1 to 10 April, 2015: Easter in Darwin, Northern Territory

1 to 10 April, 2015: Easter in Darwin, Northern Territory  

Easter saw us off to visit son Daniel, partner Kristine, and eldest grandson Nathan in Darwin in the Top End – seeing it was school holidays we were able to capture Nathan for some interesting days out. He said he was lucky he had his Nanna and her camera to capture photos for his upcoming school projects and classroom talks!

Figbird

Blue-faced Honeyeater (sometimes called Bananabird!)

Late afternoon electrical storms and rain: 

Free shower!!

We all had fun at the Darwin Water Park and Wave Lagoon, although none of us were game enough to try fly-boarding.

Enjoyed lunch at Trailer Boat Club on water's edge, with niece Shirley and partner Dan, watching amphibian bus "drive" by.

Drove out to swim at Berry Springs, passing triple-bogie road trains heading south. 

Stopped in to look at Manton Dam, which was once used to supply Darwin with fresh water, but is now a pretty back-up reservoir.

At Berry Springs we were disappointed to find river and rockholes closed due to recent flooding and risk of crocodiles having washed into the river. 

The WWII airfield on the Humpty Doo Strip sits alongside Highway 1 to Darwin. The airfield was dedicated as Strauss Field in honour of US Captain Allison W. Strauss killed piloting a P-40 Kittyhawk from the 8th Pursuit Squadron ("The Blacksheep") of the 49th Fighter Group after crashing into Darwin harbour during a Japanese air raid on the Darwin RAAF airfield on 27 April 1942. 

Full grown female Argiope Picta, wheel weaving spider

Rhinoceros beetle (scarabs), native to Australia

Goodbye eldest grandson - we will miss you heaps!!

PS - Nathan gets a chocolate Labrador named Fin!!