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 have been promised rain and promised rain. Just after Easter we finally got some wonderful falls. More fell in a day than the combined total for the preceding four months.
So we headed off to Scrivener Dam to see if there was any overflow from the spillway.
And there was.
While we were out, we headed down to the lake.
And were given a rare treat. Red-rumped parrots (known to one of my sisters-in-law as bum birds) were having a wonderful time splashing in a puddle on the road. Some of the photos are blurred - but I have kept them, because it shows the energy they were putting into their bath. They obviously appreciated the rain as much as we did.
Some of the autumnal colour on the lake was special too.
It really was a lovely outing on a very grey day.
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 have been promised rain and promised rain. Just after Easter we finally got some wonderful falls. More fell in a day than the combined total for the preceding four months.
So we headed off to Scrivener Dam to see if there was any overflow from the spillway.
And there was.
While we were out, we headed down to the lake.
And were given a rare treat. Red-rumped parrots (known to one of my sisters-in-law as bum birds) were having a wonderful time splashing in a puddle on the road. Some of the photos are blurred - but I have kept them, because it shows the energy they were putting into their bath. They obviously appreciated the rain as much as we did.
Some of the autumnal colour on the lake was special too.
It really was a lovely outing on a very grey day.
The water shots are terrific...of course, I'm always partial to the birdies too.
ReplyDeleteDelores: It was astonishingly loud at the spillway. But delightful to see. And I am partial to the birds as well.
DeleteSuch beautiful fall colors. The parrots are adorable. We've had a lot of rain lately, but thankfully not so much that it's caused any major problems.
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: We have had very little rain for a looooong time. This was more than welcome. And the grey skies made the autumnal colour look even more vivid.
DeleteI just love the color of those birds they're absolutely beautiful, and the colors of those trees. I especially love that photo of the tree reflecting in the water.
ReplyDeleteLon Anderson: We stopped and enjoyed the birds and the bath for quite a long time. A rare treat. And that gold tree reflected in the lake made my heart sing.
DeleteWater looks so powerful when it coming from a spillway. The parrots are great and I don't think I have seen them before.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: The red-rumped parrots are also known as grass parrots and aren't really suburban/urban dwellers. I am always pleased to see them, and the small flock bathing was a bonus.
DeleteI never get tired of your bird pictures. :-)
ReplyDeleteBirdie: I am glad. I want a better camera though. Some day.
DeleteAmazing shots. What luck to catch those parrots.
ReplyDeleteDams are so impressive. All that power.
Alex J. Cavanaugh: We often see (briefly) one or two of the red-rumps down at the lake, but I cannot remember seeing so many before. And bathing. We were both smiling very broadly.
DeleteI agree about the power of water. And wish we did more with it here.
love the parrots bathing...so colorful
ReplyDeleteSue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: The females are less dramatic than the males (as usual) but it was a lovely thing to see.
DeleteI'm so glad you finally received some good rain down your way, EC. We had good falls up here, too, over Easter. It was great.
ReplyDeleteThe birds sure did enjoy it, also, by the looks of them.
I hope you and the Skinny One have a good week ahead...and that the two Js don't over-exert themselves too much...cuddles to them. :)
Lee: We had rain predicted for Easter. Easter Saturday? 0.2 mls. Easter Sunday? ditto. Easter Monday? Less. When we finally did get the rain it was blissful. For us, for the garden, for the birds. Jazz n Jewel were less impressed.
DeleteA great week to Remy, to Sharma and to you.
I can just about hear all that rushing water as it courses through the dam gates. Powerful and your photos are always a joy.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: This time it was only a spillway release - and still powerful. When the gates are open the sound can be heard for a considerable distance.
DeleteThe energy, the force, the power of the water is mind boggling. I could spend a day watching the flow go by. Or so I think as I am momentarily mesmerized.
ReplyDeleteJoanne Noragon: I am often awed by water. Its beauty, its life-giving characteristics, its sometimes deadly power. Any time there is much rain we go and check the closest spillways, so I can understand (and share) your fascination.
DeleteWow, what a dam. Does it used to generate electricity?
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Not that one. It is really a relatively small dam. And we don't make enough use of hydro-electricity here. A dry continent on the whole, but we could do more. We should do more.
DeleteBirds in a bath always good, rare to get in photos and rushing water, very refreshing.
ReplyDeleteMerle.........
Merlesworld: They were having soooo much fun. Up to a dozen of them at a time. They always have the lake, but that puddle obviously hit the spot.
DeleteSuch a good day! The water-spills are spectacular, the birds gorgeous, and the colours - I've run out of superlatives :) Thank you so much for going to take a look, and letting us see it too!
