Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 20 April 2014

Sunday Selections #168

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. 

The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.

Like River I usually run with a theme. This week I am (mostly) going back to my avian obsession and showing birds at and near our feeders, a cockatoo to start with, crimson rosella and (of course) bully-boy corellas.

As always, clicking on the photos will make them embiggen.



 









And because I am nothing if not consistent, some shots from the garden.  A dahlia has burst into bloom to confirm that Autumn is here, and the roses are still in their final flush.





HAPPY EASTER - one and all.  I hope that the Easter bunny or bilby brings you treats.

126 comments:

  1. Happy Easter to you, too, dear EC. I love your bird pictures and the flowers. It always seems strange to know that you are in fall while we are in spring, even though I know that's the way it works. :-)

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    1. DJan: I have trouble with the time/season shift myself. However, as we sweltered this summer I found cooling peace in photos from your side of the world.

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  2. That cockatoo is a beautiful bird. You are blessed to have such a variety near your home.
    Happy Easter!

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: We know just how lucky we are too.

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  3. I love that Rosella giving you the Paddington Bear hard stare :-) And that is one very beautiful Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. I miss those big guys (but perhaps not that prehistoric, pterodactyl-like screech)

    Your flowers are a joy and a promise of what lies ahead for us. I just planted some daliahs today as it happens (they've been in my cellar sleeping since last November). They are fabulous autumn flowers as they keep on flowering when much else has stopped.

    Have a lovely Easter Sunday!

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    1. Marie: Classic opposites. We are each planting what the other is enjoying coming into bloom. I am weeding, weeding, weeding. Still another thousand or so bulbs to squeeze in. And rotten couch grass has invaded the bed the plumbers destroyed.
      PS: How nice to find someone else who speaks of Paddington Bear stares.

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    2. I don't envy you the weeding. Ours hasn't started just yet - just the occasional few here and there, but I can see from around town that the dandelion explosion is about to start. And they are tenacious little buggers.

      I've always loved Paddington as did my children, who each owned their own Paddington that I brought back from London for them. And we often referred to giving a Paddington stare to those who annoyed us. :-)

      Good luck with the bulb planting. Keep a picture of Keukenof Gardens in your mind as you work.

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    3. Marie: Ours is a big garden, and a labour intensive one. That invasive grass is doing my head (and back) in though. It will all be worth it - and the pain will be a very dim memory by the time things bloom.

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  4. The Crimson Rosella is beautiful, just look at it, wonderful.

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    1. Bob Bushell: And there was another in the tree behind it, munching on apple. Such a joy to see.

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  5. The birds are so gorgeous! You're so lucky to have them in your back garden :)

    We've got some pretty nice birds in NZ too, but not quite like those. Can't have everything I guess ...

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    1. Wendy: We love our birds - but there are stunners the world over. Can't have everything? Sadly true, and some days it feels like we can't have anything. And then I look at the birds and remember to breathe.

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  6. The sulphur-crests have been hanging around here again, tearing branches off the Thevetia and scattering the big seed pods all over the place.Then the red=tailed blacks drift in to do a little pruning in the terminalia.

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    1. dinahmow: Red-tailed? Envious thoughts. Very, very occasionally we get the yellow-tailed cockies, and I do happy dances every time. Yes they are destructive - and it is a price I am (usually) happy to pay.

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    2. We get the yellow tailed too and I'm very envious of Di's red tails. Lovely photos and isn't that dahlia a winner!

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    3. Carol: The birds are always greener on the other side of the fence? I love our birds, and envy so many other people the birds that visit them.

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  7. Your birds are the best. Thanks to all above who identified the red fellow for me.

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    1. Jpanne Noragon: I am sorry - I identified him in the text, but not under his photo. They are always welcome. Mind you, I would also welcome rather a lot of your birds.

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  8. Don't you just love those cheeky grins on the corollas?Your garden must be a picture. Had any frosts yet?
    I've heen covering up my tomatoes at night and my rose garden has gone nuts. Been slaving in the garden too and have planted a border of stocks and clumps of Iceland poppies and primulas
    Today I hope to plant leeks between my roses. Ah, life is beautiful . . .

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    1. Arija: No frosts yet, but soon. This week perhaps? I hope that the tree dahlias flower first.
      I am weeding, weeding, weeding. And soon will go back to planting, planting, planting.
      Your border sounds WONDERFUL.

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  9. Hmm, our sweet little nuthatches and the downy woodpecker up here don't quite have the je ne sais quoi of your gorgeous ones. Oh, those roses, too! We just unwrapped our raised beds today after cooking gently under leaves all winter. We got snow last Wednesday, for goodness sake! Happy Easter to you both, EC.

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    1. Gillie: Your nuthatches and your woodpeackers look pretty special to me - I never tire of them.
      Happy Easter to you and yours.

