Aplysia sydneyensis found in a rock pool at Roches Beach, Lauderdale, Tasmania. This would appear to be the swingers pool!
Summer Blues
Image by MarcelGermain
Matala beach, Crete (Greece).
Located in the southern coast of Crete, the cliffs in Matala bay are known for their artificial caves, which were created in the Neolithic Age. Matala was the port of Phaistos during the Minoan period. In the year 220 BC, Matala was occupied by the Gortynians and during the Roman period Matala became the port of Gortys. In the 1st and 2nd centuries the caves were used as tombs. One of the caves is called "Brutospeliana" because according to the legend it was frequented by the Roman general Brutus.
Matala was then a fishing village. In the 1960s the caves were occupied by hippies which were later driven out. Now Matala is a small village living mainly from tourism.
Canadian folk singer Joni Mitchell's experiences with the Matala hippies were immortalised in her 1971 song Carey.
This beach is also relevant in Greek mythology. When Zeus seduced princess Europa in the form of a white bull, he crossed the sea and brought her to the beach of Matala. There he changed into an eagle and flew her to Gortys where he had sex with her. Princess Europa's name eventually became a geographical designation and is the origin of the word Europe.
[Text adapted from Wikipedia]
North Stradbroke Island20080614_0806
Image by Michael Dawes
Picturesque North Stradbroke Island is an enticing blend of rugged coastal landscape, tranquil inland lakes, and pristine beaches just one hour from Brisbane.
One of the world's largest sand islands, it is situated at the southern end of Moreton Bay and is easily accessible by vehicle ferry ("barge") and water taxi from Cleveland.
Whistling Kite
Scientific name: Haliastur sphenurus Family: Accipitridae Order: Falconiformes What does it look like? Description
The Whistling Kite is a medium-sized raptor (bird of prey) with a shaggy appearance. It has a light brown head and underparts, with pale streaks, and dark sandy-brown wings with paler undersides. The underwings have a characteristic pale 'M' shape when open. The head and body are relatively narrow and the tail is rounded. The wings are long and well-rounded, with a wingspan of 120 cm to 145 cm. The sexes are similar, but the females are larger. Yong birds are slightly darker above, with paler streaking on head and underbody. They are often seen near water or around farms, soaring in a lazy circling flight pattern. Similar species
Several other raptors may be confused with the Whistling Kite, including the Little Eagle, Hieraaetus morphnoides, other kites and harriers. These can only be separated by factors such as flight silhouette and style and the overall body shape.
North Stradbroke Island has some of the most spectacular scenery found in Queensland. White sandy beaches stretch into an endless horizon fringed by the aqua blue ocean, while a system of freshwater lakes in the island's centre provides beautiful picnic and swimming spots.
Work, anxiety and sleep are top excuses men use to avoid sex
The China Post news staff - Work, anxiety, and the need to sleep are among the major excuses used by middle-aged Taiwanese men to skip sex with partners while around 45 per cent of them admitted that they are dissatisfied with their own performances in bed.
