tires.

I woke at the crack of dawn this morning to the sounds of those boisterous Aussie birds...I'm home.