Guest post

Some time ago I commented on this blog on a guest post by a skilled photographer whose blog I have been following.  Shortly after that, I was honoured when Ginnie and Marcie invited me to do a guest post.  It will appear on Friday 31st August (their time) and on the horses' birthday in Australia.

For many of you there is nothing new in my post, but wandering back through previous posts and those yet to come at Vision and Verb will provide images of beauty and thoughts from the heart.

Blogmeet.

Last week I was fortunate enough to meet another blogger.

When she suggested that we meet I was in at least two minds about it.  I am fascinated by people, but am often uncomfortable around them (and always uncomfortable in groups).

Nevertheless, I put on my big girl panties and said yes.  And had a truly delightful time.  My blogging friend can be found here.

I have now met two of my fellow bloggers and had a lovely time with both of them  (The first of the bloggers I met in person can be found here).  Perhaps I should stifle my feelings of social inadequacy more often.  Tread on them firmly.

Sunday Selections #84

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

The theme 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.

This week I am again posting some photos of the King Parrots who have been brightening my world.  I will move to a different obsession next week I promise.

Magpies

But, before I get to the bird of the day.  The wattles that signify Spring is just around the corner are starting to blaze from the road side.

'This here's the wattle, the emblem of our land. You can stick it in a bottle, you can hold it in your hand.  Australia, Australia, Australia' ( Monty Python - spoken by one of the Bruces.)

Magpies are among our less colourful birds and since they are extremely protective parents will swoop people walking or cycling close to their nests.  The swooping is disconcerting to say the least as it is accompanied by the sound of a clattering beak.  While it is often scary but no more than that, each Spring they will connect with someone causing sometimes severe damage.

Our local council, along with many others, puts up signs to warn pedestrians of the danger from particular birds.  The birds are not relocated or harmed unless they cause actual damage.  Pedestrians wear hats with eyes painted on them or carry sticks and cyclists have plastic fronds attached to their bike helmets.  These measures may or may not work.

So, we have a relatively plain bird, which can be frightening and/or dangerous.  Just the same I love them, and they signify home to me.  This post is for Mia McPherson who commented here a while ago that she loved the currawong's call.  It is beautiful, but it is the magpie's warble which has won my heart.  (Mia and her friend Ron Dudley take the most incredible bird photos which put this happy snapper to shame.)

Each time I go into town to do a shift at Lifeline the early morning city sounds are dominated by magpies calling to each other from building to building.  They also are more than happy to scrounge breakfast from passersby.

While the pictorial quality in these short videos is not great, I think they capture the magpie warble.

And again

This morning was another grey day with wind and cold drizzle.  However, quite early the King Parrrots came into the feeder and brightened my day.  And when I went out to ensure that they had seed they very graciously ate from my hand again.

They are not tame, and nor would I want them to be.  I do value their trust immensely.

It made the skinny portion very jealous when I woke him up to tell him of my good fortune brag.

Just because I love them, and never tire of them

We went down to the lake again yesterday, on a beautiful clear winter's day.

We then ambled across the road to be mugged by the swans - and a few other birds as well.

My Goodness

In the last few months life on the home front has been more than a little fraught and I have been only making flying visits to the blogosphere.  In that time I have been tagged to follow a meme, and given no less than four awards (one of them twice).  I have been extremely remiss and have ignored them all.


I am about to become a tiny bit better behaved.  I am going to acknowledge (as I should have done at the time) the very generous donors of said awards.  However, despite it feeling a little like deliberately breaking a chain I still do not have the time or the energy to comply with the conditions.  So ... I will acknowledge the generosity of the donors, and will also outline the conditions attached to accepting either the meme or any of the awards.  If I read your blog or you mine you are assuredly more than qualified.  If either the meme or any of the awards takes your fancy please feel free to pick it up and run away with it.  I should also add that if you don't already know the people who were so generous, that their blogs are more than worthy of being investigated.


I was tagged to play on the meme by Kath Lockett from Blurb from the Burbs.  Essentially the idea was to answer eleven questions set by Kath, devise a further eleven questions and tag (you guessed it) eleven bloggers to continue the fun.


Kath's questions were:

1. When and why did you start blogging?

2. What is your middle name and why did your parents select it?

3. Toilet paper folder or scruncher? Provide your reasons

4. What do you do at home when everyone else is out?

5. You've been given five hundred bucks (two hundred and fifty quid, say) to spend on nothing useful and just your self. What do you do with the cash?

6. It's finally come true. One of your 'five celebrities you're allowed to sleep with' has walked into your kitchen and is up for it. Who is it?

7. Name one famous person (so that all our readers know who it is) that you think 'has their shit together'. Explain why.

8. What makes you get out of bed in the morning?

9. Who would you like to smack in the face, publicly disprove all of their stupid opinions and freeze their bank accounts?

10. Low slung jeans on boys - how do we eradicate this disease?

11. Tell us about an invention for the home that we desperately need.

The first of the awards I was so generously given was the Liebster award.  This was bestowed upon me by John of Tok Tok Place.

The guidelines for this award are simple.

Firstly to do a post acknowledging the generosity of the person who gave you the award and then select five blogs with less than 200 followers to share in the love.  (Liebster means dearest in German, which is a really nice sentiment).  Thank you so much John.


The Double Whammy of Awards came from Gary and Penny (the modest internet star) at klahanie.  From this lovely pair I received the Fabulous Blog Ribbon

and One Lovely Blog Award

  

Naturally there are conditions:

1.  Link back to the person giving you the award.  Well, that's just good manners don't you think?  I have been really remiss but I promise I was brought up to have some manners. 


2 (Fabulous Blog Ribbon Award) List five fabulous moments in your life

2 (One Lovely Blog Award) Tell us what you consider to be your most beautiful posting and

3.  Nominate seven bloggers for each award.


Finally the lovely Delores from thefeatherednest heaped coals of fire on my undeserving head by also nominating me for One Lovely Blog Award.


Kath, John, Gary, Delores I hope you will be able to forgive my slackness.  I am truly appreciative of your generosity.