Sunday, 22 May 2016

Sunday Selections #277

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.  I have been both snotty and voiceless this week (though both are slowly improving) so I am taking the lazy option.  This weeks Sunday Selections is much like last.


We are (finally) getting some cool weather.  This cockatoo was fluffed up against the morning chill.  I think they look super cute that way.



I have been busy in the garden over the last couple of months.  Weeding, weeding, weeding, mulching, mulching, mulching.  More to do, but a start has been made.






The garden continues its weirdness too.

The last of the roses.




Blooming simultaneously with the first of the jonquils...  


And the weigela in it's autumnal colours.



 And, to be completely consistent, a sunset shot illuminating a jet trail/contrail.



  

132 comments:

  1. I love those sky pics and that beautiful little black "panther" :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Optimistic Existentialist: Less of the 'little'. Both of my black panthers believe they are huge.

      Delete
  2. no thoughts...but just had to say hi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: No thoughts? I don't believe you - but greetings back to you.

      Delete
  3. Thank you. Appreciate this adventure

    ReplyDelete
  4. We're still waiting for the cool weather to arrive here. It was quite warm through last night.

    I'm pleased to see you had a helper in the garden.

    Have a great week, EC...and cuddles to Jazz and Jewel. Perhaps a couple of pairs of garden gloves would be good for them. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lee: The weather is all over the shop here. We are having nights with temperatures in the single digits but the days are still warm. Very warm with winter so close.
      I had TWO garden helpers. And they didn't. Mulch is not kitty litter. Particularly not the bits I am spreading at the time.
      I hope your and your furry overlords have a wonderful week.

      Delete
  5. Together we dance, dear! You into winter, i into spring in lovely counterpoint <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cloudia: I am so glad that the blogosphere has shrunk our world.

      Delete
  6. oh gorgeous garden, sky and cockies. my jonquils are out and it is May. why do I think Spring is September and they should be doing it then?
    You are never 'snotty' darling, and never 'voiceless' thanks to the WWW. wishing you best health and good times x x x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annie ODyne: How right you are. And I can't infect someone across the web either. Perhaps our jonquils have decided to become American?

      Delete
  7. That looks like quite a bit of mulch! I'm not sure why, but I really enjoyed seeing "Weeding, weeding, weeding, mulching, mulching, mulching," it tickled me ;o) Liked the picks, the birds are definitely cute that way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HBF: It was a big pile of mulch. The second big pile. And, when I have done some more weeding, weeding, weeding, there will be another.

      Delete
  8. What unusual jonquils. Mine have yellow centers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne Noragon: We have those too. They will be out later. We also have yellow on yellow and some with red centres.

      Delete
  9. You grow black cats in your garden - well done!
    We're experiencing the last of our coolness before heading into all out summer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: The black cats thrive. Sometimes at the expense of other things in the garden. You are more than welcome to summer.

      Delete
  10. I covet your pile of mulch! It's finally getting cooler here, and we have had some rain. At least the lawns have slowed down!

    Hope the snottiness disappears and the voice comes back...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alexia: We have now spread 10 cubic metres of mulch. I think when I finish my weeding another three or four will be required. The snottiness is leaving and the voice is slowly returning. At the moment it is no more reliable than that of an adolescent male though...

      Delete
  11. Snottiness and voicelessness calls for being a slug. Looks like you are working entirely too hard.
    Everything is gorgeous: flowers, sky and birds.
    Feel better.
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with Alexia. I was eyeing that mulch too.

      Delete
    2. Sandra Cox: There has been some slugdom this week. And a little (very little) gardening. Next week I want to get back into it. The mulch is eucalyptus chip and smells lovely. Except when the cats use it.

      Delete
  12. It has gotten hot here with increasing mugginess to follow...Best to you and your furry helpers!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. e: Mugginess? Bleah. I really, really don't like humidity. Or heat.
      The furry helpers and I thank you.

      Delete
  13. You have been busy in the garden EC. It's a big job to stay on top of a garden, but you don't need me to tell you that. Enjoy the fruits of your hard work🌹🍁🌷🍂

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. carol in cairns: On top of the garden? Queue hysterical laughter. Not a happening thing. Love the flower icons you created at the end of your comment. So clever.

      Delete
  14. Looks like we have both been working in the garden. Your cat seems to be on the hunt too. The shy photos are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ginger Dawn Harman: The cats love checking out the garden - and are both woeful hunters. Gardening is like housework in that it is never done.

      Delete
  15. Your cats belong in the garden. They look so happy and content.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Birdie: They go out for a while each morning. Not long, and they trot back inside, demand breakfast, and retire back to sleep again. They do love it outside though. Particularly if there is a person out with them.

