Sunday, 1 May 2016

Sunday Selections #274

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. In my absence (and thank you soooo much for all your messages of support) we took an outing to the lake on a beautiful autumnal day to see a 'boatfest'.  It was held at the local yacht club, and all the visitors were smiling.  Powered boats are severely restricted on our lake, which was evident.












Isn't that shimmer on the water beautiful?




Of course, while we were 'in the neighbourhood' we had to go and visit the kangaroos.






And the red-rumped parrots (aka bum birds) who were showing their rumps for a change.  



And the cormorants.  Big smiles.

But goodness it is dry...

145 comments:

  1. Good to hear from you!
    Some cool little boats there. Probably not ones you'd want to get into if you had a fear of the water though.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: Our lake is usually very gentle. In winter it can be v cold, but it is probably a good place to tackle fear of water (which I fortunately have never had).

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  2. I was thinking about you yesterday so I am glad you are posting. :-)

    Great pictures. I have a weird question. Do people eat kangaroos?

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    1. Birdie: We eat both of our national emblems. Both the kangaroos and emus. Which is something as far as I know that no other nation does. We export their meat too. Sigh. I am very glad to be a vegetarian.

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  3. Wonderful to see your post. A boatfest sounds like so much fun. I live on the lake but I don't think they've ever had a boatfest around here. Great photos, as always.

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    1. Mason Canyon: I saw a throw away paragraph in the local paper or we wouldn't have known it was on. I am glad we went though. It was a beautiful day, and being surrounded by happy people is always a plus.

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  4. oh those boats are divine and the kangaroo seems to be posing, welcome back; hope you are doing well

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    1. Linda Starr: The kanga WAS posing. My head is over the parapet at least.

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  5. You sure live in a fun place Child. Such neat happenings.

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    1. donna baker: I think my city is beautiful. Others think it is boring. They are wrong. And I am happy for them to stay away.

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  6. Yes, the shimmer on the water is indeed beautiful. And the cormorants, and... well, all of it! :-)

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    1. DJan: I hope your knee is getting better. And I am glad to share the beauty.

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  7. I saw someone asked if people eat kangaroo meat. I know that there are companies here (in British Columbia) who import kangaroo meat (called exotic meats). It's evidently very edible. A lot of the time it's blended with other meats. Love the boat and bird photos. Those little boats look very approachable. I dislike the noise of power boats.

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    1. D.G. Hudson: Kangaroo meat is apparently a 'healthy meat', and low in fat. People eat it, and pets eat it. I don't.
      I agree with you about the noise of power boats. Only the police are entitled to use them on our lake - which is often criticised but I am glad of.

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  8. Yay you are back! So exotic to see kangaroos and parrots all about. I was so excited yesterday just to see a red bellied woodpecker show up at my feeder (see blog)

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    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: I would be excited to see a red bellied woodpecker too. Or any woodpecker. And will be over to check out your blog shortly.

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  9. Delightful photos. Much enjoyed here!

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  10. Beautiful post--I've missed you!!

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    1. fishducky: I have missed the blogosphere, and am very glad to hear I have been missed too.

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  11. Beautiful post. The boats brought back memories.
    Thank you

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    1. Martin Kloess: Boats and water have a kind of magic don't they?

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  12. So good to see you back! We, too, are a bit short on rain just now.

    Oh, those gorgeous boats!

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    1. The Cranky: We are desperately short of rain. There was a delightful red dawn last week which got me excited (red in the morning, shepherd's warning). We received 0.1mm (0.03 inches) of the wet stuff.

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  13. Oh EC, that's precious boats on the pond, ha ha. But, you caught the Kango and Parrots, they have stole my heart away.

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    1. Bob Bushell: The kangaroos and the birds always have a place in my heart.

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  14. Water and birds...there is nothing better to help soothe the soul....I hope both were cathartic remedies for you, EC, bringing you peace and wellness...great to have you back.

    May this coming week treat you well...take it steady...cuddles to your two furry mates. :)

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    1. Lee: Nature is a big healer isn't she? I hope that this week is gentle - for you and for me.

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  15. The shimmer on the water is indeed beautiful. I love the boats, particularly the first one shown. I could almost live on that. I used to wish I lived on a houseboat.
    Love the cormorant line up too.
    We had some rain overnight, nothing heavy, I wouldn't have noticed it at all if I hadn't got up to let Angel in.

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    1. River: We had a little rain last night too. A very little. Incontinent pigeons produce more moisture.

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  16. It's raining again right n....oh wait, it's stopped again. Still the sky is grey and heavy, so there's hope for more during the day.