ReplyDeleteI'm interested to see that your autumn colours are more advanced than ours. I've checked our latitude and you are 1 degree further north than us - but I guess it makes a difference that we are very near the sea.
Have a lovely week!
Alexia: Our autumn is patchy. Some trees have changed and lost their leaves, some are changing and some are definitely still green. Which just spreads the beauty out.
DeleteAnd a wonderful week to you too.
I really enjoy looking at beautiful things which these photos embiggen with life!
ReplyDeleteSpacerguy: I am a beauty addict - and am glad that other people find it in the same places. Thank you.
DeleteWhat gorgeous colors! The birds looked like they were having fun. :)
ReplyDeleteChristine Rains: They were having fun - and so were we in watching them. Lots of fun.
DeleteWonderful, beautiful and gorgeous shots of your lovely runoff AND parrots. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: It really was a lovely day. The rain was wonderful, and the after effects were a joy.
DeleteSo much water with such force. Your photos are beautiful. Love the ones of the parrots frolicking in the water.
ReplyDeleteCountryMum: Water is underestimated often. I love it, but I respect it. And frolicking was exactly what the red-rumps were doing. Thank you.
DeleteI don't think I have ever heard of a red rumped parrot before so thank you for bringing that to my attention EC. Canberra sure does Autumn well with its foliage. The lake you refer to is Lake Burley Griffin? The photos offer a different view of the lake to those expansive open vistas.
ReplyDeleteCarolHasANewBlog: Canberra does three of the seasons beautifully. My favourite seasons. Not fond of its take on summer though.
DeleteIt is indeed Lake Burley Griffin. We come down to this patch often - to marvel at the kangaroos, and the birds. As a child I swam there too.
When I first saw Photo #1, I was like, oh please don't let this be the tale of the broken water line!!
ReplyDeleteThat's some powerful force of nature - and how smart of you to even think about heading to the dam... Those pictures could have made the cover of the local newspaper!
By the way, I would talk to the local city council and admonish them for cursing and swearing when they put up signs.
"Dam History" is just unacceptable :)
Mark Koopmans: Our water pressure could never achieve that. Which is probably the first time I have been grateful for its underwhelming nature.
DeleteI am still chuckling at the Dam History comment. It is a literate guvmint though. They would definitely call it Damn History if they were cursing. And it is us more often cursing them...
I have never seen these delightful red-rumped parrots! So gorgeous! I love the hues of aqua and green, quite unusual. Thank you, I'm going to look them up.
ReplyDeleteI love bodies of water. And dams have a powerful energy which is exhilarating!
Autumn is here... so glad :)
Vicki: They are honeys. I put a link to them in the post, and should have flagged it. Grass parrots, and not usually urban visitors. I love them every time I see them, and cannot remember seeing such a large flock.
DeleteHooray for Autumn. Such a very beautiful season.
Such a great day to be out and, in addition, to see these lovely parrots, free and enjoying the water – truly a wonderful outing for you.
ReplyDeleteVagabonde: We have been waiting for the rain for such a long time. It was lovely to drive around and see the land drinking deep - and the red-rumped parrots were a very big bonus. Fortunately I have never seen or heard of anyone caging them.
DeleteI love a nice rainfall, and now that it's Autumn in your corner of the world perhaps you'll receive plenty more. As usual, your pictures are a real treat .... such lovely birds and the landscape is stunning ... although, the credit must go to the photographer :)
ReplyDeleteWhisper Mist: I hope we do get more rain. Lots more. Fingers and toes crossed. My camera and the beauty around me deserve the credit - but thank you.
DeleteI LOVE that foamy outpouring of water! Imagine standing under that on a hot day, it would be so invigorating.
ReplyDeleteYour autumn colours are spectacular and the red-rump parrots are so pretty. I've never seen those before, didn't even know about them.
As I type this, I'm hearing an unusual bird call outside. I looked out the door and there is a bird in a tree across the road, so I can't see him clearly, he is long and thin, appears to be light brownish in colour. The call is sort of a singing whistle, I'm not good at describing bird sounds. It's a very pretty sound, and now he is gone.
River: It is soooo frustrating when you hear a bird call and can't identify who is responsible. How I wish the foamy outpouring was likely to be there on a hot day. In mid summer the water on that side of the day is a trickle. A slow moving sad trickle.
Deletequite a bit of turbulence coming out of that dam, yikes; the yellow tree is wonderful
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: And that was only a minor release. When the flood gates open it is truly dramatic.