      Delete
  16. beautiful birds and flowers, what kind of mulch is that ? and I like your solar lights and your cats meandering about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda Starr: The mulch is eucalyptus chip. The solar lights are coloured, and I am fond of them.

      Delete
  17. I love seeing cockies with raised crests. Of course you know those contrails are misting the citizens with a drug to make them compliant to authority.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew: But which authority? Though that does explain my agreeable nature...

      Delete
  18. Love those cheeky birds, and all the work you've been doing. Sending you lots of love! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DJan: Thank you. We love those cheeky birds too.

      Delete
  19. Nice to see Jazz and Jewel in the garden. It looks so neat with mulch spread around :)
    None of my bulbs are flowering yet, quite a few are up, but only one ranunculus and three anemones :(
    I haven't done a single thing in my garden for several weeks now; I want to see what survives without TLC; I'm tired of buying/planting things that just don't make it. Whatever survives will be watched for another season, what thrives will be the ones I buy more of.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River: A lot of my garden thrives on neglect. Set and forget plants. Which is just as well. I have been busy, but should have been busy months ago. And have a lot more to do.

      Delete
  20. Those cockatoos are so super cute.
    It's nice to see photos in your garden, there is a lot of work.
    And the color in your nature is turning to lovely autumn (we got summer green color), love also the pink sunset, it's wonderful.
    Hope you feel better and better in every day.
    Hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. orvokki: The cockatoos are noisy and destructive. And I love them. You are right about the work in the garden. Some done, and more needed.
      And thank you - for the hugs and the healthy wishes.

      Delete
  21. Love the parrots and the puss cat(s) helping with the gardening.
    Plants do strange thing at this time of the year and more especially since our prolonged hot summers of late.
    Still envy you your autumn colours although I did see a couple of autumn coloured treed when out the other day. Lovely to see.
    As ever, love the pink skies and those trails look quite mysterious.
    Hope your weekend has been a good one and you are feeling somewhat better than previously.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mimsie: I can do without cat 'help'. In the garden or the house. They do love to see what is going on though.
      I am glad you saw some autumnal colour - I always think of it as living fireworks.

      Delete
  22. Those birds looks like they feels COLD, but, aren't they beautiful. Love 'em.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob Bushell: Cool but not cold yet. Perhaps the cockies are just wimps. (And I love them too.)

      Delete
  23. Hi EC - love the wigelia ... very pretty. That jonquil too .. and well done with all the weeding and mulching - with some help I see! Hope your cold disappears this week before too much really bad weather closes in .. cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you. We are expecting a warm week, so I hope the cold does an Elvis and leaves the building. I am bored with it.

      Delete
  24. I loved, loved that first photo, top to bottom. There's a whole personality thing going on there.

    Greetings from London.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Cuban in London: Cockatoos are FULL of personality. Though our farmers may call it poisonality.

      Delete
  25. I watch so many mystery shows that I had to wonder if there is a body under that pile of mulch:-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Granny Annie: How can you think that way? Shuffles feet and sneaks away...

      Delete
  26. The cat is so shiny, beautiful are black ones.
    I too adore Cockatoos fluffed up, they looks friendlier. We had a couple as pets some years ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret-whiteangel: I have a huge weakness for black cats and have had at least one for years and years and years. We had a cockatoo when I was growing up as well. Which I am a bit ashamed of.

      Delete
  27. Since the start has been made with weeding, weeding, mulching, mulching and mulching, lets hear you harvesting, harvesting.
    Good luck with gardening.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dumcho wangdi: I hope the harvest goes to a more normal time frame and is some months away. Which will leave me more time for weeding and mulching.

      Delete
  28. Nice garden pictures. I had a big garden at my previous house and I loved pottering about in it. But here I only have a very small garden on the North side of the house (remember I'm in the N hemisphere so it won't get much sun and takes a long time to warm up after the winter) so my little garden doesn't thrill me like the previous one, however, I do my best.
    Love you black cat. Black cats are lucky in England but are unlucky in N America.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shammickite: Our black cats are a huge part of our life. As is the garden. Lots of work, lots of pleasure. I hope your small garden rewards you.

      Delete
  29. Wow, now that's a lot of weeding and mulching and more weeding and mulching and more yet to do! I am the biggest fan of weird, especially in gardens! What a joy it is, and your sweet kitty-cat is really having a joyful time with it all too! I can't forget to mention your first photos too, they are such a beautiful critter! Enjoy what's left of your weekend, and happy trails and weeding and mulching into the new week for you too! Kitty loves it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen S.: It is early morning here. The cats are out, and the cockatoos are back. And there is more weeding to be done. And more mulch to be ordered. Have a great week.

