Spring is fully sprung

We're not sure if this spring is really that different from last year, or if we are just that much more observant now that we have been here for more than a year, but this spring seems so different from the first one that we experienced in 2010. 
Last year we managed to walk in every morning right until the start of December.  We did arrive every day as hot and melting messes, but we didn't want to be the wimpy Canadians who couldn't handle the heat.  This year we started taking the train in every morning about half way through October.  And we don't feel wimpy about it, either.  It is hot when we leave the house and we have no route into the CBD that isn't completely in the sun.  By the time we get to work on any sunny day our skin is prickly from sun exposure, regardless of the temperature.
We know that we have had less rain this year.  2010 was a record rain-fall year, but it was the end of a drought.  The 2010 rainfall to this date was 1042.8mm.  The average rainfall is 934.6mm but this year we are only at 886.6mm.  There was no thought given to opening up the Wivenhoe Dam to let the water levels drop.  This year they have already made the decision to allow for a 12 day run off to maintain the water level at 75% capacity.  We won't get fooled again!

Trees and reflecting pond outside of the museum

It could be because of all the fall, winter and spring rain last year or because everything was so new to us when we arrived in the spring of 2010, but we can't believe how beautiful the flowering trees are at this time of year.  The jacarandas are almost finished but there are the fabulous red-flowering trees all over the place.  These are called "Poinciana" and flower in late spring.  They have a wonderful natural canopy and are very inviting to sit under!

Poinciana tree at Kurilpa Bridge