Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wednesday 19 March 2014

Come Wander with me

Last week, as I said in my last post, the skinny one and I were up long before sparrow fart and went to our balloon festival.

When we arrived it was still dark.  This is a balloon spread across the lawns in front of Old Parliament House waiting to be inflated.



And then the magic began.








And then dawn broke - and what a dawn.



And more and more balloons were inflated and took to the skies.














When the balloons were airborne we wandered back to the car - stopping to admire the roses in the gardens of Old Parliament House - and some day I will take you to the Senate Rose Garden (parliamentary manure is obviously VERY good for roses).



And then we headed off home.  Along the lakeside.  And had to stop for more photos.





The Peg-legged Pirate Parrot had just come to land.

Observed by us - and this resident - who was totally disinterested.





Wasn't it a lovely start to the day?

96 comments:

  1. Indeed it was. Not having a scientific bone in my body it always amazes me.....the blowtorch bit, lol!

    An elegant swan ......ours have just returned but brought the noisy Canadians too.......
    A treat this morning, three herons on the ice....will post pictures soon but fear my zoom doesn't zoom quite far enough.

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    1. Gillie: Herons? What a treat. I am looking forward to your pictures.

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  2. What a magnificent sight to see all those hot air balloons. It was certainly a good reason to get up early.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: We were up anyway - but it was a WONDERFUL use of the morning.

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  3. Magical. Truly magical. Number 19 absolutely took my breath away. And such lovely roses - I love yellow roses above all others.

    Thank you for starting my day with such beauty. Have a great Wednesday.

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    1. Alexia: Number 19? Oh dear, I did go a bit overboard didn't I. I am glad that you enjoyed them.

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  4. Now I have even more favorites than from Sunday, but as they change every time through I won't be listing them. The roses are beautiful, too. I hope ours do well this year.

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    1. Joanne Noragon: I am glad that you have found more favourites. Our roses at home didn't do very well this year, so these were a treat.

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  5. So MANY balloons...that must have been glorious to see. Love those roses too!

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  6. Would love to see more of the Rose garden, EC.

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    1. librarygirl: I thought of you when I spotted them. I will try and get to the Senate Rose garden in the next week or so - it is a much loved wedding photography venue. For good reason.

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  7. So many great things to see all in one day! The backdrop with all the balloons is gorgeous!! What a sky!

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    1. mail4rosey: It was really lovely to see so many of my obsessions in one morning, and one short trip.

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  8. Yep, it waqs a pleasant way to wake yourself up. Balloons have it all.

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  9. Absolutely glorious! There is something very special about pre-dawn and dawn. That moment when everything goes quiet...it really is the sound of silence at that time...and then suddenly the world around becomes alive.

    It's especially noticeable at the coast. Even the ocean seems to cease for a brief moment. And, if words do need to be uttered at that time...they are, but in whispers.

    Those roses are exquisite...thank you, EC. :)

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    1. Lee: I am a huge fan of the early morning. I am up most mornings well before dawn - and get some sustenance for the day from the peace.

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  10. What a glorious sight the balloons peppering the sky make! A great morning indeed and With the amount of bull-shit bandied about on any day of sitting parliament, it is a wonder the roses have not grown to high heaven.
    Many years ago Wally Wallington promised to take me up the next time we came to Canberra but unfortunately he went to heaven without one before we could make it.

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    1. Arija: And now his son is involved with balloons. I think that our balloon spectacular is largely his brain child. And his company flies here all year round. Some year I will track him down and fly with him.
      Yes, on the rose fertiliser - the politicians have to be good for something. And while Parliament hasn't sat beside the Senate Rose Gardens in many a year, they have been exposed to a lot.

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  11. I got goosebumps looking at the balloons waking up. What an exciting adventure. And then to see them coming across the lake. I love the swan!

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    1. Carol Kilgore: It was a wonderful adventure. And we loved it. And the black swans 'own' that section of the lake.

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  12. Indeed, a wonderful start to a day.Thank you, EC, for showing me the nicer side of Canberra.I must come down some day...

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    1. dinahmow: There is a lot here I think you would like. Let me know before you come down...

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  13. HI EC Yes a fantastic way to start the day. Going up in a hot air balloon I have dreamed about doing for 11 years now and some day I will. Thanks for showing us.

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    1. Margaret Adamson: If you get the chance - do it. It is magical.

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  14. Replies
    1. Grannie Annie: Here too. Much awe. And delight.

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  15. It's like a field of slumbering giants waking in the early morning.

    "parliamentary manure is obviously VERY good for roses". Splutter.

    The balloons look amazing over the lake.

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    1. Andrew: Very, very good for roses. They are thriving, which mine are not this season.

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  16. It looks like a sky full of confetti....thanks so much for sharing these.

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  17. The balloons are so pretty! It looks like fun to just watch them go up.

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    1. Birdie: It is. It is an annual tradition for hundreds of people - many of whom have not, and will not fly in them. They are gorgeous (says the balloon tragic).

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  18. Excellent shots! Ballooning at dawn is awesome. Love the black swan!