DeleteAutumnal pleasures.For me, even more special than spring.Thank you.
ReplyDeletedinahmow: It is a lovely, lovely time of the year. I will walk the neighbourhood with my camera next week. We have gold, we have crimson, we have burgundy...
DeleteIt was a lovely day. Thank you for sharing it in the pictures!
ReplyDeletemail4rosey: My pleasure.
Deletethe birds look like they are having a blast, in the water. I still can't get used to your opposites. You in fall, us in spring. It's wonderful! Get to see your fall color photos as spring buds and blooms here. And Vice versa.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: I do like the fact that I get two springs and two autumns each year now. And revel in it.
DeleteAnd yes, those birds were having a heap of fun.
How wonderful to have that much rain and to see the dam overflowing. Not sure how many years since any of Perth's dams did that.
ReplyDeleteYou can see the happiness with which those beautiful birds enjoyed all that water after it being so dry.
I am always envious of all the beautiful autumn colours you have in Canberra and they truly are beautiful.
Thanks for once again sharing so much beauty with us.
Mimsie: Our water storage dams are nowhere near overflowing, but even to see water from the spillway to the lake was magical. As were the birds, and the glorious autumnal colours. It really is one of my favourite times of year.
DeleteYour photos are just gorgeous... :)
ReplyDeleteT.F. Walsh: Thank you. It was a gorgeous day...
DeleteOh this fed my heart with the exuberance of waters, the joy of bum birds, and the major colors of your trees, skies, and heart
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu,
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=
Cloudia: Thank you. My heart sang, perhaps not melodiously, but loudly all day. And I am so glad to feed your generous heart as well.
DeleteThese are stunning! The whole post made me smile. Maybe I'm over tired, but... each picture had an emotion for me. The dam was excitement, the birds were playful, the yellow tree was relaxed and the colorful flowers were happy. Your grey day was truly lovely!
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here:
ClarabelleRant
Clarabelle Rant: Anyone who is doing the A to Z has every excuse to feel over tired and over whelmed. If I can give your tired self something to smile about I am very pleased.
DeletePS: I can get to your blog by clicking on your name, and then the about page on Google Plus. I am grateful for the shortcut though.
'Bum birds' - Hahahahahaha. Love that, and they're lovely too. The dam pictures and their landscape looks like Britain, which was unexpected, a nice link. Hell of a dam mind you, wow, I can see why you went down there. Autumnal trees. And here we are just into spring. I can never quite get my head round the differing season on the same planet, but I'm happy to see those amazing colours for sure.
ReplyDeleteAll Consuming: The dam is there to manage the man-made lake behind it. Some day I will go out to our water storage dams and take photos. Now there is a monster.
DeleteI do love our bum birds - whatever name they travel under. And also love being able to pick my seasons through the miracles of the blogosphere.
Oh my, what a beautiful area you live in. Color surrounds you, both in the landscape and the species that inhabit it. We are just coming out of an especially long winter so your pictures are a delight to see.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful is rain after a long absence! Our western states, California especially, are in a devastating 3 year drought that does not seem to have an end.
Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: We are lucky. Even in winter there is colour - and I revel in it.
DeleteWe have experienced far too many droughts here, and I welcome the rain whenever it comes.
There's nothing like a good scrub on bath day, right? Birds are endlessly amusing...almost as much as cats. :)
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: No arguments here. Some birds are as combatitive as the cats as well. And mean with it. Always good to watch.
Deletei saw some of those parrots recently, i dont think i have ever seen them before, they were eating grass seeds on a patch of lawn at a service station in the middle of an industrial wasteland. it was a very odd place to see something so pretty and it made my day.
ReplyDeletethanks for the reminder!
kylie: They would have brightened up the wasteland immeasurably. We don't see them often here, but I smile whenever we do.
DeleteRed-rumped parrot is a slightly more classy name that blue-arsed fly.
ReplyDeleteNice pictures. That gushing water must look good in a dry land
Andrew Maclaren-Scott: And classier than what my father always referred to as a 'blue-based baboon'.
DeleteThe rain was more than welcome.
I'm glad it finally rained. Definitely cause for celebration. That's probably what the birds were doing - having a water party. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: The parrots were definitely having a water party. And a ball. I hope they get many more of them too.
DeleteLOVED photo #10
ReplyDeleteHope you had a lovely weekend.
Author R. Mac Wheeler: I thought of you when I saw it. And again when I posted it.
DeleteThose birdies rock my soul, darling. xxxx KISS from MN.
ReplyDeleteMy Inner Chick: And ours. We were so very happy to see them. Parked beside the road and just sat and marvelled.
