Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 8 December 2013

Sunday Selections #149

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 generally run with a theme.  Just for a change, I am back in the garden.


My roses haven't done very well this year.  Small blooms and not many of them.  This David Austin rose (William Shakespeare) has been the exception which proves the rule though.  Gorgeous scent and quite a few blooms.


I love this poppy and carefully save its seeds each year.


The lilies are just starting to flower, and for those that like it, and can cope with it, their heady perfume is everywhere.



We picked up these daisies at the market last weekend.  Hopefully they will go in the ground later today.


Most of the lilies that have come out are this colour - which is fine.

And, while I am being completely consistent I am going to finish with moody sunset photos.





100 comments:

  1. Pretty! Looks nice and warm (at least with the flowers you have growing) we are at 7F right now. It was -3 degrees this morning. Too early!!! But I love to see your flowers. They make me feel warmer.

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    1. Teresa: It is warm. And getting warmer by the day. Swap?

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  2. Beautiful--both flowers & sunsets!!

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  3. Like Teresa, I love to look at those beautiful flowers as a reminder that under the snowy landscape outside of my window, our own flowers are resting and waiting for spring.

    I love that poppy! I've always been fond of poppies, though I only had real success with the easy to grow icelandic poppies. The most common one here is the oriental poppy, though I've seen lots of really spectacular double ones in many colours in the seed catalogues which I might investigate for planting next spring.

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    1. Marie: And here I am yearning for cooler temperatures - and a snowy landscape. Greener grass on the other side of the fence?
      I don't know where that poppy came from first, but I cherish it and collect its seeds each year.

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    2. I think it's a case of grass is greener on the other side. As I commented to my husband after being out listening to everyone whine about the snow that poor old winter seems to be a season we long for because of its crystalline beauty, but which we'd rather be without once it actually gets here :-)

      That said, I do sympathise on the warm temperatures. I can't say that I miss those boiling hot days and nights.

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    3. Marie: I do whinge and whine about summer. The other seasons I love.

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  4. A lovely Sunday Selection :) They all bring a smile, just beautiful :)

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    1. DeniseinVA: I am glad to bring smiles your way.

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  5. I think you have a larger garden than I.Certain;y, far more plants and greater variety!But I'm working on it, though new plantings will have to wait til,say, Easter. But once The Man has dug out the stumps of the fugly hedge I can make a start...

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    1. dinahmow: And just at the moment it is out of control again. And Easter is an excellent time for gardening. I need to do some (lots) before then, but also hope to be playing in the garden when the bunny is due.

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  6. Oh, wouldn't I love to go in Australia. But, I can't. Your flowers are enticing.

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    1. Bob Bushell: You show me things I would love to see as well. Temptation.

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  7. I love the lilies. I always buy Christmas lilies and have them in various vases around the house. The smell is quite intoxicating.

    Lovely photos of the sunset :)

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    1. Wendy: I bought two big bunches of November lilies this morning and the house will smell wonderful over the next ten days or so.

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  8. It's always wonderful to see that summer is in full bloom in your part of the world, EC. I know the smell of those lilies quite well, and I do like them in small doses. Love the sunset pictures, too. :-)

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    1. DJan: There are a lot of smells which I have difficulty with - fortunately lilies aren't among them. There are some shops which I cannot go in - incense is a particular trigger.
      I am envying your winter. So much.

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  9. Love those sky shots. Wow.

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    1. Delores: I rushed out as soon as I spotted it. The neighbours are used to the mad woman with camera dances now.

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  10. The fourth photo down, it is a very unusual flower. Great photos and an interesting sunset.

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    1. Andrew: It is an African daisy, and I found it fascinating. Thank you.

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  11. Moody sunset photos are great and flowers are always good.
    Merle...........

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    1. Merlesworld: The sky and the garden are an endless source of comfort.

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  12. Love that poppy and fluro pink lilly. They are special. So much in your garden ~how beautiful.

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    1. Carol in Cairns: Greedy obsessional gardening does have benefits.

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  13. I've tried taking some moody sunset shots and mine look crap, yours are excellent. And the roses are beautiful too.

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    1. LL Cool Joe: Quite a number of my moody shots could charitably be described as crap too.

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  14. Beautiful blooms EC! What's that flower under the pink lily? I love the dusky sunset captures!

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    1. Karen: It is an African daisy - in a manifestation that I haven't seen for a while. I had to have it (of course).

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  15. Replies
    1. J Cosmo Newbery: It is isn't it? I hope it retains its shape - and spreads.

