Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday, 29 May 2016

Sunday Selections #278

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?  Second verse, same as the first...


I am still snotty, and still intermittently voiceless (which some would say is not a bad thing).  I am also still delighting in the sky, and in the birds which visit.

Dawn this time.

Looking to the west.



And then looking east - where the action was...








Continuing on my same old, same old trajectory with birds.  A female king parrot, who was I believe at least as interested in us as we were in her.








Isn't she a charmer?

158 comments:

  1. A female king parrot .. she's a queen.
    The pattern of those under-tail feathers just shows that there is nothing random about nature .. not sure what I am saying??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. carol in cairns: Nature is an artist. And one who people imitate in vain. I do love the patterns on the tail, and the flash of blue which is only visible when the light is 'right'.

      Delete
  2. Yes, she is.Still too dark up here even for flatulent sparrows...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dinahmow: Dark here too. And will be for another hour or so. The sparrows are quiet, but the flatulent cats are up.

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land of Cancer: She is. Very pretty. And not nearly as noisy as many of our birds.

      Delete
  4. What a gorgeous creature! I love all of your other photos as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. e: I am hoping that she brings the rest of the family to visit. But was grateful that she came, and stayed a while.

      Delete
  5. You have the prettiest birds in Oz!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. fishducky: You have some pretty special ones too.

      Delete
  6. Just a magical sky.
    And the parrot is so cute.
    Think so that when you can not just talk, you can hear your own thoughts.
    But, glanders is not fun, so you need to drink lemon juice, there is a lot of vitamin C.
    Wish you feel better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. orvokki: Thank you. I am having hot lemon drinks. Lots of them.

      Delete
  7. Thank you for this enjoyable post.
    Evening sky, bird on perch - connection?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martin Kloess: I think these were taken on separate days. The sky was earlier than the bird visit though. First light for the sky, and mid morning for the king parrot.

      Delete
  8. I hope the parrot returns. She sure has her eye on you! My little Rocky chipmunk watches me leave every morning.Silly what we put on the poor, dumb animals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne Noragon: I hope she (and her family) return as well. And suspect that the poor dumb animals are better equipped for survival than we are.

      Delete
  9. What a grand bird she is!!
    Love your sunrise photos too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CountryMum: I have a very soft spot for the King Parrots. In other years a pair have deigned to eat from our hands. I hope they will be back this season too.

      Delete
  10. Madam Queenie Parrot is a lovely bird, indeed.

    I hope you have a great week, EC and that you get your voice back...it's a good excuse to not have to talk when you feel the least like doing so. Take care. Cuddles to your two furry mates. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lee: The voice will return in the fullness of time. Cuddles to your cats too.

      Delete
  11. Yes, she's a charmer all right. They look so intelligent! I think she probably is, too. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DJan: I think you are probably right about her intelligence. Beauty and brains...

      Delete
  12. I thought there was a fire sending smoke into the sky. Quite a spectacular dawn.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew: I thought the same when I first saw it. Fortunately no smoke. And a delightful dawn.

      Delete
  13. She is a total charmer! Very lovely,especially the chevron effect of the patterns on the tail.

    I particularly like the first photo, looking to the west; the light is so soft, and the scene so pretty. Single malt scotch is good for throats :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alexia: I like looking down the valley (to the west) whatever the season, whatever the time of day.
      The chevron pattern on the King Parrot's tails is not always visible - and a treat to see.

      Delete
  14. Beautiful King Parrot - she should be called a Queen Parrot quite rightfully :)

    I always love the views over the Brindabellas from your place - quite, quite lovely!

    Gargling three times a day with strong sage tea (dried herb is fine) cooled to room temp will cure the sorest of throats.
    Hope you feel better soon xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vicki: She could be an Empress too. I love watching the Brindabellas too. The light on them is so often a joy.
      My throat isn't sore, but I don't have a (reliable) voice. Sometimes there, often not.

      Delete
  15. She most certainly is a charmer; I'm wondering if she was watching to see if you had food. I love the colours you capture in the clouds, here the clouds are usually faded by the time I run for the camera.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River: The camera is always ready. And I often run out at the first hint of colour in the sky. Neither dawn nor dusk last long.
      I suspect she did want food, but the cockatoos and the corellas were hogging the feeders.

