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. The calendar says we have some weeks to wait for Spring. The garden is not so sure. So come wander through the garden with me.
More camellias come out each day. And are pruned by the visiting birds.
Some of the 'other' gardeners...
There are jonquils and daffodils and snowdrops out - and more poking through the ground.
The abutilon hasn't stopped flowering since last spring.
And there are fluffy feathers, and fluffy clouds...
And violets and daisies and grevilleas and wall flowers. And anenomies and ranunculas and freesias in bud. And at least seven flower spikes on the orchids.
The wattle is coming out to say that spring is very almost here. And the vicious (to bare feet) seed pods from the liquid amber hang on the leafless trees to remind us winter is not over yet.
I always enjoy spring and will welcome her, but I do hope that her ugly sister Summer isn't hot on her heels.
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. The calendar says we have some weeks to wait for Spring. The garden is not so sure. So come wander through the garden with me.
More camellias come out each day. And are pruned by the visiting birds.
Some of the 'other' gardeners...
There are jonquils and daffodils and snowdrops out - and more poking through the ground.
The abutilon hasn't stopped flowering since last spring.
And there are fluffy feathers, and fluffy clouds...
And violets and daisies and grevilleas and wall flowers. And anenomies and ranunculas and freesias in bud. And at least seven flower spikes on the orchids.
The wattle is coming out to say that spring is very almost here. And the vicious (to bare feet) seed pods from the liquid amber hang on the leafless trees to remind us winter is not over yet.
mmmm! A feast for me! Love that two buds shot of the daffs!A super garden walk.
ReplyDeletedinahmow: Thank you. There will be many, many more garden photos over the coming weeks, months, years...
DeleteI never get bored of seeing the birds, they are just amazing. I did you a little "gift" on my Coolness blog. :)
ReplyDeleteLL Cool Joe: I loved my gift. Thank you so much. And the birds are demanding breakfast here at the moment. Noisily.
DeleteSuch a beautiful post, EC. The flowers, birds, clouds and feathers are gorgeous! Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteMarie Smith: Thank you - and I hope you have a wonderful week too.
DeleteI see traces of spring!
ReplyDeleteThat's nice you put fruit out for the birds.
Alex J. Cavanaugh: The traces are getting bigger each day. Apples for the birds (and they have to been green ones) are a fixture on our shopping list.
DeleteWe are just gobsmacked by your birds, by EVERYTHING!!!
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Thank you. We live in a beautiful world don't we?
DeletePoetry in images. Love the way this is arranged. Appreciate you sharing.
ReplyDeleteMartin Kloess: I read somewhere (Rumi?) that poetry is the language of the heart. And gardens are very close to mine.
DeleteHeaven.
ReplyDeletedonna baker: Thank you. Heaven - with rather a lot of weeds to pull.
DeleteSpring can hang off for a bit longer as far as I'm concerned. I hope she's running late. I don't want to even think about summer yet.
ReplyDeleteBirds and flowers in perfect harmony...in the photos at least! :)
I hope the coming week treats you kindly, EC. Cuddles to your two furry mates. :)
Lee: Spring at least is making it very clear that she is on her way. Summer? Shudder.
DeleteI hope you and your furry friends have a great week/fortnight absorbing the Olympics.
We will, thanks, EC. It's only the first day of competition and I've already lost my voice and am exhausted! I love the Olympics...I love seeing people giving it their all...win or lose. I wish all the competitors well.
DeleteTo become an Olympian is a grand achievement; an honour; to become a medalist is a bonus.
Lee: I saw a snippet of that poor French athlete breaking his leg. Such a sad end to his hard work.
DeleteBeautiful spring photos --refreshing and encouraging. Here, we are contending with her "ugly sister", an apt description of California summer.
ReplyDeleteGeo.: I am so not a fan of the sweaty season. And fear that she will be here too quickly.
DeleteEven with our relatively mild winners winters, the signs of spring are exciting. Like you, I dislike the heat but it seems to have been a long winter and spring will be welcome.