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    1. River: We had a little more this morning. It is now dry. And windy. Very, very windy.

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    2. We had the wind last night and Angel insisted on going out in it. Several times, silly bugger.

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    3. River: Still howling a gale here. And has already brought down at least one of the tree dahlias. Jazz n Jewel are not allowed out after dark. Despite complaints.

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  17. Those older boats are great, with lashings of marine varnish. Red rumped parrots are new to me and they look very comfortable on the ground and not tense and prepared for flight.

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    1. Andrew: The air was perfumed with that marine varnish. I suspect many had been given a fresh quote. Red-rumped parrots are grass feeders, and I was pleased that they seemed quite comfortable with my presence - though I didn't go very close.

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  18. Wee boats and calm water are JUST my cup of tea these days;
    You captured an entire corps of cormorants!

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    1. Cloudia: The cormorant corp were very comfortable in that conga line. Not far away there were even more of them. Battalions of them...

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    1. J Cosmo Newbery: Yup. A change from my more usual Birdy McBirdpost. And I note that our guvmint has said that it would prevent a Boaty McBoat naming here. Which I think is sad.

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  20. What a beautiful day...Loved all the birds but my favorite are the parrots. My dad had one that was stolen from our house, cage and all, when I was a kid. I hope you are feeling refreshed.

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    1. e: Those parrots are charming. I rarely see them, and smile every time I do. Sigh on the parrot thief. I am better. Not wonderful but better.

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  21. Messing around in boats a lot of peoples idea of bliss.
    Merle............

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    1. Merlesworld: It is. I get sea sick, but love to look at them.

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    2. I also get seasick not nice is it.
      Merle.......

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    3. Merlesworld: Not fun at all. But (sometimes) worth it. Antarctica was.

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  22. I'm so glad you're back, EC.

    Love the photos, love even more that you had a good day.

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  23. Wow, what boat beauties! Love the wood and so would DH. He built a cedar lathe canoe once and now is longing to build a wooden boat in the shop!

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    1. Bookie: Doesn't cedar smell wonderful? And I do love the shine and texture of wood...

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  24. glad you had a good time. glad you're back!

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  25. Looks like a great day and I love the shimmer on the water. And the animals.

    Welcome back.

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    1. The Happy Whisk: Thank you. I thought of you when I made some delectable pumpkin and onion patties. And I have some leftovers to enjoy tonight.

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    2. Ooooooh, that sounds super interesting and yummy.

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    3. The Happy Whisk: They were. Even the skinny one (who isn't a vegie fan) enjoyed them.

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  26. A wonderful display of boats, wood boats gleaming while water glistened!

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    1. Susan Kane: It was an incredible display. Quirky with heart.

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  27. Looks like a lot of fun, fine looking boats too. You know how I love being out on the water in my raft. Beautiful birds, beautiful day.

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    1. Strayer: Water is wonderful isn't it? Healing and beautiful.

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  28. It's good to see you back!
    What a beautiful autumn day you had - so stunning. And the roos and birds - love the row of cormorants!

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    1. Alexia: Thank you. I was chuffed to see the row of cormorants too. I was hoping for pelicans, but quite content with the pied beauties.

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  29. That's what I'd call a restorative outing.Did me good, too.

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    1. dinahmow: Restorative it was. If ever I come into oodles of money I will live beside water...

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  30. Thank you so much for sharing. I enjoyed it along with you so hope I wasn't in the way. :)
    Lovely water, boats, scenery and handsome kangaroos and
    shags (that is what we in the West call cormorants) and a red-rumped parrot. What more could one wish for on a day out?

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    1. Mimsie: It really was a lovely outing - and you are never in the way.

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  31. Welcome back. It is lovely to see a post from you again. Great photos as always.

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    1. CountryMum: Thank you. I loved your cattle today, all clustered together.

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  32. Lovely shots - love those last two!

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    1. ladyfi: They were perfectly content soaking up the sun weren't they?

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  33. Timber boats have so much more beauty than fibreglass/ aluminium.
    I had to laugh at the bum-birds. Is that your invention or is it common usage?

    Great to have you back, I hope you are feeling more whole xo

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    1. kylie: One of my sisters-in-law can never remember their name and always calls them bum-birds. Which has stuck. I agree with you about timber. Beautiful.

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  34. what a lovely day you got for your outing. Beautiul blue skies,glorious glistening on the water and I love all those boats. Great bird shots. I hope the little break from the computer has given you a well needed rest and you ae feeling a bit better now.

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    1. Margaret Adamson: Thank you. I do feel better, but need to take things quietly for a while yet.

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  35. Good to see a post from you.
    The roos are lovely, like the first one.