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  16. As I sit here with Grumpy Squeaky, your pictures make me feel a lot better. Thanks!!

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    1. Ms. CrankyPants: Jazz n Jewel settled just as I was thinking that I would have to give Jazz back. I hope your babies learn to live with each other too. Stubborn so and so's. Some of them particularly so.

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  17. Good heavens, I have heaps of those plants that " Hopefully they will go in the ground later today." Unfortunately it seldom happens. I am glad your Will Shakespeare is doing well, mine marked it. I also have had a struggle to keep 'Othello' alive although the general run of my 150 roses had a fantastic spring blooming season and are already repeating or continuously flowering.
    Hope all is lovely in your world.

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    1. Arija: I would love to see (and smell) your rose orchard (garden doesn't cover it). And no, the plants wont go into the ground today. Way too hot. Perhaps this evening, but probably not. Sigh.

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  18. That poppy is beautiful! And so is the sunset!

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    1. Cindi... and I'm Letting the Words Escape: I don't know what type of poppy it is - but love it.

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  19. Hi Sue,

    A flowery visual treat on offer. I do like me some flowers. I hope that eventually your roses will end up with big bloomers. Maybe that didn't sound right.

    Nothing like a moody sunset to end your posting. Gidday and goodnight.

    Gary :)

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    1. klananie: Big bloomers sounds exactly right (on multiple levels). Have a great weekend.

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  20. More beautiful flowers and more lovely sunsets. You never fail to amaze me with all that you produce and thank you again for sharing with us.
    We planted daisies years ago and of course they seed down year after year. We did have one with the strange (pinwheel) petals but it hasn't reappeared and either didn't seed down or reverted to normal petals. They are very, very unusual and quite fascinating.

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    1. Mimsie: I may try and take some cuttings - just to be sure.

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  21. I loved one of the lilies and one daisy in particular. Your sunsets are very spectacular too.

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    1. Strayer: I love them all. We have been having a bit of cloud about (though no rain to speak of) which improves the sunsets dramatically.

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  22. I always enjoy your flowers so much. I don't have lilies because of their heavy perfume. But this year I had so many lovely poppies, and I also wanted to save the seed. However - the deer were faster and ate all the seedpods. I guess they were looking for a good high...

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    1. Carola Bartz: I remember your poppies. I loved them. Hopefully the deer missed a few and they will rejuvenate in spring.

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  23. That poppy is unique and gorgeous. As is the large daisy. At first I thought perhaps it was just not all unfolded yet - but I gather from your replies to other commenters that it stays like that - how unusual, and beautiful.

    I feel for you in the heat. I am useless in it and don't mind our winter, even though it can get quite cold. But someone really ought to invent a way to even out the heat and cold on this planet :)

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    1. jenny_o: The pinwheel daisy is spectacular isn't it. One way or another I am going to propogate it to ensure I have it next year too.
      And yes, to the moderate temperatures thing. An average would be very nice indeed.

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  24. How much joy we get from being guests in your lovely gardens!
    Thank You

    ALOHA to YOU
    from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral
    =^..^= <3

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    1. Cloudia: I am always happy to invite people into the garden with me.

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  25. Gorgeous flowers EC, the poppy is quite unusual. My daughter had oriental poppies in her previous home and I have some seeds somewhere, but can't find them.
    You may have to propogate the pinwheel daisy by cuttings if the saved seeds don't germinate true.
    Love the sunsets.
    I have to be out with my camera early in the morning, there's a tree flowering near my flat/unit/apaaaaartment, that's me being posh, ha ha.

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    1. River: What sort of tree? Some of the flowering trees are marvellous. Other than in spring we tend to miss out.

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  26. Those are absolutely beautiful! You have such a green thumb. And a photography thumb, or what have you ;)

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    1. Riot Kitty: There are some things for which I have a decidedly brown thumb. I am learning that I shouldn't keep buying gardenias, maiden hair ferns or poinsettia. They die a dreadful death in my care.

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  27. The flower in the fourth photo is amazing (which I see from the comments is an African daisy) - that is beautiful.

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    1. Jackie K: Quirky and beautiful. I hope it breeds true - but will also try and propogate it.

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  28. The flowers are lovely but nothing thrills me more than a moody sunset:)

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    1. Granny Annie: I like moody dawns too. A reflection of my inner self? Perhaps.

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  29. Another gorgeous display! I miss roses. It's too humid here to grow them. Your sunset shots are spectacular! Do you get much summer rain or are the clouds from heat build up?
    Hugs to you!

