Sunday, 5 July 2015

Sunday Selections #231

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.  Today?  Sort of.  A crisp clear dawn, and some photos of the things which are coming into bloom in the garden.


  

Wintersweet or  Chimoanthus praecox





Jazz n Jewel only bloom in the garden for very short periods at the moment.  They are both wussy cats when it comes to cold weather.



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112 comments:

  1. Cloudia5 July 2015 at 05:24

    I like your cat pals best of all! Are those bubbles in your garden shot?








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    /))
    //""

    ALOHA
    ComfortSpiral

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 08:45

      Cloudia: Jazz n Jewel think they are the best things in the garden too. By a long way. And yes, they are bubbles. I am still trying to freeze some.

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  2. Bookie5 July 2015 at 05:59

    Lovely spring flowers to see here on our Fourth of July Day. It has been so hot, but today is bearable. Our flowers look good still due to abundant rains...but it has been a long while since I saw the joy of a yellow daffodil!!! Thanks.

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 08:46

      Bookie: I am glad to hear you got some relief from the heat. Perfect timing too. I hope that we see more daffodils - at a more seasonal time of the year.

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  3. Author R. Mac Wheeler5 July 2015 at 06:06

    Lots of color...for color...check my blog today *wink*

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 08:47

      Author R. Mac Wheeler: I have seen your very patriotic colour. Lovely.

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  4. Carola Bartz5 July 2015 at 06:22

    Is the last photo of a camelia? Gorgeous color!! And I certainly love Jazz and Jewel, even if they are wusses! They're beautiful cats, that's for sure.

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 08:48

      Carola Bartz: It is a camellia. Slowly that tree/bush is coming in to bloom - and the parrots are leaving us some flowers.

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  5. Birdie5 July 2015 at 06:24

    Yes, our cats are related. Norbert is king of the wusses.

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 08:49

      Birdie: The wusses lasted nearly twenty minutes today. They have now come back in and hunkered down for the day. After breakfast of course.

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  6. Sue in Italia/In the Land Of Cancer5 July 2015 at 06:37

    Like the wintersweet, a new flower for me. So strange to see daffodils at this time of year.

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 08:50

      Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: The wintersweet smells great too. It is blooming when it should - the daffodils are a tad premature. I hope to get many more in a couple of months.

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  7. carol in cairns5 July 2015 at 06:48

    How lovely to see what is blooming in your garden at the moment EC. Blooming Marvelous!
    Are they bubbles I see in the second pic? Blooming Bubbles!
    Are you still experimenting with freezing them? And nice to see your pussy cats. Blooming Pussy Cats!

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 08:51

      carolincairns: Love the way you are channelling Peter Cundall with that comment. In this house he is known as 'mook man' for his love of good honest muck.
      I am still experimenting with freezing bubbles. I will get it right soon. I hope.

      Delete
  8. DJan5 July 2015 at 07:03

    Beautiful! I also really like seeing the kitties in the garden. :-)

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 08:52

      DJan: They agitate to go out, and decide very rapidly it is tooooo cold. Frost on bare pads is not for them. Which is understandable.

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  9. Bob Bushell5 July 2015 at 07:23

    How wonderful the garden grows, it must have been your touch EC.

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 08:53

      Bob Bushell: The garden grows as it wants to. I can't honestly claim much credit.

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  10. Joanne Noragon5 July 2015 at 07:34

    Your seasons seem so different to me. In my mind's eye, you are now in the throes of winter; equivalent to December or January in my hemisphere, with snow up to our backsides and howling winds. How can daffodils have pushed so far into winter?

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 08:54

      Joanne Noragon: You are right. We are in mid winter. I haven't the foggiest idea why some of the daffodils, and the anenomies and jonquils are blooming. More are just poking through the soil and hopefully will wait until the more usual Spring.

      Delete
  11. Lee5 July 2015 at 07:41

    A bright and cheerful start to Sunday.

    And I see that the wild creatures are on the roam! Beware all!!!

    I hope the coming week treats you and all others in your household with the greatest respect, EC! Cuddles to Jazz and Jewel and purrs to them from Remy and Shama! :)

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 08:56

      Lee: The wild things have been out, and are now sleeping off their exertion. I will pass on Remy and Shama's purrs - which I am sure they will return. Well Jewel will. Jazz is very territorial. Even about cyber purrs.

      Delete
  12. Alexia5 July 2015 at 08:30

    How nice to see your Sunday selections again, and as usual, lots of lovely flowers. I need to get outside and take some shots in my garden, too! We had lashings of rain yesterday but there is some sun today. Have a restful and happy day, EC!

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 08:57

      Alexia: We have fog at the moment. Fog and frost. Rain next week. Perhaps.
      I would love to see how your garden grows - and a happy day to you too. Have you settled in to home again yet?

