Just a small clip as the poignant notes of The Last Post greet the morning light at Montville Dawn service.

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Ode of Remembrance

"They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them."

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A theme very dear to my heart and I am very fortunate to live close to several National Parks including this one called Kondalilla which features quite often in my photos.

"Tall open eucalypt forest mingles with rainforest species in wetter areas. A drier forest grows on the western escarpment, featuring casuarinas with a grass tree understorey. Subtropical rainforest grows below the escarpment, where soil and aspect are suitable, and riparian rainforest lines the creek. From viewing points, emergent bunya pines Araucaria bidwillii can be seen towering above the rainforest canopy."
heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/stories/environment/kon...

Much as I love walking in these forests my real pleasure in this week's theme will be from seeing those beautiful beech and oak forests of the northern hemisphere which were so much part of my early life.

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Shingleback Lizard
"A close relative of the more familiar blue tongue lizard, the shingleback is an extremely distinctive member of the lizard family known as skinks. Its two most striking features are the short-rounded tail, which bears a remarkable resemblance to the head end to confuse predators and the huge scales covering the body giving it a rough and bumpy appearance. The general colour varies somewhat from an all-over dark brown to patterns of light brown, cream and even yellow. Like its close relative, the tongue is large, fleshy and dark blue in colour and used to warn off any potential threats such as dingoes or foxes. Adult shinglebacks are robust lizards with a broad, triangular head. A large adult will measure over 35cm in length."

Tags:   Smile on Saturday Smile Nature in Hand Shingleback Lizard Hands Holding Animal Australia Zoo Keeper Education

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