Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Thursdays Outing (or I was wrong)

Last Thursday I got up early as I almost always do.  Before the smaller portion had emerged I had fed the fish, let the cats out, brought the cats in and fed them, taken the recycling down to the bin, done three loads of washing and detruffelated the kitty litter.

What energy I have is morning energy and I was already starting to flag, but planned to continue my weeding extravaganza.  And then he threw a spanner in the works by announcing that he 'felt like an outing'.  My immediate reaction wasn't positive.  Not at all positive.

However, and it is a big however, he has had depression for many years now and very often essentially shuts down.  He doesn't want to go out, or see anyone.  Which is not good for him - or for me.  Medication has taken the deepest most dangerous edges from his depression but very little more.  And over the years he has tried several different anti-depressants and the current one has been far and away the best.

So, if he actually wants to go out it is something to be encouraged.  And if I don't go, neither will he.  He decided that he would like a country drive, finishing up at Tidbinbilla.  Tidbinbilla is a nature reserve about forty kilometres away from us.  We hadn't been out there since a firestorm tore through the city and surrounds in January 2003.  The damage done to the nature reserve and the loss of wildlife were heartbreaking.  Since then a lot of time and effort has been put into restoring and rebuilding.

When we arrived it was about lunch time.  While we were buying our pass (and we bought one for a year) the ranger at the Visitor Centre told us that if we drove the ten kilometres or so to The Sanctuary (a wetlands ecosystem) we would be likely to see platypus.  'Of course we thought.  In the middle of the day - chance would be a fine thing'.

Just the same we headed off in that direction.  Tidbinbilla Valley is very beautiful, and home to wetlands, grasslands, woodlands and eucalpyt forest habitats.






And then we reached The Sanctuary.  It is surrounded by bushland and protected by a predator proof fence.  The paths are wheelchair accessible and there are many benches and viewing areas, and some impressive art work as well.



The path led us first to the pools where we had been told we were likely to see platypus.  AND WE DID.  WITHIN MINUTES.  TWO OF THEM.  And I was smiling so broadly my face hurt.  I am sorry that the photos are not better.  If you embiggen the next two photos you will just see a platypus in the middle of the pool.



We stayed there for quite some time and then continued along the paths past the interconnected ponds.  Our next treat was to see Brolgas - Australia's only native crane.






I was a very, very tired puppy by then so we slowly headed back to the car, enjoying more quirky artistic features on the way, like the verses on this seat.


And then a slow and scenic drive back to the entrance - stopping to take the mandatory photos of kangaroos.



I really, really didn't want to go.  I wanted to stay home and weed some more.  And I was wrong.  I cannot remember ever seeing platypus except in zoos and the brolgas were a first too.

And to add to my wrongness.  I weeded on Friday.  I weeded on Saturday.  And I did too much.  By Sunday I was so tired I was nauseated, my vision was blurred and my pain increased significantly.  And today I am only marginally better.  It was good for the smaller portion to get out - but it was also a very healthy break for me.

Mea Maxima Culpa.

112 comments:

  1. Proving that sometimes the inner child does know best.
    So glad you had all that happiness.Did I ever tell you I saw a young platypus in our "creek" at Tamborine? So thrilled, but concerned, I rang the ranger and he said it would have been a youngster, setting off to find himself a new home.He'd have followed the run-off down to the river, but we loved having him for a while.
    Kudos to SP for the idea, too.

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    1. dinahmow: I have some very vague memories of seeing a platypus on one of my father's fishing trips - but they are very vague. A young platypus in your creek? I might have been camping there (and I don't like camping at all) to see more of it. Magic.

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  2. Here is to more outings! It does the heart good.
    Cheers!

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    1. Sienna Smythe: Welcome and thank you. More outings and the sense (for both of us) to realise that they are needed.

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  3. I love Australian flora and fauna. I saw a palytpus once in the Byron Bay area. How exciting to see the Brolga, and great mandatory roos!! Gorgeous shots EC!

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    1. Karen: Thank you. I like our flora and fauna too - but a lot of people don't - particularly the flora.

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  4. Our bush is different to anything else, I think so anyway, it has a soothing effect, and the bonus of seeing a platypus in the wild that is something I would like to see.
    Merle........

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    1. Merlesworld: Soft and muted colours. Simply lovely. And the platypus - magic.

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  5. So cool to see a platypus doing what comes naturally.

