Australia

Melbourne, Australia is the second most populous city in Australia and the capital of the state of Victoria. In addition to its stunning architecture dating from the Victorian gold rush period. it has numerous creative, modern structures that grace its skyline and make a walk along the Yarra River a real treat. AIMG_5915

Cuttlefish have an internal shell, known as the cuttlebone, eight arms and two tentacles. They eat molluscs including other cuttlefish, crustaceans, fish, octopi and worms. The Melbourne Aquarium in Melbourne, Australia has a marvelous collection of Southern Ocean and Antarctic species, as well as a large variety of sharks and rays. AIMG_5823

The Melbourne Aquarium in Melbourne, Australia has a marvelous collection of Southern Ocean and Antarctic species, as well as a large variety of sharks and rays. AIMG_5818

The Melbourne Aquarium in Melbourne, Australia has a marvelous collection of Southern Ocean and Antarctic species, as well as a large variety of sharks and rays. AIMG_5826

The Melbourne Aquarium in Melbourne, Australia has a marvelous collection of Southern Ocean and Antarctic species, as well as a large variety of sharks and rays. AIMG_5844

The Melbourne Aquarium in Melbourne, Australia has a marvelous collection of Southern Ocean and Antarctic species, as well as a large variety of sharks and rays. AIMG_5865

The sawfish's saw is actually an elongation of their head lined with teeth. It contains thousands of ampullary pores which the sawfish uses to detect minute electric fields which surround its prey. The saw is used to find food by digging in the ocean's bottom and by slashing free-swimming fish. The Melbourne Aquarium in Melbourne, Australia has a marvelous collection of Southern Ocean and Antarctic species, as well as a large variety of sharks and rays. AIMG_5862

King Penguin, Melbourne Aquarium, Melbourne, Australia. "The King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) is the second largest species of penguin at about 11 to 16 kg (24 to 35 lb), second only to the Emperor Penguin. There are two subspecies—A. p. patagonicus and A. p. halli; patagonicus is found in the South Atlantic and halli elsewhere. King Penguins eat small fish, mainly lanternfish, and squid and rely less than most Southern Ocean predators on krill and other crustaceans. On foraging trips they repeatedly dive to over 100 metres (330 ft), and have been recorded at depths greater than 300 metres (980 ft). King Penguins breed on the subantarctic islands at the northern reaches of Antarctica, South Georgia, and other temperate islands of the region. The total population is estimated to be 2.23 million pairs and is increasing." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Penguin AIMG_5880

To celebrate it 150th anniversary, the Melbourne Zoo in Melbourne, Australia has arranged for a herd of 50 artist designed elephants to be displayed throughout the city, and then auctioned off to benefit the zoo. To see more of this fantastic herd, go to www.zoo.org.au/150/mali-sculptures . This wonderful mosaic was created by artist Deborah Halpern. To see more of her work, go to www.mossgreen.com.au/gallery/artist-profile.asp?idArtistI... . AIMG_5892