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    1. Margaret-whiteangel: It doesn't matter how often I see the roos I smile. And I see them MUCH more often than either the cormorants or the bum-birds.

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  36. Welcome back dear *hugs her*. The boats look brill, did you have a ride on one? And the wildlife...you live in a paradise of sorts you know!

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    1. All Consuming: Hugs. I just rode with my eyes - which was treat enough.

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  37. Hi EC - ahoy there! What a great day out ... it does look sublime - lots of water, sailing boats - various, and then your nature look see ... love those red-bums!

    Thanks - such a good post .. all the best - Hilary

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    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Ahoy there indeed. Lots and lots of smile (including at the bum birds).

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  38. Yay! You're back - I missed you! So nice that you had that lovely outing on the water. I love those boats with their polished wood.

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    1. Lynn: Thank you. Love the water, and the boats.

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  39. You are back, just as you said, in May. I hope your time to yourself was rewarding, relaxing and recuperative :)As has everyone else, I have missed you and am pleased that you have returned. Your boats are wonderful ... many look like wood boats which we see little of here ... feels nostalgic. As for your Roos and birds, aren't they fun. Welcome back, EC ... looking forward to more of your wise and wondrous words ...

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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    1. Andrea Priebe: Thank you. The time out was good. Healing. More to be done, but a start was made. And the birds and the roos helped.

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  40. Great photos of the changing light that comes with a new season. I do like the wooden boats and the cormorants. I hope you are feeling rested and refreshed and you are happy with the time you spent looking after things.

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    1. carol in cairns: I do love this season. And Spring. And Winter. The time out was good, but I suspect more is needed. Later.

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  41. I'm so glad autumn has finally landed for you! I hope you get some rain soon.

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    1. River Fairchild: We got a smidge yesterday. A tiny smidge but welcome. And this morning is blissfully cool.

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  42. Glad you are back with gorgeous pictures as usual! I am still jealous of all your native beautiful birds!

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    1. Anne in the kitchen: I suffer from world-wide avian envy. The feathers are greener on the other side of the fence?

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  43. So nice to see you back on my dashboard. I hope you are doing better.

    Your pictures of your homeland always are lovely. There is something about a body water that gives us a sense of peace.

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: Thank you. A bit better. Not so overwhelmed. And yes, to water. Healing magic.

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  44. You're back.

    I need a boat. I mean. I want a boat.

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    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: What sort of boat? Sail? Powered? Big? Small?

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  45. I'd never heard of a bum bird before! What a funny name, and a nice looking fowl.

    I dearly hope things are looking up for you, EC. You deserve brightness.

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    1. John Wiswell: No bird book or reputable ornithologist will refer to them as bum birds. We do though.
      And thank you for your good wishes. We all deserve (and need) brightness.

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  46. the water is like diamonds!
    and is that a baby in the kangaroos pocket?
    WOWWWWWWWW. xxx

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    1. My Inner Chick: I don't think that the roo has a baby on board. Would you like me to send you photos of some that do?

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  47. I'm glad to see you back!!

    The boatfest looks lovely, I would have enjoyed that one as well. And just like you, I definitely would have visited the kangaroos. How can you not?

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    1. Carola Bartz: Thank you. We always go and see the kangaroos if we are close by. And are never, ever disappointed.

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  48. Beautiful wooden boats! And the roos and birds. And so glad you are back. I was worried. Hugs!

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  49. Oh how beautiful. So glad you took time for a relaxing boat fest. Glad you're back and hope you're feeling better.

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    1. Myrna R.: I was very pleased that we a)saw that the boatfest was on, and b) went to see it. It was a beautiful day and the boats made us smile very, very broadly.

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  50. What a wonderful trip, and these boats, they are wonderful. I like the ceiling of them (we don't have such ones, of course, because we don't have the same kind hot sun than there. And you saw on the way kangaroos, how exciting.
    Have happy new month.

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    1. orvokki: Even in autumn our sun can be hot. And the kangaroos are a joy.
      A wonderful May to you too.

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  51. I love the pictures of the kangaroos and the red-rumped parrots :) lovely.

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    1. Optimistic Existentialist: We lovely seeing them. And they were lovely.

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  52. Oh how I love being out on the water when the sun makes the water sparkle like that. Lovely parrots. Everything is just starting to get green here and the buds on the trees should pop any day now...

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    1. mshatch: Our summer is (finally) gone. We are having beautiful days and crisp nights. Which I am loving. Spring has a lot of charm too though.

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  53. So glad you are feeling better! That shimmer was like diamonds spread over the blue, beautiful! Thanks for sharing, and Happy May!

