DAM

Farm dams are an omnipresent feature in the agricultural landscapes of eastern Australia, providing essential water for stock, crops, households and for native wildlife. They have typically been shaped like a shallow pond in which water accumulates and is accessed by animals.

In the context of a changing climate, water loss from farm dams by evaporation is likely to increase due to more extended dry periods, meaning traditional dams may become a less secure farm water source. This heightens the need for careful farm water planning and dam management.

Good design, construction and management of farm dams can pay significant dividends for farm productivity and for the environment. Enhancement of existing dams has significant benefits for agricultural productivity, biodiversity and climate management, through improved water quality, improved water persistence, improved provision of ecosystem services and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

This post is part of the Roentare’s Water Meme,

and also part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

BUCOLIC SCENE

Lush countryside in Gippsland, less than an hour's drive from Melbourne. Ideal location for a day trip, and the "Deli Trail" is a must for foodies. One may find numerous outlets selling produce and gourmet food, including cheeses, free-range meats, seafood, and organic fruits and vegetables. The region's wineries are gaining recognition for producing premium, cool climate wines, with over 30 cellar doors open to the public, offering diverse food and wine.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

IDYLLIC

A farm and a farmhouse, rolling hills and horses to ride on. A forest in your back yard, and wake to the sound of birdsong every day. Quiet place, clean air, and only an hour by train from the City...

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

RURAL SERENITY

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

SUMMER SKIES

Making hay while the sun shines.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

WEST GIPPSLAND

The lovely countryside of West Gippsland on a perfect early Summer's day.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

LUSH

Lush farmland and wooded hills in West Gippsland. A rich fertile area that offers many attractions and is only a short drive from Melbourne. Many cafés, restaurants, cellar doors and breweries  are to be visited, serving up award-winning cool-climate wines, mouth-watering farm-fresh cheeses, small batch craft beers and gins, and menus packed with the best regional produce.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

CATTLE IN GIPPSLAND

Black Angus cattle originated in Scotland in the Aberdeenshire area. The breed remains very successful in both Scotland and Ireland, but is now established in many countries around the world, including Australia and USA.

Most Black Angus cattle are medium to large, naturally polled with large muscle content. Average body weight for bulls is about 1,870 pounds, while cows weigh in at 1,200. Known for their heartiness, the Angus was bred to survive harsh Scottish winters with lots of snow. Overall the breed is known for a relatively easy temperament and fast growth. The darker hide pigmentation protects the breed against cancer eye and sun- and snow-burned udders, and the breed is known for easy calving.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

CATTLE COUNTRY

Gippsland is an economic rural region of Victoria, Australia, located in the south-eastern part of that state. It covers an area of 41,556 square kilometres, and lies to the east of the eastern suburbs of Greater Melbourne, to the north of Bass Strait, to the west of the Tasman Sea, to the south of the Black-Allan Line that marks part of the Victorian/New South Wales border, and to the east and southeast of the Great Dividing Range that lies within the Hume region and the Victorian Alps.

Gippsland is generally broken down into the East Gippsland, South Gippsland, West Gippsland, and the Latrobe Valley statistical divisions. As at the 2016 Australian census, Gippsland had a population of 271,266, with the principal population centres of the region, in descending order of population, being Traralgon, Moe, Warragul, Morwell, Sale, Bairnsdale, Drouin, Leongatha, and Phillip Island.

Gippsland is best known for its primary production such as mining, power generation and farming as well as its tourist destinations— Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory, the Gippsland Lakes, Walhalla, the Baw Baw Plateau, and the Strzelecki Ranges.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

GIPPSLAND

Gippsland is an economic rural region of Victoria, Australia, located in the south-eastern part of that state. It covers an area of 41,556 square kilometres, and lies to the east of the eastern suburbs of Greater Melbourne, to the north of Bass Strait, to the west of the Tasman Sea, to the south of the Black-Allan Line that marks part of the Victorian/New South Wales border, and to the east and southeast of the Great Dividing Range that lies within the Hume region and the Victorian Alps. Gippsland is generally broken down into the East Gippsland, South Gippsland, West Gippsland, and the Latrobe Valley statistical divisions.