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  6. What a wonderful time you seem to have had. The weeds will always be there but to take some time for yourself and s/o is something you deserve. We should always make hay while the sun shines.

    I saw a platypus in The Bronx Zoo when I was a child. He was the star of the zoo and people came from all over to see him.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: It was a truly lovely outing. And I am very glad that we bought a year long pass. On other days we might even look at other things...

      And the weeding is (of course) still there. Never finished - like housework.

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  7. What a lovely outing! I enlarged your photos and they are all so lovely. We saw a crane too in the state park where we went last week but it was not near. I like your vegetation. Time spent in nature is always time well spent I think.

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    1. Vagabonde: It was wonderful - the more so because I really didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. And yes, time spent in nature is the best.

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  8. A platypus! I am jealous. Very jealous.

    I have had that kind of depression and I fight it by making myself go out, even if it's just for coffee. By the time I'm out the door, it is usually a bit better.

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    1. Riot Kitty: It was such a surprise - even though the ranger said we were likely to see them.

      I think that he would be better too if he could bring himself to go out more often. I wish he could.

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  9. it sounds like it was a fabulous outing! I'm so glad you shared it with us. Now rest yourself... who knows what he shall want to do next weekend.

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    1. Cindi Summerlin: Despite the weeding STILL needing to be completed I haven't been doing a lot. Still very, very tired.

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  10. What a fabulous post and thank you so much for sharing those beautiful photographs. I am so glad you did get out for a break and to visit that wonderful place. I remember those devastating fires in Canberra...what a disaster they were. I've not seen a platypus or a brolga so how lucky you were. It is good the smaller portion felt like an outing which gave you a break and now back to the weeding perhaps? Just pace yourself and don't overdo it.

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    1. Mimsie: The fires were appalling. And on my birthday - like the Granville train disaster. I am so glad that Tidbinbilla has been restored and revived.

      Weeding tomorrow - I hope...

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  11. Good on you to nudge folk outside and into such great wilderness. I miss it. Lungs growing stronger, though, so with luck I'll be able to step into the woods in another week. I certainly miss its air.

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    1. John Wiswell: I am really pleased your lungs are improving. Hopefully your legs too.

      And the air was incredible. Fresh and gentle.

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  12. I'm glad you went! I thought platypuses were all gone and you got to see them live and swimming! That is way frigid!!!

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    1. Betty: They are reclusive, and fairly rare but still with us. And to see them cruising that pool was amazing.

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  13. WoW! What a wonderful trip and fabulous photos to share with us. The wild platypus is so rarely seen - you were very lucky, what a boost for you both. I'll bet you were both thoroughly exhausted though, so now give yourselves some time to recouperate.

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    1. Carol: Completely knackered. But I am very glad we went.

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  14. It delights me to share your platypus-errific exciting post!
    Hearing your thrill was more pleasure than the best photograph from a bored pro would ever have been. It is crucial for us to marinate in life's joys. there is healing and rejuvenation. Wishing your and yours abundance of the same, my friend:)


    ALOHA from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral
    ~ > < } } ( ° > <3

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    1. Cloudia: It was such a thrill - and the sort of thing I will be able to hug to myself in dark moments. Thank you so much for your good wishes.

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  15. How wonderful - I'm glad you went, because we got to see some beautiful photos. I love the flora - that particularly dry sparse Aussie look of those first 5 shots. They transport me straight across the Tasman! And I really liked the brolga - what a super bird :)

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    1. Alexia: Thank you - and I am very glad that you also like the flora.

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  16. I think you were wise to go for a day trip, and your destination was just the ticket! So lovely there. And you got your weeding done, too. You'll feel better in a day or two, but wasn't it well worth it? I think so!

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    1. Webster: Much more weeding to be done - it is a very big garden, but the day trip WAS right, not only for him but for me.

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  17. Your fourth photo of rocks looks like a giant stone turtle with a smaller turtle on top. I love the filigree eagle.
    I've never seen a platypus outside a zoo and never a brolga at all, so I'm very glad you went out to get these photos for us.
    Take it a bit easier with the weeding, maybe every second day for a while.

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    1. River: I thought that about the rocks too! And I also really loved the filigree eagle.
      The platypus and the brolga were a delight.
      Every second day - or perhaps every third. It will still be there.

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  18. What a wonderful day. Doesn't it seem that when we don't feel like going somewhere we end up having the best time! I am so glad that something nudged you both to make the trip!

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    1. Teresa: It was a lovely trip. Tiring, but magical.

