Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 19 October 2014

Sunday Selections #194

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.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.

Like River I usually run with a theme.  We had a very wet day here on Tuesday.  The builders were feeling sorry for themselves... and I was feeling sorry for the birds.





The next day the sun came out, but there were still clouds around.  Which gave us a wonderful sunset.  Subtle to begin with, but blazing by the end.








On Friday the builders only made a brief and token appearance (drat them) and didn't manage to actually do anything,  As they sauntered in with their cocky tradie's walk they completely missed seeing the king parrot camouflaged in the camellia by our front door.  Their loss.





102 comments:

  1. Those poor wet birds. They wouldn't like living where I live. Rain, rain and more rain.

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    1. ditchingthedog: They are out of practise with rain here. We do get it - but not often enough.

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  2. I'm just amazed at the birds in your area. Tell the builders if they don't finish soon, those birds will attack. And wow, what a sunset!

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: The birds are a solace and a delight. As are the skies. The builders? Not so, but far otherwise...

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  3. what a beautiful king parrot! i would have been thrilled to see him!

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    1. Things Are Looking U.P: The king parrots are visiting us often at the moment - and we are very, very grateful.

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  4. What a sunset, it is superb, and, the King Parrot, I love it, thanks EC.

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    1. Bob Bushell: I loved both the sunset and the King parrot too.

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  5. I'm not sure which is more beautiful - the sunset or the birds. Awesome photos.

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    1. Mason Canyon: Thank you. They were both balm for my soul.

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  6. Sounds like you are retaining your sense of humour EC, with the remodelling of your bathroom. The King parrot is beautiful ~ I don't believe I have ever seen one in real life. They must be native to the southern states.

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    1. Carol: My sense of humour is more integral to me than my skeleton I think - and provides as much support. And the King Parrots are a joy.

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  7. Wow! I just read your last few posts. Lots going on. I sure hope everything settles down soon. Love that King Parrot!

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    1. Ron Dudley: Fingers and toes crossed that this is the last week of mayhem. I have my doubts though...

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  8. Another array of lovely photos, EC....and another week gone...another week closer to when your bathroom is finished....even with a day wasted by the tradies, perhaps major future plans towards the final run down to completion were being made. Make note to not be charged for that day...if that's how it works when they don't work! Ask them if they're ex-council workers! ;)

    I hope the coming week treats you all well. :)

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    1. Lee: I am paying for the job, not the time. And much of last week was fairly unproductive. Sigh. If they are to meet their deadline (set by them) they will be very, very busy this coming week.
      I hope you and your furry overlords are doing well.

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  9. They did look a little bedraggled didn't they? Those orange birds are fantastic.

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    1. Delores: They must have been very hungry too. Most of the birds stayed away as the rain came down - but this pair stayed. And the King Parrots are a vibrant joy - and hide in the camellias amazingly well.

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  10. Fabulous sunset pictures! I'm so happy for you that you actually had some rain, even if it meant the builders took it as a sign that they needed a vacation. :-)

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    1. DJan: I don't think the builders needed any excuse - except that the day ended in y.
      The sunset and the birds help though...

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  11. Ha, doesn't matter which side of the planet or the equator one is on, builders are the same everywhere!!! Bathroom remodels - went through two, did one ourselves. Only slightly less loathsome than a kitchen remodel. But great when it's done!

    How could ANYONE (with functioning eyeballs and a pulse) walk past that magnificent bird and not see it?! Those king parrots are a marvel. As is your sunset! Glorious!!

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    1. Laloofah: The bird was less than a foot away from the steps - and they walked in and out and didn't blink. Different priorities. Weird priorities....

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  12. I see what you mean by the sunset - it 'was' blazing by the end. Stunning.

    And yes, those birds did look somewhat bedraggled. Poor little things. But oh my, the red King parrot .... what a beauty!

    Hope the bathroom is finished asap. Maybe some photo's will be in the pipeline? :)

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    1. Wendy: I am taking photos at every step of the way. And have many, many photos of the destruction and am hoping for photos of construction this week.
      Isn't the King Parrot a joy? There was a female on the other side of the steps as well...

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  13. Great sunset, poor wet birds we had some too there was a lot of rain.
    Merle.......

