Show us your muscles.

One of the things that I enjoy most about the summer, is that I can get to go snorkelling.  Now, we are not normally talking about coral reefs here - but even the cooler water of SE Australia can be remarkable.

One day I'll get something a little more sophisticated that a waterproof point and short - one day!

These shots are taken around Picnic Bay, nr. Coles Bay in Tasmania.

I really like the way the the water surface acts like a mirror - and if the truth be told, I'm never sure out these underwater images will turn out.

I was happily looking at the rock formations - and the muscles - when I happened upon the smooth ray.  This thing is the best part of five or six feet across!  I just pointed and shot!  It was only when I had a look at the picture on the computer that I saw that the ray had some companion fish!  I rather like that!

You can find more images from around the world at Our World Tuesday.  SM

Danger

This sign was on the wall of an old tram depot in Launceston, Tasmania that has been turned into museum and gallery.

I rather like the way that the white background of the sign only seems to have survived in the loops of the letters.

You can find more macro shots at Macro Monday2 and I Heart Macro.  SM

With just a hint on a rainbow

It would be honest to say that the weather at Cradle Mountain in Tasmania was not as good as we had hoped for - although it did mean we were justified in lighting a fire in the afternoon each day!

On the morning of our last day there I went back up to Dove Lake to see if there were any pictures to be had.  While the wind was not the coldest I have ever felt, it was the coldest I have felt in years!  In some places it was hard to stand up.

And then, for about two minutes there was sunshine - and this faint rainbow popped out.  I tried like hell to make the rainbow pop as much in the picture as I could - but I was losing touch with my fingers by this - just after I took this shot it started snowing - and remember this is summer!

As with many of my pictures, it looks much bigger larger!

You can find more skies from around the world at Sky Watch Friday.  SM

Wild Bird Wednesday 137 - Noisy Miner.

Back to a more conventional WBW this week!

This bird is a Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala) and while its a rather splendid looking bird it presence is not always welcome.

The scientific name refers to both the birds large nostrils and its back head - both of which can be seen in these pictures.

What the picture does not show is that this bird is both colonial and aggressive, meaning that if a colony does become established in an area it can be very bad news for other species.  This species is also had home in a range of habitats - including ones that have become somewhat degraded.  All in all this leads to as species that can 'take over' isolated patches of habitat to the exclusion of other species.  This is especially a problem in the fragmented habits we often find in urban or urban fringe areas.

All this is a bit of a shame really, as it is a rather splendid looking bird!

Now its your turn - and remember that all kinds, styles and levels of technique are welcome here - and I would encourage people to visit as many of the links as possible!

Last weeks WBW was the most populus (in terms of links) for a while - so feel free to invite as many birders as possible.

An InLinkz Link-up