      Delete
  30. You there may be cooling down but we here are still cool and wet when summer should be sputtering in, so its slightly depressing, all the constant rain, that has gone on for months now. I like to see the birds puffed against the cool too, so cute.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Strayer: We are expecting a warmer week this week. And no rain. Again. I hope you get some sunshine soon.

      Delete
  31. I'm glad you're feeling better! It's so nice to see Jazz n Jewel enjoying the garden/looking for prey. ;) Try not to overdo it with the heavy work. (watches her words of warning blow away in the wind as EC hefts another load of mulch onto her back)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River Fairchild: No mulch left. So this time you are wrong. Plenty of weeds though...

      Delete
    2. I knew it would be some kind of work that you'll overdo... ;)

      Delete
    3. River Fairchild: Is it a good thing or a bad thing that I am completely predictable? I haven't been in the garden at all today though. Domestic duties have called. Bleah.

      Delete
  32. Looks like the sun was radiating out of the cockatoo's head

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: I do love the cockies crest. They raise it each time they land, or if they are curious or afraid. And here, curiosity is the predominant crest lifter.

      Delete
  33. The kitties are out! The garden looks amazing!!! I love the colored leaves - I've never seen that plant before! Gorgeous photos!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nicky HW: The kitties are out again. And loving it. And piddling and pooping in my mulch.

      Delete
  34. I don't think I have seen weigela before...this is beautiful. Had to see you face end of your summer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bookie: I am so glad to see the end of summer. Though she is trying hard to muscle back in.

      Delete
  35. It must be so cool to look out a window and see a cockatoo! I have to go to a pet store to see them. Also love the jonquil - have never seen one before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dawn@Lighten Up!: We often see eight or nine cockies at a time here. And smile. I suspect you know the yellow jonquils better. We have them too, but the white are always first out. And this time are out about three months too early.

      Delete
  36. Oh that Cockatoo! I would to find one outside my window. Such cute - and noisy? - birds. A kookaburra would be very welcome too. Lovely plants and flowers and sky, great selections.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DeniseinVA: They are noisy. Very noisy. While I hear kookaburras from time to time I have never seen one in the garden. And would love to.

      Delete
  37. That one thing on my bucket list to do a compost bin. Quite a bit of rain here in North Idaho.
    Coffee is on

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. peppylady (Dora): Welcome. We have four compost bins and love them. And my worm farm. I would like your rain though. Rather a lot.

      Delete
  38. Gardens are always changing, one little delight after another.

    have a great week, EC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kylie: They are, but I would prefer not to see the spring bulbs in such a rush. I hope you and yours have a wonderful week too.

      Delete
  39. Beautiful images, all!

    I envy your garden.
    And mulching is so cathartic.
    It is one of the most honest, joyous things one can do - garden.

    Lovely to see a prowling black beauty.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vicki: Blood, sweat and tears go into the garden. And are well spent. And there is something truly cathartic about ripping weeds out too. Which I need to remember more often. Before they take over quite so much of the garden.

      Delete
  40. So pretty. Your roses are at their last - and I am waiting for the first of mine to bloom. It fascinates me how our lives can be so upside down opposite, but in many ways the same. So far apart, and yet we can communicate almost instantly. I spent all afternoon weeding today, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan F.: Our big world is remarkably small in some ways isn't it? Ordinarily our roses are long gone by this time, but the weather has been odd.
      I spent yesterday planting more bulbs. Which I really don't need. Back to weeding later in the week. And ordering more mulch.

      Delete
  41. I love the colors of your garden (as well as your four-legged helper). The sky photo just topped it off. You're looking forward to cooler weather while I'm looking forward to warmer weather. Hope you continue to feel better. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mason Canyon: Still snotty, still intermittently voiceless, but improving.
      And the garden and the sky are enduring solace.

      Delete
  42. Isn't it nice to have a lovely morning chill? And your beautiful assistant seems to like it, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynn: The cats are less fond of cool weather than I am. They go out, but don't stay. And as winter bites their outings will become briefer and briefer.

      Delete
  43. That cockatoo has quite the spectacular crest. It's almost completely green around here. Almost.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. mshatch: They use those crests too. To show interest, to show alarm, and each time they land.

      Delete
  44. Whether beginning or end, the Rose always remains the star of a garden.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: So long as they have scent. A rose without is a sad travesty in my eyes.

      Delete
  45. Your garden is so pretty. And you don't have those stealthy little weeds that I have in mine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra Cox: Believe me I have weeds. Lots and lots of weeds. With roots that go to China.

      Delete
    2. I hear ya. I pulled one little weed up and couldn't believe it. The root had to be two feet long.

      Delete
  46. And when you are done, you can head to my house to work on the yard. You being an expert and all, I'm sure you will love it.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Your garden and yard are such a source of beauty. Your cat too. Thank you for taking the time to photograph your surroundings even though you don't even feel well. Hope you feel better soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Myrna R.: Thank you. And both Jazz n Jewel thank you too. They tell me they are the MOST beautiful things around here.