      Delete
  16. Hi EC - the cloud photos are delightful to see - I love that Apricotty colour when the sun on the cloud creates it ... while that Mrs King Parrot is a delight to see - also gorgeous colours ...

    Wonderful photos - hope you feel easier soon ... cheers from a still chilly (on the coast) England .. Hilary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hilary Melton-Butcher: Thank you. Today was the first wintry day we have had. Fog till after eleven, and temperatures in the single digits till after lunch.

      Delete
  17. your sky shots ara amazing and the ing PArrot was rally posing for you. Great shots. I ahve now read all the stories, very interesting but still was not moved to write.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret Adamson: Thank you. There will be other weeks for the words. Plenty of other weeks.

      Delete
  18. The skies are beautiful. And I *love* the parrot photos! They're really lovely.

    And I hope you feel better soon. Damn germs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paper Chipmunk (aka Ellen): We love our birds too. Always. Including the incontinent vandals.
      Germs? Bleah.

      Delete
  19. I hope you were really well rugged up yesterday! That cold was enough to stop anyone's voice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. kylie: Sunday weather had a bite here. We had fog until after eleven, and the temperature didn't reach double figures until the afternoon. I prefer it to heat though. By a long way.

      Delete
  20. Dear EC
    Lovely photos once again! Your colourful birds are stunning.
    I hope you are feeling a bit better.
    Best wishes
    Ellie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ellie Foster: Thank you. Just on dawn this morning (when it was too dark to take photos) there were a pair of crimson rosellas outside. Lovely start to the day.

      Delete
  21. You might be voiceless but your pictures speak volumes. Thanks.

    Greetings from London.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A Cuban in London: The photos are telling the thousand words I can't. Yet.

      Delete
  22. Once again beautiful skies and beautiful birds.
    Do hope your snottiness will soon be a thing of the past and your voice will return promptly.
    So sorry you've been ill and I do remember what colds and 'flu were like. Touch wood but I've but lucky ever since I began having 'flu shots.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mimsie: I am glad you have avoided lurgies. I was scheduled to have a flu shot when this one hit. Next week. Perhaps.

      Delete
  23. Beautifully painted sky!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wonderful sky and of course that beautiful parrot.

    ReplyDelete
  25. loved looking at your golden sky and this parrot is reminding me the pair of parrots my mom used to have

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. baili: Welcome and thank you. What type of parrots did your mother have?

      Delete
  26. I love her underfeathers :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Beautiful sky, beautiful bird. Same old, same old works for me! I never get tired of viewing your gorgeous photos! Thank you for spending the time it takes (a lot of it!) to share so much beauty with all of us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. River Fairchild: My beauty obsessed self thanks you. Beauty addict? Along with a few others.

      Delete
  28. You knew you'd thrill me with the skyscapes, huh!

    Birds are cool too :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Author R. Mac Wheeler: The sky is an obsession we share.

      Delete
  29. Enjoyed the gorgeous painted sky and bird both! Wishing you back in full voice soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nilanjana Bose: Thank you. Getting there. Slowly.

      Delete
  30. Nice bird, so much prettier than the Scrub Jays, English Sparrows and Mourning Doves who frequent here. I like the western look sky photo best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Strayer: I often look down the hill into that valley. And marvell. This morning it is shrouded in mist. Which is also beautiful.

      Delete
  31. I loved the Parrot, and the skies, amazing.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm now convinced that the sky in AU is more beautiful than the US version. The parrot is fantastic, too.x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bea: Wonderful skies are not limited by geography. Fortunately. I have seen some sunrises and sunsets from other places in the world which took my breath away.

      Delete
  33. You always delight with those beautiful skies and pretty birds, and yes she is a charmer :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DeniseinVA: I am so grateful for the natural world. So very grateful.

      Delete
  34. I also meant to say I do hope you get rid of what sounds like a very nasty cold quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh, EC, that sky! Just gorgeous! And that parrot looks like a child's book illustration. What a beautiful place to live.
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Austan: It is chilly here this morning - and still beautiful. The letter box is frozen shut though.

      Delete
  36. She's a beaut!! And what a sky! Wow! Thank you for fantastic pictures!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nicky HW: Some day you will see them for yourself.

