My post with links to other posts and a few photos as well

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/01/hodgepodge-no-2-for-2026.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/01/getting-to-know-me_10.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/01/tuesdays-4.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/01/sunday-stealing.html

https://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/01/transgender-identity.html

http://jamfn.blogspot.com/2026/01/share-your-world-number-2.html

Hi everyone, last week we looked at light & dark connected with the eyes, this week we are looking at tears. Did you know tears are produced all the time and not just when we cry, this is because they help to keep our eyes moist and clean.

Tears are produced via special glands under the eyelids, called the lacrimal gland which is around the size and shape of an almond these glands produce about 1 millilitre of lacrimal fluid aka tears each day and they drain away via our nasal cavity.

What do tears actually do, well they have four main functions they wash dirt of the surface of the eyeball; they keep the surface of the eyeball clean and moist. They carry water and nutrients to the cornea and lens, lastly, they help prevent infection, as our tears are made up of a watery solution that contain salt, mucus and an enzyme called lysozyme and it is lysozyme that kills bacteria which prevents infection.

Sometimes we produce more tears than the drainage system can cope with such when we are crying or having an allergic reaction which is one reason, we feel the need to blow our nose.

Our eyes produce more tears in response to emergencies such as in response to fumes from an onion or when a foreign object is in the eye.

Some people wonder why their eyes sting when they go to an indoor swimming pool this is because the disinfectants used to keep the pool clean contain chlorine.

Did you know that the ability to express emotions such as extreme happiness or extreme sadness as well as pain or shock by crying is thought to be a uniquely human trait.

Ok how about we have a look at reptiles, you know those cold-blooded animals that are covered with scales or plates instead of skin or feathers.

Most of them lay eggs but there are some that give birth to their young, most reptiles are lizards with over 3,700 different species.

The largest lizard is the komodo dragon, they can eat as much as 80% of their body weight in a single meal.

They reach up to 3 m in length and around 150 kg in weight and are native only to a handful of Indonesian islands, including Komodo, Rinca, and Flores.

However, the largest reptile is the saltwater crocodile, they are up to 6.32m or 20.7ft. they weigh around 1,000–1,500 kg 2,200–3,300lb.

They can be found in Northern Australia, Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea.

Today I am sharing a little about the town of Cowra which I visited on my recent holiday.

The town is located in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Situated on the banks of the Lachlan River, Cowra is approximately 310 kilometres west of Sydney and is known for its rich history, picturesque landscapes, and warm country hospitality.

It has a notable historical significance, particularly related to World War II. It was the site of the infamous Cowra Breakout in 1944, where hundreds of Japanese prisoners of war attempted to escape from a local camp. This event has shaped Cowra’s identity, and the town now features commemorative sites such as the Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre, which symbolise reconciliation and friendship.

The region’s Aboriginal heritage is also significant, with the Wiradjuri people being the traditional custodians of the land.

Cowra is an agricultural area, with farming being the backbone of the local economy. The area is renowned for producing quality wine, beef, lamb, and various crops.

Cowra also has the Japanese Garden and Cultural Centre this is  one of the largest Japanese gardens in the Southern Hemisphere, providing tranquil walking paths and vibrant seasonal displays.

There is the POW Campsite and Memorial, which is a site dedicated to the memory of the Cowra Breakout and its impact on Australian-Japanese relations.

It is part of the Lachlan Valley, which offers beautiful natural scenery, bushwalking, and birdwatching opportunities.

The Cowra wine region is home to several cellar doors and vineyards, attracting wine enthusiasts from all over.

Cowra is accessible by road, with regular coach services connecting it to Sydney, Canberra, and neighbouring towns. The nearest major train station is located in nearby Bathurst, while regional airports provide flights to larger cities.

Life in Cowra is relaxed and welcoming, with a strong sense of local pride. Residents enjoy a blend of country living, community events, and access to beautiful parks and riverside areas.