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  13. Anonymous5 July 2015 at 09:47

    All of those photos are beautiful, but I absolutely love your photo of your two cats!!!

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  14. Geo.5 July 2015 at 10:10

    Your garden is lovely, and a refreshing sight to this wilted Californian.

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 10:51

      Geo.: Having gone through the wilted and parched seasons here too I so hope you get some rain soon. Very soon.

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    2. Anonymous6 July 2015 at 04:03

      Also being a Californian, I HAVE TO second Geo!!

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    3. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 08:22

      fishducky: I have family in California - and my heart aches for you all.

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  15. Coloring Outside the Lines5 July 2015 at 12:25

    Looks like you have lots of pretty flowers to enjoy- we are starting to get veggies from the garden and the best part is the kids are doing all the hard work and we get the results. Have a wonderful Sunday!

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 14:56

      Terri @ Colouring Outside the Lines: Sometimes I would like some child labour here. Rather a lot of child labour. Enjoy your vegies - home grown always tastes sooo much better.

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  16. River Fairchild5 July 2015 at 12:49

    Kitty blooms are the best kind! At least they found a dry day. :)

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 14:52

      River Fairchild: They weren't impressed with the frost though... Not at all.

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  17. River5 July 2015 at 12:50

    Your bluebells are waaaay ahead of mine and I love all your daffodils. I've never seen wintersweet before, although I have heard of it.
    Lovely to see Jazz and Jewel out getting a bit of fresh air.
    Is that the moon in the morning sky?

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 14:53

      River: It was the moon. Nearly gone for the day, but it was early when I headed out. I hope that we get many more daffodils at a more seasonable time.

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  18. Anonymous5 July 2015 at 13:33

    You seem to have your bloomers out very early.

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 14:54

      Andrew: Too early. It is bothering me a bit. Fingers crossed that most of the garden comes out a bit later. Several months later. I hear Canada is hot. It will come as a shock when you return to Oz.

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  19. orvokki5 July 2015 at 14:58

    Really colorful garden. The last photo is great.
    Have a happy weekend.

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 15:42

      orvokki: I hope over the coming months it will become much more colourful. Fingers and toes crossed.

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  20. dinahmow5 July 2015 at 15:33

    Chimonanthus! Takes deep breath, willing it to travel from Canberra....
    And I thought I saw bubbles.

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 15:43

      dinahmow: Wintersweet is a delight isn't it. Ours still has most of its leaves so some of the blooms are hidden - but my heart leapt when I saw the first one (and smelt it). And you did see bubbles. I am continuing my frozen experiments.

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  21. Dumcho's NOTEBOOK5 July 2015 at 16:19

    A good collection of flowers. Simply awesome and capturing.

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 18:52

      dumcho wangdi: Thank you. I hope to see a lot more in Spring.

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  22. Craig5 July 2015 at 16:56

    It all looks lovely. I'm surprised at the amount of blooms in your mid winter as I know that it gets very cold overnight where you live, Is this unusual?

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 18:54

      Craig: It is unusual. I expect to see shoots poking through about now, but to have daffodils and hyacinths in flower is unusual. There are many more to come, so I am hoping this is a limited aberration. While we have been having chilly nights, mostly the days have been lovely. Today was the exception though - I don't think we got past 6 degrees today.

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  23. Margaret D5 July 2015 at 17:22

    Lovely to see the blooms, missing daffodils at home this year...

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    1. Elephant's Child5 July 2015 at 18:55

      whiteangel: The daffodils will be there next year. For the moment you are seeing other delights. Lots of other delights.

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  24. Linda Starr5 July 2015 at 19:12

    your garden is so beautiful, all those lovely flowers, for a minute your cats looked like bears then I saw they were cats. Ha.

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 07:57

      Linda Starr: The cats think of themselves are bears - or at least tigers. Ferocious, majestic beasties. Legends in their own minds.

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  25. Snoskred5 July 2015 at 19:31

    I love it when kitties bloom in the garden :)

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 08:04

      Snoskred: I love the furry little blossoms too - despite their thorns.

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  26. DeniseinVA5 July 2015 at 19:44

    Another great Sunday Selections EC. Your photos are a treat and your kitties are so sweet :) Thanks also for your kind thoughts regarding Gregg's Dad. Have a great week!

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 08:05

      DeniseinVA: Thank you. I hope this is a much better week for you and yours.

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  27. Alex J. Cavanaugh5 July 2015 at 21:33

    You have a lot of flowers.
    Are Jazz and Jewel pussywillows then?

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 08:06

      Alex J. Cavanaugh: The garden is one of my obsessions. There will (hopefully) be many more flowers. Jazz n Jewel have more thorns than pussywillows. Like them they are deciduous though - as the patina of fur on everything here confirms.

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  28. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe5 July 2015 at 22:00

    Like Jewel and Jaxz, I am also a wuss when it comes to winter weather.