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  10. Gorgeous, gorgeous birds and flowers. The colors brighten my otherwise drab day here. As for treats, I'd have to go forage for my own...although there is some ice cream... ;) Hugs to you and I hope you have some chocolate stashed somewhere!

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    1. River Fairchild: Glad to throw some colour your way. I do have some hidden chocolate AND a new book (or two). I have cleaned the bathroom and done some weeding. Now it is treat time.

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  11. I love the White Cockatoo do you find them the clowns of the bird world and the crimson rosella is a wonderful colour.
    Merle............

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    1. Merlesworld: I do love the cockies and enjoy their clowning. They don't make me laugh quite as much as the bully boy corellas though with their bad boy strut. Not quite.

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  12. Really good bird photos, especially when enlarged. It is a shame dahlias have fallen out of fashion. They are great flowers.

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    1. Andrew: Thank you. I pay as much attention to fashion in the garden as I do in the rest of my life - as in I adopt bits of it if it suits, and ignore the rest.

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  13. Well, thank goodness for consistency, I say :)
    Love your bird and garden photos, always.
    As I type with a mouthful of easter egg chocolate. Joy.

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    1. Vicki: I haven't got to chocolate yet. I am considering a hot cross bun though.

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    2. Yum. I'm all hot x bunned out - I have to fight hubby for them!
      Now, I'm coveting what's left, and secreted my share of the chocolate away.

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    3. Vicki: I had my hot cross bun (two of them in fact) and loved them. Lunch.

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    4. Sometimes when a family member (husband or cats) is acting cranky, I call him or her a hot cross bun. Never actually had one, though. Are they sweet?

      Lovely pictures!

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  14. I'm here to wish you a Happy Easter!!

    I love the pics. :)

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  15. oh that red parrot is beautiful, happy Easter to you

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    1. Linda Starr: We love the rosellas too. Another bully. They are smaller than the King Parrots - but outrank them. Happy Easter to you too.

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  16. Every time you post bird pictures my day is brightened, EC - and the flowers are stunning too.
    Happy Easter, and happy planting, to you!

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    1. Alexia: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you. Weeding for the next few days. Rather a lot of weeding.

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  17. Glorious pictures, EC.

    I was at my local bakery at 6 this morning to pick up my Hot Cross buns...and hot they were. I had to wait a couple of minutes so they could be taken from the oven! What a lovely breakfast I had...with a mug of latte, my hot Hot Cross buns with lashings of butter and mixed berry jam on them!

    I also picked up a crunchy-crusted cob loaf while I was there, too.

    Have a lovely Easter Sunday, EC and The Skinny One

    And have an equally lovely coming week. :)

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    1. Lee: It is well after breakfast but I am considering a Hot Cross Bun myself. And a cup of chai. Or two.
      I have some sourdough olive bread for later too. Yum.
      And a lovely day and week to you and the furry ones.

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  18. Lovely flowers. Just beginning to see flowers here! The white bird looks so soft...Makes me want to feel her feathers!

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    1. Bookie: I am glad that Spring has finally made her way to your world. She took her time about it.
      The cockatoos feathers are gorgeous, but their beak and claws are powerful. They can be destructive hooligans - but beautiful with it.

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  19. A lovely series of photos EC, they all made me smile. Thank you my friend :) Happy Easter!

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    1. DeniseinVA: Thank you so much. Happy Easter to you and Gregg.

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  20. Aren't those birds beautiful! The cockatoo is a beauty.

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    1. Jackie K: They are a daily delight and I NEVER tire of them.

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  21. the cockatoo is so elegant with the tilt of the head and the white feathers. Our roses are starting to blossom!

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    1. Susan Kane: Elegant, beautiful - and cheeky. Your roses starting to bloom as ours begin to fade reminds me that the world is turning. And that their is beauty everywhere.

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  22. Dear, S,
    thank you for bringing me joy w/ your art.
    --you are as beautiful as that white angel bird. xxxxx LOVE.

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    1. My Inner Chick: How was Mumbai? And how are you?
      Hugs. Always.

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  23. Well, hello you beautiful cocky! He's so shiny white and gorgeous! I love the red parrot looking right at us too. How much zoom do you have on your camera? Mine has 30x but the birds here sit so high in the trees, even 30 doesn't get as close as I'd like a lot of the time.
    That dahlia looks like it has been painted, you can see God's brush strokes on each petal.
    Happy Easter.

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    1. River: 12x Optical zoom, but the cockatoo was really close to me. Less then six feet away at the furthest.
      I love that dahlia - and it surprises me every year.

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  24. Beautiful photos, as always, EC. The cockatoos are so creamy and not a feather out of place. Happy Easter to you and SP; enjoy your chocolate and book - that's a perfect treat.

