Sojourn in Canberra 26th - 31st January 2017

We flew by Virgin to Canberra for Glenda to attend Ausglass Conference 2017.
Our stay at  Rydges was comfortable, relaxing and great value.
The weather was hot. I set myself the objective of a 7km walk to the 
Australian War Memorial. The distance was walked in 2 hours with
frequent stops for water and to take photographs.
Three groups of birds were engaging and a triathalon was in progress
around Lake Burley Griffin.

I've reworked this Gif:
Natures comedy - A Takeaway stand-off.

Whoops!! misinformed on the name of these birds. 
It seems they are 'White-winged Chough'.

A feather ballerina dancing freely in the breeze.

When three's a crowd - takeaway lunch

Shadia and the Magpies - Victor Harbor

Good friends Shadia and Richard invited us to lunch
where they were staying at Victor Harbor.
The apartment has been owned by their friends for many years.
There are resident magpies who come for a feed and have done
so for successive generations.

A delightful series reflecting the bonding between human and birds.
The magpies have a beautiful deep throated warble.

Shadia and the Magpies ©billpurvis

SANTOS - Tour Down Under 2017 - Stage 1 - People's Choice Classic

People's Choice Classic - The start of the Tour. 
A 22 lap 50km road race through the eastern streets of Adelaide. 
Photos©billpurvis

The Team Bora - Hansgrohe rider - Peter Sagan - World Champion - seen here in the white top - came 3rd in this race.

The warm up laps prior to the Classic, the riders chat and relax and consume energy food, and share them too. — at Wakefield Road - Bartels Road.

Tha National Anthem, the Classic begins.

The Classic winner was #6 Caleb Ewan - an Australian - Team Orica Scott - seen here early in the race on the inside.

An Australian #54 - Ben O'Connor - Team Dimension Data - established an early lead staying in front for over half the race and winning two trials.

Team Bora - Hansgrohe - push on the final lap - #11 Peter Sagan seen here trailing placed 3rd on the line in the finishing sprint. Team member #12 Sam Bennet secured 2nd.