Loaring Place Bed and Breakfast, Margaret River, Western Australia

Sunday, 17 January 2010

Meekadarabee Falls, Ellensbrook Homestead

There is a 30 minute walk to two grottos along the Ellenbrook River at the Ellenbrook Homestead. The bush is absolutely beautiful and the grottos quite enchanting.

Beginning of the walk with the homestead in the background.

Labels: bush, Kids

Kangaroos on the lawn

A kangaroo family dropped by this morning for a feed and a drink. Their joey was in the bushes to the right and was too shy to come out. The big male had quite a long drink. They would really like to get to the grape vines but I have bird wire all around them now so they are protected. We have 4 bird baths around the house that are used all the time by the fly catchers and honey eaters that are in the forest.

Labels: bush, nature

Wednesday, 9 December 2009

Time and weather in Lake Grace

The Trevenen Road house in Lake Grace where Amanda, Andrew and Saskia live has a long history of occupation and there are pieces of junk slowly dissolving into the landscape.

Only a geologist would love this resistant rock sticking out of the sapropel

Metal on a boulder

Lid of a drum finally held down by a stick. Bullet holes in the drum.

Labels: bush

Sunday, 22 November 2009

Jo on horseback in Karridale

Joanna was invited to go for a ride on Rebel with Terry Nicolls on Alias in Karridale. Unfortunatley the weather closed in and and a light rain settled in so they had to return early. Terry is a great horseman and has rebuilt a sulky that he plans to use in the future with a new horse called HB (Hayburner).

Labels: bush, Horses

Wednesday, 28 October 2009

Spot the new plant species

I've discovered what might be a new species. I first saw one specimen last year and thought it might belong to the Arum family (Araceae). The same plant flowered again this year and I've since spotted quite a few other specimens on our block and the neighbours block.

This morning looking out the back I noticed one hiding in the bushes. See if you can spot it.

Labels: bush, flora, flower, nature

Thursday, 15 October 2009

Rainbow Birds have returned

Spring is in full swing, with our Scarlet Robins building a nest and the arrival of the Rainbow Birds (AKA Bee Eaters). These birds winter in northern Australia and Indonesia, returning each Spring to nest in sandy open banks on the sides of the Margaret River. They make burrows in the sand and nest in the bottom of them, flying out and in at speed so that predators can't see the nest.

Labels: Birds, bush

Saturday, 26 September 2009

Rattlebeaks and Giant Spiders

The bush is coming alive with orchids. I've just seen my first Rattlebeak Orchid and there are lots of Giant Spider Orchids, as well as a new all white spider orchid.

The Farmers Market and Lions Market are on this morning so heading out to those.

Labels: bush, flora, flower, Orchids

Monday, 11 May 2009

Wildlife

The Margaret River region is renowned for beautiful landscapes featuring unique flora. Loaring Place has a variety of beautiful flowers in the peaceful bush surrounding the Bed and Breakfast - nature on your doorstep.