A prologue

Because this takes the discerning eye of a professional, I'll go ahead and say that this is not a real humpback whale. It is a really cool replica in Hervey (pronounced Harvey to locals) Bay where there were plenty of the real animals about. Since I did not actually stand next to a real whale, I can't say for certain if the dimensions are accurate, but it seems pretty realistic.

It is not an exaggeration to say that seeing an adult humpback breach is a life changing experience. In the same way I wonder how the giant hulk of the jet that flew us over the Pacific for 12 hours ever got off the ground (carrying a city's worth of passengers no less) I also cannot imagine how these animals can propel their huge bodies straight up out of the water, but they do. At the height of their breach they throw themselves in a twist over to their side, coming down on the sea surface in an explosion of water. Whale investigators don't know for certain why the whales do this. One theory is to remove parasites, although there seemed to be a consensus that the calves do it just because they can. Kids are kids the world around.

My Brother

I have 4 brothers: Greg, Brian, Michael and Scott. Greg, who is pictured here and my only older sibling, just celebrated his 50th birthday. It's funny how relationships change as we grow up; some brothers and sisters grow closer and others grow away, either geographically or personally, or both. I wouldn't say that Greg and I are close, as that implies a communication and sharing that we don't have. It would be true to say, however, that my appreciation of and respect for Greg has grown immeasurably over the past 45 years or so. When we were children at home (so long ago), we were primarily pains in each other's side. I think it would be fair to say that while I fit well into my family's expectations and excelled at school, my brother, through no fault of his own, was a square peg trying to be shoved into a round hole. It didn't work very well, leaving Greg frequently ostracized and angry, with goody two shoes me completing the "good child/bad child" scenerio.
Thankfully, after extricating himself from boundaries that didn't fit, Greg discovered the talents that had probably been there all along. He has, over the years, made beautiful furniture, made and sold reptile cages, and always, always either owned or bred and raised snakes, or both. For the last decade or so, Greg has become known internationally as a breeder of Green Tree Pythons. As snakes go (sorry, my own issues) they are beautiful emerald green, turquoise, or yellow creatures. Greg is now the author of 2 books on the care of these animals and has traveled internationally to speak about them. He is a good husband and father, and now, a grandfather.
I am proud of him for all he is and all the talents he possesses. Happy Birthday, brother, and many more.

Home

My journey to Australia and back home is complete! I returned to Ohio earlier than planned, leaving Hervey Bay on October 9 for the trip home. I tried several times to write a new entry, but each time, till now, I'd open the page and nothing would happen. It has taken about 10 days to find that part of myself that comes here with excitement to see what words will come forth today.

Home ~ what warmth and comfort and steadfastness that word symbolizes! And I have returned home wiser, having learned new things about the world and about myself. I grew and for that I am grateful. It was my plan to return to my blog with pictures of my trip, of Australia and of the whales and I still plan to share those things. It just won't be in my first entry, nor will it take precedence over writing and photographing the daily events that are so close to my heart.

This photo was taken on Saturday along the bike trail through Hilliard Ohio. Autumn, in all her glory, is upon us.