DeleteHugs to you. Always.
As usual, lovely visual treats when I visit your page on Sunday! I can't imagine seeing parrots in the roadside...must be wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBookie: It is wonderful. We often get cockatoos, corellas and galahs beside the road, but these charmers are much rarer to see. And a joy.
DeleteThose baby parrots playing in the water puts a smile on my face. Thank you :)
ReplyDeletetotallycaroline: We smiled too. A lot. And still smile remembering them.
DeleteLooks like an over-powering overflow.
ReplyDeleteThose cute birdies are so colorful.
Take care, EC. Keep a smile.
Rawknrobyn: Still smiling. As I hope you are, despite the evil Martha invading and polluting your blog.
DeleteBathing birds--they were having a splash.
ReplyDeleteFall. We are already nearing an endless summer. Looking forward to your colors.
Susan Kane: Our endless summer is (finally) nearly gone. And its cousin Autumn is more than welcome. There will be photos. Lots and lots and lots of photos.
DeleteI love the parrot photos! And all the pretty autumn colors are so nice to see, especially when it's gray outside. Here it's spring time, so colors are beginning to be bright all over!
ReplyDelete2justByou: Our winters are colourful too - but the autumnal colour is always a delight. As are the red-rumped parrots.
DeleteThat all looks so beautiful EC! I can't wait to come and check that out myself!
ReplyDeleteMichael G D'Agostino: I like my city. Lots of people don't. When are you coming to visit?
DeleteI'm booked in to take a trip to Canberra in July!
DeleteMichael G D'Agostino: Rug up well. We are likely to be chilly. What is on your agenda? Let me know pls.
DeleteAt the moment the only thing I've booked is my tickets to Improvention, which is happening between Sat July 4 and Sat July 11. It's going to be really hectic, so I'm thinking of booking my flights from the morning of the 3rd to the evening of the 12th so I can fit in some sightseeing/visits etc :)
DeleteMichael G D'Agostino: We'll talk a bit closer - but one thing I think you would get a lot of fun out of is Questacon - our interactive (and it is) Science Museum.
DeleteThat sounds EXACTLY like the type of thing I'd enjoy :)
DeleteHow lovely to see the parrots and those beautiful autumn leaves!
ReplyDeleteladyfi: Both were treats. We will see more autumnal leaves, and I hope to see more of the red-rumps too.
DeleteLoved the shots of those red-rumped parrots. So lovely, peaceful and beautifully camouflaged.
ReplyDeletedumcho wangdi: They are lovely, and suprisingly difficult to see - except when they are revelling is a puddle of water.
DeleteI'm glad to hear that you've had some rain. Those birds! So colourful and so grateful, I think, for that puddle.
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me what the picture of the head is, at the bottom of the sign about the dam? It looks a bit ferocious.
jenny_o: The head does indeed look ferocious. It was a part of something which had been glued to the sign and partially peeled away. Not at all certain what it was, and suspect I am grateful.
DeleteAs I was for the rain, and the red-rumped bum birds.
Oh dear, I'm almost sorry I asked! Thanks for filling me in :)
DeleteThose parrots are beautiful. WOW! Sounds like a refreshing trip.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Faris: They are - and it was. A treat.
DeleteSo energizing to see the season changing in your part of the world;
ReplyDeletereminds me how big this planet I love so much, how slowly we're spinning, how huge the sky.
And the power of that water....again it gives me perspective
and I appreciate the tweaking:)
-Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson: I love the way the world became smaller, and brighter when I discovered the blogosphere. And, as you say, it is all a question of perspective.
DeleteThank you so much for taking me along on your outing. The birds are beautiful and I have to say that I would have spent hours at the dam.
ReplyDeleteSonya Ann: Some day I will take you to our big dam. Relatively recently completed and a long way off full. When and if they release the overflow from it, it will be amazing. The over-used phrase - awe inspiring.
DeleteLove the reddish purple colors crowning one of the trees. Great pics.
ReplyDeleteJeff Chapman: Welcome and thank you. The autumnal colours are an annual delight. Which I now revel in twice a year because of the magic of the internet.
DeleteWhat a beautiful outing! Love the energy of the birds - bet that was fun to watch.
ReplyDeleteLynn: They were having sooooo much fun. They are normally shy, and a bit flighty but the puddle was more important than our presence. Which was wonderful.
DeleteWonderful Autumn colors here with fascinating trees "lungs of the earth" so full of life!
ReplyDeleteSpacerguy: I do love the lungs of the earth. And wish there were more of them.