ReplyDeleteEven with our relatively mild winners winters, the signs of spring are exciting. Like you, I dislike the heat but it seems to have been a long winter and spring will be welcome.
ReplyDeleteAndrew: Our winter hasn't been that long or hard here. We have had the odd cold day, but we have also had some 'unseasonable' warmth. Spring is making it clear that she is nearly here. Which is exciting. I hope she settles in for the long haul.
DeleteI love camellias! They begin blooming in winter here but by the looks of your other blooms it looks like spring is just about here for you. I wonder if that means we will have an early fall?
ReplyDeleteAnne in the kitchen: Some of our camellias start blooming in late winter, but the white and the pale pink one never have before. And the rest of the garden (including the lilac buds) are saying loudly that spring is nearly here.
DeleteHot on her heels, indeed! There are some lovely reasons to live in Canada. I don't think I could handle Australian heat. But we don't have your birds. So there is that.
ReplyDeleteBirdie: Another blogger friend in Canada (also with MS) has been sharing some horrendously hot temperatures. Our heat varies, but is always hotter than I like.
DeleteThe cockatoos have their Winter coats on still. Summer all the way for this little black duck.
ReplyDeletecarol in cairns: They do. And this morning (another grey day) they are fluffed out even more. I think there are probably more summer fans than winter, so you aren't on your own.
DeleteI happy to see spring after this winter, maybe I'm getting old but the winters are colder now.
ReplyDeleteGreat birds.
Merle........
Merlesworld: Spring is fine. Summmer? Shudder.
DeleteYou have the MOST beautiful wild birds in your area!!
ReplyDeletefishducky: There are beautiful birds the world over, but I am very fond of ours too.
DeleteThat picture of all the pretty white birds in the tree is wonderful. Well, okay, ALL of your pictures are exceptionally delightful today. :-)
ReplyDeleteDJan: I do love our cockatoos, but would prefer that they didn't find it essential to prune the camellias. And the daffodils. And behead the anenomies...
DeleteI LOVE your 'other' gardeners :) and I'm happy seeing your daffodils, mine will be a while yet, but I noticed buds on the freesias yesterday. I can hardly wait to see my Ixias again too. Your clouds are gorgeous, looks like a really beautiful day there.
ReplyDeleteRiver: It greyed over again later, but I did enjoy those early clouds. Your freesias are ahead of mine. I am hoping for ixias too.
DeleteA lovely selection of birds and flowers and feathery clouds - looks like spring is an early visitor at your place. My garden is absolutely sodden - so much rain! The pink and white camellia is very pretty indeed - do you know its name?
ReplyDeleteAlexia: Sadly I don't know what that camellia is called. It was here when we arrived. It usually flowers much later than this, and the blooms always remind me of water lilies.
DeleteJust living is not enough...One must have sunshine, freedom and little flower.
ReplyDeleteVest: Just not too much sunshine...
DeleteThe best rose-bush, after all, is not that which has the fewest thorns but that which bears the finest roses.
ReplyDeleteVest: So long as those roses are scented. A rose without perfume is a travesty in my eyes...
DeleteOh, lovely birds and blooms! Wattle, one of my faves. I have a dried branch of it from when I lived in Australia, which seems like so many eons ago now. I hope Summer sister is not vicious. She sure has been here, still battling 40 degree weather.
ReplyDeleteKaren: I knew your summer had been vilely hot, but hoped it had settled. I hope you get some relief soon. The early start to spring has me worried. Very worried.
DeleteLovely camellias!
ReplyDeletelynners: They are. And they are huge. Each of them stands taller than the house.
DeleteWell they are all spring flowers so you must be having an early spring. Thankfully there is no sign of an early autumn here as yet, the sun is still shiny this summer's day. ALl your flowers are lovely and you do see quite a variety of birds as well.
ReplyDeleteMargaret Adamson: I expect we will get some more wintry days but yes, spring is well on the way.
DeleteHi EC - amazing how far Spring has sprung for you ... so odd for me to see daffodils, jonquils, snowdrops and other spring bulbs and plants ... but the wattle sprigs - remind me of happy memories ... while the liquid amber pods are rather lethal aren't they ...
