Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday 21 February 2016

Sunday Selections #264

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 I planned to show you the purple pavlova I made for my nephew's partner's 40th birthday party (goodness that makes me feel old).  However, while the pavlova was enjoyed by those who partook, the photos were an epic fail.  It looked grey rather than purple. Which it wasn't.  The interior was a deep, deep purple, the cream was marbled with red and blue and it was decorated with blueberries, raspberries and sugar stars.  In a completely over the top way it looked ok.   Sigh.


So I am reverting ar the eleventh hour to more common obsessions; a stylish corella and a sunset.

First the bird.




Then the sky.  Two consecutive days.




 

128 comments:

  1. Every time you post a picture I have bird envy. I am afraid all those gorgeous birds would be a horrible distraction and I would get nothing done but bird watching.

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: They are a distraction. For me, for my partner, for the cats. And I feel no (well very little) guilt.

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  2. Hi EC - the corellas look beautiful, while the warmth of that sunset just calls me ... it's a heavy dismal gloom here?! Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: The corellas are beautiful - but their characters don't match their looks. They are bully boys, and swagger about dominating the feeder. And always make me smile.

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  3. Replies
    1. Blogoratti: Thank you. I do love the birds. And the sky.

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  4. Not sure what a pavlova but with all that fruit, sounds like it would be tasty. Pretty corellas. I would be staring all day at them too (yep I spend a lot of time with my various woodpeckers and cardinals)

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: I have explained pavlova in a comment on your blog. A classic summer (mostly) dessert in both Australia and New Zealand. Both of whom claim to have invented it.
      I would be watching your woodpeckers and cardinals too.

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  5. What a shame the pavlova didn't photograph well....but it must have looked and tasted magnificent

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    1. Relatively Retiring: I didn't have any, but reports were good. Which made me heave a sigh of relief. It is a very, very long time since I have made one.

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  6. my daughters made pavlova for my sisters 40th yesterday! it was plain old white pav with banana & strawberries.

    the shots of the sky are beautiful

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    1. kylie: The birthday girl had expressed a wish for colourful fun for her birthday high tea. And there is nothing wrong with white pav. At all. It would have taken better photos too.

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  7. A purple pavlova! No-one would see it without making a remark. I like the trees silhouetted against the sky.

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    1. Andrew: It was over the top, but sometimes excess is just what is needed.
      Those trees feature in a LOT of my photos because I too like their silhouette.

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  8. Beautiful shots. I love the close-ups! :-)

    Greetings from London.

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    1. A Cuban in London: I think they know just how beautiful they are. They seem more than happy to pose for photos, including close-ups.

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  9. Remarkable thank you

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  10. Beauty immeasurable, but I wanted to see the pavlova. Have never tasted one though have seen them made. I fear mine, if attempted, would turn into an Eton Mess.

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    1. donna baker: Eton Mess is something I have read about, and see on television but never closer than that. Getting the soft interior is the only tricky bit to making a pav, and that isn't very difficult at all.

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  11. The sky pictures are great but I'm not talking to birds at the moment.
    Merle.............

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    1. Merlesworld: I hope Drummy and Pidge at least are behaving.

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  12. Sorry the photos you wanted to share didn't turn out the way you had hoped. It stinks when that happens. I hadn't heard of a pavlova before- so I Googled it. :) Sounds tasty.

    Love the pictures you did share! Beautify sky views. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~ Jess: If the pavlova had looked like the photos no-one would have been game to try it. Fortunately it didn't.

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  13. Great pictures, EC..and I'm picturing the pavlova and drooling. It sounds like it would've been delicious and it also sounds like it would've looked great...a nice change from the usual pavs. :)

    I hope you have a great week ahead. Cuddles to your two furry friends.

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    1. Lee: It looked different, but would have tasted the same.
      I hope you, Remy and Sharma have a lovely week.

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  14. Replies
    1. Bea: Thank you. There are folders and folders of birds and sky photos on my PC. I love them.

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  15. Lovely! I never get tired of your corellas, nor your sunsets. Thanks for the mental health break.

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    1. Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): I am more than pleased to give you some mental health respite. I owe you an email too. Later today. Hopefully.

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  16. Love the corella. So pretty.

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  17. There's nothing common about the above lovely obsessions. Nothing at all :)
    Would've loved to have seen the pav - sounds pretty awesome!

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    1. Vicki: I might not even wait another twenty years (plus) before making a pav again. I am very glad that I am not boring people to sobs my returning to my obsessions.

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  18. What a shame about the photos! The pav sounds amazing. Well done you!
    Lovely corella, and the sunsets are so lovely.

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    1. Alexia: I really don't know what the problem was but the photos were very, very ugly. Light? Some taken here, some taken at the birthday tea. Camera and phone. Ah well. It apparently tasted good which is all that matters.

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  19. Had to google both pavlova and Eton Mess. Now I'm drooling. :)
    That corella would look good in a purple robe with a crown on his head. Truly majestic looking!

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    1. River Fairchild: I am sorry. Pav is such an integral part of summer that I forgot that it is a 'local' delicacy.
      The corella could indeed rock a crown and a robe.

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  20. We believe you - purple Pavlova sounds rather elegant! And bird images will suffice any day, as these are exotic compared to our eagles, and seagulls. (although I'm fond of the eagles)

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    1. D.G Hudson: Eagles? Majestic magic. I rarely see them as more than a speck in the sky.

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  21. Sorry about the picture fail, but that corella looks good enough to eat! It looks like winged whipped cream!!!

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    1. Bookie: A whole new perspective on the corella. Thinking, thinking, thinking. And they are beautiful and their feathers look sooooo soft. Those beaks and talons are powerful though.

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  22. I could look at your pictures of the birds forever. They are spectacular creatures.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Thank you. So much.

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  23. You've got a wing-spread dragon flying in that first sunset, one with stubby round wings and a very thin tail.
    Love the corella with his chest all puffed up with pride, he knows he's gorgeous.
    I wouldn't mind seeing a greyish/purple pavlova. Or make it a black and white shot :)

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    1. River: I had seen that dragon too. I hope I never get too old to look for shapes in the clouds. I deleted the pav shots. They really were awful.

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  24. Oh you shouldn't have mentioned pavlova, which I'd never heard of. I googled it and began to salivate over the photos. Now I'll have to make it. And then eat it. I don't think the cats should have it, not good for them, so I'll have to eat it all I'm sure. See what you've done.

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    1. Strayer: It goes really really well with passionfruit and strawberries on it. Or indeed almost any of the berries.
      I do hope you like it - and spread the word.

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  25. I've said it many times, you have the most beautiful birds in your part of the world! Thank you for sharing your photos with us! And the sunsets aren't too bad, either! :-)

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    1. BECKY: We are lucky aren't we? Though you have some birds on your side of the world I would drool over too.

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  26. When you make the next pav. try another photo because I for one would like to know what it looks like.
    Love you photos today.

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: It might be a while. It is well over twenty years since I last made a pavlova. However, himself is making icecream at the moment which uses egg yolks, so perhaps...

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  27. Love the corellas (once had a short beaked fellow...never in a cage and a great friend).
    Love the sky photos. Can't get them from here as too many trees in the way but then it's mainly constantly blue so nothing very spectacular in that.

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    1. Mimsie: We have had a LOT of cloud this summer. And briefly some very welcome rain. That has stopped (sigh) but the cloud is still around.

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  28. Love this white bird.
    Have a very happy new week.

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    1. orvokki: We love them as well. And a wonderful Sunday and week ahead to you too.

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  29. People love a sunset and a Corella. :)

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    1. Snoskred: I do, but I also love, love, love your tigers.

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  30. Beautiful Corellas, but it was the sunset shots which really made me smile. Thank you! =)

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    1. The Cranky: I do love the sky. And the feathered inhabitants, and the myriad colour changes.

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  31. Beautiful images all of them. I love the birds and I am transfixed with your skies.

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    1. Bob Bushell: Thank you. I am often transfixed by the sky too. Each and every day.

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  32. So you gave us all the bird.

    I'm glad you followed up with twilight shots. I always love twilight shots :)

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    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: Would I give you the bird? Lend it maybe...

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  33. What a pretty bird, my mother would die LOL. She wants one just like that. I think she has already named it "Peachy."
    *kisses*

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    1. totallycaroline: I suspect Peachy has a fairly impressive nip.

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  34. Beautiful bird and sunset. That's enough for me.
    Must confess I didn't know what a pavlova is. Looked it up. Now I'm drooling.

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    1. Myrna R.: The bird and the sunset are a daily treat. And better for me than the pavlova. Which I resisted.

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  35. That's too bad about the pavlova pictures, but heck these things happen. I love the sky and the birds that are very gaze-worthy. :-)

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    1. DJan: If you knew just how much time I spend gazing at the birds...

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  36. Sigh. I wish I had a corella (or two) in my garden. What a beautiful bird.

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    1. Carola Bartz: You see birds I never will, and envy. We are so lucky to be able to share the feathered enchantment.

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  37. Oh too bad about the pictures but I love the substitute...a beautiful bird and sky!

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    1. Donna@LivingFromHappiness: Thank you. The substitutes are dearer to my heart.

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  38. Both bird and sky are breathtaking. I think the bird looks as if it has something to say.

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    1. Lynn: The corella probably does have something to say. I am grateful that neither cats nor birds speak English as a rule. I suspect I would not like hearing quite a lot of what they say.

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  39. Beautiful bird. I wouldn't mind having one but I'm afraid my cat Sid would make a meal out of the poor bird. Lovely pictures.

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    1. Rasma Raisters: Jazz n Jewel would *like* a corella too. Just the same, the corella's beak is impressive and I suspect they would not be unscathed. And the corellas know they are there. Sid would probably be as disappointed as the black hearted pair which live here.

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  40. Every our Winter/your Summer, I look forward to your pix. Thanks, EC. x

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    1. Austan: It is only fair. I really look forward to pictures of winter wonderlands when we are deep in the sweaty season.

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  41. Wonderful shots, as always.

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  42. The pavlova sounded delicious - no need for a photo with your descriptive powers! That corolla is so, so white - very stylish indeed, as you said. And the Two Sisters under the cloudless sky are magnificent.

    Hope the new week will be cooler and kinder to you.

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    1. jenny_o: The weather boffins are threatening a hot and ugly week. Respite next weekend. And perhaps rain with the cooler weather. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed.
      The corellas have fortunately returned to their white magnificence after the muddy pair I showed a few months ago.

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  43. Handsome bird and beautiful sunsets, love the tree silhouettes. The pav sounds like it was wonderful.

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    1. Karen: I hope the birthday girl (who I am fond of) enjoyed her pav.

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  44. Your bird photos are always so beautiful and close up. The photos of the sky make me sigh with happiness.

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    1. Mason Canyon: Thank you. I sigh at the sky too. Often.

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  45. Beautiful bird and sunset.Would have loved to have seen your pavlova. Bet it was great.

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    1. Sandra Cox: The pav was over the top - which seemed appropriate for a birthday high tea. She had a tier of stunning bright blue cup cakes too.

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  46. I set out to google pavlova and started out mildly confused. Is it a flower, a fruit or a meringue dessert? Finally determined it is the baked meringue dessert with fruit on top and is named for Anna Pavlova. Love expanding my horizons.

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    1. Granny Annie: Thanks for your patience. I really should have explained pavlova - but they are such an integral part of my childhood it didn't occur to me.

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  47. Great series of Sunday Selections. This pretty corella is adorable and I do like the sound of your purple pavlova.

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    1. DeniseinVA: I prefer the corella and the sky to the pavlova. Which, given my girth is just as well.

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  48. Purple pav sounds too scary! What did you use to make it purple? I remember a pav kit coming in a plastic egg, made in Australia, can you still get them? My cousin and aunt brought them from australia for me. But have since learned to make one without a kit (very yummy), but never purple!!!!

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    1. Shammickite: I remember those eggs. I never used them, but can remember seeing them. I wonder whether they are still around. I will look when we do the groceries later today.
      The purple came by beating in red and blue organic food colouring while I was beating the eggs. I stirred more of both colours through the whipped cream for a marbled effect.

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  49. I see you have read The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell. I adore his books, so at the moment I am a few pages into his newest, Slade House, it's already hooked me, I can't put it down.
    I think you should read all of his books, but perhaps you already have.

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    1. Shammickite: I was put onto The Bone Clocks by another blogger. And was intrigued. I will certainly track down his other books.

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  50. The bird looks shy but feigning humility - loving being photographed.
    Your sunset photos are lovely.
    Be well, EC.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: You are right about the feigned humility. There is nothing, but nothing humble about the corellas. Who know how beautiful they are.

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  51. The bird is pretty and the sky shots are just gorgeous. I don't know what pavlova is, so I have to go and talk to google about it. LOL! Have a great day!

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    1. Terri @ Coloring Outside the Lines:I am so sorry. I will try and remember to explain background info better.

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  52. Purple pavlova - that sounds so creative and divine!!

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    1. CountryMum: Purple pav has a ring to it doesn't it?

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  53. Well, everybody's heard,
    About the bird.

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    1. Jono: Big smiles. So long as everyone doesn't receive the bird. Just those who deserve it.

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  54. Stylish indeed, and surely delightful, what sweet expressions you've captured here. Happy birthday wishes for your nephew's partner and remember we're as old as we FEEL to be! Hehehe! I hope your week is lovely.

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    1. Karen S.: This week I feel ancient. Which is fine. I wouldn't be a teenager again for anyone.

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  55. Hello. I have been "away". I wonder what I have missed. You are still here, anyway.

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    1. Andrew MacLaren-Scott: How nice to see you back again. I am slow moving and more stubborn than stains. Not going anywhere anytime soon.

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  56. Never heard of a pavlova--would it be like our trifle?--nor, except in your posts, corellas. Learning a lot about another part of the world, I am. And thanks. The sunsets we DO enjoy.

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    1. Patricia A. Laster: A pavlova is a meringue concoction. A crisp outer shell, a soft centre and generally served with whipped cream and fruit. Both Australia and New Zealand claim to have invented the dish and it is a common summer (mostly) treat in both countries.
      The corellas are charmers, and I am always surprised that they are not better publicised - but so many countries have glorious birds.
      And the sky is magic - world wide.

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  57. Mmmmm pavlova. Isn't it funny that many people in the rest of the world don't know what pavlova is, when it's a central fact of Oz/Kiwi culture?
    I think that corella knows he is beautiful!

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    1. lynners: I really hadn't realised that pav is a geographically limited treat.
      And I know the corella is aware of his beauty.

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  58. It's unfortunate you didn't get a good picture of the pavlova. I have no idea what that is (about to google) but what you described sounds like it'd be tasty! And pretty!

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    1. Madilyn Quinn: Pavlova is a childhood icon for me. These days I rarely eat it (must be over ten years since I have had a piece) and even more rarely make it.

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  59. Last night I was at a meeting where a judge commented on a hundred or so silhouette images, I wish I'd seen yours on the large screen too, they look stunning

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    1. Kim: As you know I am a happy snapper rather than a photographer, but love watching the sky silhouetted against the 'twin' trees.

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  60. Your so-called "obsessions" lead to such beautiful photos, you've made them our obsessions, as well. Your shots of nature, whether it be birds, flowers, or the sky, are always gorgeous.

    I never heard of a pavlova before, but after reading the other comments, I have an idea of what it is now. And I also have an idea where it got its name, too. It is soooooo delicious, that when people see it, they start salivating like Pavlov's dog. :)

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    1. Susan: Nearly right. Pavlova was originally created and named for the dancer Anna Pavlova. There is some salivation involved in both.

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  61. Well, I'm certain the pavlova was delicious but it's hard to go wrong with images of a cute Corella and scintillating skyline.

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    1. Wally Jones: I didn't try the pav - but am told it was good. The corella on the other hand DID give me joy. As they always do.

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