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  19. You need more outings and less weeding!

    Fabulous shots of a lovely day out.

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    1. ladyfi: Only if the weeding fairy comes to visit.

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  20. The weeds will always grow. I'm so glad you got out and had such a pleasant trip. That is awesome you saw a platypus. I love the name even.

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    1. Strayer: Platypus are bizarre and beautiful - and we were very lucky indeed. They are not common animals at all.

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  21. What a lovely trip! I'm glad it was a nice day. There's always weeding, I guess. (That's why I live in a condominium.) :)

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    1. Lynn: There is always weeding indeed. However, whinging over, my garden is important to me and is (I think) worth the effort.

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  22. I've never seen a platypus except in books, what a lovely trip that was thanks for sharing it with us. Love the boulders, reminds me of the last place I lived in California.

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    1. Linda Starr: The boulders are all over the landscape, and I love them.

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  23. Oh, how wonderful! Not the part about you wearing yourself to a frazzle, but the fact that the outing was so incredible. The pictures are good, too. I hope you will give yourself a break for a bit now that the weeding is done. Please? :-)

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    1. DJan: WHEN the weeding (and planting) are done I will certainly have a break. Really.

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  24. What a beautiful outing for you both! I used to live by the San Diego Wild Animal Park, a preserve set up like your photos. Like Linda Starr just said, the terrain looks very much the same. I miss that place.

    Depression is a terrible thing to struggle with - for both of you. I'm so glad you enjoyed the day. Please try to pace yourself, dearheart. The weeds will be there for another day. ;) You sound like me. Tenacity gets you days-worth of pain.

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    1. Laura Eno: It was beautiful. It is a stunningly beautiful place.

      And yes, I do need to pace myself much, much better.

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  25. First, I laughed out my lunch at this beautiful description: 'detruffelated the kitty litter' and then oooohed and aaahed in envy at your playtpus sighting - I've never seen one in the wild before - it's a very rare treat!

    I hope that it boosted TOH's spirits and that your strength returns mucho fasto too.

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    1. Kath Lockett: Elusive magic. And I wishes the truffles the cats lay was more elusive. However, I do have the toxic waste bags I liberated from the hospital for their disposal.

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  26. Wonderful, beautiul description, fantastic photos:) Greetings

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    1. ZielonaMila: Thank you - and greetings to you too.

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  27. Lovely post! Glad you and the smaller portion got out. Also, I will regard your post-weeding experience (PWE) as a Sign that I should not tackle the hideous tangle of weeds that is quickly becoming the main occupant of our flower beds. The litter box probably had something to do with the PWE too, right? Right??! Ah, I thought so. Good. Skipping that too, then. Can't be too careful.

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    1. Ms.CrankyPants: Without doubt the kitty litter contributed to my bodily melt down. How could it not? And why is it that the weeds invade the garden beds, but the garden never invades their place (sometimes called a lawn)?

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  28. It’s great sometimes when we are proved wrong.
    I know weeding is important but so is being together and enjoying things together.
    I hope you’ll have many more happy outings.

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    1. Friko: And the weeds will always be with us...

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  29. Beautiful photos. I loved the crane! Husband proves me wrong more times than I care to admit :)

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    1. Carol Kilgore: Don't admit it. It swells their heads. True as it is.

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  30. I believe it takes a very elegant person to admit they were wrong! What a wonderful outing. There are always going to be weeds, no matter what.

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    1. Kathleen Cassen Mickelson: I am wrong so often that it would be foolish to try and deny it. Elegance not required.

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  31. This looks like a place I would thoroughly enjoy! Thank you for all the photos! How exciting to see a platypus - I would love to see one as well.

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    1. Carola Bartz: It was magical watching the platypus on their dam. They looked so 'right' there. They were so right there.

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  32. Your photos looked like Cuyamaca Reservation near San Diego until you got to the platypus. What a serendipitous trip! When the world seems dark, going to such a place is a fight against the dark. Wonderful.

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    1. Susan Kane: No matter how dark the world becomes whether globally or personally there is always beauty - if we look.

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  33. And your outing was a little respite for me as well. As we are mourning here in the States once again, it is good to behold all of the beauty that remains in this world.
    Thank you.

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    1. Debora: As I said to Suan Kane, there is always beauty. And often not far away. I too am grieving for and with all the affected families. Awful just doesn't begin to cover it.

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  34. What beautiful images.