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    1. Yolanda Renee: And a very Happy May to you too.

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  54. Welcome back! Missed ya.
    What a wondrous outing. Water, roos and birds. Can't beat it.

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    1. Sandra Cox: It is nice to be missed. Thank you. I missed the blogosphere too. And loved our outing.

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  55. Welcome back! Australia is on my bucket list, and it's moved a little higher up after seeing these gorgeous photos. Love the Bum Birds :)

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    1. Carol Kilgore: I hope you do get to Oz. And visit.

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  56. I haven't visited your blog for such a long time. I loved seeing the kangaroos!

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    1. Kathleen Cassen Mickelson: I am glad. We love them too.

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  57. I never tire of seeing the sparkle of sun on the water, always beautiful.

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    1. Kay G.: Moving or still I love water. Healing. Beautiful. If ever I get rich I will live on the water.

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  58. Hello Sue! I just happened to look at a couple of blogs tonight. (It's Monday, May 2 at 9:00pm my time.)And I saw you'd posted a Sunday Selection! So happy you are ok-ish, and hopefully will get more ok-ish every day :) Visiting Australia is also a dream of mine, like Carol Kilgore's. If it ever really happens, you KNOW I will contact you in plenty of time to schedule a visit! Do you live anywhere near River? That would be great, too! Oh, I forgot to mention your beautiful photos. The boats are all beautiful, and I like the wooden ones, too. And the Roos!

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    1. BECKY: How lovely that you visited. Sadly, River and I live several states apart. She lives in a beautiful city too.

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  59. Wonderful pictures. They make me want to grab a boat and drift on a lake since spring has arrived. Unfortunately no lake where we live but Riga is divided by the Daugava River and have never been on the river. Perhaps this season.

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    1. Rasma Raisters: Thank you. I hope you can get to float down the river. Soon.

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  60. 'I love her jewelled sea' and her shimmering lake. I don't eat our national emblems either, having stopped eating meat in my teens. If we can live kindly, why wouldn't we? I've never heard Red-rumps called bum-birds, and am now contemplating a post on bird nicknames.

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    1. Kim: One of my sisters-in-law cannot remember the Red-rumps name and reverts to calling them bum-birds in frustration. It has stuck.

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  61. I could study all those boats all day long, they are each a marvel in their own design. As a child we would visit all the docks around our area, we didn't own a boat and only one friend had one. A large wooden Chris Craft that we slept on too! Very little water travel until I was a teenager! Guess that's were my love for them come from! That and the water. Beautiful captures throughout!

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    1. Karen: Wood has so much more charm for me than more modern materials. Charm and beauty.

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  62. So happy to see you posting. Hope you are feeling much, much better now. Great pics :)

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  63. Love the wooden boats! We have a local Wooden Boat Show in mid-June. As always, I really appreciate the color in your photos.

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    1. Jono: I hope you will show us pictures from your Wooden Boat Show. Hint, hint.

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  64. The water and skies are such gorgeous shades of blue...

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    1. Sandra Cox: It was a truly beautiful day. And warm rather than hot.

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  65. Oh I love those wooden boats. I can't tell you how many gorgeous lakes have been just ruined by noisy motor boats. I'm all for people having fun on the water, but there should be a few lakes that are more about conservation and habitats than people racing around in large boats. Beautiful photos today. I'm glad you had a good break- hope you are well.

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    1. Terri @ Coloring Outside the Lines: Every so often there is a push for motor boats to be allowed on our lake. So fair they have failed. Which I am glad of.

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  66. Great pictures! Like Terri, I love wooden boats. One of our favorite boat shows features a bunch of beautiful old wooden Harveycraft boats, regally circling the lake. What a sight to see.

    I hope your little break rejuvenated you. Take care, and have a super weekend.

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    1. Susan: Wood trumps plastics (and metals) in my eyes. Often, and definitely for boats. A very happy weekend to you.

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  67. I have been so far behind reading that I did not realize you took a break. I hope it helped.....so important to listen to our bodies when they say enough. A beautiful spot to have an outing!

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  68. I didn't realise you had taken a break either. Hope you are felling better. Love the parrots, kangaroos and cormorants. I have never seen that many cormorants in one place.

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    1. Angela: It was obviously a wonderful spot for the cormorants. On a nearby pontoon there were about another twenty. Which also made me smile.

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  69. Wow! 20 I can't believe it - must be lots of fish there.

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    1. Angela: Carp mostly. And you are right. There must be lots. The lake is home to pelicans, swans and cormorants - not to mention the ducks and gulls.

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    2. Sounds like an amazing place :-)

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