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    1. Karen: I love the swan too. And regretted that I hadn't thought to bring him breakfast.

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  19. Such fabulous pictures! You did indeed have a wonderful day. I love the balloon pictures, but the flowers also take my breath away. And the swan is such a wonderful postscript. :-)

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    1. DJan: And it was a little after eight in the morning when we got home. It was just a delight from beginning to end (for me anyway).

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  20. Beautiful and magical. I live 25 miles from a balloon festival and have never been. That is so sad...lol.

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    1. Practical Parsimony: If you get the chance, and the energy they are always wonderful.

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  21. That looks very early and cold, but gorgeous and worth it! Isn't Parliamentary manure redundant, by the way? :)

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    1. Riot Kitty: It was early, but not cold. Another month or two and it will be. Parliamentary manure isn't totally redundant. There is also a lot of hot air - perhaps enough to inflate all of the balloons.

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  22. "Wasn't it a lovely start to the day?"
    Yes it certainly was. The seventh photo, just before dawn breaks, has me thinking of figs and maybe planting a fig tree in a large tub...
    The roses are glorious, the swan too.
    A perfect morning.

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    1. River: How right you are, that balloon DID look like a fig. It really was a wonderful morning.

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  23. It's as if the night's dreams were not content to disappear at dawn. What a wonderful photographic account!

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  24. Oh my goodness - that dawn sky! And the balloons looks so beautiful - all those colors floating through the air. Love that rose. What wonderful photos and images to start my day. Cheers, my friend.

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    1. Lynn: It was a wonderful start to our day - and I am very glad to share it.

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  25. I'm in awe of your dawn - what beautiful, serene and gentle colours and a perfect backdrop to the elegant, majestic balloons.

    I'm also impressed that you and His Nibs were up with the larks - my Swede is allergic to mornings and refuses to get out of bed for anyone or anything before his internal alarm clock rings (by which time I've already been out for 2 hours with the dog).

    I could feel those balloons filling - isn't that noise exciting? I think of fire breathing dragons when I see and hear them (though not Puff the Magic Dragon - he was a nice dragon...)

    I loved the roses (a special kiss for the yellow one), which must as you say thrive on all the efflient spewing out of Capital Hill. I bet mushrooms would do well there, too :-) And the swan brought a tear to my eye. I miss seeing black swans. Although their northern cousins seem just as bolshy and opinionated. Lovely post!

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    1. Marie: Given his druthers himself gets up at the crack of noon. By which time I have been up for many hours. That morning his body had been treacherous (the sooner we get that surgery date the better). It made sense to me to use the time, and he (reluctantly at first) agreed.
      I have a soft spot for dragons - all of them. And yes, dragon flame would do the trick for balloons.
      Another person with a weakness for yellow roses. Yay. And there are some amazing apricot ones too.

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    2. Ha, ha.... "the crack of noon" - I'm going to have to remember that one. It's a perfect description of The Swede :-)

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    3. Marie: I find that description funnier (by far) than he does. Which makes me laugh harder. It is twenty past four now, and sadly we are (both of us) up.

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  26. Your series of photos tells the story very well - what a spectacle it must be to see so many balloons all at once!

    I love the dark, but from the other end - I'm a night owl all the way. If I am up before dawn, the arrival of daylight makes me feel melancholy. On the other hand, I love nightfall. I prefer moonlight to sunlight. My husband is like you!

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    1. jenny_o: It is an awe inspiring sight to see. So many balloons and so many (and the number increase every year) excited spectators.
      The smaller portion is, like you, a night owl. I am decidedly the opposite. Though, like you I LOVE moonlight.

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  27. That was a lovely way to start the day! Wow!

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    1. Kathleen Cassen Mickelson: A day to treasure. And I will.

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  28. Well, you know how excited I get at the sight of balloons. The more images the better to fuel my dreams.
    I am very envious!
    That image of the balloons across the lake is just magical.
    And, I do really like the half hidden pirate parrot shot - makes you look twice - as if a colourful inflated giant was treading the forest in search of his treasure. Very surreal.

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    1. Vicki; How nice to find another balloon tragic. I loved seeing Peg-leg Pete perched in the forest, and the week before a family had a bit of a shock when SkyWhale landed in their yard. And yes, I envied them.

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  29. Gorgeous, gorgeous photos! And the peg leg pirate is stunning in the bushes. It looks like a giant bird roosting. :)
    I'm so happy to hear that all that parliamentary bullshit has gone to good use. Makes you proud, doesn't it?

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    1. River Fairchild: At least it is good for something. Even if most people don't get to see it or benefit from it.

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  30. Balloons!! Thank you for these and more-so for mine, most appreciated dearie. *hugs

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    1. All Consuming: Oh good. While I was out I wondered whether I had sent you your balloons. And I see I did.

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  31. Hi human, Sue,

    Oh I do so love your photos. My silly human, Gary, started singing in the background. Something about, "would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon...."

    Pawsitive wishes,

    Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar! :)

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    1. klahanie: Dear Penny, I love that you enjoy my photos - and that they made Gary sing. Hugs, and pawsitive wishes to you both.