      Delete
  37. Beautiful photos, EC. I am only beginning to realize how hard it is to take good sunrise and sunset photos - and bird photos. And I love the markings on the underside of the parrot. Nature has so much beauty in so many ways.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jenny_o: Nature gives me solace and delight. Often.

      Delete
  38. "I am still snotty, and still intermittently voiceless (which some would say is not a bad thing).

    Hope you are snot-free, soon :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Happy Whisk: Me too. One step forward, two back at the moment.

      Delete
    2. The Happy Whisk: Very almost. The last remnants of a cough remain.

      Delete
  39. Sorry you're still sniffling. Thank you for making the energy to post. Your pictures are highly appreciated as are you. Feel well soon.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thanks for sharing the songs from your dawn:)
    And the birds that you see wild are only caged here
    so it's brilliant beauty to see one flying free!
    Thanks for sharing the view from your world,
    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jennifer Richardson: I love to see our feathered visitors, and I love that they are free. It makes the privilege of seeing them even more amazing.

      Delete
  41. Oh how lovely is that parrot.
    The sky, clouds are amazing..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margaret-whiteangel: It was a stunning dawn. Mad woman with camera dances were involved.

      Delete
  42. That parrot is beautiful indeed, as are the sky shots. I'm still deeply jealous of the birds that just pop into your garden! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LL Cool Joe: You, and other bloggers, see things I will never see. And I admit to a smidge of jealousy too.

      Delete
  43. Lovely parrots.My song birds may not be exotic but like clockwork as the dawn breaks at around 3 AM they gather and begin their morning chorus in the apple tree right outside my bedroom window. Usually I can get back to sleep with a pleasant smile upon my face.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rasma Raisters: Lots of our birds are beautiful. Few of them are musical. The dawn chorus here is not a song. A shriek and a scream...

      Delete
  44. Oh my gosh, look at the sky and the birds. Wondrous.
    Wish you'd get to feeling better.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra Cox: The sky and the birds are never-ending delight. Unlike the snottiness. Which is going. Slowly.

      Delete
  45. She is a beauty for sure! Can't believe you get to enjoy such sites. My Sunday Selection photo would be of my dog Slim curled up in my chair pretending to be asleep so she could stay there. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Granny Annie: The cats are pretty good at the finding somewhere comfortable and refusing to move trick too. They are currently agitating to go out, but it is cold and they won't last long.

      Delete
  46. Your photos of the clouds and birdie are so animated, I can almost see them moving.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Birds are just so beautiful aren't they? And those clouds, gorgeous as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 1st Man: I am glad that I am not the only bird/sky obsessed blogger.

      Delete
  48. I have never seen a King parrot. Beautiful bird! My goodness you live in a wonderful area! Do you have a favorite local animal?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ginger Dawn Harman: Her (much brighter) partner was around this morning. Munching on apple, making me smile.
      My favourites change with the winds. I love them all.

      Delete
  49. We are fascinated by your same old birds lol....the sky pics are gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim @ Stuff could...: Thank you. I do worry that I am boring people to sobs.

      Delete
  50. "Your" birds fascinate and delight me. And brilliant skies!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Fabulous shots of bird and clouds!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Love the pictures, the birds and the clouds look amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Oh my gosh, what a gorgeous bird! Pretty sky, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terri @ Coloring Outside the Lines: Each time I type your blog name I have trouble with the spelling. Some day I will remember. And thank you. I love the sky and the birds too.

      Delete
  54. Those sky pics are just so evocative of a dystopian story...
    Hope you're feeling better today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra Cox: Not a way I have ever looked at the sky. Are you going to write that story? Hint, hint.

      Delete
  55. I'm sorry that you are snotty and quiet. People that I live with wish I was quiet. Not going to happen.
    I love your pictures-perfect as always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sonya Ann: I hear you on the people around me longing for quiet. It has happened - but won't last.

      Delete
  56. A big WOW at the clouds. About your voice--do you talk a lot?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Snowbrush: My father used to tell me that my tongue was hinged in the middle and wagged at both ends. I have improved (become quieter) from those chattering days.

      Delete
  57. Hey Sue,

    Yes, it's actually me, Penny's alleged human. I sure hope you aren't still snotted up and bordering on speechless.

    The skies and the birds where you live, awesome!

    Gary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. klahanie: Hi Gary. Lovely to see you hear. Less snotty and with more voice. Not perfect, but on the way.