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    1. River Fairchild: We get very, very little summer rain (and not enough the rest of the year either). The clouds are broken promises. Or taunts. Or both.

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  30. Lovely to see these magnificent photos while we are in the midst of snow storms and 15 below zero!

    Xxx LOVE to you, dear S.

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    1. My Inner Chick: Do we get photos of your beautiful weather? Please. Hugs and love back to you.

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  31. Stunning. Such roses, and the daisies, and, well all of them. Plus the sunsets, if I lived where you do I'd never be out of that garden, I'd probably lie down in it and let the grass grow over me so I could become a part of it whilst gazing at the amazing heavens. AWESOME. Thanks *smiles.

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    1. All Consuming: I do spend a lot of time outside, or looking outside. And when my time comes I like the idea of feeding the garden. Or a tree...

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  32. Once again you delight my eyes and senses with your lovely flowers and awesome sunsets.

    Be well, be happy :)

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    1. Pam: And to you - and I loved your cardinals. So very much.

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  33. So nice to see those blooming faces.....much is cold and grey here.
    And those sunset pics make my heart sing just a little louder.
    Thank you:)
    -Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer Richardson: We have a grey morning this morning. But no cold. A warm, sticky grey morning. Which I will forgive if it provides some much needed rain.

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  34. Amazing colors! Beautiful sky... breath-taking!

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    1. Sherri Abendroth: The sky was amazing. I rushed outside - and took photos with my mouth open. Ooh and aaah.

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  35. My favorites are the lilies--and the sky!

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    1. Susan Kane: And isn't it lucky that the sky gives us panoramic beauty so often? Morning, noon and night.

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  36. If I see one more photo of your beautiful plants or beautiful birds, I'm gonna have to move next door to you, and you wouldn't like that.

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  37. As usual, stunning photos, EC. I thought I'd already commented on this post yesterday...but I've just discovered that I didn't. Have a good week. :)

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    1. Lee: Thank you - and an excellent week to you and your felines too.

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  38. That rose reminds me of a song by Mecano, a pop band quite famous in the 80s. Your picture is as beautiful as their song was. many thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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  39. Flowers and sunsets - thanks for this nourishment.
    Just dropping by. I haven't posted in a while but will resume soon. Take care.

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    1. Myrna R.: I have missed you, and your posts will be a welcome return.

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  40. Gorgeous flowers and sunsets. I wish I was as savvy about gardening as you.

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    1. Lynn: Thank you. I have made and do make some horrendous mistakes along the way.

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  41. It must have been the cold weather. I know many gardens that just did not bloom because of it. Maybe next year.

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    1. Lady Lilith BloodCrave: It wasn't a particularly cold winter here. Not certain what the problem was, but live in hope...

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  42. Gorgeous flowers! Love the lilies although their scent is too much for me when indoors with them.

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    1. ladyfi: You are very far from alone. Fortunately while a number of scents/smells/pongs do me in, none of them come from the garden. Incense and some perfumes on the other hand...

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  43. Dear EC, did you take those final photographs of the setting sun and the mountains from your home? What is the name of that mountain range? On my vacation in November I could look out my bedroom window each morning as I woke from sleep and see the Rockies. My heart always lifted up.

    I hope all is well health-wise there in your home. Peace.

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    1. Dee: The photos of the sunset were taken from the road outside the front door. The mountain range is the Brindibellas. I love their smoky blue accent to each and every day.

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  44. Oh, the flowers.

    Six below here right now -- can't even figure out how to get flowers home without them freezing...

    Pearl

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    1. Pearl: I cannot imagine that sort of cold - but long for it.

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  45. NINETY-TWO COMMENTS. I'm gonna go stick my head in the oven....oh...it's electric. dammit.

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    1. lotta joy: At least half of those comments are mine. Do you feel better now? And a friend of mine decided that she was going to stick her head in the oven, opened it and decided she had to clean it first. No way was she going to be found dead with grease all over her hair. So she spent hours cleaning it - and exhausted went to bed.

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  46. It's a toss-up as to whether I'm more smitten with your flowers or those gorgeous shots of the sky. Both make me smile inside.

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  47. I repeat this every time I visit here....but I cannot believe how gorgeous your flowers are

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    1. Kim @ Stuff could...: Thank you. A lot of blood, sweat and tears (and money) goes into it - but it rewards me too.

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  48. You live in Heavenland! These are beautiful.

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    1. wordsfallfrommyeyes: There is beauty everywhere isn't there?

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