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    1. jenny_o: A grubby cockatoo is often a sick bird. There is a terrible disease known as beak and feathers where the beaks grow and grow to the point where they are unable to groom themselves or feed. An awful thing. We do see them from time to time, but most of the birds which visit are healthy. Fortunately.
      And a very Happy Easter to you and yours.

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  25. Wonderful birds and flowers, perfect for Easter! Have a happy Easter Sunday to you both...

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    1. Carol: Perfect for any day really. I hope your Easter Sunday was good.

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  26. I do not know the names of flowers, but when you enlarge that first rose colored flower with the bright yellow center, it appears to be a painting. It is gorgeous photograph.

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    1. Grannie Annie: Thank you - it is a gorgeous flower and I smile each time I see it.

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  27. easter here has been extremely quiet and dare i say it, pretty boring except that i have managed to get inspired to write a little. i thought blogging was a lost cause so i am pleased.
    the weather is gorgeous, isnt it? just right for bird watching and gardening, i would think

    hugs
    k

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    1. kylie: Boring is fine. Boring is good - think of that curse 'may you live in interesting times...' And I love the weather at this time of the year. Crisp, clean, invigorating.

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  28. And much in the way of hoppity boppities and the like to you too, in as much as, I hope you're having a fine time way over there *waves. Fab piccies again, my small gods you have beautiful flowers, what would I give for that Dahlia to be growing here! I have just planted some actually, but they won't be like that.
    The chap at the top is giving me dirty looks.

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    1. All Consuming: Perhaps if you feed the chap at the top he will stop giving you dirty looks?

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  29. I looked up Bilby's then, the lesser and the greater. Wow you guys have some strange unique cute critters down there. I like the cockatoo, with his yellow doodah headwearl. That is nice.

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    1. I have to say the Bilby's are a little scary looking compared to fluffy easter bunnies.

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    2. Strayer: We do have some oddities here. Which I like. There are companies which make Easter Bilbies here - and they aren't nearly as 'fluffy' as bunnies. Taste the same though.
      The cockatoos raise their crest if they are interested or surprised.

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    3. I saw that Prince George just met a Bilby down your way!

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    4. Strayer: I have been ignoring the Royal Visit hysteria. The sooner we become a republic the better I believe. Mind you, it won't be happening anytime soon I don't think.

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  30. I love the petals of the dahlia, they way the dark shades blend into the pinks of the petals.

    Have a great Easter and new week, EC.
    xoRobyn

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    1. Rawknrobyn: They are a stunning flower aren't they? Delicacy and vibrancy packed into the same package. Bliss.

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  31. Cockatoos have such cheeky looks on their faces!

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    1. librarygirl: They do - and it matches their nature.

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  32. Lucky, our corella was was discovered walking around the garden , obviously an escapee and tame she is at least 14 years of age and is allowed to fly at least twice each day, indoors of course.
    Seems Ginger Tom has found a home with us and has settled in, he is the assumed other parent of now spayed Minnies offspring's, a pleasant mog is ginge..

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    1. Vest: I love hearing that the corella has found a home with you - and even more that Ginger Tom no longer has to brave the road to visit Minnie (and you). Home is where the heart is, and his has obviously been with you for some time.

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  33. where were the birds shot? such perky little fuckers. amazing.

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    1. Icy Highs: Those photos are taken from inside our living room - or from the front veranda. And they are indeed perky.

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  34. EC, I'm still trying to get my 1000+ bulbs in, too! Why do I always think I can do this each year? But I know it will be worth it in spring, as I know you feel the same way. Watch your back though, that's where I feel it most.

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    1. Carol: Gardening greed and a short memory? I do it every year too. The first 1000 bulbs are in, but the others will take longer because the weeding is more intense. At the end of a gardening day all of my bones ache - and it will be worth it. At least in part because I won't remember the pain by the time they are blooming.

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  35. Your flowers are just magnificent! And I love seeing the birds - that corella has such an intelligent face.

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    1. Lynn: Thank you. Both the cockatoos and the corellas ARE intelligent. Too intelligent for my good often.

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  36. Beautiful photos. The crimson bird is just gorgeous! I don't think we have any of those here-- or at least, I've never seen one before. Do they ever leave behind cool feathers for you? I see some pretty ones from the pigeons around here and once in a while will be tempted to take one and disinfect it for art or altar purposes. The dahlia-- just amazing!

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    1. Raquel Somatra: The coloured birds (the rosellas and the king parrots) mostly seem to hang onto their feathers. The cockatoos and the pigeons drop them often. And I decorate a pot plant on the front veranda with them.

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  37. Lovely garden visitors in your lovely garden!

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  38. Haha, I like how the rosella gets curious as to who is photographing it. I can imagine it pacing back and forth trying to see you.

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    1. John Wiswell: They recognise us. If we go outside, birds start to appear very obviously there is a watch bird nearby. 'Feed us, feed us...'