As at the 2016 Australian census, Gippsland had a population of 271,266, with the principal population centres of the region, in descending order of population, being Traralgon, Moe, Warragul, Morwell, Sale, Bairnsdale, Drouin, Leongatha, and Phillip Island. Gippsland is best known for its primary production such as mining, power generation and farming as well as its tourist destinations— Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory, the Gippsland Lakes, Walhalla, the Baw Baw Plateau, and the Strzelecki Ranges.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

EQUINOX SUN

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

INVERLOCH

Inverloch is a seaside village in Victoria, Australia. It is located on the Bass Highway 143 kilometres southeast of Melbourne, at the mouth of Anderson Inlet, in the Bass Coast Shire and is located close to Australia’s southernmost stand of mangroves. At the 2006 census, Inverloch had a population of 4,140.

Inverloch is a popular tourist destination, particularly for surfers, kitesurfers, windsurfers and fishers. The town hosts a jazz festival each Labour Day long weekend in March. Inverloch's amenities include a visitor information centre, two Pubs, three motels, seven bed and breakfasts, three caravan parks and a foreshore camping reserve. Like most other Australian coastal towns Inverloch has a local surf lifesaving club.

During 2005 and early 2006 the RACV built an eco-village holiday resort on the Cape Paterson Road near Inverloch. Inverloch is a popular holiday resort town for Melbournians and many of them have holiday houses here.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

CONTENTED COWS

Cows grazing in a paddock in Gippsland, about 100 km east of Melbourne.

This post is part of the Saturday Critters meme

END OF SUMMER

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.

GIPPSLAND DAY-TRIP

Gippsland is an economic rural region of Victoria, Australia, located in the south-eastern part of the state. It covers an area of 41,556 square kilometres, and lies to the east of the eastern suburbs of Greater Melbourne, to the north of Bass Strait, to the west of the Tasman Sea, to the south of the Black-Allan Line that marks part of the Victorian/New South Wales border, and to the east and southeast of the Great Dividing Range that lies within the Hume region and the Victorian Alps. Gippsland is generally broken down into the East Gippsland, South Gippsland, West Gippsland, and the Latrobe Valley statistical divisions.

As at the 2016 Australian census, Gippsland had a population of 271,266, with the principal population centres of the region, in descending order of population, being Traralgon, Moe, Warragul, Morwell, Sale, Bairnsdale, Drouin, Leongatha, and Phillip Island. Gippsland is best known for its primary production such as mining, power generation and farming as well as its tourist destinations— Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory, the Gippsland Lakes, Walhalla, the Baw Baw Plateau, and the Strzelecki Ranges.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

SUNSET

View from Hanging Rock (also known as Mount Diogenes, Dryden's Rock, and to some of its traditional owners as Ngannelong). Hanging Rock is a distinctive geological formation in central Victoria. A former volcano, it lies 718 m above sea level (105 m above plain level) on the plain between the two small townships of Newham and Hesket, approximately 70 km north-west of Melbourne and a few kilometres north of Mount Macedon.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme

DAYLESFORD

Daylesford is a spa town located in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, within the Shire of Hepburn, Victoria, Australia, approximately 108 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. First established in 1852 as a gold-mining town, today Daylesford has a population of 2,548 as of the 2016 census. As one of Australia’s few spa towns, Daylesford is a notable tourist destination.

The town’s numerous spas, restaurants and galleries are popular alongside the many gardens and country-house-conversion styled bed and breakfasts. The broader area around the town, including Hepburn Springs to the north, is known for its natural spring mineral spas and is the location of over 80 per cent of Australia's effervescent mineral water reserve. It is also the filming location for the third season of "The Saddle Club", and scenes from the 2004 film "Love's Brother".

This post is part of the Mosaic Monday meme,
and also part of the Blue Monday meme,
and also part of the Seasons meme.

AT THE PROM

Wilsons Promontory, also known as Yiruk and Wamoon in the Gunai and Boonwurrung languages respectively, is a peninsula that forms the southernmost part of the Australian mainland, located in the state of Victoria. South Point at 39°08′06″S 146°22′32″E is the southernmost tip of Wilsons Promontory and hence of mainland Australia. Located at nearby South East Point, (39°07′S 146°25′E) is the Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse. Most of the peninsula is protected by the Wilsons Promontory National Park and the Wilsons Promontory Marine National Park.

This post is part of the Skywatch Friday meme.

GIPPSLAND RURAL

In Gippsland, about 150 km east of Melbourne on a day trip.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme,
and also part of the Ruby Tuesday meme.

CONTENTED COWS

Pastoral land in Gippsland, to the East of Melbourne, perfect for a day-trip away exploring the lush countryside, boutique dairies, quaint cafés and welcoming small towns.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme