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. This week? Things which have made me smile.
The first two photos belong to the youngest of my brothers. He volunteers each week at our local zoo. A LOT of the work he does is essentially shovelling shit. However he also gets some very big rewards. This week he shared his shift with a baby ring-tailed lemur. His smile says it all.
I am happy for him, but I am also more than a little jealous. That baby is just gorgeous. I am particularly taken with its toes... (embiggen and you will see what I mean. sooooo cute.)
Our cacti are flowering. Which always pleases me.
Tiny red flowers.
Those tiny flowers in close up.
The night flowering cactus is also in bloom. The flowers are huge (about eight or nine inches across). It is scented, and the blooms last just one day.
The silk tree is also in flower. Lots and lots of delicate blooms. Which were visited by a butterfly.
I am really very lucky. Which I mostly remember.
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. This week? Things which have made me smile.
The first two photos belong to the youngest of my brothers. He volunteers each week at our local zoo. A LOT of the work he does is essentially shovelling shit. However he also gets some very big rewards. This week he shared his shift with a baby ring-tailed lemur. His smile says it all.
I am happy for him, but I am also more than a little jealous. That baby is just gorgeous. I am particularly taken with its toes... (embiggen and you will see what I mean. sooooo cute.)
Our cacti are flowering. Which always pleases me.
Tiny red flowers.
Those tiny flowers in close up.
The night flowering cactus is also in bloom. The flowers are huge (about eight or nine inches across). It is scented, and the blooms last just one day.
The silk tree is also in flower. Lots and lots of delicate blooms. Which were visited by a butterfly.
I am really very lucky. Which I mostly remember.
You are blessed!
ReplyDeleteWarm ALOHA,
ComfortSpiral
(\__/)
(='.'=)
(")_('')
Cloudia: I am.
DeleteDang, that's a cute little lemur. And I see what you mean about its toes!
ReplyDeleteRon Dudley: I understand that less shovelling was done that day - because the lemur was on the shovelling shoulder.
DeleteOOO cuteness attack!!! How lucky is your brother!!
ReplyDeleteYvonne Kirk: Very, very lucky - but he works hard for that luck.
DeleteWell done thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteMartin Kloess: My pleasure.
DeleteSuch a cute, little creature. Thanks! :-)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
A Cuban in London: Isn't it a honey?
DeleteOh. My. God. Talk about cuteness overload. That baby ring-tailed lemur is soooo precious! And its tiny toes ... I see what you mean!
ReplyDeleteOh, and your flowers are lovely too :)
Wendy: How nice to see you here. How are you doing? You have been missed.
DeleteFlowers, shmowers. Next to the lemur they are dull.
OMG those toes are precious.
ReplyDeleteDelores: I hadn't realised that I could become a foot fetishist, but for lemurs I can.
DeleteDoes your brother need an assistant?
ReplyDeletefishducky: There is a waiting list for zoo volunteers. Which doesn't surprise me. They work them hard though. In all weathers. Love the rewards. Am jealous of the rewards.
DeleteYou are so right EC about the smile on your brother's face. The lemur is so animated and familiar. Mumma lemurs must not be very protective of their young. Your last photo of the butterfly is a great pic EC!
ReplyDeletecarol: I expect he is still smiling thinking about it. I plan on getting him a mug with that photo on the side to remind him. If he needs any reminder.
DeleteThe butterfly was difficult. There were rather a lot of failed shots.
Wouldn't it be terrible if you did not notice the one day bloom on the cactus and the next day just see the remnants of the bloom. Still, at 8 inches across, it would be hard to miss. The lemur is very cute.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: It would be terrible. And is quite possible. That cactus lives on the end of the veranda, and I don't go past it every day.
DeleteWhat a special event that must have been.
ReplyDeleteLon Anderson: He has had lots of special events at the zoo. Taking baby dingoes for a walk was a highlight too.
DeleteWell, here I am anthromorphing the little darling, but what an engaging animal!
ReplyDeleteAs for your flowers, what beauty to have around.
Joanne Noragon: I am a chronic anthromorphiser myself. It did look as if it too was enjoying the interaction. I hope so.
DeleteSilk tree! does it have any other name? It's lovely, as is the butterfly. I love the cactus flowers too. The baby lemur is adorable, your brother is lucky to be able to spend time with it.
ReplyDeleteRiver: The silk tree is also known as Albizia julibrissin. It is, sadly, very prone to attack from borers.
DeleteMy brother is lucky - but he works hard for the privilege. Very hard.
There are some who probably say I shovel a lot of shit, too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful little creature...the lemur, that is! I see what you mean about its toes.
I was always fascinated by the little toes of the marsupial bush rats, too. The marsupial bush rat is such a cute pretty little animal. We used to see them often on Hinchinbrook Island. I saved one little fellow. I discovered him trapped in a bucket of water, and when I got him out his little feet clung on to my hand. I was smitten immediately.
Wonderful photos, one and all.
I hope you have a great week, EC...cuddles to your two rascals. :)
Lee: I don't think I have ever been close enough to a bush rat to see its toes, but I am sure that I would love them too.
DeleteA great week to you and your cats as well.
How cute is that! I have only seen adult ones...in the zoo of course. Your cacti are beautiful! What a wall accent!
ReplyDeleteTeresa Hennes: Very, very cute. I am fond of the cacti, though I have been bitten by the big one more than once.
DeleteThose are about the cutest toes ever!
ReplyDeleteBirdie: All of the lemur melted my heart. Its face, its eyes, its tail - and those toes...
DeleteI have never seen a cactus like that one...beautiful flowers, all of them! Loved the lemur too...must be a fun job although poopy at times.
ReplyDeleteBookie: I don't think the lemur crap is a problem. Some of the bigger animals I gather are very, very prolific. And cleaning their enclosures on very hot or very wet days a challenge.
DeleteThe lemur is definitely very cute. Love your cactus flowers. Very fortunate indeed.
ReplyDeleteCountryMum: I am. And am grateful.
DeleteNever heard of night cacti..Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteAnd the lemur is precious
Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: The cactus looks very ordinary for most of the year. A pillar with prickles. The buds swell and start to open late one afternoon and perfume the night air. It stays open the next day, and then closes.
DeleteWhat a beautiful, precious little fellow. I too am very envious, and wish we had a zoo near here so that I could volunteer - even to shovel shit! My volunteer job is very enjoyable and rewarding, but I don't meet anyone with cute toes...
ReplyDeleteThe cactus photos are great, and that one of the butterfly amongst the silken strands is a great capture.
Alexia: Chuckling here. I may have to ask the people I volunteer with to show me their toes. I doubt that they will be anything like as cute as the lemur's though.
DeleteYou certainly are, dear EC. I keep forgetting that you are on the other side of the world experiencing the onset of summer, until I see these fabulous pictures. I can almost smell that huge flower from here. And those toes! They are magical. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: Magical is a perfect word for them.
DeleteI think I would like to have a lemur.I would, of course,name my lemur for John Cleese.Of course.
ReplyDeleteexits, practising lemur wlak...
dinahmow: He already has a lemur named for him. You will make him think they are all his.
DeleteI would love to see your lemur walk though.
No wonder these things make you smile! Baby toes, no matter what the species, are always the cutest thing ever. =)
ReplyDeleteJacquelineand...: You are right. Which is odd, because adult feet have very little charm or cuteness about them.
DeleteCute little guy..not sure I would want to shovel poo, but I would love to be able to play with the little ones.
ReplyDeleteTerri @ Coloring Outside the Lines: I suspect he views the clean-up duties as the price he pays for the privileges he gets. And is happy to pay it. I don't think I could shovel for the eight hours days he puts in...
DeleteI had no idea baby lemurs were that cute! And the flower shots are gorgeous-as usual! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteHBF: I didn't know that the baby lemur had obviously taken cuteness pills either. But it had. Quite a lot of them.
DeleteI am such an animal lover. I always wondered if I volunteered at the zoo if I would have to shovel shit all day. I want to be with elephants but doubt that I could shovel that.
ReplyDeletedonna baker: There are other jobs. That brother had a shoulder reconstruction last year and for a few months couldn't shovel. They found other things for him to do; preparing food for various animals, walking the dingo pups, and other things. He is valued. And elephants are incredible animals, though I am pretty certain I couldn't shovel their output either.
DeleteAs an animal lover myself I also volunteer with our local shelter. In shear volume, though, shoveling shit at home wins hands down. See this weeks pics.
ReplyDeleteLemurs are so cool!
Jono: I saw the mountain of work you had undertaken - and thought of my brother. Lemurs are pretty amazing aren't they? But then all animals are. Even our species some days.
DeleteOh!!! I am SO envious! Baby lemur! Adorable.
ReplyDeleteThere's big payoffs to shovelling shit. Huge.
And the cactus flower is stunning! What a big beauty.
Vicki: I am envious too. Big time. He puts in the work, and he deserves it, but...
DeleteThe cactus flower is spectacular every year. It is a vicious beast it grows on though.
Your brother looks really happy.
ReplyDeleteHere the cactus are small and grow only inside. It would be nice to see the familiar flowers as large and outdoors.
Have a nice week.
orvokki: He was really happy. And who wouldn't be?