    It is so exciting (even for us Aussies) to see Platypus! Even for those of us who live near their habitats, these unique creatures are so incredibly elusive.
    The rock formations so remind me of Hanging Rock here in Vic. Beautiful and awe-inspiring, yet up close, very haunting, imposing and a little intimidating.
    They are so very ancient, it feels as though we are trespassing in their territory.
    I find them fascinating, yet am very reverential towards them.

    Wonderful artwork, Brolgas and 'roos! What a great day.
    The perfect tonic for you both.

    Thank you so much for sharing :)

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    1. Vicki: I love the rocky outcrops and I too am in awe of them. In awe of their age, their majesty and their beauty. And the platypus and the brolga were very big bonuses.

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  35. There you go. And oh my, you embraced the great outdoors with rejuvenation. The photos you have kindly shared offer refreshment for my mind. For that, I'm grateful.

    Be well, my friend.

    Gary :)

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    1. klahanie: Thank you Gary, I am so glad that the photos refreshed you. It is a wonderful, wonderful place.

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  36. PLATYPUS! so wonderful. what a thrill. I have not seen one
    (oh yes I embiggened the ripples and saw a mini Loch Nessie).

    IF you could see that every day it would cure everything.
    I am glad you went.

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    1. Ann ODyne: It was just amazing and worth seeing. So worth seeing. And we will be back.

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  37. What wonderful little creatures platypus/es are...they are the sweetest, strangest little things; what a thrill for you. I'm glad you got to see the brolgas, too. We used to be in awe of them every time we travelled north by train to Mackay when we were kids. Going through the St. Lawrence area the brolgas would be along the wetlands in their droves; sometimes dancing. And then years and years later...in the late Eighties, I was relief manager at the Central Hotel in Normanton...up in the Gulf Country of western Queensland for a few weeks. One afternoon I decided to escape the hotel and took the hotel ute and myself for a drive to Karumba, on the Gulf coast...along the way, I stumbled across the most wonderful sight...so I came to a halt and watched. On the wetlands the road went through were dozens of Sarus Cranes...and they were dancing! It was a sight to behold.

    That sounds like a great outing, EC. :)

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    1. Lee: No brolga dancing - but a little booming, which was incredible. And yes, seeing those cranes dancing would have been absolutely wonderful.
      Platypuses (platypi?) are strange indeed, but I am so so glad we saw them.

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    2. I looked up the plural of platypus when I was writing my comment, EC...and apparently it's either "platypus" or "platypuses"...not "platypi".

      I'd started typing the latter, but after looking it up, changed my spelling to that shown in my comment.

      I thought it was interesting and was glad I was given a reason to look up the correct plural for platypus. See below...

      Quote: "Platypus" or "platypuses" are both accepted plural forms.

      The plural of platypus is not platypi. It is unfortunate that some dictionaries include platypi as a plural. Listing "octopi" as the plural of octopus is also incorrect, for the same reason. Both words are from Greek, not Latin.

      "Platypi" is a colloquialism, and incorrect both grammatically and etymologically. The term uses pseudo-Latin rules." End Quote

      I'm a sucker for trivia...if I can call this "trivia"! :)

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    3. Lee: Thank you. I do like that sort of information myself and if I wasn't too lazy would have looked it up. And platypi soundd all wrong, and I am glad that it is.

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  38. I am so glad you both benefited from the outing. While weeding is certainly being out in nature's bosom, it's nice to just BE, sometimes - meander, stroll, look, and enjoy! I wonder if SP's desire to go out means he is feeling a bit stronger physically? I certainly hope so.

    Love that cut-out sign and the metal bird almost as much as the actual animals. Great photos. Thanks for bringing us along.

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    1. jenny_o: Weeding is satisfying it is true, but it doesn't make me smile so broadly my face hurts. Which the platypus did. And the brolgas. And I loved the art work too. It was an unexpected thing to see at a nature reserve - but so appropriate and beautiful too.

      The skinny one is getting better physically. Just as well because the next round of surgery is not (we think) far away.

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  39. I often find that when Gregg gets me out of the house, knowing that there are so many things I need to do at home, I also am smiling broadly at the end of the outing. Glad the trip did you both the power of good. I have never seen a platypus, even in a zoo. I would be thrilled to sight one. Such a beautiful place and I thank you for all these lovely photos, the next best thing to being there.

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    1. DeniseinVA: It is a lovely place and we will go back again and again over the next year (and will probably look for platypus each time).