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the Spring ... and what will your weather bring you - we are having a motley summer here - dank and misty today - still relatively warm though. Clear skies yesterday ... still the days are drawing in ...
Cheers and enjoy these early Spring days - Hilary
Hilary Melton-Butcher: Spring is such a busy, exciting time of year. I suspect we will get some more cold weather, but spring will refuse to be denied.
DeleteYou are right about the liquid amber pods. I have trodden on them more than once...
Beautiful spring shots!
ReplyDeleteLady Fi: Thank you. It is too early, but spring is a determined soul.
DeleteMy favourites are the Parrots, they are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBob Bushell: We had a small flock of the King Parrots here yesterday - nine of them at one time. Which was lovely.
DeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteLovely camellias and Spring flowers. I like your other gardeners too, even if their 'help' isn't quite what you need!
Best wishes
Ellie
Ellie Foster: The other gardeners are skilled pruners, and are equally skilled at beheading some of my blooms. It is just as well they are beautiful. They need to be to soften my heart.
DeleteBeautiful spring flower-photos. We have still summer, but soon it's again autumn… :(.
ReplyDeleteI like parrots. Do you have them in your garden?
orvokki: The bird photos were taken from my front veranda. I hope your autumn is beautiful (and gentle).
DeleteAnother lovely post.
ReplyDeleteR
Rick Watson: Thank you.
DeleteAs you await a warm summer we are anticipating cool weather. Fall is due to arrive here soon. Love the pictures especially that unusual tree.
ReplyDeleteGranny Annie: Thank you. Which of the trees struck you as unusual?
DeleteAll very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe Happy Whisk: It is a beautiful world isn't it?
DeleteTruly, yes.
DeleteThe Happy Whisk: And we are lucky to recognise it.
DeleteYou have a bevy of beautiful gardeners! Too bad they don't do weeds as well. I've always loved camellias. Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteRiver Fairchild: They do weed (or at least uproot things) but our definitions are not the same. Each year the cockatoos in particular delight in beheading tulips and occasionally just pulling the whole plant out of the ground.
DeleteI can just picture you meandering through your gardens and I never tire of seeing what is in bloom; love the white theme of clouds, flowers and birds, the snowdrops and camellias and I never tire of the parrot like birds you are favored with in your neck of the woods, we are finally getting a bit cooler weather here but are so low on rain; this week we may get a small reprieve with some rain. hope your summer gives you enough rain this next season.
ReplyDeleteLinda Starr: I hadn't noticed the largely white theme until you pointed it out. Over the next few weeks the garden at least will turn yellow as the wattle and more daffodils come out. No yellow feathers to speak of though.
DeleteWhat a wonderful collection of images! Difficult to believe all this beauty is showing in the winter. We hope your Spring is full of pleasant days and lasts a very long time!
ReplyDeleteWally Jones: A very long spring would be welcome. Followed by a short summer.
DeleteI started from the top and forgot to breath in...till the last image! So beautiful.
ReplyDeleteNas: What a lovely thing to say. Thank you.
DeleteIt's so fascinating to see another season happening half a world away.....encouraging that our beastly Summer heat and humidity won't break us - that cooler times are on the way;) Grateful for the cool breeze blowing in your world and those feathered beauties-wow:) So cool, those.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the loveliness,
Jennifer
Jennifer Richardson: When we are in the middle of the sweaty season I will breathe a sigh of relief as I look at images from your part of the world.
DeleteSuch vivid colors. Beautiful flowers. I can't image having such lovely birds visit my garden. We're in the middle of summer here and with the heat index the temperature has been around 105 to 110(F).
ReplyDeleteMason Canyon: Your current temperatures fill me with horror. I so hope we don't reach those extremes anytime soon.
DeleteYou talk of spring, which means fall is on its way here and I have done nothing to enjoy summer, even though summer here has been mostly a bust with cooler than normal temps and clouds and yuk, although a few hot days interweaved. Oh gosh I don't like to think of fall coming then the endless gray dreary winter to follow. I love your flowers however. EVen in winter there you have such beauties that bloom.