DeleteI am glad that we can grow things outside, because I have a brown thumb where indoor plants are concerned.
The cacti are beautiful, we have a few I planted in AZ, but they never flower when we are there!
ReplyDeleteThe Baby lemur goes someway towards making up for the shit shovelling I suppose. :D
LL Cool Joe: I have a weakness for cacti. The big one doesn't flower every year, but I have hopes that it will settle into it.
DeleteAnd the brother would say that the lemur was worth the shit shovelling. He has patted cheetahs too.
Hi EC - lovely to see your brother and his little lemur - he does look happy with his companion and his 'shitty' job! What a good place to volunteer in ...
ReplyDeleteI love the cacti - they are just beautiful - I'd love to see them one day .. cheers Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: He very rarely sends me pictures from his day at the zoo, so I think it is safe to say that he was very happy. He will do a months 'work experience' there early next year. As the oldest work experience candidate about since he is nearly 65. He has no thoughts of paid employment there, just revels in the experience.
DeleteWhat wonderful rewards your brother gets from his shitty job. That lemur looks very comfortable and happy with him.
ReplyDeleteYour cacti is beyond beautiful.
Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: The lemur does look content with its perch doesn't it? Which is lovely.
DeleteYour brother is indeed very lucky with such a cute little fellow to share the ride!
ReplyDeleteGenerally, I think cactus are rather ugly but their flowers are beautiful. Too bad they don't sport them more often. :)
River Fairchild: I ignore the cacti for much of the year. Sometimes to my cost when they bite me. The flowers are special, perhaps more special because a lot of the year the plant is plain?
DeleteShoveling shit. Isn't that a metaphor for life, with little breaks, if we're lucky, like a baby lemur on the shoulder. What a cutee! I've never seen a silk plant flower before. How delicate and beautiful and with the butterfly, a gorgeous photo.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: Some people (and not always the right people) get more lemurs than shit.
DeleteI was lucky to capture the butterfly. They are so quick (and so erratic) in flight.
Oh. My. Gosh. I want to pet the lemur! Pick me, pick me!
ReplyDeleteYou are indeed both very lucky. :)
Dawn@Lighten Up!: I would have loved to have the lemur climbing over me. Rather a lot.
DeleteOh my gosh, EC. Isn't that little Lemur just the sweetest thing. And darling little toesies.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: It is hard to look at those photos without a smile isn't it? And an awww or two. And some jealousy.
DeleteOh yes, the baby Ring-tailed Lemur, sweet. Lovely pictures. And smothered flowers, brilliant images.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: Thank you. Wasn't the lemur a cutie?
DeleteYes, I would love one, to cuddle, ha ha.
DeleteBob Bushell: Me too.
DeleteI'd be jealous of your brother too, well meeting that cute little lemur, maybe not the other, lol. Lovely photos, gorgeous flowers.
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: The lemur is gorgeous isn't it? Probably worth the shovelling...
DeleteLucky brother to be able to interact with the animal kingdom such as this. I absolutely adore this cute lemur with those fascinating toes. Your cactus flowers are simply stunning EC ! Thanks for these awesome pictures :)
ReplyDeleteWhisper Mist: I love that lemur too. I look at the photos several times each day and each time I smile nearly as widely as the brother. The white cactus blooms are now a thing of the past, but the red ones are still flourishing.
DeleteI can see why you are taken with those toes! Your brother looks very happy. Your blooming cacti look gorgeous! Love the flowers. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~ Jess: I am glad that there are a lot of people about who share my fetish with lemur toes.
DeleteOOOOOOOOOOOO, my heart.
ReplyDeleteSuch beauty.
I love the first 2 photos SO much!!!!!!!! xxxxx
My Inner Chick: It is a magical moment isn't it? And I gather he spent a lot of that day loving and being loved by the lemur...
DeleteZoo volunteering is awesome! ;) Happy moments..
ReplyDeleteSnoskred: Very, very happy moments.
Delete:)
ReplyDeleteKaren: Yes.
DeleteOh how I love the photos of your brother and the lemur baby! I'm so glad his hard work was rewarded. And thank goodness for volunteers of all kinds - without them many things we take for granted would grind to a halt.
ReplyDeleteThe picture of the butterfly on the silky plant is amazing. How is the camera learning going?
jenny_o: An early Christmas for him. He loves it anyway, but the lemur was definitely icing on the cake.
DeleteThe camera still has the upper hand, but I am (slowly) getting more comfortable with it.
The Lemur, oh, isn't it just so sweet.
ReplyDeleteGood to see your cacti in bloom, remember when you first got them.
They do have beautiful flowers, even if only for a few days or hours..
Margaret-whiteangel: The smaller cacti flower over a long period. The big one is a fleeting treat.