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 08:07

      Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: It is summer which does me in. Jewel loves it, and bakes her black brains every chance she gets. Jazz over does it and comes in and flakes our on the floor.

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  29. mshatch5 July 2015 at 23:26

    My black Jim looks quite like your two. He doesn't go out at all since I don't think he's smart enough. Love the flowers :)

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 08:09

      mshatch: Jewel is the more intelligent of this pair. By a long way. Jazz has some street smarts, which enabled him to survive when he lived on the streets. I don't think he would last long now - and fortunately he will never have to.

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  30. My Inner Chick6 July 2015 at 00:07

    Awwwww, I just adore your Wussy Cats! Such panthers! xxxxx

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 08:12

      My Inner Chick: You have been listening to them. They think they are panthers too. Hugs.

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  31. Strayer6 July 2015 at 02:20

    Nice winter flowers. Nice winter cats!

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 08:13

      Strayer: Spring flowers blooming in winter. Every season cats...

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  32. Imagebloke6 July 2015 at 03:42

    Beautiful images :) I loved them.

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  33. John Wiswell6 July 2015 at 04:49

    Gorgeous as always, EC. I particularly like the celestial body peeking at us from the sky of the first one. It's come to admire the flowers.

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 08:19

      John Wiswell: Come to admire the flowers? Or to laugh at the petty concerns of the humans below?

      Delete
  34. Sonya Ann6 July 2015 at 06:54

    You take such perfect pictures. Mine are blurry and mostly of my thumb.
    Thank you for sharing. You are creative even when you say that you aren't. You should make a calender. Yes and sell them and be rich. I would buy one but only if I got a discount. I'll never outgrow being cheap.

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 08:21

      Sonya Ann: Digital cameras are wonderful. Take fifteen (or fifty) photos and delete all but one. IF I make a calendar, (not v likely) you will get a discount.

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  35. Jennifer Richardson6 July 2015 at 07:58

    It always amazes me how we can be enjoying such different seasons on the same earth we're all spinning on:)
    Your cool feels like welcome shade to me....thank you:)
    -Jennifer

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 08:21

      Jennifer Richardson: It is wonderful isn't it? If we don't like the season we are in, we can go and revel in someone elses....

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  36. Myrna R.6 July 2015 at 08:24

    Amasing, what grows in your garden when it's cold. So beautiful! Thank you for the pics.

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 13:53

      Myrna R.: I hope that more will grow as the weather warms up. There are certainly many, many bulbs starting to poke through the ground. Which is lovely.

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  37. Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen)6 July 2015 at 08:59

    I always love these little peeks into your world. That shot of the winter dawn moon is quite something! And so much is flowering in winter... wow! Of course, I always like pictures J & J....

    We've been feeling very grateful to live in a tiny little sliver near the coast that is not a walk-in oven at the moment (although still much warmer than we ever used to have). It has been consistently over 100, and several days around 113F (45 degrees to you) just east of us in Redding. I've been checking my weather app with fascinated horror. It's frequently still around 80 (26c) after midnight. It's always hot inland in the summer, but not so many continuous days like this. At any rate, enjoy the lovely frost!

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    1. Elephant's Child6 July 2015 at 13:55

      Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): I have been looking at the temperatures in your state with fascinated horror. I hope you get some relief. Soon.
      The winter moon was an unexpected bonus. I went out just after first light to continue my experiment with bubbles, and was delighted to see the moon.

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    2. Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen)7 July 2015 at 17:34

      The thought of bubbles with that moon at dawn -- genuinely lovely!

      I hope there's some relief from the heat soon too! I'm supposed to be traveling down and into the interior later in the month. UGH.

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    3. Elephant's Child7 July 2015 at 17:49

      Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): Another medical mayhem trip? Eeeuw. And I so hope there is a cool change. A very cool change.

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  38. Carol Kilgore6 July 2015 at 23:47

    Your view of the sky is becoming as familiar to me as my own. Those red flowers in the last picture are gorgeous!

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    1. Elephant's Child7 July 2015 at 07:20

      Carol Kilgore: Really? I am obviously posting too many shots of the sky.
      The camellia tree/bush is a delight. Despite the depreciations of the birds.

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  39. susantroccoloauthor.com7 July 2015 at 00:52

    Thank you for the good wishes to the Californians! I was just there visiting with my father and it was unbearably hot. We went to the coast each day for sea breezes. Back home in Portland, OR, I am watering at 6:00 am each day to keep my lovely garden alive. Thank you also for a wonderful visit to your world and your sweet kitties. Long may they reign!

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    1. Elephant's Child7 July 2015 at 07:22

      Susie@life-change-compost: Drought (and heat) are both dreadful things. I am not watering the garden at the moment, but only because many things are dormant over winter. The early watering will return too soon.