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    1. Merlesworld: I think you got more rain that we did - as you usually do. I did feel for the birds though - and smiled for the garden.

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  14. What pretty birdies, especially the red one. I love your pictures, they always make me feel peaceful.
    Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

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    1. totallycaroline: The birds (and the skies) bring me peace as well. And a wonderful weekend to you too.

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  15. Is that a 'Gang-gang' cockatoo? Lovely evening skies ! The parrot is a real beauty!
    Why is it that renovations never go as planned? It's been raining her for days, a prelude to the snow!

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    1. Karen: I wish it was a gang-gang. Despite them being the emblematic bird of our city I have never seen one on this side of town. The bird you were referring to was a very wet galah. Very, very wet.

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  16. I wish your renovation was coming along better, but the birds are beautiful.
    And, how are you?

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    1. Joanne Noragon: I, like the cats, am overwhelmed. But will survive. As they will.

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  17. King Parrots and fire in the sky, balm for the soul indeed. So beautiful. The workmen are heathens, but you already know this I suspect. Onwards and upwards.

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    1. All Consuming: Heathens I have more respect for than some of the tradies.
      Onward and upwards indeed, revelling in eye candy whenever I can.

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  18. I love the 'bedraggled beauties' photos, too! A lovely sunset, and the king parrot is stunning.

    The tradies made me think of Wordsworth: "Dull would he be of soul who could pass by" such a beautiful bird... :)

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    1. Alexia: Do tradies have souls? Brilliant quote though - and not one I knew. Thank you.

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  19. You had some rain, finally! Poor birds, but even they need it, I suppose. I do hope you are at the two-thirds point toward completion and that things go smoothly next week. All the best to you and SP - hang in there.

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    1. jenny_o: It doesn't look two-thirds done. They are going to have to work much more consistently this coming week than they did last if it is to be finished on time. And hanging in we are. Me, his high and skinniness and the cats.

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  20. I've never seen such wet and bedraggled birds. Usually they don't seem to mind a shower.

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    1. Andrew: They are a sorry sight aren't they? And usually do seem to cope much better. I think the cockatoo had been grubbing in the grass for seeds which accounts for his mud spattering - particularly on his head.

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  21. What beautiful birds and gorgeous sunset photos! Why is it renovations never go as planned?!

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    1. Susan F.: It is a rule I think. No renovation can go smoothly. Or quickly...
      The birds and the skies help though. Rather a lot.

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  22. I want to throw a towel around the wet birds and fluff them dry, wet birds always look more miserable than they are. Love the sunset and the king parrot is gorgeous, he looks to be a young one, still a bit fluffy.
    !@#*! tradies! hope work has properly resumed tomorrow and progresses smoothly.

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    1. River: Wet birds do look miserable don't they? I felt sooooo sorry for them.
      !@#*! tradies is about right. They promised they would return tomorrow. And I hope they are not fibbers.

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  23. Your photos are always so beautiful and make me feel like I'm right there with you. Thank you for sharing them with all of us.

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    1. Mildred Ratched: Always happy to share. And thank you.

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  24. That was a beautiful sunset. Poor birds. The red head looks bedraggled. :)
    I hope your workers hurry up and finish soon!

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    1. River Fairchild: I hope so too. I am sooooo over this.

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  25. Will they ever be done? They can't work in the rain? No rain gear? I hope your remodel is soon over with, history, and you can tell us some good tradie tales, spun wide for effect.

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    1. Strayer: I think the problem is not that they can't work in the rain (and our bathroom is unsurprisingly inside) but that they are doing several jobs at once. Do a bit here, then trot off to the next job. Or the earlier job. Sigh.
      With luck our need will be paramount this week.

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  26. The birds looked absolutely miserable, almost begging you to take them inside where it is dry.

    So, how far has the renovation gone? Are you sane still?

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    1. Susan Kane: Not sane yet. The demolition is largely complete. Half of a shaving cabinet has been installed. Some of the plumbing work has been done. The bathroom floor has been tiled - but not grouted. Next week we need tiling completed, plumbing completed, plastering, painting, vanity installed, toilet replaced, bathroom door installed, electrical work completed, exhaust fan installed, carpet patched.... And probably other things which have escaped me.

