out and about in the suburbs

I have taken to carrying round a small camera so I can spontaneously photograph interesting stuff in the suburban world outside my garden.

Sign seen in passing garden


I do some work in a hospital housed in an old and not particularly attractive building. Its garden is pleasant but nothing special. But the large round windows transform the building and garden into an aesthetic wonder.




If you think this grassy lawn looks too perfect to be real, you are quite right. It is synthetic.


These gum flowers were taken in a cemetry. I love them. They are quintessentially Australian and remind me of a book I read in childhood called Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Snugglepot and Cuddlepie are cute gumnut babies who are menaced by the nasty scary Banksia Men. This Australian fairy tale was published in 1918 and is still in print. Read it if you dare ...


Next to a public library that I frequent is a structure consisting of two rows of pillars covered by vines.


I decided to take a photo of a crumb-seeking pigeon and as I did it scornfully turned its back on me.


Walking along I saw some mushrooms growing out of a crack in the footpath.

Comments

  1. What a great idea, and great picture I must carry my compact camera more.

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  2. I love your photos and the round windows really do transform a mundane area magically.

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  3. Hi Hermes, compact cameras are so useful, also mobile phones now have good cameras I think.

    Hi Noelle, you put it so well: mundaneness to magic - how about that for a slogan?

    Cheers, catmint

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  4. The round windows are especially nice. And that sign gave me a good chuckle - I should have one of those! I'm afraid all gardeners are plant killers once in a while.

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  5. the little camera has come in handy! great photos of interesting sites in the world you live in. Snugglepie or whatever sounds a bit creepy! Love that big window. what a lovely frame for the scene outdoors.

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  6. Hi VW, yes I also laughed when I saw the sign. And I'm pleased you also love the round windows. If I was building a new house I think I'd get round windows.

    Hi Wendy, thanks for your comment, I love to share views of the world I live in with friends like you who live so far away.

    Cheers, catmint

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  7. If I could I'd have large round windows like this in all my rooms. They are views to the garden and remind me of moon gates. Wonderful!

    I was looking at your other posts too. That shadow from the butterfly is like huge! Very good catch. The birds in your garden are so exotic. We only hear about them here in the U.S. but to see them in the wild in your garden is super great and real.

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  8. Great shots. I love round windows and would love to read the childrens book. Lady Banksia is a rose we have here...

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  9. Hi Catmint~~ I'm doing this too. I'm always on the alert for something to photograph. Isn't the digital age wonderful!

    You've got some great photos. I love the pink gum flowers. I'm having a case of Zonal envy right now. :)

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  10. I could do with that sign in my garden. I love round windows that frame part of a garden, especially the ones that are garden features in themselves. Bloggers and digital cameras - made for each other!

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  11. Wonderful and wondrous post, Catmint!

    Have a lot of catching up to do with reading blogs since being away... & working in the garden, of course.

    You've captured such a range - humor, subtle beauty, more humor, gorgeous banksias, (my weeping Callistemon is going great guns, btw), those pillars!
    ...dislike pigeons - I admit it,
    xo
    Alice
    Hope you get this even though it's so long after posting.

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