DeleteProof that grey days can be very colorful! Nice pictures as always. :-)
ReplyDeleteHappinessSavouredHot (Julie Saint-Mieux): There is always beauty around me if I open my eyes, heart and mind.
DeleteHow absolutely beautiful! The birds and the scenery are all stunning. Love to see fall colors- but I am excited for spring to start here. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~ Jess: I am so over summer and more than happy to welcome Autumn. I am excited on your behalf about spring though.
DeleteLorakeets (that's what they are right?) seem to be having a ball with the water. Lovely history and pictures. Fall colors are beautiful. For me, on the topside of the world, I don't want to see fall colors for a good long while, lol!
ReplyDeleteSia McKye Over Coffee
~Sia McKye~: Parrots rather than lorrikeets, but yes, they were having a ball. Spring is fine - but you can keep the summer which is surely follow.
DeleteI'm so glad you had a great day EC! Sometimes the grey days are best; they better highlight all the colour in the world.
ReplyDeleteWater, frolicsome birds, early autumn colour; I love it all!
Jacquelineand...: Thank you for the story of the sweetheart trees. And yes, we need grey days to see and to appreciate colour. Which I did. And loved the beauty of this particular day.
DeleteLovely photos. Love the parrots bathing, especially.
ReplyDeleteT. Powell Coltrin: They are fun aren't they?
DeleteThat's a nice dam. You have to wonder where all the dam water comes from. And parrots in the wild rule. :)
ReplyDeleteDavid P. King: That dam is attached to a man-made lake. The water from a river, plus run-off. And yes, wild parrots trump those in cages every time.
DeleteI love the sight of the trees yellow reflecting off the lake. Excellent shot!
ReplyDeleteSpacerguy: Thank you. The reflection really glowed didn't it?
DeleteThose parrots are wonderful - I could observe birds forever when they're taking a bath. They seem to enjoy it so much. The autumn colors are beautiful, and I'm glad that you finally had rain. It must have been quite the downpour!
ReplyDeleteCarola Bartz: We rarely see these parrots, and even more rarely in such numbers. It was a rare, wonderful and much appreciated sight. The rain was steady, but never torrential. Lovely though. And more would be appreciated too.
DeleteGT came off second best yesterday , Parent Magpie and Chick the winners. GT has two nasty wounds on his backside, Like Minnie he will have learned a survival lesson.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Parrots (lorrikeets)Tis a pity that Pollies spoil the scenario. meaning The Members - D H's an apt description. xo.
Vest: I hope that GT has learned his lesson.
DeleteThe parrots (which aren't Lorrikeets) are indeed beautiful. And I much prefer them to the Pollies - who I very rarely see. Thankfully.
Autumn trees are my absolute fav!!! You always manage amazing pics!
ReplyDeleteTammy Theriault: Thank you. A good point and shoot camera - though it isn't well. Which grieves me.
DeleteThose are all amazing pictures.
ReplyDeletePractical Parsimony: Thank you. I was a lovely outing.
DeleteIts the little things in life we appreciate the most sometimes. Isn't it gas that two bum birds, hilarious name btw, find total contentment with just a puddle at the side of the road!
ReplyDeleteSpacerguy: Not only did they find contentment, I would go further and say they found joy. And there were up to ten of them at a time. Bliss. For them and for us watching.
DeleteLovely outings are even more needed on grey days, methinks. Red rumped? Need I ask how they got their name?
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: The males at least do have a red rump - visible in some of the photos, which is usually concealed.
DeleteBeautiful photos! Please send some of that rain our way. California is so dry that we have water restrictions.
ReplyDeleteGwen Gardner: We spend far too much time in drought here too. I feel for you - and hope you do get rain.
DeleteThe ferociousness of the dam is powerful creature generating a lifeforce full of terrific energy.
ReplyDeleteSpacerguy: Powerful, and too often wasted. We really, really need to harness alternative power sources. Soon.
DeleteBeautiful photos. Looks it would've been a great outing. =D
ReplyDeleteRaShelle Workman: Thank you - it was.
DeleteOh my goodness! Those birds are adorable! So bright and colorful!
ReplyDeleteUntethered Realms
Cherie Reich: They are a rare treat. And always great to see.
DeleteI love seeing fall "Down Under" photos... I should do this meme as I will often take 100s of photos and only show a few!
ReplyDeletesage: Please do join us. The more the merrier. I have just put up today's Sunday Selections - more autumnal colours.
DeleteWhat a great set of photos - the powerful water, then the birds playing in it, then the peaceful scenery. Gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteM Pax: Thank you. It really was a lovely day, and I am glad that other people also enjoyed it.
Delete