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  40. Bravo! Platypi (is that the plural) have long been one of my favorites! And somehow "detruffelated the kitty litter" sounds so much more civilized than "scooping the cat box". Nice turn of a phrase!

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    1. daisyfae: Detruffelated or scooping are both low on my preferrred jobs list. Lee tells me that it is platypus or platypuses - and they were such a treat.

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  41. What a beautiful place! I'm so glad "the smaller portion" WANTED to go for a drive that day!! It was wonderful for you both. I just love the kangaroos!! I can't imagine seeing them out in the wild like that! They make me smile! :)

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    1. BECKY: We have kangaroos rather closer to home as well - but love seeing them whenever/where ever. And it is a stunning spot.

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  42. Lovely post and photos. I am so glad you went out - and how fantastic to see platypuses. I don't think I have seen any since when I was a child visiting the Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. Your photos are wonderful. Once again I feel as though I need to revisit the area. Last time I was at Tidbinbilla it was blackberry season and the roaming and rampant emus had feasted, evidenced by plentiful blackberry coloured poo puddles.
    I hope to get to Canberra again soon and we can talk more books. You'll love the Kate Atkinson latest, Life after Life.

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    1. persiflage: We didn't see any of the emus this time. (The platypus were a more than fair trade off though). Last time I saw emus out there I also saw one swallow a man's watch. The emu lunged at him, pecked at it, and he pulled his arm back. The watch was on an expandable band - and became history.
      I look forward to catching up with you when next you are in town.

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  43. I loved this post - your photos of this wonderful preserve and its denizens, your excitement at seeing the platypus and as always I enjoy your creative terminology - "detruffelated" in particular. This was a nice way for me to begin my day!

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    1. Ron Dudley: Your posts so often start my day well that I am very, very happy to return the favour.

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  44. Oh my, EC, I am so far behind that I read both of your latest posts and your offering on Vision and Verb (quite an honor to be included in that group:). I am reminded of your many talents and really enjoyed everything. Of course, you would know, I was enthralled with your Brolgas. I am a crane lover and follower and what a treat to see your only native cranes. They are magnificent birds (I have seen the pair housed at the International Crane Foundation, which keeps a mated pair of every Crane species to ensure their continued existence). You should post those pictures on Wild Bird Wednesday (Paying Reaady Attention) for the world to see. I am so glad that you and SP made it out for such a wonderful day ... but I am sorry you felt the need to weed yourself into oblivion the next few days. Now, didn't you know what was going to happen when you did that? I hope you will be feeling better soon, because I am thinking SP is going to want to go out again ... aren't you? Sometimes you just need to get a little taste of good, to have the desire for more. I sure hope that is the way it works for you. Take care, EC. I hope everything will be A-OK!

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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    1. Andrea: Thank you. I love that you recognise what an honour it is to be invited to play at Vision and Verb.
      If I can take some better photos of the Brolgas I may indeed post them for Wild Bird Wednesday.
      And yes, part of me knew I was doing to much - but I kept going. I have been more circumspect since. I will weed again today - but only one bag full. And tomorrow. And probably Sunday...

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  45. If there is anything more healing than being among the plants and critters of nature, I don't know what it is! I'm so glad the SP felt inspired to go on an outing and that you set aside your "need to weed" for his benefit, since you both benefitted. It seems the Universe was eager to reward you both for it! The photos are wonderful, they put a big smile on my face too, and almost made me feel like I was along for the outing. The platypus would be exciting, the crane majestic and beautiful, and kangaroos are always a delight! By the way, I looked up "Platypus" as an animal totem/messenger and found this:

    Platypus - This power animals' message is to focus on your blessings.

    :-)

    I hope you'll find yourself doing less weeding and more nature outings! (And I wish you a speedy recovery from your over-exertion in the garden!)

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    1. Laloofah: Thank you. What a lovely (and entirely appropriate) message the platypus holds.

      It was a lovely day and I HAVE been weeding less. And itching to do more. But am behaving.

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  46. A wonderful walk, just what a person with depression desperately needs. Regular nature walks are a lot better than any pills. I'm a living example.
    So sorry that you had tired yourself out before you started. I would love to see platypus in the daytime rather than in a grey dawn without enough light to shoot them.
    The brolgas are very much in their element.
    Hope you could have a good rest after the drive back.