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  32. How fabulous to see so many balloons in the sky. What awesome shots!

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  33. Those balloons really are something else. I am sure all the hot air in Canberra would assist them to stay aloft longer. : )
    Makes me wonder if Phil and I should perhaps book into an hotel in Northam so we would be up bright and early to see the balloons up there. Worth a thought.
    Unfortunately the peg-legged pirate parrot didn't show but I'm sure it was very special.
    Those roses are so gorgeous and I look forward to views of the Senate rose garden in the future.

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    1. Mimsie: Peg-leg was flying, but I had put so many photos of him in my last post I left him out of this one. And yes, I will try and get to the Senate rose-garden soon.

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  34. Oh now that is the best way to start a day I have never seen that before and would love to some day. Thank you for sharing. b

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    1. Buttons: Welcome and thank you. As a farmer I suspect you see rather a lot of early mornings. And I hope that someday you DO get to see balloons take to the sky.

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  35. You have the best festivals there. Makes me jealous.

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    1. Lisa: In the early part of the year we do have some wonderful festivals. And year round exhibitions. We are lucky.

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  36. Wow, just wow! That was breath-taking. I loved the way you took us from the beginning to the end. Many thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: I am very happy to share the magic, and glad that so many people enjoyed coming wandering with me.

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  37. Lovely. I was there last year, childminding and took photos from afar. The rose Gardens are lovely. But I do think people are too hard on Parliament, and should look at it in more detail instead of concentrating on Question Time, which is where you see the theatre rather than the actual work of Parliament.

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    1. persiflage. I agree with you - but with reservations. Real work is done in Parliament, but the much maligned Public Servants are responsible for rather a lot of it. And receive no credit.
      And question time, and posturing for the media do my head in.

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  38. love the black swan, so graceful to watch

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    1. Linda Starr: I love them too but, as Marie said, they have an incredibly bolshy nature. And serrated beaks to nip with. And nip they do.

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  39. Seeing the balloon stretched out on the grass before dawn added tingles to this series EC. Seeing the gold of the sunrise mirrored in the gold of the burners heating the air for the balloons - I was transported. Then down to earth with the beautiful roses looking good enough to smell and the disinterested resident making me smile. Thank you.

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    1. Kim: It was such a lovely morning and I am happy to share it.

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  40. You should see the roses in the White House Rose Garden! Obviously Presidential B.S. is REALLY good for roses!!

    That was an awesome dawn. I once drove the night through on one of my blood runs. When the night's cheeks became electric rose, I was listening to Enya's ALDEBARAN -- it was a magical moment.

    Those photos of the hot air balloons were magnificent. They could have saved the fiery machines and just had one of our Congressmen in each one giving a speech -- but then the balloons would probably have exploded! :-)

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    1. Roland D. Yeomans: I am pretty sure that have some people who could inflate the balloons too - but I wouldn't want to fly with them.
      Dawn is so often magical isn't it? An underrated treat.

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  41. Literally enchanting! What an experience. You captured it well!

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    1. Susan Kane: I will be back next year. The smaller portion might be back next year. He liked it, but he likes sleeping too...

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  42. These balloons going up into the colorful sky – what beauty! I am pleased you took several photos. It must have been fun to watch. Then the roses – we do not have roses yet but when I go in a rose garden I cannot stop taking them in picture. I read your post about the book on Colette. I do miss reading books in my native language so when I find some I buy them. I did buy several books, in French, by Colette and have been reading them – the Claudine and the Cheri collection. I still have Mitsou to read and La Vagabonde, but I usually read several books at the same time, so it will take a while.

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    1. Vagabonde: I will be interested in hearing what you think about Colette's work. I love her, though I haven't reread any of her books in some years. And I too have several books on the go at once.

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  43. Yay! I've been trying to load this for ages, but for some reason my computer refuses to load comment boxes for days on end. Glorious photos, as usual. Hot air balloons still scare me, but ohh. Breathtaking.

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    1. Raquel Somatra: From the ground they are beautiful. And not scary. I hope.

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  44. I bet the balloons were noisy weren't they? They look amazing. Love the shots of them over the lake.

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    1. LL Cool Joe: They probably were noisy, but I really didn't notice it, in the excited hub bub from the spectators.

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  45. Glorious! i had my first balloon ride last summer in Turkey, and it was something i'll never forget! That sunrise was equally glorious! Thank you for sharing this!

    As for Parliamentary Fertilizer? i suspect a rose garden near our nations capitol would quickly over grow the entire city...

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    1. daisyfae: Balloons are magic aren't they? And I would have loved to have floated over Cappadocia (sp?) in a balloon.

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  46. What a glorious outing!

    Before sparrows fart, huh? Now, that must be early...!

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    1. Susan: It was glorious. And even the well known slug a bed I share my life with enjoyed it - though he would prefer the sparrows fart without him.

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  47. You are my kind of person.
    I am enchanted by your blog ♥
    Thank you for visiting Kim's post at my blog today!

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    1. Vidya Sury: Welcome and thank you. So very much. I would follow Kim anywhere, and it was a pleasure to visit you.

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