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  27. Oh those poor birds, they are so wet. Does the seed swell up when it rains?
    That sunset got better and better didn't it?
    I think perhaps those tradies should stop and smell the roses. Fancy not seeing that beautiful bird lurking there.
    Hope all that work is soon finished and you can once again return to a life of reasonable normality. At least the end result should be beneficial to you and make life easier for you. Hugs.

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    1. Mimsie: The seed does swell if it get wet, but on the feeders it remains dry(ish). And yes, I felt much, much sorrier for the birds than I did the tradies.
      Fingers crossed that the work IS finished this week.

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  28. The first two pictures with the blue and pink clouds are absolutely breath taking. The first is astounding and my favorite.

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    1. Practical Parsimony: It was an absolutely glorious sky. It had been a cow of a day, and it was a really lovely counterpoint to it. And I did my usual mad woman with camera in the road dances...

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  29. Oh, how bedraggled they were. So much heavy rain. The king was magnificent, of course. And what a sunset! We need such cheering beauty, don't we? Good luck with the tradies...

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    1. Carol: The rain was very, very welcome - and we could even do with some more. Those poor birds though.
      Cheering beauty is a boon. Thanks for your good wishes with the tradies.

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  30. WOW A King Parrot at your front door. How wonderful. Fantastic sky shots. Have a good week.

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    1. Margaret Adamson: In the last few days we have had up to half a dozen of them on the veranda at a time. Bliss. And a good week to you too.

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  31. Poor wet birds, goodness that must have been a downpour and a half!! Beautiful sunset and gorgeous King Parrot, how lucky you are to have them pop in and visit.

    Hope the tradies pull their socks up soon and finish the bathroom renos xxx

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    1. Kakka: It really wasn't a downpour, but steady rain which made their sodden state quite surprising.

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  32. Love the photographs of the birds and, especially, of the views which make me think of standing on the little front porch in Red Hill and watching the sun set. We are going to be in Canberra during Cup weekend. arriving saturday and leaving Tuesday and staying in Kingston. It is overdue but C&C would love to meet you, if your health is up to it. Don't worry about the site name... I no longer blog from Lockwood. Christine and Chris... ( try freudinoceani[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. christinebv: How lovely to see you again. When things calm down I will track your new site down.
      Meeting up? Can you ask me again a little closer to your arrival? At the moment I am overwhelmed, but I would love to see you. If not this time, then the next.

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  33. WHY THE HELL DO YOU WRITE AT THIS GOD FORSAKEN SIGHT WHEN YOU DON'T GET PAID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THAT BLOODY KING PARROT IS FALLING OFF ITS PERCH AS ITS BEING SQUAWKED AT DAY IN DAY OUT AND HAS NO REST BECAUSE HE CAN'T STOP OPENING THE DOOR TO THE MASSES OF SCREAMING JEWS ALL DESTINED FOR THE DEATH RAILWAY WHERE THEY SEE THEIR DAYS IN GOING OVER THE DEAD SKELETONS AND SEARCHING FOR ANY NOTICEABLE REMAINS OF ANYTHING OF AUTHENTIC VALUE AND THEN RUNNING AND HIDING BECAUSE THE EVIL GESTAPO WILL MARCH OVER AND SNATCH IT OUT OF THEIR HANDS AND TEAR IT UP RIGHT BEFORE THEIR VERY TINY LITTLE FACES AND THEN HE WILL CURSE AT THE SKY FOR ALL OF THE RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND THINK HOW IN HELLS NAME CAN I BUILD ANYTHING OF SHELTER AND LOVE WHEN I HAVE HAD EVERYTHING TAKEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FROM ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Beatrix: You are such a noisy person. Do you have to shout? I have deleted your earlier comments. The king parrot is free to fly away - as you are.

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  34. What a beautiful sunset and those birds...wow. We sure don't ever see anyone that pretty where I live!

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    1. mshatch: We are lucky with our avian visitors. Very, very lucky.

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  35. I love your exotic birds as bright and beautiful as that sunset...hopefully the tradesmen will get going....

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    1. Donna@LivingFromHappiness: The birds are a daily delight. With luck the tradies will appear each day this week - and then migrate. Permanently.