ReplyDeleteStrayer: I do hope you get at least some summer to revel in. Our winter has been greyer than usual, but has still seen plenty of sun. There is a frost here this morning and blue skies. Spring is coming though. Soon.
DeleteYou always have such interesting shots...today's were a riot of colour! Very nice!
ReplyDeleteCarolyn McBride: Thank you. I am hoping for more colour as the season progresses.
DeleteAndy Warhol once said something like this: There's beauty in everything, but not everyone sees it. You see it.
ReplyDeletecleemckenzie: Thank you so much. I am a beauty addict and I do try and find it everywhere. And, speaking of beauty, I am reading Sign of the Green Dragon at the moment.
DeletePreparing a bed for roses is a little like getting the house ready for the arrival of a difficult old lady, some biddy with aristocratic pretensions and fussy tastes. her stay is bound to be an ordeal, and you want to give her as little cause for complaint as possible.
ReplyDeleteVest: Roses (difficult or not) get the same treatment as anything else in the garden. The beds are weeded and suitable food applied. Like it, or lump it.
DeleteYour Pre-Spring is prettier than our summer. Our summer is fading. So sad.
ReplyDeleteSonya Ann: Our pre-spring is prettier than our summer too. When summer bites everything in the garden is likely to be crispified and brown. Or dead.
Delete2nd Words on Wednesday.
ReplyDelete2nd Words on Wednesday.
CONVALESCENCE.
RANCOR.
EMPATHY.
EXPERTISE.
DANGLE.
TISSUES..
Below is my Composition.
I know a business executive, a modest man recently out of CONVALESCENCE after a serious accident, no tears for this brave man so save your TISSUES, his EMPATHY towards the Guilty party in the accident shows the type of person who is rarely defeated. No problem, no set-back ever gets him down. He simply attacks without RANCOR each difficulty with an optimistic attitude and a sure confidence that it will work out all right -.together with an EXPERTISE where he does not need to DANGLE a juicy carrot to persuade a client. He seems to have a magic touch on life-a touch that never fails.
Vest ... Back soon
Vest: This is such a positive piece. If only more of us could adopt that attitude.
DeleteSuch beautiful flowers and birds. Enjoy because Summer definitely follows Spring. But now is now and it looks delightful.
ReplyDeleteMyrna R.: Thank you. The now is indeed a delight.
DeleteHow gorgeous, from beginning to end! I can't work out what the 12th photo is - Abutilon? or did I get mixed up? I can't think of any other examples of green on flower petals - they are most striking. What do the open blossoms look like? These photos are stunning.
ReplyDeleteI had yet another read, and they're snowdrops, I think, aren't they? I've never seen them in person.
Deletejenny_o: Snowdrops they are. Beautiful things. Pristine and gorgeous. I am so pleased that the clump of them I planted is thickening up each year.
DeletePS: I also have a green and white arum lily (accurately called Green Goddess). If/when it blooms later in the year I will show you its photo.
DeleteThank you - I would love to see it.
DeleteThe picture of abutilon reminds me that I used to have one, many moons ago, when the backyard was less cluttered and the kids were little. I wonder how many things get locked away in our memories, only showing up if there is a suitable trigger
ReplyDeletekylie: Lots and lots of things I suspect. And sometimes the triggers can be such small things.
DeleteOur tall camellia bush is covered with beautiful pink flowers again this year and our azaleas have flowers on them too.
ReplyDeleteParrots don't bother out camellia but the black parrots will pick the flowers of the Kings Park Special (Callistemon) for no reason than to be destructive.
Love all the bulbs you have flowering. I can imagine how beautiful your entire garden s looking.
Wattle is beautiful but can be bad for allergies. Gwen next door has wattle growing so we admire hers.
Just love the clouds and the feathers, in fact just love your Sunday Selections once again.
Mimsie: It will be some weeks before the garden is in 'full' spring mode. I hope it will be a riot of colour (and scent) then. The cockatoos and the king parrots love ripping the camellias apart. The cockatoos also behead the tulips. Which irritates me.