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  40. SpacerGuy7 July 2015 at 01:03

    Its always nice to look at colourful flowers when they're bursting into life. William Shatner has proposed a $30 billion kickstarter to build a water pipeline to save California. God bless him.

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    1. Elephant's Child7 July 2015 at 07:23

      Spacerguy: What a wonderful initiative by William Shatner. I hope many, many people follow suit.

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  41. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com7 July 2015 at 01:21

    J and J are beautiful wussy cats.
    I just read Spacerguy's comment - that's very cool of Shatner. It's scary times indeed, and I'm spending hours perched inches from my A/C unit. I'm not complaining about that...though I will when I see the bill.

    Take care of yourself, EC.

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    1. Elephant's Child7 July 2015 at 07:24

      Rawknrobyn: Very, very cool of Shatner. I loathe the heat and am very grateful that we are in our cooler months.
      Stay as comfortable as you can.

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  42. Mason Canyon7 July 2015 at 04:21

    Your photos are always so beautiful and bring a smile to my face. Love the bright colors and who can resist a cat (or two) in a photo. :)

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    1. Elephant's Child7 July 2015 at 07:25

      Mason Canyon: I am surprised at how much colour there is in the middle of winter. And Jazz n Jewel thank you. They tell me that they are by far the most beautiful blooms in my garden - or any garden.

      Delete
  43. Kelly Steel7 July 2015 at 05:38

    Love all the bright photos...thanks for sharing!

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    1. Elephant's Child7 July 2015 at 07:26

      Kelly Steel: My pleasure - and I am glad you enjoyed them.

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  44. Blogoratti7 July 2015 at 13:48

    Really amazing photos.

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  45. Anonymous7 July 2015 at 15:29

    Wonderful flowers and such a lovely sky!

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    1. Elephant's Child7 July 2015 at 15:51

      ladyfi: It was a beautiful dawn. Well into negative temperatures, but beautiful.

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  46. Riot Kitty7 July 2015 at 16:31

    How can you still have those blossoms in winter? Amazing.

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    1. Elephant's Child7 July 2015 at 17:50

      Riot Kitty: The garden is confused. I am confused. And there are more spring flowers coming out every day. Fortunately the temperatures are NOT spring-like.

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  47. Lux G.7 July 2015 at 18:34

    The colors are just magical. Great shots!

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  48. Zig7 July 2015 at 20:03

    What beautiful flowers and how strange to see daffs blooming. I love your cats. I have 3 gingers and a Birman and they are the same. Out for a few minutes and then in for the day somewhere comfy.

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    1. Elephant's Child8 July 2015 at 07:44

      Zig: Cats are very, very good at finding comfortable places aren't they?
      I have no idea why these daffs have decided mid-winter is an appropriate time to bloom. Weird.

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  49. LL Cool Joe8 July 2015 at 02:16

    They are not stupid are they cats? Nice to see them in bloom.

    Love all the flower shots, especially the 2-tone daffodils.

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    1. Elephant's Child8 July 2015 at 07:46

      LL Cool Joe: The cats have us wrapped round their furry (and sometimes spikey) paws.
      The sol d'or jonquil is one of my favourites. Judging by the nibbled petals other things like them too.

      Delete
  50. jenny_o8 July 2015 at 02:39

    I saw a sunrise a few days ago and thought of you, EC. (I'm not usually an early riser.)

    I love all the wild things in your garden, but I have to confess the black ones are my favourites - by a nose.

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    1. Elephant's Child8 July 2015 at 07:47

      jenny_o: I hope your sunrise was beautiful. And a gentle start to the day.
      I can see that I need to do another cat post. Jazz loves the camera, but Jewel is (like me) camera shy.

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  51. Lynn8 July 2015 at 03:07

    So strange to think of you having cold weather when it's SO hot here. And so wonderful that you have flowers blooming at all times of the year.

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    1. Elephant's Child8 July 2015 at 07:48

      Lynn: We try and have things blooming all year - but spring is when this garden is at its best. Summer it is often crispified in the heat. I hope your heat eases off soon.

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  52. Donna@LivingFromHappiness9 July 2015 at 11:21

    Looks like you are getting spring blooms already

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    1. Elephant's Child9 July 2015 at 17:27

      Donna@LivingFromHappiness: We are. Before winter is even half over. I don't know whether to be happy or scared.

      Delete
  53. Louisette10 July 2015 at 18:46

    Lovely post ,greeting from Mons in Belgium

    http://louisette.eklablog.com/mes-autres-blogs-p842116

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  54. 21 Wits12 July 2015 at 01:37

    Antics by kitties always a treat! Such peace and beauty in your post.

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    1. Elephant's Child12 July 2015 at 06:22

      Karen S.: Antics by kitties are a treat - except when they decide to play chasings over the bed at three am. And take their quiet shoes off and THUNDER up and down the house.

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