MELBOURNE BOTANIC GARDENS...JUST BEFORE THE RAIN

If you're a visitor to Melbourne, it's good to know that the Botanic Gardens are walking distance from the CBD. We frequent the north east corner, known as Long Island, for bell miners, waterbirds, and the occasional Nanking night heron (not on duty today!). 

We've also been tracking a family of swans and cygnets in the main lake - cygnets are as big as ducks now!

The weather is definitely autumnal, at best. We managed a walk around the gardens today, but the rain soon got the better of us. Highlights today included close encounters with bell miners (above), some stunning banksias, and a family of swans and their cygnets cruising among the weeds.