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  36. The parrot is a sunrise or sunset all on his own! The skies are lovely too. We soon will be starting a house project but main builder will be hubby...ah, there are shortcomings to having a worker living in house too!

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    1. Bookie: Good luck with your building project. And yes, there would be shortcomings to having a resident worker - but quite a few positives too.

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  37. Stunning.
    The orange bird is like sunlight. Gorgeous. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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  38. Your pictures of the birds are wonderful, but the sky, oh my, oh my. They are breathtaking.

    How could anyone miss that parrot? Yes, it is their loss.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: The tradies walked in and out several times and didn't blink an eye at the King Parrot. Which amazed us. Camoflaged it was - but not that well...

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  39. EC, lovely to catch up with you and your recent posts at last. My heart did a giant leap when I saw that marvellous pic of your King parrot visitor. I may have mentioned previously that when living south I had many of them visit and grew terribly fond of them. And I have to say that is one magnificent sunset that you captured.
    Hope all is well dear lady.

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    1. Rose ~ from Oz: Lovely to see you back again - I hope your holiday was wonderful. And yes, King Parrots are a joy.

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  40. You got your rain - that's a good thing. Drat the tradie's - love that way of referring to them.

    That is so completely astounding to me that you have birds like that around you - just flying free. I love that they are flying freely.

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    1. Lynn: We could do with more rain - but it was a truly wonderful start. And I am so very grateful for the birds who fly in to see us, and even more grateful that they are free.

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  41. I love what Lynn said. "That is so completely astounding to me that you have birds like that around you - just flying free." I too think of these birds as only living in zoos or pet stores. I guess I never stopped to think that they had to come from somewhere. LOL

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    1. Granny Annie: I hope your reunion went really, really well. Sometime I will be able to check. I am uncomfortable with most things in cages - particularly birds so it is wonderful that we are lucky enough to get so many beauties flying, as they are meant to, free.

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  42. Happy Monday EC!! I love those feathered friends and those beautiful skies :)

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    1. Optimistic Existentialist: As I reply it is early Tuesday. Very early before the building insanity begins again - have a great week.

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  43. Beautiful sunset and King Parrot. Wet birds are still lovely, too.

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    1. Carol Kilgore: Wet birds are indeed lovely - but look soooooo miserable.

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  44. Never saw a sunset or bird I didn't love...so you entertained me with this post *big smile*

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    1. R. Mac Wheeler: I am very glad to entertain you. You give me beauty often.

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  45. Those birds... oh my, I envy you so much for those beautiful birds! We have lovely birds as well, but yours are extraordinary. I wish I could hear them as well!

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    1. Carola Bartz: I do love our birds - but they are not musical. At all.

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  46. I love the warmth in those sunset shots, EC. Beautiful capture of the color array.

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    1. John Wiswell: Five minutes or so of magic. It was very short-lived, and very beautiful.

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  47. Bet they'd have loved the bird if they'd have seen it. :) And that sunset is so so so gorgeous!

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    1. mail4rosey: Perhaps. I suspect their focus is on other things. As I said, their loss.

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  48. I think birds in the UK are used to getting wet. :D Btw Apparently we have parrots in our garden. I had no idea, but our neighbour informs me that all the noise I can hear in the high trees is in fact parrots. I didn't realise they could survive here in the UK!

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    1. LL Cool Joe: We don't get anything like enough rain here. What sort of parrots? Do you know? I am loving the thought of escapees surviving - and hopefully thriving.

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  49. I almost missed this post. I was away but glad I got to see the birds, your sunset and that king parrot. I never knew I liked looking at pictures so much.
    Or I guess, it's just looking at beauty I like.
    Hope the builders finish soon!

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    1. Myrna R.: Thank you - what a lovely thing to say. You give us beauty yourself.

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  50. Even scraggly and wet, the parrots are lovely. As for the sunset! Gorgeous. I'd love to go for a walk in sunset like that.

    Here in Florida, it's drizzling, on off on off, and I so want to go into the garden and trim so plants, dig some dirt.

    Look, rain and sun!!

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    1. Guyana-Gyal: Playing in the dirt is a very big therapy for me. And rain? Bliss. I love the freshly washed look, and the fresh scent - and the promise of magic. And the birds are another of my therapies.

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