The first of these was catalysed by Frances finding a reference to Glen Iris Wetlands somewhere. On looking them up on eBird they seemed to be quite good for birding, and Google Maps showed them to be easily accessible from the end of the #6 tram line (which passes 505). So off we went.
The red arrow at the top of the next image shows where we emerged from the tram and proceeded down High St and then yellow arrows across the M1 and into the Glen Iris Park. A second red arrow, bottom left shows the #5 tram taking us back to 505.
A useful sign ...
.... and Map put up by Stonnington City Council.
The bird hide is pretty good, but bit of work with a pruner would improve the view of the wet stuff.
Useful interpretive signs were quite common.
A different, and better view of the pond - still a little fowl-challenged.
Moving on we came across a Nankeen Night-Heron, hunting in Gardiner's Creek which is rather unusual for this species in late morning.
This next lake was where all the fowl were lurking.
Juvenile and Adult Dusky Moorhen.
On leaving the wetlands we headed back across the M1 towards the Hedgely Dene Gardens. En route we saw this cleverly painted controller box.
A householder has kindly exposed this sculpture to the public gaze. Such of the house as could be seen was also pretty impressive.
A view of the Gardens.
The sappy pine cone weighed around 1 kg so the warning was well justified.
The next day we had decided to risk the forecast low temperatures and inspect Mt Macedon. When we arrived the car thermometer read 6C! The
Memorial Cross was quite impressive but I am surprised it is rated as second only to the Shrine. This is the second manifestation of the Cross after the earlier one (built in 1939) succumbed to lightning strike in 1995 and was rebuilt (in concrete rather than steel).
Nearby is Major Mitchell's Lookout with a good view to the West. He named the mountain in 1836 after Phillip of Macedon (as he could see Port Phillip Bay from the peak).
Frances picked out some white on the surrounding, but distant, hills. It turned out to be windmills rather than snow!
Walking back to the carpark we came across this notice. Details are
here: the aircraft was flying about 100m below the altitude of the ridge when it crashed. I note that the stewardess, who survived and was a genuine heroine, went to live in Reno, Nevada: presumably she reckoned her luck in air travel would transfer to casino games!
We then went to walk to the Camels Hump, a little higher than the Cross. We walked a little further than needed as I hadn't noticed the sign to the parking area when we drove in. The walking track was a tad scenic but gave us a look at the famous Hanging Rock from the top This Google Maps-snap gives the relationship ..
.. while this snap shows the rock in the middle of the valley.
Here is the rock on Mt Macedon. It is some form of igneous - ignimbrite according to "
Stories beneath our feet". I am not a climber but found
this an interesting dip into climbing culture.
I don't know who 'H Stone' was but presume that the '39' also visible below the letters implies they were involved with building the original cross. They must have had a lot of time on their hands to grind that out (the letters are about 15cm high)!
The steps were welcome!.
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