      Delete
  48. You have so many inspirations around you: those lovely birds, your garden and the guardian cat. How lucky you are.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cleemckenzie: Lucky indeed. And aware of my good fortune.

      Delete
  49. Our spring = your fall. Have to keep reminding myself. Even when your flowers are fading, your garden is spectacular.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan Kane: Spectaculary untidy and spectacularly overgrown often. I really like being able to experience two seasons simultaneously through the magic of the blogosphere.

      Delete
  50. Killer shots of the contrail!! That cockatoo is also quite a close second! I love how close you live to nature.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nilanjana Bose: So do I. My city is known as the 'bush capital' and I love that nowhere is more than twenty minutes away from a green space.

      Delete
  51. More beautiful photos - gorgeous flowers. Does the cat ever go after the cockatoos? Or is he/she clever enough to realise not to mess with them? :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Angela: Jewel (the smaller of my two black monsters) lusts after cockatoos. And can keep lusting. They are smarter (and better armed) than she is. So she sits inside at the window and chitters in lust and longing.

      Delete
  52. Here we're gearing up for summer. I'm mulching and planting hoping to get ahead of the hot weather. I'm exhausted too. 😛

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. T.Powell Coltrin: A gardener's work is never done. You can keep summer though. I was very glad when ours finally agreed to leave the building.

      Delete
  53. Lovely colours in your sky! And nice to see the cockatoos.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lady Fi: The afternoon shift of cockatoos is due anytime now. And are welcome.

      Delete
  54. Oh, love the cockatoos! Glad it is cooling down for you. It's heating up here, will be in the mid 30's this week...sigh.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen: Mid 30s? Already? That is unfair. I hope you get some relief.

      Delete
  55. I am not surprised ou get very tired with all that weeding and mulching but if pays off as your flowers are gorgeous. Love the shots of the Cocky also.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret Adamson: Thank you. Some day I will learn the art of moderation. Really I will.

      Delete
  56. That's amazing about the jonquils and the roses.
    The sky, as always, is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra Cox: A few hours to dawn here now, and I hope to see another magical sky.

      Delete
  57. My word, EC, you are getting some lovely close-ups! The birds, the flowers, those leaves - I feel like I am right there. Beautiful colours and textures.

    And kitty pictures are always welcome. They are hard to get, though, at least I find it hard. They don't care to pose.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jenny_o: Jewel hates to have her photo taken and usually scampers away as soon as she sees the camera. I can't blame her, I do too. Surprisingly, most of these photos are of her, and the one with both of them in, it is hard to see Jazz. Who is usually a camera hog.

      Delete
  58. Love these pictures! The bird shots might be my favorite this week- but the kitty in the garden is lovely too. :) Thanks for sharing!
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DMS ~ Jess: The cats tell me they are MUCH better looking than the birds.

      Delete
  59. I like your cat in your garden (assuming that it is your cat - perhaps even both of them and I haven't realized?). Just this afternoon I chased my neighbor's cat from my garden - I don't like that cat, and that is really rare. Usually I love cats, but this one - no. The leaves of the weigelia are amazing - mine never turn like this (I guess I have a different kind of weigelia).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carola Bartz: It is indeed my cats in the garden. They don't tolerate interlopers at all well. Despite happily intruding in our near neighbours yards. I don't recall our weigelia going those colours before either. Either I have been unobservant, or it is putting on a special show this year.

      Delete
  60. That looks like a pretty big pile- don't hurt your back! It doesn't take much for me and I am aching and stiff. :( I need to do more outdoor work. Love the kitty in the garden..just checking things out, Mom!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terri @ Coloring Outside the Lines: It was a big pile. And in the next week or so I will order more. My back was ok, but I did damage my hip. And yes, curiosity of cats is very real. Very, very real.

      Delete
  61. You sure are ambitious when it comes to your garden. I THINK a good game, but usually fall way short when the hot weather sets in. You're getting cooler, but we're flirting with ninety degree temperatures now. No telling how hot it's gonna get when summer gets here. Best way I can handle the garden work this time of year is to convince myself the weeds are actually wildflowers...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan: Moderation and I are pretty much strangers. Which is often a mistake.
      Ninety degrees? Shudder. As I type this before dawn we are hovering around zero C. Which is fine.

      Delete
  62. O, My!
    I so much adore those mustard yellow crowns on the birds...

    but my all time favorite are the black panthers!

    xxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My Inner Chick: Jazz n Jewel applaud your taste. They believe they are much more beautiful than the birds too.

      Delete
    2. My Inner Chick: So they tell me. Are my comments to your blog getting through?

      Delete