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    1. Arija: It is a truly glorious place and we should go back more often. And I agree about nature/exercise versus medication. I know which one I prefer - by a country mile.
      The platypus were an unexpected treat. I really didn't expect to see them in the middle of the day. Which is foolish - who would know better, the ranger? Or me?

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  47. It's like you live in an unknown version of paradise...it's breathtaking.

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    1. unikorna: Thank you. I am so lucky to live close to the magic of the countryside. So very lucky.

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  48. "Doing Something" is the natural antidepressant, but is unfortunately such a difficult one to take when depressed.

    A great post and awesome pictures.

    And "embiggen" and "detruffelated the kitty litter" impressed.

    Hope I remember not to try the truffles should I ever be invited for coffee :)

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    1. Don QuiScottie: Depression is a dark and dangerous thing. And infiltrates every part of the depressed ones life.

      Between you and Ron Dudley I am beginning to fink that perhaps I don't speak proper. Or write proper. Or something.

      Truffles (particularly cat truffles) are not served so you would be safe (and welcome.

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  49. "Between you and Ron Dudley I am beginning to fink that perhaps I don't speak proper. Or write proper. Or something. "

    Ach no... My admirification of your style embiggens each time I read.

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    1. Don QuiScottie: That makes it all right then...

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  50. So glad you went on your outing, Sweets, so you could take us with you!

    Your weeds will always be there, right.

    LOVE. xxx

    PS. the kangaroos are FAB. I cannot imagine seeing them in the wild. WOW.

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    1. My Inner Chick: The weeds will indeed always be there. So will Tidbinbilla I suppose, but I needed to get away more than I realised. I went for the skinny one, and received big benefits myself. And yes, kangaroos are always a joy. They live in my city too. Trotting through the suburbs...

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  51. what a beatiful day EC - I'm a bit the same, some times I have to be dug out of the house but I'm always glad when I go.
    Still laughing about the detrufflating of the kitty tray...

    x

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    1. librarygirl: It was a truly magical day. I should allow myself to be winkled out more often. And I should winkle himself out too.

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  52. Leave him and come live with me, my darling. I need a woman who gets up early (Peggy is awake before noon, but not much before noon), and has everything done by the time I arise between 9:00 and 10:00.

    I enjoyed the photos and envy you your plate-o-pussys. Oh, god, I can't believe I wrote that--and to think that I'm not even on drugs quite yet.

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    1. Snowbrush: Given his druthers the skinny one springs out of bed at the crack of noon. Which does my head in.

      I am glad that you enjoyed the photos - and forgive you for the plate-o-pussys. But do find myself wondering how much difference there is to your comments pre and post drug taking. Not a great deal I suspect. You are who you are.

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    2. I'm more insightful with pot and more off-the-wall with narcotics. I have to watch what I write when I'm on the latter.

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    3. Snowbrush: Which drugged you do you like better? (And they are both a part of you always - just not usually on display.) Not only does pot make me nauseous (I could be used as a sniffer dog for it) but I found the insights often sad. I was almost always melancholy (but content) and withdrawn when I could still use it.

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  53. What an amazing group of photos!!!!! Oh my, where to start. I loved the bench. It is a special person who designed and made that!! And I loved the rusty bird cutout decorations.

    Platypusi (es??) are splendid. I saw them in a zoo twice, and that was nearly a decade ago. Never had the treat of seeing them wild. I love swimmers because I'm such a bad one!! Dolphins, whales, platypuses, seals, I love them all. Esp. manatees... those big rolley polley things... Target got in trouble here for labeling a "womens" size (i.e. fat lady) clothes "manatee grey", whereas the same clothes in the "skinnier" section were labeled "slate gray" or something like that. Frankly, I think anything related to manatee is complimentary!!

    The crane is MAGNIFICENT!!!!! Oh my goodness!! I love water birds, these long legged things (perhaps because I have short tree stumps for legs)

    What a treat to see these pics!!! YOU'VE MADE MY DAY!!!!!!

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    1. Nicky HW: Thank you. If/when you get to Canberra we will go out to Tidbinbilla. It is an incredible place.

      I am sneering at large clothes being labelled Manatee Grey. And quite surprised that they didn't call it Elephant or Whale Grey while they were at it.

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  54. wow, such a magic place! it does in ways remind me of the movie 'picnic at hanging rock', saw it as a child and it made a forever impression. and all those (to us) exotic animals, platypus, adorable, such a treat and feast that day looks like!

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    1. Pia K: It is a magical place - and platypus are exotic to me too. Not a common sight, but wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

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