DeleteWhen my godson was a young child his favorite animal was the Lemur. He had a stuffed toy Lemur and I just remembered that I have saved it for him. He is almost 40 now so maybe I should give it to him for Christmas:-) This weekend my granddaughter walked around with their real live hedgehog on her shoulder.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: A hedgehog? On her shoulder? More jealous thoughts. And yes, give your godson his lemur. It would make a very special gift.
DeleteSo sweet. I love all the pictures and now there's a smile on my face too. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: Smiles are for sharing. I am very glad to hear about yours.
DeleteAw, that baby lemur is a total ham for the camera. Very cute!
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: If you look that good camera hogging is understandable. And justifiable.
DeleteAnd we are very lucky that you always share your beautiful pictures with us. They put a smile on my face.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Thank you.
DeleteThose toes ARE cute :)
ReplyDeleteAuthor R. Mac Wheeler: Very cute. It seems that there are a lot of lemur foot fetishists about.
DeleteI would shovel shit to get to hold that cutie. In fact, I have shovel quite a bit of dog shit and on occasion horse shit. Not a horse fan, they bite.
ReplyDeleteSonya Ann: I have shovelled shit with less rewards than that. Often. And horses don't only bite, they kick. And are copious crappers.
DeleteWhat great shots of your brother!
ReplyDeleteladyfi: He is so very happy in them. Which is lovely.
DeleteThat lemur is adoooorable. I remember a big-eyed little guy in a park down-under one evening, staring at me. I melted.
ReplyDeleteI rarely see cacti in bloom, this is a treat!
neena maiya (guyana gyal): You have seen a lemur in the wild? Amazing. I would have melted too. In a heartbeat.
DeleteYour brother's smile must match yours, but we never see that.
ReplyDeleteSusan Kane: That brother is better looking than I am, but I am told that our smiles are similar.
DeleteI'm lucky, blessed to know you, Sue. Great pictures, as per usual. Which one is your brother in the photos? I'm kidding :)
ReplyDeleteTake care and keep smiling.
Gary
klahanie: My brother does not have cute toes. Not at all.
DeleteI hope you are starting to feel better. So much.
I think the teenage expression "totes adorbs" describes your brother's little lemur. Beautiful! As are the photos of your incredible cactus flowers. How wonderful!
ReplyDeleteCarol: No teenagers in my life so I hadn't come across totes adorbs - but it is perfect. Thank you.
DeleteAdorable creature. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd love the blooms.
Lux G.: Isn't it? I fell in love with the photos.
DeleteEC EC EC now it's my turn to keep scrolling up and down with your images. The lemur is incredibly cute, I would absolutely love to have been there too. And those blossoms, sigh, so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteKim: What a lovely thing to say. If a happy snapper like me can get a photographer like yourself scrolling...
DeleteI'm lucky, too. Love the baby lemur - so sweet. And lovely that your brother gets to hang out with them.
ReplyDeleteI had one of those night blooming cacti once - I had had it for years and it never bloomed until I moved away from my (now ex) husband. I was astounded - so beautiful, like yours.
Lynn: I am convinced that the 'loony tunes' people who say that plants respond to people talking to them are right. Which also means that they pick up on the ambient atmosphere. I am glad that your night cactus applauded your move.
DeleteWhich I mostly remember, too:)
ReplyDeleteThe Lemur (swoon!) Oh my gosh:)
And the only cactus I'm seeing these days
are Christmas cactus grown in greenhouses
so it's wonderful to see your succulents so satisfied.
A most beautiful week to you,
Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson: At the moment the cacti are perhaps the happiest thing in the garden. Hot. Dry. Windy. Not kind to quite a lot of things. A beautiful (and bountiful) week to you too.
DeleteI love your cacti flowers, and love the toes on that baby lemur. I'm also a bit jealous!
ReplyDeleteCindi Summerlin: It is hard not to be jealous of his experience. I find it impossible.
DeleteOf course you are jealous - I would be as well! That lemur baby is adorable!
ReplyDeleteI think your silk tree is what we call a mimosa. My neighbor has one and it's gorgeous. However, at the moment, at the beginning of our winter, very messy!!
Carola Bartz: Isn't the lemur a honey? It makes my heart melt every time I look at it. You are right, you call our silk tree a mimosa. They are pretty trees, but prone to attack my borers.
DeleteThe cacti and silk tree flowers are beautiful and oh! to have baby lemur sit upon one's shoulder.
ReplyDeleteMimsie: A day for him to remember, that's for sure.
DeleteOMG! That lemur is FUCKING CUTE!
ReplyDeleteRiot Kitty: Isn't it? I am still jealous.
Delete