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  39. Dear EC, the Easter bunny did bring me treats--Russell Stover (a candy-making company here in the Kansas City metro area) coconut and almost Easter eggs. Yum. And double Yum!

    Thank you for the vivid colors you've shared with us--bird and flower both. Peace.

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    1. Dee: I am glad to hear that you received some yummyness. And that you enjoyed the splashes of colour I festooned this post with.

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  40. my easter bunny brought me way too much chocolate (and I didn't want to seem ungrateful so I happily swallowed:)
    your beautiful feathered friends are almost flowers themselves; so much
    tremendous beauty.
    thanks for sharing,
    Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer Richardson: There is a chocolate overload here too. But it will be consumed. And yes, birds are the 'flowers of the air'.

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  41. Hi Sue,

    Just finished doing the old embiggening routine. Good to see the birds and flowers grow bigger on my screen. Yep, even embiggen a cockatoo.

    Turns out the Easter Bunny was on a blog hop. Hope you had a delightful Easter, dear Sue.

    Gary

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    1. klahanie: Thank you for embiggening - again. Grow-plus on the screen. Easter was busy in the garden, but pleasant. I hope you and Penny also had a good weekend.

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  42. Bilby!
    love these shots, my dear. You radiate good vibes; appreciated


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral

    =^..^=

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  43. Yank translation needed. So I find out not only is there an Easter bird (Lee), there is also an Easter bilby?! What on earth is a bilby?

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    1. Riot Kitty: A bilby is yet another of our native animals. And, as is common, a fairly unusual looking one. It is a nocturnal marsupial, predominantly living in desert areas, with big ears and a long pointed nose. It is endangered, and a few years ago a company started up a push for Australians to give Chocolate bilbies rather than bunnies.

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  44. Such wonderful shots of the birds and flowers.

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  45. When I see your bird pictures, I feel like I walked into a pet store. Those Dahlias are gorgeous. You inspire me to plant flowers!

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    1. Practical Parsimony: I am very, very glad that the birds are free. It makes their visits special.
      And as a garden obsessive, I would love to see more people planting, planting, planting. And dahlia bulbs are a great swap...

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  46. After being followed around by the bird that touched my heart I was going to comment on the lovely freedom of the birds in your images EC. It's perfect to be visited by birds, just perfect. With these images I love the way the birds and the blossoms reflect each other's colours. I hope you had an excellent Easter.

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    1. Kim: The birds are a daily delight and privilege. I never tire of watching them and am honoured when they drop in.

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  47. Wow such vivid shots! That dahlia looks like it was painted.

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    1. Pk Hrezo: The dahlia doesn't look real does it? It is though - and more are coming out each day.

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  48. Loved all these photos. Such amazing shots. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Romance Book Haven: Thank you. I am glad you enjoyed them.

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  49. Happy Easter to you as well! I am in love with that bird feeder/holder! That's such a great idea. I'm thinking about getting a small little feeder for my top deck. When we place it below, we unfortunately get bears who tear it down.

    Anyway, great photos!!! As always..

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    1. Deb: And a Happy Easter to you. My youngest brother made the bigger feeder for me - and we spend a LOT of time watching to see who is visiting.
      Bears? Wow. Exotic. And perhaps a little scary.

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  50. Replies
    1. The Wicked Writer: Thank you - I love your words, so it seems right and proper (write and proper?) that we can have an exchange.

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  51. A variety of them. I like that balancing act by four of them on that platform.

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    1. Haddock: We love the variety too. And, believe me, four is not a balancing act. When the pigeons arrive it is sometimes more like forty-four.

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  52. I suppose it’s impossible ever to be bored when you have such a display permanently close.

    I also like the idea that there are plants which will be in bloom somewhere around the globe at all times. Continuity. Nothing is ever wholly dead.

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    1. Friko: Boredom isn't something I suffer from. I am much, much more likely to be overwhelmed than bored. And yes, I love knowing that there are always things in bloom - somewhere.

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  53. Deine Bilder sind wundervoll.
    Gruß, Anette

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  54. Wow. I kept staring at some of the pics. You live surrounded by so much beauty!

    Damyanti, Co-host A to Z Challenge April 2014, My Latest post

    Twitter: @AprilA2Z
    #atozchallenge

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    1. D Biswas: Welcome and thank you. With all you have on your plate at the moment I am amazed that you find time to visit someone who is not doing the challenge.

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  55. Gorgeous pics! Incredible colors. I love birds! :)

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    1. Rula Sinara: Thank you - we love the birds too. I hope your boy is continuing to improve.

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  56. Every time I see your photos of these beautiful birds on your site I am full of envy! How wonderful to see them at your feeder - just looking out of the window. And I get all excited when an oriole find its way to one of my feeders!

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    1. Carola Bartz: We love and appreciate our birds - but I would be very excited to see an oriole too. The birds are always greener on the other side of the world?

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