DeleteBeautiful and colorful flowers and birds.
ReplyDeleteWeekend-Windup: Thank you. We like them.
DeleteLove your other gardeners
ReplyDeleteAuthor R. Mac Wheeler: I love them too, but don't love their work in the garden.
DeleteBeautiful flowers. I love your spring blooms, and so glad I am on the flip side of summer from you. It has quite worn it's welcome out here.
ReplyDeleteTerri @ Coloring Outside the Lines: Given the temperatures you have been having (which I hope we don't get) I am not surprised that summer has worn out its welcome.
DeleteSuch beautiful spring flowers. I love seeing them, as gardening is one of my favorite pastimes. :) I hope you have a nice lengthy spring! You are lucky to have such stunning gardeners helping you! :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
DMS ~ Jess: Gardens are one of my obsessions and I am looking forward to seeing what the talented people from WEP do with it next week.
DeleteBeautiful flowers and of the birds. I really enjoy these post. Always a pick me upo during the day! So grateful!
ReplyDeleteGinger Dawn Harman: Thank you. There will be many, many more photos of the birds and the garden. Possibly too many photos.
DeleteThe more I think about it, it's probably a very good thing that we don't have such gorgeous birds about our grounds. I'd probably never get anything done, and then there are the dogs. I have to constantly keep after Dash and Misty as they think chasing the bunnies around here are their most important job ever! What wonderful gardeners you have indeed!
ReplyDeleteKaren S.: We spend a LOT of time watching the birds. Each and every day. And don't count it as wasted. The chores can wait. The chores DO wait.
DeleteHopefully your summer won't be as hot as ours has been. I'm afraid to see my electric bill - been camped out by my A/C unit.
ReplyDeleteLove your cheery photos - especially the birdie pecking at an apple.
Take care, EC.
Rawknrobyn: In a month or so our evaporative cooler will go on. And stay on. I do hope that you get some relief - and that we don't get your temperatures.
DeleteYour flowers pics are always beautiful and way better than mine. I am always jealous, but love seeing your part of the world.
ReplyDeleteJono: As I love seeing your part of the world. And envy quite a lot of the magic you see.
DeleteI do not know what is more lovely--the flowers or the birds. Such beautiful pictures.
ReplyDeleteKathleen Valentine: Thank you. We love them both, but wish that the birds played nicely in the garden. And welcome them just the same.
DeleteLooks like The Elephant Child's Botanical Garden and Bird Resort is flourishing.
ReplyDeleteLove those camellias and birds. Gorgeous.
Sandra Cox: Shameless flattery. Thank you.
DeleteSpring flowers are my very favourite, but it certainly does seem odd to hear about them blooming in August! Yes, I know, I live in the wrong half of the world!!
ReplyDeleteShammickite: Around Christmas when we are deep in the sweaty season I will be convinced you live in the right side of the world.
DeleteOh my, I'm jealous. I want camellias and wattle for my gardens. Maybe a parrot or two also. Please.
ReplyDeleteT. Powell Coltrin: I am happy to share...
DeleteIs the middle picture between two clouds actually of a feather? It's so incredibly fluffy! What kind of bird does that come from?
ReplyDeleteJohn Wiswell: It is indeed feather - or to be more accurate down. From a cockatoo is my best guess, though it could also come from a corella.
DeleteHot on her heels.....good one.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: Sigh. I so hope summer learns some moderation. But won't be holding my breath.
DeleteIt never ceases to amaze me, the beautiful birds in your garden that are called "exotic" and caged up here. It must be astounding to see them.
ReplyDeleteAnd your flowers are so lovely - also amazing that spring is arriving there.
Lynn: Sadly some of our avian visitors are caged here too. I am thrilled that some of them I have never seen in cages, and hope that I never do.
DeleteSpring is indeed nearly here. Very nearly.
I would never get tired of seeing all the birds and flowers in your part of the world. Outstanding photos :)
ReplyDeleteDeniseinVA: Thank you. I am so grateful that the wonders of the blogosphere allow us to share.