Good morning all, here is my first Caturday post this week we are looking at Luca

My post with links to other posts and a few photos as well

My brother Dave and our dad

Time for another post about the human eye, this week we are looking at the iris, I’m sure we all know that the iris is part of our eyes but how many know its purpose or how it’s made up.

Light has to enter the eye in order for us to see, too much light can damage the eye, but too little light means we can’t see clearly. The eye has its own built-in mechanism for regulating this, the iris.

The iris is made up of two sets of muscle fibres; there is the radial muscles that run from the outside edge of the iris towards the centre. Then there are the circular muscles that form the inner rim of the iris and are arranged is a series of rings.

These muscles contract in response to signals from the brain, when one contracts the other relaxes, we cannot make them contract by thinking about it, they just do it when needed. Controlling the size of the iris controls how much light enters the eye.

The radial and circular muscles have opposite effects, when the circular muscles contract they pull the radial muscles inward, shrinking the size of the pupil, when the radical muscles contract they pull the circular muscles outwards the size of the pupil increases.

So, in normal light they are balanced, when in bright light they contract and in dim light they increase.

The drops that are put in your eyes when they are being checked cause the pupil to enlarge making it easier for them to be examined.

When you think about New Zealand what do you think of?

Many would think of the Kiwi, so this week’s creature is the kiwi.

It is a flightless bird native to New Zealand, they are small to medium-sized bird with a round body, long slender bill, and coarse, hair-like feathers that give them a shaggy look. Unlike most birds, kiwis have nostrils at the tip of their beak, which helps them sniff out food like insects, worms, and berries. Their wings are tiny and hidden under their feathers, making them completely flightless. Kiwis also have strong legs and claws for digging and running, but they’re quite shy and rarely seen during the day.

They are found in forests, scrubland, and grassland across New Zealand’s North, South, and Stewart Islands. They are nocturnal, preferring to forage for food at night. Kiwis are solitary animals, coming together only to mate. They are known for their keen sense of smell and their ability to detect prey underground.

The kiwi lays one of the largest eggs in proportion to its body size of any bird species. The female lays a single egg, which can weigh up to 20% of her body weight. The male usually incubates the egg for about 75 days, and once the chick hatches, it is fully feathered and independent within a few days.

Due to habitat loss and predators like stoats, dogs, and cats, they have declined significantly. Conservation efforts are ongoing to ensure the survival of these iconic birds.

The kiwi is more than just a bird in New Zealand—it’s a national symbol. New Zealanders are often colloquially referred to as “Kiwis,” and the bird features on coins, emblems, and sports teams’ uniforms. They represent uniqueness, resilience, and a strong connection to the land.

As most will know that early in December Tim & I went on a short holiday, so I decided to kick of my Monday’s post with information about some the places we visited then.

Let’s start with the Parkes Observatory, which can be found on the outskirts of the town of Parkes in New South Wales, it is where “The Dish” is located.

If you are wondering what the dish is well it’s a 64-metre radio telescope, it was officially opened on 31/10/1961. The facility is managed by CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) and was constructed in collaboration with both Australian and international experts. Its 64-metre diameter radio telescope was, at the time, one of the largest and most advanced in the world.

The observatory is perhaps best known for its role in relaying television signals of the Apollo 11 moon landing to the world in July 1969. This historic event was dramatised in the popular Australian film “The Dish,” cementing Parkes’ place in space exploration history, back in 2000.

The telescope only receives signals from space and never sends them.

The observatory is open to the public and features a visitor center with interactive displays, a café, and the opportunity to view the dish up close. Educational programs and guided tours are available, making it a popular destination for school groups, science enthusiasts, and travellers passing through regional New South Wales.

Here are some statistics

Dish Diameter: 64 metres (210 feet)

Surface Accuracy: Maintained to within 1 millimetre (after upgrades)

Height: Approximately 55 metres from ground to top of the dish when vertical

Weight: The moving part of the telescope weighs about 1,000 tonnes

Frequency Range: 700 MHz to 26 GHz (after multiple upgrades)

Current Receivers: Multi-beam and single-pixel receivers for various radio frequencies