      Delete
  58. I'm running late, but I hope you're feeling better. Lovely photos as always. I'm always fascinated by the sky photos. The colors are so amazing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mason Canyon: You are always welcome, and never late. I did love that sky. We have had too much cloud for good displays this week. No rain, but lots of cloud.

      Delete
  59. Beautiful. The king parrot wears my favourite colours, green and peachy-orange. NZ birds are very drab in comparison.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lynners: I am often grateful that our cockatoos and corellas (mischievous the the core) are not as intelligent as your kea.

      Delete
  60. She is definitely a charmer! Gorgeous clouds, too. Hope you are feeling better today.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lynn: Thank you. Clouds and the birds give me so much pleasure. Time and time again.

      Delete
  61. Love the bird, and the sky. You make me want to go bird watching.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Crystal Collier: Be careful. Watching birds can become (did become) an addiction way too fast.

      Delete
  62. Sweet birds after such a lovely bit of action in your beautiful skies! Wow, incredible sight. I do hope you're feeling better soon, take good care, and enjoy those sweet critters. Thanks for sharing them too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karen S.: Thank you. The birds are back this morning. The sky is grey, but the birds are back.

      Delete
  63. I love seeing parrots in the wild. I hate seeing them in cages. These were once again beautiful pictures. Here's to getting rid of that bug 100%.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. cleemckenzie: I hear you on the subject of cages. I had a caged bird as a child (and now feel shame). And love our wild visitors.

      Delete
  64. Are you better today?
    I have a nesting robin:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sandra Cox: A nesting robin??? Colour me jealous. Photos please. Pretty please. And I am getting better.

      Delete
    2. Glad you're better:)
      I've got a phone pic but it's pretty shadowy. I'll pull out the camera.
      Lost the bluebird babies:( From what I read, I'm guessing too much rain not enough food. They started rebuilding last week, but I haven't seen them in the last couple of days so I don't know if they are still there or not.

      Delete
    3. Sandra Cox: I am sorry about the babies, and hope there is another (more successful) hatching.

      Delete
    4. Sandra Cox: Everything crossed. It is blissfully damp here at the moment.

      Delete
  65. She's the total charmer. I wish I had birds like her in my garden - although admittedly I cannot complain, really.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carola Bartz: I know exactly what you mean. We have lots of lovely birds and I am so grateful to see them. But would also like rather a lot of other birds as well. Greed.

      Delete
  66. Hi Sue,
    I've tried for about 5 minutes to comment, but can't make blogger take my comment, even after matching pictures of soup and verifying I'm not a robot. Just know I'm one of the anonymous people that you know. Barb Froman

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barb Froman: Blame the robots at blogger and google. Sigh. And it is lovely to see you here. Whenever/however you drop in. How weird though that they will allow an anonymous comment but refuse to take on from another blogging platform. A pox on them.

      Delete
  67. She's got real personality! Particularly enjoy the last shot of her puffing out her chest as though in dignified thought.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Wiswell: Certainly in dignified thought... wondering how long before I stopped playing with the camera and took out some apple.

      Delete
  68. Wish I was up early enough to see a beautiful dawn like that!
    Nah. Maybe not.
    Love the parrot. She does look interested!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dawn@Lighten Up!: I see most dawns. No virtue in it. Insomnia and habit.

      Delete
  69. Beautiful pics as always. Sorry for the long absence. I usually dislike birds as you know, but she looks gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Riot Kitty: Lovely to see you out and about in the blogosphere. And you really, really wouldn't like to see our (almost) permanently crap covered veranda.

      Delete
  70. Ooooh, she is charming! Keep on with the same old, same old. Birds are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ms. Cranky Pants: They are. The cats think so too, and would like a MUCH closer acquaintance.

      Delete
  71. Ahhhhhhh! Birb. ^_^ She's so pretty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert Bennett: Yes. The whole family share her looks...

      Delete
  72. Such beautiful sky photos! Love the colors and the clouds. I could look at birds all day long. ;)
    ~Jess

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. DMS ~ Jess: We spend a LOT of time watching the birds. And don't consider it wasted.

      Delete
  73. Divine skies, adorable parrot! We live in a wonderful country, EC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carol: We do. I am very, very grateful. Particularly for the natural beauty. Not for our politicians (of any flavour).

      Delete