DeleteI cannot say it enough but the flowers and yall birds are absolutely gorgeous! I would love to have a flower that blooms all summer. yes I understand the dread of the heat!
ReplyDeleteKim@Stuffcould...: Thank you. I love the birds and the garden and sometimes worry that I am boring people to sobs with them.
DeleteSplendid array of photos.
ReplyDeleteBlogoratti: Thank you.
DeleteAh, harbinger flowers. Love seeing daffodils in the spring.
ReplyDeleteSandra Cox: You will see lots and lots and lots of garden photos in the weeks to come.
DeleteI look forward to it:)
DeleteAre camellias delicate or hardy? They have them around here, but I've never grown one. It sounds like our climates are similar, just in reverse:)
Sandra Cox: Once established camellias seem to be fairly hardy. Ours have survived drought and searing heat, and cold. And the attentions of the cockatoos. All of them are taller than the house.
DeleteAll your birds and flowers are gorgeous! I don't suppose we'll ever get to travel to Australia in real life but your recent posts are a wonderful substitute.
ReplyDeleterhymeswithplague: Thank you. Mind you, it is such a varied country that my photos can only give a snapshot of my tiny patch of it.
DeleteThese are fantastic photos! Wow? Thank you fo sharing! I love the birds and the flowers... Two of my most favorite things
ReplyDeleteNicky HW: Thank you. Birds, flowers, books, cats, food...
DeleteThis is my story
ReplyDeleteThe former master of the seized ship sat forlornly on the stern thwart holding the tiller of the 32 foot Cutter possibly wondering what went wrong. The ships crew or most of them had been abused or flogged at the slightest whim of the their officers and their attendant security namely six marines. the wife of the Master being one of the main reasons for the mutiny; who demanded the flogging of all persons who would dare look upon or drool over her gaze-worthy form.
The plot was quite simple. The second mate Mr Vest and now Master designate, suggested a birthday party be held and on the lower deck and invite the six marines whom they easily filled with rum and were soon snoring.. The mutiny commenced when the marines were (ABDUCTED) one after the other at the point of the (SHARP) end of a bayonet on the end of a musket Stolen from the marines while asleep.. One by one the marines and officers were rudely awakened from their slumbers to be taken to the upper deck and ordered to climb down into the ships cutter.in the pouring (RAIN). Soon after a baricoe of water and provisions were sent down to the boat which was now swinging a fair bit in the wind and waiting to be lowered on the crest of a wave in a boiling (SEA GREEN) ocean.
Finally the order to " Let Go' was given and the disengaging gear dropped the boat and the boat cleared the side of the ship and was seen later wallowing up and down with a lady still in her night attire screeching with (FROTH Covering her sea sick face.
Fortunately the persons in the cutter would soon reach land fall for what it was worth, being there were (THOUSANDS) of islands in the near vicinity - mostly populated by people yet to become subordinate to a foreign power and with a taste for 'Long Pig' , Maybe a Great white variety would soon be on their menu
"Ready about" came the order from the new Master - Captain Vest who pointed the ship to Rio and freedom. rather than Sydney and incarceration..
Vest: As I said on your own blog, I suspect variations of this story happened more often than we realise.
DeleteHi Sue,
ReplyDeleteI just went for a virtual wander through all your fabulous photos. That was fun.
Pardon my absence from your site, my kind friend.
Have a peaceful weekend.
Gary
klahanie: Dear Gary you are welcome whenever you stop by. I hope you are starting to feel a tiny bit better.
DeleteI see so many of my friends here! I don't know HOW you keep track with 150 people.
ReplyDeletelotta joy: I keep track because they matter. So much. People in the blogosphere have kept me sane(ish) through some dark and ugly times.
DeleteWonderful pictures, of both the flowers and the birds. That ugly sister Summer is giving us a wee break right now. It's been so hot this year, temperatures that "only" reach ninety almost feel like fall. :)
ReplyDeleteSusan: I hope the ugly sister continues to cut your some slack. And that she doesn't visit us.
DeleteBird Heaven, darling!
ReplyDeleteSend some of those colorful creatures to Duluth! xx